Page 34 of Shifting Fate
“So, Dallon. How are things going?”
I bit into my steak, which was medium, at best. At least the flavor was there. “You know. Same shit, different day. My life is pretty uneventful.”
“WellIhave news,” Tashi announced, puffing out her chest proudly. “I’m officially a college student! Enrolled in Northpoint University.”
Our parents exchanged a look.Thelook.Here it comes…
“Oh… That’s wonderful, honey, but Northpoint University?” Mom couldn’t keep the grimace off her face if she tried. “You know you’re above community college, right, Natasha? You’re so much smarter than you give yourself credit for! You should be going to arealcollege.”
Tashi rolled her eyes. “Well, it’s cheap and they offer the degree I want, so tough. Besides, I’m saving money for important things. Like a wedding and an amazing honeymoon. I was thinking maybe Hawaii?” She squeaked happily and took another bite of food, talking with her mouth full.
Another glance, another look. “But journalism is so…”
“It’s so me, you’re right! I’m super excited. Like, so excited.” Little did our painfully-human parents know, but Tashi had big dreams of becoming a journalist for the Paranormal Times. It was something she’d excel at too.
“Well I think it’s great, Tash,” I blurted out. “Though you’d better not be getting hitched anytime soon. I need to lose about ten pounds if I’m going to be starring in your wedding.” I winked, and she surprised me by flushing.
“Actually…”
My jaw dropped. “Tell me you didnotelope with some dude!”
She giggled and cleared her throat. “Sooo, I’ve been seeing a guy and it’s getting pretty serious. His name is Claude Vanderbilt and he is a total hunk, and he’s such a sweetheart.”
Our parents stared at her like she’d just grown a second head, but she kept right on trucking. “And we’ve decided that, yes, we’re getting married. I don’t know when yet, but I’m already planning this extravagant wedding with all our friends and family.”
It was my turn to gape. “What-the-what?”
“Marriage, Natasha?” Dad sputtered. “You’re too young! What about college?”
“What about it? It’s not like anything’s gonna change overnight, you know. I’m not getting myself knocked up. I know how babies are made and I’msonot interested. Maybe in a few years, maybe not.”
“But… But…” My mouth flapped open and shut as I struggled to come to terms with the fact that my baby sister was talking marriage—which meant that she’d found her mate. Tashi? Mated?
“See, I knew you’d freak out, which is why I didn’t tell you!”
“But I’m your brother. I deserve to know if some weirdo proposes to my sister!” I yelped.
“Natasha!” Mom gasped, stricken. “We haven’t even met this young man, and you’re talking about marriage?”
“Your mother is right,” Dad added. “And I still think you’re too young.”
“I’m twenty-four and it’s my life. Mine. Not yours.” Tashi’s cheeks flushed. “And if you’re going to throw a big hairy fit over the fact that I’ve fallen in love, then fine. Maybe we will elope.”
That pissed them off. They jumped to their feet with roars of outrage and for once, I was kind of glad I wasn’t the one under fire. Tashi stood her ground and argued right back, until Mom was crying dramatically about how her birthday was ruined, and Dad was yelling at me because I was ungrateful and yeah, a total shitshow all around.
Welcome to my life.
Tashi was quiet as we said our curt goodbyes and went back out to her car. She stuck the key in the ignition and breathed in sharply. My heart giving a pang, I reached over and squeezed her hand, and when she glanced up at me, her dark eyes glittered with unshed tears.
“Aww, Tash… Fuck them. They don’t understand.”
“You didn’t help.”
“You could’ve warned a guy,” I pointed out. “Is this guy… Is he your mate?”
She smiled, and I knew I had my answer. “He’s amazing, Dallon. I met him at the club and the minute our eyes met, it was like I’d been struck by lightning. I’ve been seeing him for nearly eight months now.”
“What?” I blinked. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
