Page 66 of Baseball and Shifters

Something’s wrong.

I glance up and that’s when I see him.

Liam

He’s halfway hidden behind a tall shelf, broad shoulders hunched and arms crossed tightly over his chest. His dark golden-blonde hair falls in a messy sweep over one eye, but I can still see the tension in his sharp jaw and the way his storm-blueeyes flicker with something almost haunted. Even from here, he looks like a man bracing for a fight.

He’s standing near the shelves directly across the library from where we sit. It’s obvious that he is very much not looking at me in an attempt to avoid me but that no longer works for me. I can feel his anxiety and doubt swirling in our bond and it’s all clouded with something else.

Guilt.

“Be right back,” I murmur to the girls, already pushing out of my chair.

I follow the pull of our bond like a magnet dragging me towards my reluctant mate. He moves further into the maze of shelves, and I follow. It doesn’t take long before we are secluded in a little used row on the far side of the library.

“Liam,” I say softly.

He doesn’t turn. His shoulders tense but he stays laser focused on whatever book he’s pretending to read.

“Liam,” I repeat. “Talk to me.”

“Not now, Rachel,” he mutters, still avoiding facing me.

“Not now?” I blink, frowning. “What is it, Liam? You can only be honest and open in my dreams? Talk to me, please. I can feel how upset you are.”

“Don’t,” he snaps, finally turning to face me. His blue eyes are filled with a swirling storm of emotion. “Don’t do that.”

“Do what?” My voice is low but firm, I’m not backing down this time. “Feel what you’re feeling? I mean it kind of comes with the territory, Liam. I am your mate after all.”

“I didn’t ask for this,” he blurts out, running a hand through his hair.

My stomach drops. “What?”

“This… all of it. I never wanted to be tied down with a mate and a litter of fucking pups. I wanted to see the world, travel everywhere I could. And Lucas… he’s supposed to join the bigleagues. We had a plan, and now…” He shakes his head, eyes flickering with regret. “Now, it’s all… fucked.”

Ouch

My heart twists painfully in my chest but I lift my chin forcing my voice to stay steady. “You thinkI’mruining everything?”

“I didn’t say that,” he mutters.

“Yeah, Liam you kinda did.” I cross my arms, trying to keep my emotions in check. “And guess what? I wasn’t exactly thrilled about the idea of finding my mates either. Hell, my dad has threatened all of our lives from the moment I first shifted and I didn’t even know you yet. You think I wanted this? My plan was to come here, get my degree and try like hell to get out from under Ranger St. James’s thumb.” My chest is heaving now all the emotions I tried to suppress bubbling to the surface. “And I don’t even think I want kids for that matter. They sorta give me the heebies, if I’m honest.”

Liam’s eyes snap to mine, his frustration shifting to surprise.

“Yeah,” I continue, “you’re not the only one around here who had a plan, a fucking dream. But none of that changes the fact that you are my mate and I fucking love you. Even if you are a mostly grumpy asshole who avoids me at every turn.”

His jaw tightens, and I see the war waging behind his eyes.

Say something. Say anything!

For a heartbeat we just stand there, both breathing hard, the air thick with tension.

And then…

Boom

Liam’s lips crash into mine.

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