Chapter Fourteen River

W ell, things weren't as bad as I'd expected. But they weren't good either.

After spending a nearly sleepless night back in the hotel after Vincent told me off, I felt like shit. However, the night had given me some time to think and at last I thought I'd come to a decision.

I had a little less than three weeks left in Shifter Grove. The first order of business was to grovel like my life depended on it. Vincent was pissed at me and with good reason. The only way I could ever get him to listen to me and take my feelings seriously was to prove to him that I wasn't some Alpha asshole. He was his own person and I needed to respect that. But, I didn't want to let him go completely and lose him to another blond himbo. So walking that particular tight rope would require a delicate sense of balance.

The second order of business was being honest with him about my feelings. Now, I had to earn his trust back before I could really spill my guts about all that. But I knew I had to do it eventually. Trying to force it all down and ignore how I truly felt was what got me in trouble in the first place. I didn't want to repeat that.

If steps one and two went well and Vincent seemed like he was serious about being with me, step three would be complete and utter honesty about my life. I needed to tell him what was waiting for me back home. After that we could decide how to proceed. Of course, if he wanted me to stay, that meant growing a pair and facing my father at last. But I needed Vincent to understand how deeply useless I was out in the real world. A wealthy and sheltered upbringing meant I had nothing to offer him outside of my company. I wouldn't have a dime to my name or a place to live. Although, Sam might take me in at his hotel if I needed it. But that was a bridge I'd burn when I got there. For now, I just needed to start with step one.

Thoughts of my father's disappointment nearly paralyzed me before I even got out of bed. But imagining Vincent's smiling face, luscious green eyes, and sweet scent drove all that fear away. I had to see him again. And thankfully, I knew where he went every morning.

So, doing my best not to be a total stalker once again, I got dressed and went as nonchalantly down to the cafe as I could muster. It was still pretty early and I knew Vincent liked to sleep in since he worked late. I took my computer and a notebook tucked in my backpack with me just so I could look like I was doing something other than waiting for him. It wasn't much of a disguise, but it might stop him from writing me off the very moment he saw me.

The cafe was pretty busy when I arrived. I spent a few minutes in line before snagging a small table in the back. With coffee and scone in hand, I pulled a pair of headphones out of my bag, booted up my computer, and started surfing. Of course, most of it was mindless video scrolling on social media as I waited for Vincent to show up. But after a while I found some surfing content that I really liked and started to get more involved.

In fact, I didn't even notice Vincent was in the store until I caught a whiff of that sweet licorice scent. The moment it caught my attention I looked up and found Vincent standing right next to my table, staring at me. I couldn't help but wince as I pulled my headphones away. I was so sure he was going to yell at me.

"Uh… hi."

"Hi," he replied, clearly not amused. "So? What are you doing here?"

"I was just using the wifi–" I stopped myself mid-lie and took a breath. "The truth is, I was hoping to see you this morning. But I didn't want to look like I was following you or force you into anything. So I figured I'd bring something to do."

"Well, you don't seem to be very good at staking people out."

I felt like such an idiot. "Yeah… I got caught up watching surfing videos. I wanted to see you, but I wasn't sure if you'd be ready yet."

"And what if I'm not?"

I could tell by his tone he was testing me. "Then that's fine. I totally understand. I won't bother you."

Vincent just stared. "This place is packed," he said finally, glancing down at my table.

I didn't know how to respond.

"So?" he said. "Get your shit out of the way so I can sit with you."

"Right. Sorry!"

I flipped the laptop closed and put it back in my bag. There was the faintest hint of a smirk at the corner of Vincent's mouth as he took a seat, but I didn't point it out. I was just glad he was okay with being near me. It only took a quick glance to see that the cafe, while busy, was far from packed. He could have sat somewhere else by himself.

"I… uh… wanted to say I'm sorry again for everything I did yesterday," I said after a while. "It was pretty shitty of me to scare away that guy like that."

"Sure was."

"Did… Did he ever call you back?"

Of course, I wanted him to say no. But a part of me thought I'd deserve it if he said yes and was going on another date with the guy. I really had been a world class prick.

"No," Vincent sighed. "And considering my texts won't go through anymore, I don't think he ever will." He took a sip of his iced coffee, rattling the cup like a snake's tail. "You know you just lost me a customer and made it weird at work, right? That guy is friends with my delivery dude."

"Oh…" I stared blankly at him. "I should probably… apologize to him?"

"To my delivery guy? What for?"

"Maybe he could pass it on?"

