Chapter 197

Lila’s POV “I’m sorry. I actually already have plans tonight,” I told them, all four pairs of eyes that were watching me.

It wasn’t the truth; I just didn’t want to go anywhere with Rachel’s father, Raymond.

I didn’t trust him.

Raymond frowned at me.

“I was going to take you girls to an expensive restaurant in the middle of the city,” he said, almost pouting.

“Can’t you cancel them?” Rachel asked, furrowing her brows together. “My dad drove like two hours to come here and treat us to a meal. You didn’t tell me you had plans today.”

“You didn’t tell me your dad was coming to take us to dinner,” I said in return.

“I didn’t know until like an hour ago,” she said with a shrug. “It was a surprise.”

“So, I’m just supposed to clear my schedule because your father chose to surprise us?” I asked, raising my brows. “How is that fair to me?”

She seemed taken aback by my harshness and I instantly felt bad.

“Actually, I already asked Lila to dinner,” Brody said quickly before either of us could say anything more.

I stared up at him and he kept his eyes on Raymond’s.

“Sorry but we have reservations somewhere and they can’t be cancelled,” Brody continued. “If you’ll excuse us.”

Brody draped an arm through mine and pulled me away from a very stunned Rachel and Becca. I walked with Brody without fighting him and when we were far enough away, I pulled my arm out of his grip.

“What was that?” I asked, folding my arms across my chest.

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“Sorry. But I could tell you were uncomfortable and wanted to get out of there,” he said, shrugging. “I was just thinking on my toes.”

I stared at him for a moment longer before breaking out into a grin.

“That was clever,” I said, humor all over my face.

“I thought so too,” he laughed, running his fingers through his ash blonde hair. “So, do you really have plans tonight?”

I thought about telling him yes and then going back to my dorm for the night. But I didn’t want to lie to him like I lied to everyone else this evening.

“No,” I admitted. “It was just an excuse to get out of going with them.”

“I’m sensing there’s a story with that guy?” He asked, furrowing his brows together. “I got a weird vibe from him.”

I nodded in agreement, staring back in their direction. They were now talking amongst themselves, and Rachel’s father looked anything but pleased.

“Me too,” I said in return after a short pause.

“But if you don’t actually have plans tonight. Maybe we can grab some food. I was thinking of the taco place up the street? If you’re up for it.”

I frowned and looked up at him.

“I still wanted to talk to you about something” he reminded me.

“Okay,” I said, giving him another smile. “Let me just change out of these gym clothes and then we can go.”

He nodded in agreement and followed me back to my dorm.

While I was in my room and grabbing a clean outfit, Brody sat on the couch, looking awkward. I wanted to laugh, but I didn’t want to make him feel bad.

I grabbed my cellphone which I mainly kept on my nightstand, charging, and frowned when I saw I had a couple of missed calls from Brianna and another missed call from Enzo.

I made a mental note to call Brianna back later; I meant to call her this morning, but I got distracted and ran out of time. But I needed to at least call Enzo back.

“Hey,” he said on the other end of the phone. “I was starting to worry.”

“Sorry. I was in training with Professor Xander and lost track of time,” I said, running my fingers through my hair.

I told him about these private sessions on the phone last night and needless to say, he wasn’t happy about it.

“It’s okay. Just wanted to hear your voice. I’m going to be working a lot tomorrow, but I was thinking we could go to dinner in the evening. What time will you be here?”

“My last class gets out at one, so I was planning on being there around two,” I answered. “That sounds great.”

“You sound off,” he pointed out. “Everything okay?”

“Yes,” I lied. “I’m just tired. I’m going to sleep early tonight. Probably as soon as I get home from dinner.”

“Are you going out?”

“Brody wants to take me to dinner tonight so we can talk,” I answered.

He was quiet for a minute before responding and when he spoke, I could hear the anguish in his voice.

“Just the two of you?”

“Yes,” I answered, frowning. “Why?”

“What does he want to talk to you about?”

“I’m not sure yet. But he’s been trying to say something for the last day or so, and I’ve been so busy I haven’t given him a lot of time. But I’m going to speak with him later and find out what’s going on.”

“I think I have a feeling I know what it is...” he said, his tone hardening. “He’s going to confess his feelings for you.”

“What?” I wanted to laugh out loud. “Brody doesn’t have that kind of feeling for me anymore.”

“That’s naive thinking; of course, he does.”

I blinked a couple of times.

“Did you just call me naive?”

“That’s not what I meant,” Enzo sighed, and I knew from the tone of his voice, he was shaking his head.

“I just mean, Brody isn’t going to stop liking you just because you don’t show him interest. You haven’t exactly told him you weren’t interested so in his mind he still has a chance.”

“So, you are saying I lead him on,” I said, furrowing my brows together. “I’m not sure which one is worse...”

“You know that’s not what I’m saying.”

“Then what are you saying?” I asked firmly. “Because it sounds like you aren’t trusting me. I’m your mate. I belong to you...”

“But he doesn’t know that which means he’s going to try to get you.”

“He can try all he wants, but he’s going to fail,” I said simply. “Brody has been my friend since I started the student committee. He might have had a crush on me in the beginning, but I made it obvious that I only thought of him as a friend. He’s not going to disrespect that boundary.”

Enzo was quiet for a moment.

“Well, if that’s not the reason he wants to talk to you, then what else could it be?” He finally asked.

“I’m not sure, but I’m going to find out tonight,” I told him in return “Once I do, I will call you.”

He was quiet again, processing my words.

“I belong to you...” I said again. “I have a hidden mark on my neck to prove it. I love you.”

“I love you,” he said softly.

I hung up the phone without another word. I grabbed a button-down blouse and a black skirt and quickly dressed. I took my hair out of my ponytail and brushed it out, allowing it to freely fall around my shoulders and down my back.

Once I was done, I went to greet Brody in the living room who was sitting on the couch and frowning at me.

“Were you on the phone with someone?” He asked, narrowing his eyes at me.

I felt the color draining from my face; had he heard all of that? Oh, the goddess I hope not.

“Yes,” I said, deciding I didn’t want to lie. “I’m sorry if you heard that...”

“I didn’t hear anything other than your muffled voice. But you sounded upset for a minute and then it softened.”

I gave him a small smile.

“It was just a friend,” I said, motioning for him to stand. “Come on, I’m starving.”

...

We went to a small restaurant near the school. I ordered an iced tea and Brody ordered a coke. He looked extremely nervous, and it was making the feeling in the pit of my stomach worsen.

I couldn’t get Enzo’s words out of my head, and I hoped to the goddess that Brody wasn’t confessing any type of feelings for me.

I said nothing to him, waiting for him to speak first.

“So, I’ve been wanting to talk to you about something...” he began slowly; he was fidgeting with his fingers.

“Okay?” I urged, eyeing him carefully.

“I’m not sure who else to talk to... I’m not sure what to do...”

Oh, goddess.

“It’s okay,” I said, forcing a kind smile. “Whatever it is, I’m sure we can get through it.”

He looked at me for a moment, meeting my eyes, and then he took a deep breath.

“You know my birthday was over the summer?” He asked.

I nodded.

“I turned 18 finally and...” he paused, unable to continue.

I furrowed my brows together; this sounded less like a love confession.

“It’s okay,” I said kindly. “Just breathe...”

He took another deep breath and nodded.

“I found my mate...” He finally spat out, making my eyes widen. Before I could say anything, his next words nearly knocked me out of my chair. “It’s Sarah.”