Craving Tori: White Timber Pack(2)
After I finished getting ready for school, I was out the door and away from my parents’ wandering gazes. I covered it up, but you could still notice some of the bruise through the make-up, I wasn’t a miracle worker. The day was long and boring as usual. Elizabeth kept questioning me about my eye, and I kept telling her it was from soccer but she didn’t seem convinced, but she didn’t push the matter either.
When I arrived back home, my parents noticed my eye and asked me what happened. I told them the same story I told Elizabeth, and they seemed more convinced than Elizabeth had been. I didn’t like lying to them, but I didn’t want them to take Steve away when he made me happy, when he wasn’t rowdy and hitting me.
Steve and I were together for a year and I didn’t tell a soul about anything that happened between us. He didn’t hit me every day, our relationship was probably good ninety percent of the time. I didn’t know any better. I was young and I thought I was in love. What’s the saying, fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me. Oh boy, it was shame on me for being a complete fool, thinking he loved me. I was so blind. Not telling a soul about what was happening, ate at me everyday. I didn’t know if I could trust someone with my secret. Elizabeth started getting suspicious about all the bruises she would see on me, I tried my best to hide them, but it was like a losing battle. Whenever she asked me how I got them, I always had an answer prepared. The lying about what happened because of Steve came natural to me after a while.
Looking back at it now, I beat myself up for staying with him so long. I should have gotten away from him when he first lifted his hand to me, but I thought I was in love and didn’t know any better.
After one day, I had had enough. I knew it wasn’t healthy what I was in. I broke it off with Steve, but he didn’t take it very well. He would stalk me at school and everywhere I went. I always made sure someone was with me so he wouldn’t try anything. I was scared to death he would hurt me, or worse… hurt the ones I loved.
I remember what he yelled at me when I ran from him after I told him I was no longer willing to be with him.
“You’ll always be mine. You can’t run away from me. I won’t let you.”
Those words made my blood run cold, knowing he’d never leave me alone.
I was just glad I escaped.
I’m free now, hopefully.
Chapter One
Present day
I’m sitting outside with Elizabeth at the Jackson’s, our in-laws. It’s nice and sunny so we decide to tan a little bit. Ryan and Caleb are helping their father put up a tree house. We’ve been laughing all afternoon at them trying to put it together. Darren wants it up for the grand babies. I won’t be getting pregnant anytime soon.
Elizabeth, on the other hand, well it’s just a matter of time until she gets knocked up. The way she talks about how her mates are with her. It’s just a question of when she’ll be pregnant because the way she talks, her mates have a very healthy sexual appetite.
I’m a little jealous she knows her mates on an intimate level. I’ve only cuddled with Ryan, maybe sneaking a kiss in here and there. It’s not like he hasn’t hinted to me that he would love for us to go further, but I’m scared. He hasn’t pushed it on me or anything, which I adore him for. He doesn’t pressure me into anything I’m not ready for. I’m sure he has the worst case of blue balls.
I can’t wait for tonight. Ryan’s taking me out on a proper date. We haven’t been on a real date together since we found out I was his mate. We haven’t really been alone in public, just the two of us, because usually Elizabeth, Samuel, and Caleb have been out with us. Sometimes even Kelly and Noah, too.
My heart hurts for Kelly. I can’t imagine what she’s going though. Her mate rejecting her. I’m lucky my mate loves me and wants me as badly as he does. I know it’s different for humans, but Kelly seems to be trying to move on with Noah, Ryan’s cousin. Noah seems like a pretty decent guy from what Ryan has told me, and from what I’ve seen of him. Ryan told me Noah’s mate passed away when they were younger. Maybe they’re both trying to heal each other? I just hope everything turns out for them. Even though Kelly’s mate rejected her in front of his clan no less, I have a feeling we haven’t seen the last of the big, bad bear, Issac.
“So, where is Ryan taking you tonight?” Elizabeth asks, taking a sip of her ice tea.
I look out at the guys again and chuckle before responding.
“Well, he won’t tell me. All I know is that I should dress up just a little. I don’t know what that’s supposed to mean. That’s all he said.” I pout. Elizabeth chuckles. I turn to give her a playful glare.
“It’s not funny. I don’t want to overdress or under dress for the restaurant,” I grumble.
“I’m sure whatever you pick to wear will work just fine. Stop stressing over it.”
Well, that’s easier said than done. I haven’t really been on a date. Steve and I never really went out, and after what happened with Steve, I stayed away from guys altogether for a while. Until Ryan. I don’t know where Ryan is planning on taking us, if it’s fancy or semi-fancy.
“I don’t really have much to wear. I’ve worn all the stuff I brought in my suit cases already. He’s seen me in everything I own,” I whine.