ROMANCE: PARANORMAL ROMANCE: Coveted by the Werewolves (Paranormal MMF Bisexual Menage Romance) (New Adult Shifter Romance Short Stories) (223 page)

              The day they left the sky was sunny and clear. They got on a train westward bound and settled in. Rick told her about all of the places they'd go and things they'd see once they made it out there. It was pretty great to listen to him talk, to know that he loved her so much that he was willing to do all of this. Because love was a word they hadn't thrown around yet, or even said once. But as the train chugged away from the station Jen realized that this was love, the amount of sacrifice for each other. This was the thing that so many people went their entire life without finding. And like with so many other people, love was the thing that might end up tearing them apart. Because who knew how each of them would adjust. Who knew what would happen. They could move out there and end up hating it, end up resenting each other and everything about the mountains and the hippies and the pot and the tourists. They might end up worse off.

              Jen rested her head against Rick's arm as the train slowly picked up speed. The rhythm of the engine was something she felt in her soul. She smiled as she thought about how their baby would enter the world in one of its most beautiful places. She just hoped that Rick and herself could do right by the child and each other. She hoped that end the end it would all be worth it, and neither of them would have any regrets. Jen fell asleep and didn't wake again until their next stop. It was dark out, but for the first time since they met they were alone together, without anything darkening the sky above them. Jen felt at peace for the first time. She felt homeward bound.

THE END

Passion Between Friends

              Chapter 1 The Cook

I wasn’t sure how much of a good idea this was, going to a school reunion, after all I am in my twenties now. It’s probably been at least eight years since I last saw any one from my old school. I left town quickly, after school, and headed to the city for work. I’d started as a kitchen assistant in a hotel and now I’ve made my way up to a fully trained chef. Some might not think that much of an achievement, which is one of the reasons why I’m a bit reluctant to attend this reunion. Not that this sort of thing normally worries me, I love my job, but there were some stuck up bitches in my class, who gave me a hard time at school and I wasn't looking forward to meeting them again.

It was actually my work buddies who talked me into it, telling me I should be proud of what I am, and I am proud, when I’m with them. I’m just not sure how proud I’ll feel once I’m amongst lawyers and accountants and real estate workers. You know how it is, other people always seem to do better and I’m not a nostalgic sort of person, so this really isn’t me.

So, why the hell am I in my car, driving a six hundred mile round trip, to see people I don’t want to see? The answer is, Abel Fairfax and Calvin Jefferson. I had few real friends, at school, but the thought of hooking up with Abe and Cal again is what finally convinces me. The thought of seeing anyone else though, just fills me with dread. This is not what I want to do, and I should turn around and head back home, but I know I won’t do that. I’ve always been one for a challenge, that’s how come I got a job to go to before I even left school. I love to apply myself to new and difficult tasks.

Except this time I’ve applied myself to old things and I’m wondering if I’m going to regret it. I won’t chicken-out though, I’ll see this thing through and then when I get back to work, I can say to my friends,
I told you I’d hate it.

Unfortunately, I left all the organizing until the last minute, because I had hoped I would find an excuse not to come, and I have nowhere to stay. I just hope there are some new hotels in town, when I left it, the only hotel was a motel and that was a dump. The sort of place where the rooms were booked out an hour at a time for the local hookers, and their clientele. Hopefully, the town has grown and the motel has shut down. I’ve not got far to go now, I’m not dressing up, and will probably just freshen myself up in the school toilets. I’m hoping not to be at the actual event for too long. Then I’ll find a hotel and go home the next morning, informing my work colleagues how brave I’ve been.

Still, as I turn off the highway and drive down into the town, I am reminded of how beautiful this area is. The town itself is deep inside a valley, with the slopes steep and tree lined, rocky in places. I lived here with an Aunt, who unfortunately has died since. She wasn’t really a relative, but a foster carer, my own parents died in a car accident when I was quite young. I was nothing special to her as she fostered lots of kids, with me just being one of many, she was a kind woman though. I’m ashamed to say, I didn’t even come back for her funeral. I moved on and made my new life, away from here.

Coming back just brings up a dread in the pit of my stomach. I did have good times, with my two really good friends, being a bit of a tomboy, I hung out with two boys. One of them lived at the foster home as well, the other was part of a large family that owned a ranch on the outskirts. I never kept in touch, and to some degree I now regret that. I think that is the only reason I’ve come back, to sort of make my apologies to those two guys, if they’re here. If they’re not, then that means they’ve moved on and forgotten all about me, which will allow me to stop feeling guilty.

