Chapter 57 Behaving
It’s been a while since I had some time to myself. Beth and I are still split into two separate activity groups, which is why I chose to skip today's activity. I don’t even care what it is, I just want to relax. This summer has been such a crazy time; I feel like six months have already come and gone. I feel like I’ve experienced ten different lives. But instead, it is this one only.
So I think that’s what pushed me to be here alone in my bed on top of the covers, looking at the slab of wood that holds Beth’s bed above me. My music is blaring in my ears so loud that I can’t hear anything else around me.
I think about what will happen to Alec and our relationship at the end of the summer. What will happen to Beth and me? Beth lives in the town over from this one, and I can’t remember which town we moved to. I think it’s the one Noah and I went shopping in, but it could also be the one closer to Beth’s. I can’t remember for the life of me, which is beyond frustrating.
I kick my leg up, pushing on the wood, lifting her mattress higher. I let my leg go, letting the mattress fall back into place and shake the wooden frame.
What if my parents want to move again? I’m almost 18, but I don’t have enough money to live on my own, and I’m still in high school. But I refuse to move away from Alec ever again. I hope they’ll be good parents and let me actually finish my last year in one place rather than spread across multiple.
I can’t believe my parents are going to be here in a few days. They’ll meet Beth, Alec, and everyone else. I only hope that we don’t run into Tim at all. I fully expect him to tell them about the Kai situation if he can.
There are so many things that could change at the end of this summer, my brain won’t stop reminding me how different life could be in just a month or so. I hate not having more control over the situation.
I can barely feel my phone buzz under my pillow, making me drop my leg back onto the bed and grab the phone. It’s Alec. That reminds me, I need to ask him about Kyson. Beth has been making sure I don’t forget to ask if he’s willing to pursue a serious relationship. I already know the answer, but I’ll ask first rather than just assume the worst.
‘We’re patrolling the pond today, which sucks, but at least Noah’s forced to be here too.’
Patrolling the pond is considered a form of punishment for his pack, which is why Noah, he, and Cassie are on rotation. All because of the fight with Kai, which his parents just found out about when Noah slipped up and let it out.
‘I wish I could hang with you guys, but our luck is someone would catch me.’
‘Yup, not worth the risk.’
‘Soooo Beth won’t stop asking about Kyson. Is he like seriously interested in her?’
‘He definitely likes her, but I don’t know if it’s more.’
‘They’re not mates then? As long as that's the case, I won’t feel bad about separating them.’
Bubbles appear as he types, then disappear multiple times, making me text again.
‘Are you having a stroke?’
This makes him respond, finally. ‘I don’t think they’re mates, but Kyson hasn’t confirmed or denied anything. What does Beth ask about him?’
‘What? So that means they could be mates? Why wouldn’t he tell anyone and chase after her? She just asked, saying she’d really like to get to know him, but she doesn’t want to be screwed over, and she trusts our opinion.’
Oh my gosh, is there a chance that Beth and Kyson are mates? That would be insane. But I can’t deny it would be kind of nice at the same time. She could know this huge secret I’ve been forced to keep. I could have someone in the same situation I could confide in. But at the same time, it’s a lot to be told something this groundbreaking and then to find out you don’t really have a choice in who you love.
‘I guess, according to Noah, he asked him directly, and he said no. Obviously, they like each other, but I don’t think they’re mates. But if she really wants to date him, I say just let her.’
‘And if he breaks her heart?’
‘She can handle it. It might be good for both of them.’
I close out our text, shut off the phone, and put it under my pillow again. He’s no help. I want him to agree with me that Kyson is a ticking time bomb for Beth, but maybe he’s right. I’m being too protective. She’s been through enough; she can handle herself.
I lay back onto the bed, wishing I could just see into the future. At least Beth will be happy when she gets back.
“Oh my gosh, seriously?” She is happier than I could have expected. “He really wants to see me, too? Maybe all hope isn’t lost in the hot ones.” She sighs dreamily.
I chuckle at her dramatics.
“How can I see him?”
I hesitate, but I try to remember that I’m being too protective. “I have his number; you can text him from my phone and set something up.”
She looks even happier at that. I pull out the phone, grateful we’re the only ones in the cabin right now. I pull up his contact and give her the phone. Instead of texting, though, she calls him.
“Leave for like five minutes, I’ll tell you when I’m done.”
I give her an exasperated look.
“I don’t want you hearing all my flirting.” She pushes me towards the door, but I don’t put up a fight.
I get it, I wouldn’t want anyone to hear Alec and my conversations. I sit on the front porch of our cabin for almost thirty minutes. I literally have spent half an hour just watching people and staring into space.
She finally opens the door with a large smile on her face and a blush coating her cheeks. “We’re going on a date.” She squeals.
“I’m excited for you, Bethy!” I get up, hugging her.
She jumps in my arms so excited it’s crazy.
I assume the excitement is because she’s been surrounded by my romance crap all summer, and now she’s finally getting her own. Since they swear he denied that they are mates.
It’s time for her to get her romance, even if I might have to get Alec to threaten him into behaving.