Page 26 of Baseball and Shifters

I feel my eyes widen in shock and I can’t find the words to say yes, so I just nod. Before my nod even ends, his lips are on mine. Soft and plush, his kiss makes the mate bond in my soul light up. It’s over as quickly as it began and he releases my face before throwing his arm over my shoulder and tucking me into his side.

I’ve never felt this safe before.

Derrick

My skin feels itchy and too tight, like there’s a problem I need to solve. Our dorm has felt like a war zone ever since Lucas found his mate on Saturday. Sunday he spent the whole day gone who knows where while Bas skulked about the room, stewing over not being invited. That inevitably led to another big blowout when Lucas returned home with a smile and smelling like his mate.

I may not know my mate based on scent, butdamn,that sunny forest smell drives me wild.

Liam spent most of his Sunday and Monday practicing for his afterlife. He was a ghost moving about only when he could remain unseen. Except, of course, when he had to throw his two cents in on the argument Sunday night. Any reason to be an ass to his twin, I suppose. Regardless, after the stress of the weekend, I’m almost happy to get back to classes Tuesday morning. My first class of the day is English, which passes fairlyquickly and before I know it Lucas and I are headed to meet Liam and Bas for lunch.

A tall, gangly, red-haired boy jogs up to us as Lucas and I pass the Unity Fountain.

“Hey, you’re Derrick Ashford, right?” he asks with a pant, obviously out of breath.

I have no idea who this kid is and thank fate for that, that means his slow ass isn’t on our roster.

“Yeah, that’s me, what’s up?” My question goes unanswered for a long moment while the kid bends at his middle and gasps for air like a fish out of water.

“You okay, bro?” Lucas asks.

He gasps out a few heavy breaths before finally righting himself again. “Shit, sorry about that guys. I just ran from the dean’s office to here. Shifter Tribunal Leader Ashford and his Tribunal Cohorts had some sort of meeting with Dean Harold. I was with the dean just before and he asked me to find you and let you know your father is on campus and would like to see you after his meeting.”

“Thanks man,” I say, reaching out and clapping him on the shoulder.

I turn to Lucas and jerk my head, indicating he should come with and head towards the Admin Building. When we arrive at the steps to the building, my father and his tribunal cohorts are stepping out of the door.

“Ahh, Derrick, Lucas, it’s good to see you, my boys,” Dad’s thunderous joy radiates in his voice.

“Hey Dad,” I say with a smile and a wave. “You act like it’s been months since we left. It’s only been a few weeks.”

He bounds down the stairs and wraps Lucas and me in a dragon dad hug. His bulk is impossible to miss, all broad shoulders and easy confidence.

“Well, according to your mother, it’s been ages since she’s gotten to make her boys a meal,” he states with a chuckle as he pulls back, holding us by our shoulders studying our faces with his knowing eyes. “I want to know everything. But first, let's go say hello to my cohorts.”

He releases us and we walk over to the other side of the stairwell where his cohorts stand, having some sort of tense conversation. They break apart as we approach and when they turn to face us, I can't help but catalog the differences. Cooper Norton, an elephant shifter, offers a tense but not unwelcoming smile while his fellow cohort Ranger St. James offers only a cold stare and a neutral expression. Something about the flicker in his eyes rings my dragon’s alarm bells.

This man is absolutely seething in rage, but why? Wait, St. James, is he Lucas’s mate’s father?Ohshit,well,that explains all the running. I’m sure he was a joy growing up. But surely she has otherfathers,right? If she’s akitsune,her mom must be as well… right?

I rack my brain trying to remember if my father has ever mentioned the St. James family beyond Ranger. Coming up blank, I decide to ask him when I get the chance and attempt to focus back on the present.

“St. James, Norton, you remember Derrick, right? And this here is one of his best friends, Lucas,” Dad introduces us.

“Yes, of course. Hello again, Derrick,” Cooper reaches out to shake my hand. “I trust you boys are enjoying your time here?”

I shake his hand and reply, “of course, sir. How’s Mrs. Norton and your fellow Mr. Nortons?”

St. James scoffs at my question, but that doesn’t deter Cooper from replying.

“They are well, thank you for asking.”

Up to this point Lucas has been weirdly quiet but when I look at him, I realize what he’s about to say too late to stop it.

“Wait? St. James? Are you Rachel’s dad?” Lucas’s golden retriever energy usually endears even the prickliest of people, but it has no effect on Ranger St. James.

“Yes,” his voice holds a subtle malice, “I am her father. How do you know my daughter, boy?”

“Oh, she’s-” Thankfully, he cuts off what he was about to say when he finally catches the warning in my eyes.

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