Chapter 2 The Rancher

Well, just look at that! The old school is still standing. In fact, I think it’s been extended and has a few modern buildings added to it.

I’ve not really come prepared for a big event, no nice dress packed in my suitcase. Should I have treated it like a Prom? Sure, I have clean clothes, but only more jeans, tops and underwear, very casual. I know one thing for sure, I’m not here to set airs and graces for a bunch of old school pals, most of which I doubt I will even recognize.

“I don’t believe you came!” I hear a male voice yell through my side window as I pull into the parking lot. “Yasmin Bradney, you came, I’m sooo pleased.”

I turn around and stood before me is a tall, dark man, his arms open wide and a huge smile on his face. It only takes a second before my confusion turns to pure delight as I leap out of the car, and into his open arms.

“Abe Jefferson,” I yell, in my excitement. “Abe, you’re here. I’m so pleased to see you, oh god, Abe, this is fantastic,” I say, jumping up and down, like I’m still a schoolgirl.

As people pass us, they just smile. It is a reunion day after all, there’s gonna be lots of giddiness going around.

Finally, we let go of each other and just stand there holding hands as we look each other up and down.

“Look at you girl,” Abe says, looking pleased with me. “You sure are a fine woman. I don’t even know how I recognized you, I think I sort of sensed it.”

“Yeah, well, Abe, I didn’t recognize you at first. I thought you were some local weirdo. Instead, you’re my Abe and looking mighty handsome and, wow, just look at those muscles. Did you stay on the ranch?”

“I sure did, and we’ve expanded, we’re one of the largest providers of cattle this side of the mountains,” he told me.

I looked at him, he has developed well over the years into a fine young man, tall and broad with a handsome face, dark skinned with a mop of tight curly hair. Yet, I could still see my Abe in the twinkle of his soft, brown eyes. He wore faded denims, a checked shirt and a denim jacket, sat on his head was a stetson. He looked the real thing, a true cowboy.

“Abel Jefferson, you are a handsome young man, that’s for sure,” is all I could say, stood there looking at this tall, hunky black man. “We have so much catching up to do.”

“Well, girl, that’s why we’re all here. Come on, I haven’t seen Cal yet, do you think he’ll come?”

“Hell, he’d better,” I say, suddenly realizing that I never really thought these guys wouldn’t be here, I’d simply assumed their presence was a forgone conclusion. “If I could be brave enough to do this, then that wuss had better make the effort too.”

Calvin had been the clever one of us. I did okay, I guess, but there was never anyone in my life to push me, so at exam time I just did the bare minimum to get through. Cal, though, although he lived in the same circumstances as me, he believed because he had no parents, it meant he had to try harder. So, in that respect, we were as different as chalk and cheese.

In reality, he’s probably a millionaire right now, so why on earth should he be interested in attending a school reunion? Nah, he probably won’t come.

I lock up my car and we head on inside the school, arm in arm. Suddenly, I felt like a kid back at school, as if nothing had ever changed.

We entered through the double doorway and two guys were sat at reception, I really couldn’t remember much about either of them, but after a quick bit of reminiscing, I had a vague idea of who they were. They weren’t really anyone I hung around with at school. We were given our name badges and headed for the school hall.

As much as I adore Abe, I absolutely hate the first person I spotted as I walked through the open hall doors. There stood Delena Eggerton, looking as if she’s trying to look like a million dollars. I hated the girl, and now I hate the woman. She was one of those giggly, females. Always wore makeup, showed off her shape with tight fitting clothes, she always made me feel ugly and inadequate. Man, do I hate her.

“What did you really think of Delena Eggerton, I mean as a man, what was your honest opinion of her, as a woman?” I ask Abe, hoping he’d confirm his hatred for her.

“You’re asking the wrong guy here,” is all he’d commit to.

Abe was leading me in the direction of the bar, and while I circled Delena, to try and avoid her, she spots me and smiles in my direction. I couldn't help myself but smile back, even though I hate myself for doing it.

“Never mind her,” Abe says, as he passes me a bottle of beer.

We clink our beers together in an unspoken toast. That’s why I always loved him so much, he knew me so well, and obviously still does, no wine for this gal, she likes her beers with the boys.

“I can’t help it Abe, she made my life hell on the odd occasion. Did you know that she used to tease me horribly about having no parents. She used to say that they didn't really die in a car crash but abandoned me at the orphanage. What a horrible thing to say to a young child, don’t you think?”

