Page 74 of Chasing The Alpha's Son
“Right,” Aisha says. “So, maybe don’t give up just yet?”
“I can’t keep chasing him though. It’s…too much.”
“That’s fair. You gotta protect yourself.”
“So what am I supposed to do?”
“What if you stopped chasing? And see what happens.”
I shoot her a confused look. “So, do nothing then?”
“You’re a special kid, Max, and whether he’s ready to admit it or not, Jasper knows it too. Maybe he needs a second for his head to catch up with his heart.”
“Maybe.”
Aisha glances off to the side, where I can picture Troy holding her coat and gesturing for her to hurry up.
“I gotta go,” she says. “Remember where you stand and don’t forget yourself in all this.”
“I miss you,” I say.
“Happy Christmas, Max.”
“Happy Christmas.”
She smiles at me and I give my best attempt at a smile back.
“Okay, go!” I say, swishing my hand as if I’m shooing her away.
“Laters!”
We hang up and I let my phone flop onto the mattress.
I head down to breakfast with my head in a swirl. Is Aisha right? Will giving up just make me more miserable? Or is this a lose-lose situation? All I know is that I need to start putting myself first. What do I want? What will make me happy?
If I stop chasing Jasper, will he ever come around?
The parlor is busy this morning. I guess more Rocky Pack wolves have arrived for the blood moon. Heading to the pastry table feels like wandering through a hotel lobby. I load up my plate with apricot Danishes and apple strudels and look around for a place to sit.
I’m shocked when I spot Katie, Todd, and Simon sitting by a window—not because they’re together, that’s pretty standard. But because Katie is holding hands with both of the boys and they’re not fighting or throwing things at each other.
“What’s up?” I ask, taking the last seat at their table.
Katie grins at me like she’s trying not to smile too wide.
“Hey bruh,” Todd says.
“Sup, dude,” Simon adds.
“You’re all acting very strangely,” I say, biting into my apricot pastry.
“We have some news,” Katie says, like she’s about to explode with joy. “After the dance we all sat down and talked and—”
“And we’re going to try this polyam thing,” Simon finishes for her.
“Wow, quite the development! How did you come to this arrangement?”
Todd still looks a little unsure, but Katie nods to encourage him to explain, as if saying it out loud will help him adjust.
