Page 43 of Coveted By the Bear

I hadn’t really needed to use the washroom. It was an excuse my fragile mind had made up to discover for myself the reasons Caleb had led Becca to the private hallway at the far end of the shop. Stupid mind and stupid excuses. I wish I could sear that vision of them together out of my brain for good. I’d do it with little remorse.

I splashed cold water across my face and patted it dry with a paper towel. A pale, shaken girl stared back at me through the mirror, and I turned my back in disgust. Weak. That man made me feel weak. Shoot a hundred and forty pound predatory grizzly with basically a water pistol and no fear of the consequences? No problem. See a nice boy canoodling with my arch nemesis? Crazy Mira falls to pieces. I chucked the paper towel into the trash bin like it had been the one to betray me. Caleb got to me. Didn’t mean he deserved to see how badly.

Opal gave me a steady gaze over the top of her glasses when I slipped back behind the counter. “Food’s ready for the big top. You mind taking it over to them?”

Caleb was staring at me. I could feel it so I didn’t venture to look their way. “Can’t we just call them up like we do with everyone else?” I whispered.

Opal arched her eyebrow. “If I’m not mistaken, I’d say there is a McCreedy or two at that table, and we need their shining endorsement. Now scat. You’re harshing my mellow with your cloud of emo lovesickness. Your aura looks awful.” She waved her hand in my direction like she was scattering fog and went back to slicing deli meat.

I opened my mouth with a ready denial but clicked my teeth back together again. She was right. I was full of emo-whatever-she-had-called-it. I shook my hands like coach was about to put me in the game and stretched my neck to the side until it popped. I could do this. They were just men. He was just a man. He was the man, but whatever. People had done far more difficult things. I mentally chanted those as I toted the giant tray of food over to their table.

Climbed Mount Everest.

Made a public speech.

Had more than fourteen seconds of conversation with Evan Dirty-Mouth McCreedy.

All much harder than I was about to do, really.

“Food’s ready.” My voice cracked, and I bit my lip when six pair of eyes swung my way. I could imagine the shade my face was turning.

Most of the boys kept talking, but Caleb had gone still and watchful. Evan moved gallantly out of the way so I could set the tray on their table.

“Evan,” Caleb warned, a half second before I felt a firm squeeze on my left butt cheek.

“Told you she was a hot piece of ass,” Evan sneered.

I gasped in shock as the force of his hand pushed me forward until I lay awkwardly on the table. I tried to right myself, but no one was looking at me anymore. Everyone’s attention was riveted to the flurry of fists and violent motion that were making their way to the door.

I watched the raw fury on Caleb’s face as he fought with Evan. Their friends herded them outside, but I could still see everything from my vantage point by the window. Caleb was beautiful. Vengeful. So graceful, he couldn’t pass as human. Potent. I couldn’t take my eyes off his agility as he pummeled his older brother with immoveable focus.

I had to stop them. This was over me, and I would never be able to live with myself if either really hurt each other.

I threw open the front door. “Stop! Stop them,” I pleaded with their friends.

They only stood back with half smiles. Two of them were taking bets.

I lurched forward and grabbed onto Caleb’s arm.

He saw enough of me that his tension eased, and he stepped back. His eyes were going to be impossible to hide if the gold in them kept spreading. “Mira—”

I saw it a split second before Caleb did. Evan wasn’t as good a fighter, but the man made up for it by fighting dirty. “Watch out,” I screamed just before his fist came flying in my direction.

Caleb yelled out. He pushed me behind him and took a hit directly to his face. Unbalanced and surprised by his strength, I fell backward into the crowd, the cement under me an unforgiving assailant.

“Hey,” one of their friends said in disapproval as they held Evan back. “Not cool, man.”

Caleb glanced back at me with worry etched into his bright eyes and blood trickling down his split lip.

“What do you care if I feel up the waitress, anyway,” Evan spat. “Is she your girlfriend? Huh? Do you want to date her? Tell me! Do you have any claim on Crazy Mira at all?”

The street grew quiet as Caleb’s shoulders hunched. I wished I could run away before the words left his lips. Caleb refused to look at me. “No,” he said softly.

I nodded my head slowly. Of course. Why would I have expected a different answer from him? His need for a solid reputation hadn’t changed since the last time we’d seen each other. Since the dinner with his father. Since ever. He was going to be someone. Maybe the biggest someone this sleepy little town had ever produced. I would be an anchor around his neck. Or if not me, the town’s idea of Crazy Mira would be the brick that dragged him beneath his potential.

The only thing that could have made the situation worse came to fruition when I looked down to see my apron had come loose and sagged to the side. My shirt was disheveled and one still emaciated and angrily scarred hipbone stuck out for all to see.

“Freak,” I heard someone murmur from the crowd.