Page 90 of The Monster I Am
Tai grabs my hand, leading me over to the bed. “Besides Dad being an insufferable bastard, it’s Poppins’ birthday next week.”
I let him pull me over, watching as he picks up the white teddy bear to show me. “His birthday?”
He nods. “He was the last gift I got from my mom. Mary gave it to me when she died.”
“Oh,” I mutter sadly, realization dawning on me. “I had no idea—I’m so sorry.”
Tai smiles, though the light is absent from his eyes. “It’s strange because it feels as though it’s been forever, but at the same time, like it was only recent. I guess…” He trails off, biting his bottom lip.
“My mom dying brought it all up again?” I ask gently.
He turns to look at me, face softening. “I hate that we bonded over that. It’s cruel but if I’m being honest made me feel a little less alone.”
“Same,” I admit quietly. “IfI’mbeing honest, I don’t think I would have gotten through it if it wasn’t for you.”
Tai places Poppins on the bed, pulling me into a hug. “I’m glad you came into my life, Bex.Ourlife. You’re good for Soph. Though I totally did try to break into her room. Snot goblin locked the damn door.”
I laugh into his chest. “Yeah, she did,” I confirm.
He hmphs in reply. “I would have scaled the side of the house and slipped in her window. I know she keeps it unlocked.”
“That’s a little dramatic.”
“Maybe,” he shrugs, arms still wrapped around me. “But as much as heights scare the shit out of me, I’d climb the Burj Khalifa for you. I get to love you, so why bother to be scared of something as tedious as becoming a human pancake?”
I tighten my hold on him. “I love you too, Tai.”
He laughs quietly, the force gently shaking our bodies. “Hey—you didn’t keep me hanging like Ry.”
Rolling my eyes, I pull back to meet his gaze. “Iloveyou… but if you gloat about it to him I’ll sic Soph on you. Now, tell me more about your mom and Poppins.”
Chapter twenty-nine
Bexley
“You did really well today, kiddo,” Elliott says, giving me a Cheshire Cat grin. He leans over, rubbing the top of my head with his pointy, tattoo-covered slender fingers. My hair starts to bunch up under the ruffling, tendrils slipping out of my perfect tied-up braid. Well, it was perfect. I was so impressed with myself this morning when I managed to braid it flawlessly even though my vision was swimming and I was seeing doubles.
Smoothing down my hair as best I can, I nervously laugh in reply, trying to seem polite. The last thing I want to do is make our work experience awkward. “Thanks. I appreciate your help with all the training.”
“Ahh, it’s nothing!” He beams, waving me off. “You’re a fast learner. A real go-getter. Watching you isfascinating.”
I feel a little guilty even thinking about it but there’s somethingoffabout this guy. Being around him makes me on edge and a bit uneasy. Except I truly believe it’s ame problem.
I’ve spent way too much time being conditioned to always assume the worst about people. We’re taught that new facesare guilty until proven innocent—which is ridiculous and unfair. You just never know when someone is out to get you, ready to stab you in the back the moment you become comfortable. Because the problem is that once you’re stabbed, you either end up dead or with a permanent scar.
Conditioning comes with the territory, regardless of which side you land. It’s exhausting having to be on guard and suspicious, especially toward people like Elliott who are just happy and carefree souls.
We’re in Ridgeview Valley, but that doesn’t mean this poor man needs to be subjected to the stupid feud. He’s definitely not someone I recognize from Cedar Heights, and, at the risk of seeming judgmental, I doubt he was a Willowbrook Wolf. But that says more about them and not Elliott. He just doesn’t fit their mold orpicture perfectimage.
I glance sideways at the giant clock on the wall, a tiny rush of relief sinking in when I see that my shift is close to ending.
Rylan slept over last night and as usual, the weirdo woke up at the break of dawn to go for a run while I had to work. He offered to drive me, which was sweet. Initially I had refused, but apparently running into a doorjamb was convincing enough for Ry to put his foot down and not take no for an answer.
In my defense, I would have perked up eventually. I just needed to finish waking up first and have caffeine injected into my bloodstream.
Now that I’ve had my free staff coffee—an Americano because it’s one of those days—I’m pumped and ready to go! Hey… a girl can pretend, right?
I wish I could say I was heading home to crawl back into bed and cuddle my pillow, but unfortunately we have to head to school. We’re in the final week now before finals kick off, so skipping a day isn’t an option.
