15. Bryce

15

Bryce

“ I don’t know, Papa. He just seems off lately. Something is bothering him, but he won’t admit it.” I sat in my parents’ kitchen and ate my papa’s homemade chili and spaghetti.

“Well, I don’t mind you coming here and talking about it, but why aren’t you home with your mate and trying to work it out with him, then.” Papa raised his brow and tilted his head.

“Because he’s out with Evelyn tonight.” I placed my fork down and grabbed more parmesan cheese to put on top of the dish. “She’s flying out to her brother’s condo in Florida. They both wanted a best-friend-only day together and kicked me out.”

Chuckling, Papa handed me a bowl of chopped onions, aware I loved putting them on the very top of this dinner. “What have been the little clues that tell you not everything is right?”

“When I’m watching, he smiles and is happy. I’d never guess anything was amiss. But some nights, I’ll find him staring out into space in the living room, and his eyes are wet like he’s been crying. He tries to tell me he was watching a sappy commercial or reading some book, but there was no television on or books to be found.” I pushed my bowl away, no longer hungry. “Something is wrong, but he says he’s tired and emotional lately.”

“Emotional, huh?” Papa’s lips twisted in a sort of smile that left me baffled. “How long has this been happening?”

“A few weeks. Ever since I claimed him, really.” I didn’t like the next thought that popped up in my head. “Do you think he regrets bonding with me but is afraid to tell me?”

“No.” Papa shook his head and grabbed my hand. “I think he’ll tell you what is wrong very soon. He needs to work it out in his own mind first. But if he hasn’t in about another week, why don’t you talk to him? And perhaps talk to a doctor about him acting so emotional.”

“A doctor? Why?” Now I was going to worry about him being sick. Just great.

“Oh, I’ll let you figure that out.”

A thought occurred to me, but I quickly brushed it off. “If you are thinking he is pregnant, don’t. He is on the birth control shot, and he hasn’t gone into heat. Besides, we haven’t discussed having children yet.”

“Babies don’t always wait for their parents to plan them first.” Papa pushed my bowl back in front of me. “Eat up. You need the fuel.”

“Fine.” I was hungry again anyway. I couldn’t say no to Papa’s food for long. “But he’s not pregnant.”

“If you say so, dear. Just give him a week or two to speak with you. He’s a good man who loves you. Trust him to tell you.”

“Thank you, Papa.”

“Anytime, Bryce. Now. Eat up before it gets cold.”

Ding.

Looking down at my phone, I saw that Hector had texted me.

Hector: Tracked the black mist to a magic weaver out in Vegas. He was hired by some dude who was used to winning big by betting on your team. He was trying to spy on you to figure out if you would be coming back so he could place his bets for the next championship. So, there was no real danger, simply annoying stalker vibes. I sent a scare-spirit to the man, and he shouldn’t be bothering you again.

Me: K. Thanks. Lunch next week?

Hector: Should be good to go. I will call tomorrow.

Before I could put my phone down, another text came through. A warm rush of affection crashed through me when I saw it was from my mate.

Connor: Just saying I love you.

Me: Love you too. I hope you two are having a good night.

Connor: We are going to miss her.

Me: But she’ll be back. Plus, weekly video chats, remember.

Connor: Oh yeah. Maybe I’ll make them nightly.

Me: Whatever makes you smile. Have fun.

Connor: We will. Say hi to your parents. Have fun in your childhood bed.

Bryce: They said to tell you hi. Tell Evelyn to take care of you. Sweet dreams.

Connor: You too.

“Everything okay?” Papa gestured to the phone and raised a brow.

“Yeah.” I nodded, put my phone down, and picked up my fork. “I think everything will be fine.”

Connor

“Have you talked to Bryce yet about the nightmares you’ve been having?” Evelyn sat on my couch and shoveled another spoonful of Peanut Butter Madness ice cream into her mouth. “I keep telling you that will help.”

“I know you do.” I put down my spoonful of Banana Bonanza. “But I am scared. What if I’m right and he misses his old life? I heard him talking to Alex the other day, and he told him he was staying here, but he also said that he missed the team and being out on the ice.”

“And I am sure he does. But missing something doesn’t mean you wish you were still doing it. You even heard him say he is staying here in Valleywood. Why are you still freaking out that he will leave?”

“Because I’m stupid?”

“I agree with that only because you haven’t spoken with him yet.”

I threw a pillow at Evelyn, but she dodged it, and it hit the corner table. Ren was not amused and got up from his napping spot by the table and skulked to another room.

“Well, if you had spoken with him, you would have worked this all out already. Instead, you have ignored my advice for weeks and have made yourself so sick over it that instead of going out tonight before I leave for my three-month sabbatical to Florida, we are sitting in your living room binging on ice cream and cake.”

“Don’t forget the hot and spicy chips with guacamole we had earlier.”

“Oh, how could I forget that? If I didn’t know better, I would have said you were pregnant and getting cravings.”

“Nope. I made sure I got my shot on time. And besides. I haven’t had a heat with him yet. Just some hot sex every night since we mated.”

“Well, if you’re not better in a week or two, you are going to the doctor. Promise me that, okay?”

“Fine. I promise.” I took a bite of the chocolate cake roll and moaned. “Man, this is so good.”

“Yeah, definitely see a doctor in a week or two.” Evelyn gave me the side-eye, but I didn’t care; I loved my junk-food dinner.

“Let’s get back to this show. I haven’t seen an episode in forever.”

“Me neither.” Evelyn unpaused the television and turned the volume up. “I totally think those two characters need to hook up.”

“For sure.” I looked at the two men in uniform on the screen. Their characters had been flirting all seven seasons and still hadn’t hooked up. “I think this might be the year they give the fans what they want.”

“Maybe someone should give an offering to the god of entertainment or something. Sweeten the deal and get the deed done.”

“Good idea. I think I will recommend that on the fan forum later.”

I grabbed my phone and sent a quick text to Bryce and I got a reply. I missed him more than I thought I would.

“Bryce?” Evelyn leaned over to peek at my phone screen. “He’s a sweetheart. Make sure you talk to him soon.”

“I will.” I sighed and placed my phone down on the cushion next to me. “Put the show back on. I need to try to manifest them kissing.”

“I’ll let you go for now on the whole talk-to-Bryce thing. But if you haven’t spoken to him in two weeks, I will manifest that those two on-screen never become an actual thing.”

“You wouldn’t dare.”

“Wanna test me?”

“Fine. I’ll tell him.” I was pouting now, but Evelyn only did this because she was right. “Now, shut up and watch.”

She’d better not keep these two away from each other, I grumbled to myself.

Then you’d better talk to our mate, my wolf grumbled back.

Great, even my wolf was on her side.