Page 8 of Heatwaves

No, he didn’t scare me off. I understand that Oliver talks without thinking.

OLIVER

Ouch.

I laugh as I settle back on my couch. I see that they’re typing, biting my lip as I wait for a response. Or at least I am until my screen changes and my mom’s face appears on the screen.

Nope. Uh uh. I am not in the mood to talk to her, but I also know if I don’t answer, she’ll just keep calling until I do.

I take a deep breath to steady myself before picking it up. “Hi, Mom.”

“Hello, Lila.”My mom is quiet for a moment.“I just wanted to check to make sure that those boys are still planning to help you with your heat, because if not, I know some—“

“Yes, Mom. They’re still planning to take part in my heat. I don’t need you to introduce me to any other men. I have this covered.”

She sighs, her irritation crystal clear.“I don’t know why you feel the need to talk to me with that tone of voice. I’m just looking out for you.”

“I know you are, Mom, and thank you. It’s just been a long day.”

“Oh?”She hums.“What happened? I know it isn’t because of work since you’re off just like the rest of us.”

I roll my eyes, hating how my mom feels the need to know everything about what’s going on in my life. As soon as the thought runs through my mind, guilt rushes through me. I don’t know when I lost all patience for my mom, but I know it isn’t fair to her. I know she loves me and that she just wants to make sure I’m taken care of. She just goes about it in a really annoying way.

But also, she’s not wrong.

As we approach the annual heat, all whale shifters take off two weeks from work and school—even those who aren’t old enough to go into heat or who don’t have a partner going through a heat. It’s why you won’t ever find a business that only has whale shifters working there unless it’s a business that can stand to be shut down for two weeks.

Growing up, I loved the two weeks because I’d go stay with my neighbor during my mom’s heat. She was a mermaid, and we’d go swimming together for hours at a time. I loved it. Itwas honestly one of the happiest times of my childhood.

“I didn’t sleep well last night. I think my heat symptoms are starting.”

“Oh, darling, I’m sorry. I know the first heat is the hardest—especially since you don’t know exactly what to expect. There’s only so much that can be taught from a textbook. You’ll let me know if there’s anything I can do?”

“Of course I will.” I pause. “And thank you.”

Not that there’s much that she can do for me, considering the fact that my biggest issue is I’m just so fucking horny. The wind blew harder than usual while I was outside earlier, and I’d drenched my panties. My skin is hot and uncomfortable. I can barely stand to have clothes on. Right now, I only have on a pair of shorts and a cutoff tank top, leaving as much skin as possible bare. I don’t even have panties on because they were too tight, rubbing against my clit any time I moved. It was just too much.

“You know I love you, right?”

“Yes, Mom, I do. I love you, too.”

My phone dings in my ear before I can say anything else. When I pull it back, I see that it’s Carter calling me. I lift it back to my ear with afrown.

“Hey, Mom, I’m sorry to do this, but I have to go. Carter’s calling me. I need to make sure everything is okay.”

“Of course, darling. Call me if you need anything. I love you.”

“Love you, too.” I switch over to the other call and take a deep breath to settle my nerves. “Hello?”

“Lila, thank goodness.”Carter sighs in what sounds like relief, and I let out a startled laugh.

“Uh, is everything okay?”

Carter is so quiet that I think for a moment that we got disconnected.“This is going to sound really dumb and probably a little much, but you stopped responding to us in the chat, and I was worried that maybe Oliver really had scared you away.”

This time I laugh a full-body laugh. It takes me way too long to get myself under control, and I’m pretty sure I snort a time or two. It’s just so funny to me that this amazing, attractive man is worried that I’ve changed my mind about having them join me for my heat. As if that’s going to happen.

“Sorry,” I finally manage to choke out. “My mom called.”

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