Page 2 of Heatwaves

Scoffing, I roll my eyes as I head for the door. I don’t believe that for a second, but it’s still not going to change the fact that I have to go.

Stepping out of the house, I lock the door behind me and bask in the tropical air. It might be December, but it’s a beautiful seventy-two degrees out. I love living in Astral Cove. The temperatures during the day usually ranges between seventy and eighty, no matter the time of year. During winter, the nights can get a little chilly, but overall, we have the perfect weather here.

Mom is pacing in front of the car while Dad sits behind the wheel of the car. He shoots me an apologetic smile as my mom throws her hands in the air. “Finally! You act like we’re doing this for our own good when this is all for you.”

“It’s for you, too,” I bite out as I climb into the backseat. “Don’t pretend like you don’t need to find at least one more person to help you with your heat, mother dearest. You’d be going even if I wasn’t.”

“I don’t understand how you can be so ungrateful.” She climbs into the passenger seat with a huff. “Where did I go wrong to raise such an ungrateful child?”

“That’s enough—both of you.” My dad glances over his shoulder to meet my eyes, giving a quick shake of his head. “We’re not doing this again. The two of you are never going to see eye to eye on this, so let’s talk about something else. I don’t want any fighting while I’m driving. Got it?”

“Got it, Dad. I’m sorry, Mom.” I sigh, crossing my arms as I settle back into my seat. I’m aware I’m pouting like a petulant toddler, but I can’t seem to bring myself to stop. It’s hard when I’d rather be doing anything besides attending thismeet and greet. In fact, I’d rather have all of my teeth extracted without being numb and with no anesthesia than attend today.

This is what happens when you force an introvert out of their natural habitat—or at least this introvert. I’ve never done well with large crowds or new people, even as a child. On the first day of school every year, my mom would have to take me an hour earlier so I could meet my teacher and not have a panic attack.

Plus, I don’t really like people in general. Most of them are just too much for me. It doesn’t help that most of the people I know just don’t know what to do with my awkward self. Maybe I wouldn’t dread today so much if I was as outgoing as Mom.

My mom ignores my apology and changes the subject without acknowledging my dad’s words. I snort, hoping it is quiet enough that neither of my parents will notice as I lay my head against the window and watch the passing scenery.

It’s not the first time my mom’s changed the subject when she didn’t like what was being said, and I’m sure it won’t be the last. She doesn’t like it when someone shares a different opinion than her. I don’t know how my dad hasput up with her for almost fifty years. I’ve only had to deal with her for twenty-one, and for at least sixteen of those years, we haven’t gotten along.

Since I promised my dad to let her have her way today, I know I need to do better.

I spend the remainder of the twenty-minute drive reminding myself I can do this. For one day, I can be what my mom wants me to be.

“It’s just so archaic.” I can’t help myself, my nose wrinkling as my eyes wander the stretch of beach before us. I know I told my dad I’d try not to fight with my mom and spent the trip reminding myself to behave. But it’s like the moment I set foot out here, I can’t keep my mouth shut.

My mom’s heavy sigh draws my attention. “It’s not like we’re asking you to marry any of them. It’s your first heat and trust me, you don’t want to go through it alone.”

I clamp my mouth shut, remembering my dad’s words about her first heat and not wanting to go over the same argument again. Trying not to grimace, I run my eyes along those gathered on the beach.

Everywhere I look, I see posturing men and my annoyance surges.

“At least let your father and me introduce you to some nice young men—“

“Absolutely not.” I cut her off. “I’m here like we agreed, but you’ll have no say in who I spend my heat with.”

Without waiting for a response, I spin on my heels and dive into the crowd. Should I feel bad about the way I just spoke to her? Probably, but if I try to apologize right now, it’ll only make things worse.

I barely make it more than a handful of steps before I’m stopped.

“Steve, twenty-eight. Orca. This is my fifth mating season.” The tall, blond man looks like the boy next door as he grins down at me. Two other men step up to flank him with smiles on their faces. “This is my pod, Lyle and Emerson. They’re also orcas. What season are you on? What species are you?”

At some point, my mouth fell open in shock. I snap it shut, biting my tongue to keep myself from saying something I probably wouldn’t regret but would piss off my mom as I shove away from the three of them.

Seriously? Who just walks up and starts sprouting their name, age, and species like that?

I make my way down the beach, trying to escape the crowd that feels like it’s closing in on me. Except I continue to be stopped every few feet by men or groups of men who spout off their statistics like we’re on some kind of dating website. The worst of it is when they boast about how many heat cycles they’ve taken part in.

I don’t think I’d be nearly as annoyed if they would just say hello first. I don’t think that’s asking too much. It takes everything in me not to lose it on any of them or not to just run away as fast as possible. My frustration and annoyance have to be written all over my face, but that doesn’t seem to stop any of them from approaching.

Is this what I can expect every year for the next hundred years? If so, I don’t think I want to be a whale shifter anymore. I snort under my breath as I dodge yet another idiotic man. It’s not like I can magically will myself to no longer be a whale shifter. Just like there’s no way for me to avoid the annual heat.

A sigh of relief spills from my lips as I reach the water’s edge and take a moment to stare out over the horizon. Even with all the noise at my back, it’s still beautiful here. Taking the peaceI find in the scene before me, I will myself to relax.

I can do this. I’ve totally got this.

Yeah, right.

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