“Children can be cruel to each other, that’s part of growing up. Did you believe what she said?” Abe asked me, raising his eyebrows, just as he used to when we were kids.

“No, well, I used to think about it and wonder if it might be true. I told Cal, and he assured me that she was just a bitch,” I laugh.

“Can I have your attention, just for a moment,” a voice shouts over the PA system.

It was her. She was on the stage talking into a microphone.

“I want to thank you all for coming today,” she announces. “Maybe if it goes well we could do it every year, so be ready for the letter or the buzz on Facebook. I hope you all have a good day and find happiness meeting up with old friends,” she finishes.

“Maybe she’s not all that bad,” Abe says. “Seems she’s the one to organize this reunion.”

I just shrug me shoulders, I’ve no idea why she has instigated this reunion, but I can bet it’s all just to make her look good.

She steps down from the stage and starts to mingle with the groups of guests that are spread around the room. With growing horror, I realise that she’s coming over to us.

“Yasmin, Abel, I’m so pleased you made it here,” she greeted us, with a huge grin. “I know what Abel does, but what are you doing with your life, Yasmin?” she asks me.

“Staying away from people who make me unhappy,” I reply.

“I know what you mean,” she says, back at me, letting the hint go right over her selfish head. “Life is too short to be with people who make you feel unhappy. Any way, it’s good to see you both.”

With that she was off to the next person. Yep, still shallow.

“Oh, hey,” she says back to us as she swings around, “I’ve just seen Calvin Fairfax, he is a fine young man.”

My heart gives a little jump at the mention of Cal’s name, and off we go, eagerly in search of the missing cog to our little trio.

We track him down, chatting away to his old friends. Well, that is why we’re all here I suppose.

“And, here they are,” he yells, as soon as he spots us. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you guys.”

We do all the hugging and laughing, and then pull ourselves away from the crowd, so it is just the three of us, like old times.

“Look at you, mister classy man,” I declare, he does indeed look very good. Tall tanned and with a suit that probably cost as much as I earn in a year. “Looking good Calvin Fairfax, what’s those threads, Westmancott?” I dare to suggest.

He just smiles ruefully, he isn't one to hide his light under a bushel, but I guess he doesn't want to come over as too flash, with old friends.

“You know how good I was with figures? Well, I started out as an accountant and things just got better. I’m in banking now, and I do pretty well. So, enough about me, I want to hear about you two,” he says, eagerly.

“I never moved away,” Abe tells him. “Just took over the running of the ranch when dad retired. We've grown so much bigger now we’ve gotten more cattle. We’re the biggest cattle ranch in the state.”

Then they both turn to me and I felt a bit disappointed that I don’t have a big tale to tell.

“Okay, I’m a chef, I cook good food and that’s about it,” I tell them.

“I already know that you’re not just any chef, young lady,” Cal says. “I hear you’re making quite a name for your self.”

“Well, I have no idea how you could know something like that, seeing as I haven’t spoken to anyone here, plus I wouldn’t tell them anyway. Yes, I’m not doing bad, turns out I’m quite a natural at mixing herbs and spices together, but then Abe’s mom gave me plenty of lessons.”

“Not bad for two little orphans, eh, Minny?” Cal says to me, using the pet name the guys always called me. I haven’t been called it in years.

“You were always the determined one, dying to show the world how good you could be. Me? I don’t really care about the world, or what it thinks,” I say to him.

“Where you two staying?” Abe asks us, as if he’s suddenly remembered something.

“I haven’t booked in anywhere yet, and please tell me that sleazy motel is closed down?” I reply.

“Me too, I haven’t booked in anywhere because I wanted to make sure I booked in the same place as Minny,” Cal says.

“Aww, that’s so nice of you, Cal,” I thank him, he was always such a thoughtful person, ambitious and thoughtful, an unusual combination.

“No, Minny, the sleazy motel is still open. Anyway, you can both stay on the ranch,” Abe tells us rather than invites us.

“Oh, that’s fantastic, thank you Abe, I would love to do that,” I reply, and Cal is equally as agreeable.

This day is turning out to be perfect, despite Delena Eggerton, we did not need to rush our day together, as we would have all night as well. I was suddenly really pleased I had come, although I had little interest in anyone else here. We did mingle and chat and the guys seemed to enjoy mixing with old friends, but me, I was glad when it was all over and we could get away together, just the three of us, like it used to be.