Page 20 of Waste
“Charlie, please. You can’t get through the day without one angry customer. Sure, there are pissed-off customers, but they return the next day. Does anyone stand out? No.”
“Get some rest. The hospital is releasing you tomorrow,” Charlie said.
“Yippee,” Shelley deadpanned. With a broken ankle and arm, moving around and looking after herself would be difficult. There was no doubt in Shelley’s mind that her mother was already planning to take Shelley home with her. And as much as Shelley loved her, she dreaded the notion of being under her mum’s administration.
Shelley closed her eyes and sighed. Life would be hard for a while!
Drew/Ghoul
He watched as Shelley settled against the pillows. Whatever Charlie had said had upset her; he could tell.
“You don’t need to keep coming back,” Gail stated, and Drew looked at her.
“Why wouldn’t I?” Drew asked, perplexed. Had he done something wrong?
“Shelley said she only met you twice; you’re not friends. So why are you here?” Gail accused.
Drew smiled as Jake’s eyes narrowed on him. “The truth is what I said. I met Shelley at the coffee shop. I liked her and wanted to take her on a date. But today isn’t safe for women, so instead of asking for her number, I offered her mine. Shelley declined and tried to steer me in the direction of her abrasive and rather unattractive manager.”
Jake snorted, and Drew looked at her. “You find Jo ugly? Son, you need your eyes checked.”
“Oh, she’s beautiful on the outside. But her entire personality is repulsive. She couldn’t be more obvious as a gold digger if she had it tattooed across her forehead. I’m sure you know who I am, so this should make sense; I rarely meet a genuine person,” Drew replied honestly.
Gail laughed. “That is quite true. Jo has made it plain she’s after a rich husband. And yes, we can understand that you’re surrounded by people putting up a front. Being famous must be a pain in the ass.”
“I’ve no intention of tangling with Jo. Shelley is sweet and gentle, and she has a kind smile. That attracted me,” Drew admitted and surprised himself. Had he really been looking at Shelley that way?
“That might be true, but everything you’ve done is overboard for a stranger,” Jake challenged.
“Have either of you researched me?” Drew asked.
“No?” Jake replied after glancing at Gail, who shook her head.
“Look up the Drew Martin Charity. I think you’ll find some answers there,” Drew said. “I’m going to head to the local coffee shop. The drinks here are appalling. May I fetch you any?”
“I’d love a tea,” Gail admitted, and Jake agreed.
“And for Charlie?”
“White coffee, two sugars,” Gail replied.
Drew nodded and headed out. Gail’s question bugged him. Why was he still here? What he’d said about Shelley hadn’t been wrong. She was sweet and gentle, but that didn’t mean she was for him. Drew doubted deep down that Shelley could manage his lifestyle. And she certainly wouldn’t be able to handle Ghoul inside her body.
That was a bitch. To bond properly with their mates, their shifted monster form had to have intercourse with them briefly. They only needed to shift for a few seconds, but he knew Shelley couldn’t handle that. Their monster also had to mark their mate, usually with a bite, and that would then strengthen the bond. It also appeared the bite then allowed their mate to share in their abilities, although not the Sin they carried.
How did Drew explain that to Shelley? Oh, hi, you’re my mate, and I have to shift into my monster form while we’re having sex and bite you. That means you too become a monster. That’s not a problem, is it? Drew thought snarkily. Shelley would jump through hoops to bond with him. Not.
Drew’s thoughts turned dark as he entered the local coffee shop and bought their drinks. When he returned, he was a little surprised to see Gail, Jake, and Charlie outside talking to a police officer.
“Thank you, Drew,” Gail said, taking the cup he offered her. The officer’s eyes burned into the back of his head, and Drew felt unwelcome attention.
“Drew Martin?” the man demanded.
“Yes. And you are?”
“I’m Detective Inspector Wilson.”
“Okay.” Drew refused to ask why he was here, as Wilson clearly wished him to. After a few moments, Wilson cracked first.