"You can try I guess. I doubt blondie will want to be anywhere near you so you could do it in person."

"What was his name? I'll see if I can find him."

Vincent stared at me for a long moment, narrowing his eyes. "I… I don't know."

"You don't know?! You went on a date with him! His hands were all over you!"

"I went on a tenth of a date with him thanks to you! And I don't think it's fair of you to sit there and judge me when you waltzed into town and told me you just wanted to fuck me and fuck off forever."

Several people in the cafe turned our direction, and I felt the sting of embarrassment filling my stomach like acid.

"You're right," I nodded, trying to force myself to breathe. "I'm sorry. I wasn't judging… I was just surprised."

"You were absolutely judging."

"Okay, okay." I shook my head. "I just… it was so hard to see him touching you like that! My wolf just went crazy and took over! I've never experienced anything like that in my life. You have to believe me, Vincent, that was the last thing I thought was going to happen when I saw you two."

"First off," he said. "I don't care what your excuse is. You may think I'm your mate, but you haven't done one damn thing to prove that to me."

"I know–"

"And secondly," he continued, cutting me off. "Just call me Vince."

I nodded. "Okay."

Was… Was that a step in the right direction? Why would he correct his name if he never planned to see me again? And he didn't mention anything about hating the jealousy thing, just that I had no claim over him yet. That was totally fair, of course, but I still found it surprising.

"Uh… this might be a dumb question," I started.

"Coming from you, I'm sure it will be."

I flinched again.

Vincent sighed. "Sorry. I'm on the defensive."

"I know. That's my fault," I nodded. "But I want to ask… What can I do to make this up to you? Or to prove that I care."

Vince just stared at me. "So… You want me to tell you how to date or how to treat people decently?"

I opened my mouth to explain what I meant, but at that moment, Vince's phone went off.

"Sorry," he said. "I gotta take this."

He clicked the button and got up from the table, heading for the front door. My heart sank, assuming I'd lost my first real chance to talk to him. However, it wasn't until I looked down that I noticed his bag still sitting next to his chair. My mood lightened immediately.

He was gone for only a couple of minutes. It was just enough time for me to sit there and beat myself up for being an idiot. I was asking questions and trying to apologize, but doing it so poorly that Vince thought I was just vapid. And maybe I was. All my life I'd been around pretty much the same people. And, being the Alpha's son, nobody really messed with me. It was completely possible that I wasn't the most intelligent man and I just plain didn't know.

But as the bell over the door rang and Vince came back inside, I pushed those thoughts from my mind. I could figure that out on my own. Right now, I needed to focus on being present for these moments between us.

"Well," he sighed, slumping down in his chair. "It looks like I need to get to the shop early today."

I cocked my head to the side. "Something wrong?"

"My delivery guy, Cory, just called off for the night."

"Oh… is that my fault too?" Vince furrowed his brows in confusion. "I mean, because he had to take care of his friend that I scared away."

"No. I don't think you scaring his friend gave him a cold." I breathed a sigh of relief. "He wanted to come in, but I can't have a sick person making food. I'll be without a delivery driver tonight, so things are gonna be messy."

"I could deliver," I offered without having a single thought beforehand. "I know how to drive."

Vince just stared at me. "Do you know how to make pizza?"

"No."

"Have you ever worked in a restaurant?"

I shook my head.

"Do you know the area well?"

"I have navigation on my phone."

"Have you ever worked retail?"

"Nope."

He seemed perplexed. "Have… have you ever had a job?"

I bit my lower lip and shook my head again.

"Oh boy…" He reached up, squeezing the bridge of his nose. "Look River, don't take this the wrong way, but I don't think this–"

"I can do it," I cut in, my tone insistent. "I'm a quick learner and I'll do whatever it takes to make sure you're business stays open."

"Okay, well I'm not gonna get foreclosed upon for missing one night of deliveries, so let's just calm down a little."

"I can deliver this pizza," I said, trying to sound more confident than I was. "How hard could it be? You put the box in the car, you drive to the house, and you give the box to the person. Easy. No sweat."

A mischievous grin pulled at Vince's lips. "So you've never had a job?"

"Not yet."

"Well, tonight is your lucky night then." He held out his hand. "You're hired for the night."

I lightly shook it. "Thanks, boss."

Vince grabbed his bag and stood up. "Well, get to the shop. I'll need to give you a crash course in pizza making."

"Wait… I have to cook? I thought I was delivery?"

"You're both." And as he turned away I heard him mutter, "I can't wait to see this train wreck in action."

If he hadn't been so right, I might've been offended.