I hadn’t expected a whole party or that Ollie and Andy would be here too. Not to say I was upset that they were here. Having them all around is like being with family. Or what I think it’s like to be with family. Tiffany is like my big sister, and Ashton is the loser big brother that I love to hate even if I don’t really hate him. Ollie and Andy aren’t around a lot, so they are more like the cousins that show up for big events and take time to relax.
Then there’s Mason. I should say he’s like the big brother I always wanted. But that’d be a lie. There’s something more about him. I wish he were more. This is probably why a part of me wishes the others weren’t here. That it was just me and Mason celebrating. That I’d have him all to myself. But I’ll never tell him or anyone that.
After a whil
New chapters are posted Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. You can follow me on Instagram @authorbryant for more updates on this and other stories.
Once we got inside, Ashton grabbed a table. He’s a horrid dancer, so he shooed the rest of us off to have fun. “Just don’t let any blokes try to steal my girl!” he called out after us. Tiffany laughed, rolling her eyes, taking my hand. “Come on, we can dance together, birthday girl.” she grinned.It was fun dancing with Tiffany. There was no judgment and no standard. Which was good because I doubt I’m much better at dancing than Ashton. As we swayed to the rhythm of the music, I felt eyes on us. I didn’t think anything of it. After all, this dress highlighted my scales. And even when I’m in the company of others, there will always be people that don’t like meta-humans.“Hey there, two pretty birds like you shouldn’t be out here dancing alone. Want some company?” a bloke asked, s
I’d been keeping my eye on Adder since we arrived at the club. My eyes never left her as she danced so freely with Tiffany. I watched, practically entranced by the swaying of her hips. I’ve seen her movements in fights, and when we’ve trained, I know she can move. But seeing her tonight, smiling, laughing, as she dances with Tiffany. The new dress I bought her moving in time accenting her body in ways training clothes don’t.I trusted Tiffany to keep her safe. But when two blokes approached them, both Ashton and I tensed. I know Ashton was itching to start a fight. He struck out so many times with birds in the past I don’t think he wanted to risk ever losing the only bird who truly wanted him. He loves Tiffany. I put a hand on his shoulder, trying to hold him back.But I was also trying to hold myself back as they set t
Mason was serious that night of my birthday. He wanted to do whatever it took to protect the meta-humans here in Oxford. And the rest of us were willing to follow him to hell and back. All our free time over the last two years has been dedicated to stopping crimes against meta-humans. We even managed to stop a meta-human trafficking ring that the bastards running the fights were part of.We hadn’t been able to save everyone. But we did save as many as we could. I know the lives of those innocent girls we didn’t save will always haunt us, especially Mason. I’ve tried to remind him of those we did save. That they were safe with their families because of us. Even if no one would ever know what we did, we knew, and those girls knew.It was in our best interest to stay in the shadows. To let the local police get the credit for saving th
I shouldn’t have done that. I shouldn’t have spanked her ass. It took every ounce of control I had to walk out of her room. The way she responded to the smack and then how she was looking at me from where she landed on her bed. I wanted to throw caution into the wind. To forget about the party. Forget what my parents would think if I skipped. And definitely throw out all the restrictions I’ve mentally put on my feelings for her. I just wanted to get on that bed with her, kiss her and touch her in all the ways I’ve dreamed.But I kept my composure and walked away to let her get ready. I know she hadn’t planned to come to the party, but there was no way I was going without her. Soon a new life will be starting for all of us. And I know she hasn’t said it, but she’s worried about her place in that future. I want her to be there with me. No matter what the capacity. An
I knew I’d be out of place at this party but having Mason close did help, some. As we walked to the fancy garden party, my mind was distracted by the offer he made in the car. I’d hoped that he was going to ask me something else. That he wanted to be with me, truly be with me. But, instead, I had to push down my disappointment and accept reality. I would rather stay with him as his bodyguard than be without him entirely.I did my best to ignore the way people looked at us and focus on the warmth of his arm around me. As we approached his family, I knew it was them from pictures, and I wanted to turn invisible. I’ve never been intimidated before, or at least not that I’ll admit to. But looking at the Templetons, I will admit I’m intimidated. I found myself shrinking into Mason as his sister rushed over to us.I held her gaze,
So soon, all the congratulations went from graduation to engagement. Everyone knew what was happening elsewhere on the property. No one was surprised for Ashton and Tiffany to walk back out all smiles and Tiffany sporting an engagement ring. I certainly didn’t mind, and I’m guessing Adder didn’t either as it took some focus off me and, therefore her.“You up for making rounds, pet?” I asked as I noticed some of my company’s business associates and, worse yet, members of my board puttering about the party. “Wouldn’t be much a bodyguard if I left you defenseless with all the sharks.” Adder teased. Despite her teasing tone, I know it was her who didn’t want to be left alone.Or at least that’s what I assumed as she was basically sticking to me like glue. Not that I’m complain
I considered going to see Tiffany, but I didn’t want the weird looks or to push through the crowd to reach my fellow snake. So instead, I grabbed a glass of champagne from a tray and ducked inside the house for some quiet. I needed the break from the judgmental stares and, even worse, from Mason introducing me as his friend or bodyguard.Why can’t he see how much I want him? That I want more than a friendship with him. Maybe Tiffany is right, and I should have told him long ago. Maybe I’ll tell him tonight after the party when it’s just us. I mean, at this point, what do I have to lose? Oh, that’s right, him.I sighed, taking a sip of the champagne, and wrinkled my nose. Yep, I’m still a cheap beer girl. I froze when I heard someone laughing and looked around to try and find the source. “Who’s there?”
I had wanted to find Adder but Ron caught up to me. Of course, he was worried about his position, given what I said about reviewing everyone in the company. I was polite because that’s what is expected. Also because the last thing I need is to cause a scene and have everyone looking at us. I’d never get to Adder then.So I carried on the conversation. I was happy that Adder interrupted. Having her at my side felt right. It made me relax. Relaxed so much, I called her pet in front of Ron and shared her drink. But all those happy and content feelings went out the window when she said Ollie asked to drive her home.I looked at Ollie. I know him. I’ve known him for years. So why didn’t I see this coming? She’s beautiful and amazing. Even if he doesn’t see her more than a handful of times a year, he realized it too. This was