Page 80 of Too Tempting

“He said there were parts of the conversation that I missed and that I should hear them from Cameron.”

He sighs over the line. “Cameron has been saying the same thing. That you walked in on the worst possible part of the conversation. If it puts you at ease, he still definitely wants this. He just doesn’t know how to deal with everything he’s feeling.”

“And Shyla?”

He sighs again. “She’s more difficult to read. She’s being really hard on herself. And it doesn’t help that she’s giving me the silent treatment, which she is really fucking good at, fyi.”

“She has no reason to be hard on herself; she didn’t do anything wrong.” She defended me, she kept me safe.

“I know, sugar. Shyla doesn’t like to be surprised or not be able to control the situation. When things are out of her hands she tends to disassociate.”

“I think maybe when I get home we could see the pack therapist at the center I go to, what do you think?”

“I’d do anything for you. And from the way things have been over here, I’m guessing Shyla and Cameron feel the same way.”

“I really wish you were all here with me.”

“Me too. Text me tomorrow and let me know you’re okay.”

“I will.”

“Okay, I miss you.”

“I miss you too,” I say, hanging up the phone. I needed that. I need to know that Cameron and Shyla were okay. Just hearing Emmett’s voice makes me feel better in general. The right decision was for him to stay home. They are all taking care of each other and Dom is taking care of me. Isn’t that the whole point of a pack?

I put my phone back on the charger and crawl back into bed with Dom.

“Everything okay?” he mumbles.

“It will be.” He squeezes me tightly, and I finally get the night’s rest that my body has been begging me for.

Chapter 29

Controlissuchaninteresting concept, one that can never truly be mastered. There are too many factors in being human that allow you to control every aspect of your life.

For the most part, I’ve done a good job. I’d found a job that I love, a firm that fits my personality, a partner who is perfect for me, a home I feel comfortable in, and a schedule I follow.

Kelsey wasn’t planned. Her disruption to my life was wanted and needed. But this… I don’t know what to do with this.

Will she look at me and see her abuser now? Did she before? Emmett told me that she already knew. They saw her Beta and the pieces all clicked together for him. I’m upset about the lying, but she already knew and she kept pursuing me. That has to mean something.

I sip the coffee in front of me. I haven’t even brushed my hair. I probably look like a complete mess. At least we’re back at the house and no longer at the hotel. I felt like a coward when I ran away. I couldn’t face Kelsey. I also couldn’t be near my sister for another minute, fearing what I might do to her if I didn’t walk away.

When Emmett told me that she had a massive allergic reaction, and I wasn’t there, I felt like an even bigger failure. Emmett is holding everyone together. I think I’ll end his silent treatment. To be honest, taking care of Cameron at this moment is the only thing keeping me sane. Focusing my energy on Cameron is keeping me in control. Making him feel cared for and appreciated. That I can do.

Kelsey is gone, and talking to her about this isn’t something you can just do over the phone. How do I explain to her that Meera and I grew up in a household filled with fear? That my father made his points with his fist, clearly a trait that Meera has continued.

I hold in the need to cry. I cried in private yesterday. I got that out. There’s no room for that anymore. Meera and I never had a strong relationship. Finding out that she’s repeating the cycle, and hurt the person I’m falling in love with, it creates a pit so deep into my chest I don’t know how to get out of it.

Kelsey. My Kelsey. Was she scared? How many times did Meera touch her? I saw Kelsey’s face. She was terrified and the Beta that was with Meera looked like she wasn’t in a good situation either.

I press the warm mug against my face. Was Kelsey afraid of me when I put my hands on Meera? What would I have done if Dom didn’t separate us? Though I held animosity toward Dom, mostly for being the person Kelsey depends on, and clearly he has Cameron’s heart as well, I see the Alpha for who he is and if Kelsey will have me still, I’ll do everything in my power to create a friendship with him. He stopped me from doing more damage and he’s taking care of Kelsey when I can’t.

My world feels like it’s spinning and I need something to ground it.

I’m jostled from my thoughts as the bar stool next to me slides on the floor and a desperately sad Cameron sits on it. He crosses his arms and lays his head on his folded forearms.

“Have you heard from her?” he asks. I stroke his arm gently, letting him know I’m there.

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