Page 10 of Bear

“Go get ‘em, tiger.”

A swell of nervous energy suddenly rose in my stomach. I was really doing this. For the first time in fourteen years, I was about to ask a woman on a date.

I glanced at Carlos.

“I should probably be chewing you out for watching television while your younger brother is working but…”

I trailed off. I didn’t have it in me to chastise Carlos, not while my mind was on Shelby. Besides, I was relieved to see him sitting around here with his feet up instead of walking the streets, hijacking cars and getting arrested by cops.

“Hey,” Carlos said with uncharacteristic softness. “Just be yourself, man. She already likes you.”

I raised my eyebrows. “You think so?”

He snorted and shook his head. “Come on. You haven’t noticed? You’ve taken too many hits to your head, big brother. Your brain is leaking out your ears.”

I playfully shoved him as I walked out of the apartment and headed for Shelby’s place. Secretly, Carlos’ support meant the world to me. We butted heads more often than not but at least he had my back on this.

I flexed my hands at my sides in an attempt to prepare myself. I mentally ran through what I planned to say as I made my way to Shelby’s apartment.

Hey, Shelby. Just thought I’d drop by and see how you and the little one were doing. I was wondering…there’s a picnic this weekend. Would you like to go with me?

I grimaced at how stilted and awkward that sounded. Hadn’t this been a little easier in my teenage years?

Before I could settle on what I wanted to say, the sharp exchange of voices echoed in the hallway. When I turned the corner, I found a man at Shelby’s door. His body language was all hostile - one foot keeping the door wedged open, his arm braced against the frame. Shelby was terrifyingly small in comparison to his tall, bulky figure.

Shelby shoved him in the chest with both hands.

“Leave me the hell alone, Justin, or I’m calling the cops.”

And something feral, something dark and wild, snarled in the pit of my stomach.

Chapter Four

Shelby

Ever since I’d left yesterday’s dinner with Bear and his brothers, I hadn’t stopped smiling and humming to myself. Maisie seemed to be in a better mood, too. She’d slept the whole night through - something that hadn’t happened in weeks. I sang softly to her as I warmed up a few of the leftovers Bear had sent home with me - spicy tamales and enchiladas full of gooey cheese and flavorful rice.

A knock at the door drew my attention. Without thinking, I moved to the door, peppering Maisie’s face with kisses until she squealed with laughter and waved her fists in the air. I loved seeing her in a good mood like this, bright and happy.

Then I opened the door and my stomach dropped.

“Hey, baby.”

Justin’s broad frame darkened my doorway. At one time, I used to find all that muscle and overflowing charisma to be attractive. Back in high school, he used to be a jock - a world class example of a douchebag. But I thought I’d been the lucky girl to catch his eye. As the quarterback for the football team, a dozen colleges had been flaunting full-ride scholarships in his face, paving the way in gold to success. Every girl in high school envied me because Justin Davis could have had his pick of whoever he wanted to date but he’d chosen me - the curvy little wallflower, Shelby Thompson.

Then an injury ruined Justin’s chances of joining a professional team and he’d been bitter ever since.

Now, when I looked at Justin, I realized what a terrible, horrible, massive mistake I’d made in thinking he would ever be a good father to my daughter. And I wanted nothing more than to slap the smug smile right off his face.

“What do you want?” I demanded, my voice flat.

Justin tilted his head and reached toward me. I took a step back, jerking away from his touch.

“Come on, Shelby. Aren’t you happy to see me?”

Anger trembled through me. Maisie’s laughter vanished and she let out a confused little whimper as I clutched her too tightly.

“Don’t call me that,” I hissed. “You lost that privilege seven months ago.”

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