Page 35 of Baseball and Shifters

“I know. You’re not ready.” He rolls his eyes. “No one’s saying you have to complete the bond like I did. Just stop being an ass. Give her a chance. You may be surprised.”

“Yeah… I’ll try.”

“And next time, talk to me. We’re supposed to be best friends. You’ve always been able to tell me anything. That’s not changing just because we’ve met our mate. Hell, if anything, we’re gonna need to communicatemore. You know how Pops, Da, and Dad work like a team. If we’ve got any shot at making this mate thing work, we’re going to have to use our strengths to our advantage. And our biggest one is our ability to work like a cohesive team. On and off the field.”

I reach over and pull my brother into a quick hug. Shame on me for not talking to him like I should have. Just because I’m not ready for a mate doesn’t mean I get to treat him like shit because he is. Maybe he’s right. If I give Rachel a chance that doesn’t mean I have to bond her right away. I could just get to know her and see what she’s like. Apparently I’ve already decided I’m not going to reject her, so there’s really only one other option. But what if she hates me already? It’s not like I’ve been super receptive or even friendly. I must have voiced that concern out loud because Lucas answers.

“She won’t hate you, bro. She doesn’t seem the type to hate anyone really, but she won’t blame you for running from herespecially since she’s been known to be a runner herself.” He shoots me a wink before hopping up off the ground. “Now wanna race back to the dorms?”

He’s shifted and running before I have a chance to answer so I do the only thing possible, shift and chase after him.

Rachel

It’s already lunch time and I still haven’t made up my mind about going on a date with Bastian and Lucas. Bastian sat with Liam again in English this morning and surprisingly, he didn’t even try to talk to me. I might think he changed his mind since he didn’t try to get an answer out of me, but I don’t think he took his eyes off me throughout the entire class. I replay our conversation from yesterday in my head over and over as I grab food on autopilot and take our normal seat in the cafe.

“Okay. What gives? You’re being quieter than usual and you look like a freaking robot,” Dallas grumbles as she sits across from me.

“She’s been like this all morning. I think Bastian broke her,” Maya says.

“Why? What’d he do? Mate or not, I’ll fuck him up,” Dallas growls.

“He didn’t do anything,” Maya placates. “He stayed at his table the entire class. Didn’t bother us once.”

“That’s the problem, isn’t it?” Dallas arcs a brow.

“No, that’s not the problem,” I sigh. “The problem is, he asked me to go out with him and Lucas tonight and I still haven’t decided if I’m going to or not.”

“And instead of hounding you about it like an asshole and making your decision easier, he’s been a gentleman and is giving you space to decide? Man. What an awful mate you have,” she snarks.

“Shut up. How do you even put up with her?” I ask Aubree.

“I never had a choice.” Aubree shrugs before grinning at Dallas.

“And you don’t either, so suck it up, buttercup,” Dallas chirps.

“So tell us about this date,” Maya chimes in, cutting into her lasagna and taking a bite.

“Nothing to tell. I’m just supposed to meet them in their dorm lobby at six,” I shrug.

“So, it’s a surprise. Makes planning for it more difficult,” Aubree murmurs.

“I think you should go. What’s the worst that could happen?” Maya shrugs. “You get to know your mates. Maybe they’re not so bad and you decide to give it a go.”

“More like that’s the best that could happen,” I scoff.

“Well, we’re focusing on the good. You’ve had enough negativity in your life. It’s time for a little positivity. Welcome good things into your life,” Maya says.

Welcome good things into your life.

Could mating Lucas and Bastian be a good thing?

“I’ll think about it,” I finally agree if only to get them to shut up about it before digging into my lunch.

One more class and then Ihave tomake a decision.

Maya and Aubree spend all Math trying to convince me to go. Bastian’s ever watchful eyes have goosebumps covering my body all through class. And a part of me, one I’d never admit to, wants to know what it would feel like for him to touch me with the same intensity.

When we get home, I find Dallas going through my closet.

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