Samantha.
Hearing Eli's voice took all the fear out of my body. Also, whatever was wrong with Gabriel seemed to have passed as well. Tristian says his wounds would heal in no time, but I still scolded Gabriel for his actions. Even though he attacked me, I can't say I feel afraid of him. There is some weird connection between us, all of us, actually. It's a silent pull that makes me feel oddly safe. It doesn't feel like the bond I have with Eli, but there is something there.
They drive me to work. They want to take me home but I insist on going to work. The whole ride there, Gabriel apologizes and thanks me for not turning him into the big bad Alpha. I learned a lot about their pack and how they grew up as well. Gabriel won't stop babbling. I figure he doesn't want the car quiet and awkward. Tristian doesn't speak so much he mostly chuckles or hums in response to Gabriel's many stories. I learned that growing up, Gabe, which he insists I call him, was always a talker, and Trisitan was shy. Eli was a loner, too, even though he was popular for being the Alpha heir. They all gravitated to each other eventually since their parents were close in rank and friendship. Also, it is mostly because Eli used to stop the bullies from picking on shy little Trist and loud mouth Gabe. Gabriel is a year younger than Trist and Eli. Eli and Trist are just a few months apart, Eli being youngest of the two.
Trist finally gets tired of Gabe's chattering and brings up a story of his own. It's about how Gabe was an A+ student in high school and took his grades extremely seriously. With how goofy he is, I find it hard to believe. One day, Gabe woke up late because he was rushing to get to class and got dressed in the dark. When he got to class and took off his sweater, he had accidently worn his older sister's hotpink floral top. He was so embarrassed his face turned as pink as the shirt. It was so much ammo for the bullies. They called him flower boy for the rest of the year. Gabe laughed it off, saying at least he didn't mess up his attendance, but I can tell he was still embarrassed.
They drop me off and promise to see me real soon. I oddly hope they keep their promise.
I walk in to work and go straight to my bosses office to ask for saturday night off.
After speaking with Eli, we exchanged numbers. He agreed to come see me this weekend. I have two days to prepare for a date. I am excited.
....
The day flies by. I rush home, getting there a little close to midnight. I make it close to the front steps of the duplex. But something is weird. I swear I feel a presence watching me. I make the quick decision to walk past the house. I don't want whoever is watching me to know where I live. Alex is in there, Kim, not to mention the people who live below me could be endangered too. I speed walk passed.
"Sam!" He pops out from behind the parked cars that are parallel parked along the street.
I haven't seen him since we split. He usually just drops Alex off at my mom's, and my mom would meet him halfway at the bus station to drop Alex back to him. I didn't know if he was avoiding me, but I know I am avoiding him. I just want to move on from that chapter of my life.
He seems thicker, more fit than before. He also grew out his hair. He has it pulled into a low ponytail that still curls at the end. His facial hair is scruffy but suits him well. His grey t-shirt is tight over his new muscles. Damn, why didn't he look like this for me? He looks good but not as attractive to me as Eli.
"What are you doing here, Jared?" I cross my arms over my chest, and he sighs.
"Don't get defensive. You didn't even hear me out yet."
I huff at his ability to read my body language.
"Well? It's still my time to have Alex. I don't care if you brought him early, not my problem."
"It's not about Alex. Well, it invloves him technically." He shakes his head.
"Spit it out already!" I snarl.
"I got a job!" He blurts out. "I got a job it pays very VERY well. It's a little dangerous but I'm good at it."
I look at him confused. Why is he telling me this? I mean, good for him, but why should I care?
The silent night grows awkward around us.
He stares at me, waiting for a response, and I stare at him, wondering what the hell is he waiting for?
"Wasn't that the problem before?" He takes a few steps closer.
"Well yeah, if you can send some money for Alex or buy him some clothes that would be nice. I live by myself now and -"
"By yourself?" He smirks in relief. "Of course you live by yourself." He laughs nervously.
"Is that funny?" I glare.
"No! Not at all it's just great. I mean, it makes things a lot less complicated."
"What less complicated?"
"I want to get back together, Samantha!" He rushes up to me and clutches me by my arms.
Wait, what?!
I am speechless. Back together? Is it a requirement to be insane to qualify for his new job? I haven't seen him in almost 2 years, and he pops out from behind a car in the middle of the night and asks to get back together. I can only just stand here and blink at him. Nothing makes sense today. My whole day could have been summed up with that one Jackie Chan meme. First, I get attacked by a werewolf. Then, I got a date with a werewolf, and now my ex is fake stalking me and asking me to get back together. I have had enough crazy for the day.
"Ok, I know that face!" His hand flies up in front of me as if he is motioning me to wait. "I know your mind is going a mile a minute, and you might be confused, but come on, Sam, it's always been us!"
I hate how he knows me still and at the same time doesn't know me at all. My mouth opens up and closes again. Then it opens and closes once again. I know I look like a fish right now, but even though I want to say something, my brain can't put together a proper response other than maybe a scream. Yeah, we aren't doing that.
He stretches his hand up and cups my cheek.
"You cut your hair." He cocks his head to the side with a smirk. "It's cute."
I can't help but blush against his hand. Jared is a good looking guy. Even now more than before. I can't deny the comfortablility I have around him even after not seeing him in so long. He is the only man I ever gave all of me to, both phyiscally and mentally. We lived together. He knows my flaws, my quirks, and my pet peeves. He knew how to curl my toes. What I liked in bed and even the kinky embarrissing things.
Naturally, we gravitate to what's familiar to us; Foods, places, people, energy. I can't deny the attraction I have for Jared but it is mostly from being familar with him, and knowing he is familiar with me.
Plus we share a child together. He gave me my most precious treasure. So yeah, I care about him but I don't have feelings for him. This attraction is purely physical and I don't do just physical.
"Please Samantha, we can be a happy family again."
"No."
"Come on you know it'll be better." He snakes his arms around my waist and pulls me against him. My face presses against his newly chisled chest. Meh.
Something about the way he smells made my nose crinkle. He notices me cringe and lets me go, backing up a few feet.
"Sorry I just got out of work and didn't shower." He laughs nervously, visibily ashamed.
"Its fine. You work out here?" He lives out of state, so I can't imagine him working all the way out here.
"For now, I guess." He shrugs unsure what to say. "Its kind of an anywhere they need me kind of job."
"Doing what?"
"Security and tracking." He answers swiftly. "Bounty hunting." He grins wide.
"Like Dog the bounty hunter?" I snort. It was a show we use to watch when there was nothing on. We use to snuggle up on the couch together and watch it all day. One of our good memories.
I can tell it is a good memory for him too because his grin grows wider.
"See Samantha, we had amazing times. We owe it to ourselfs to try again. We owe it to Alex."
I hug myself and look away from him.
Am I gonna have to break his heart a second time? Why can't he see for himself that it won't work between us unless I shove it in his face?
"I don't think it'll work." I mumble.
"Samantha please, I can take care of you guys now. It sucked before not being able to take care of my family thats why I behaved the way I did." He pleads. "Just give me a chance."
I open my mouth to respond but a deep handsome voice emerges from beside us startling me.
"I'm sure I heard her say no.. twice." Eli slowly walks up to us.
He's wearing his usual dress shirt and slacks. His hands are pushed into his pockets as he strolls nearer. Though he tries to appear calm the vain in his neck is pertruding from how clenched his jaw is.
"Hey buddy, ever heard about minding your business?" Jared spits out, clearly annoyed.
Eli stops in his tracks. His devilishy handsome smirk glistening in the moonlight.
"This is my business. She's mines after all."