Bluecollar Bear: Paranormal Werebear Small Town Romance (Black Oak Bears Book 1)

by Anya Nowlan

  So she had figured out something had been going on with him. But she was way off. All he had tried to do was make it clear to Bonnie that she needed to leave him alone. In the process, though, he had only made Tory feel as if he was hiding things from her.

  He tried to approach her, but she shook her head, jabbing a finger at him.

  “It was all true,” Pierce argued. “There’s no one else. Those phone calls… It was Bonnie. But I told her to stop calling, that I had someone else in my life now.”

  “Spare me,” Tory hissed, turning on her heel and marching away from the bedroom.

  “There has to be an explanation for this,” Pierce called out as he rushed to follow her.

  “I knew this was a mistake,” she muttered under her breath as she looked around for her purse, finding it on a stool in the kitchen. “Trust your gut, what a load of bull.”

  “Can you please just wait and listen for a second? We can figure this out,” Pierce pleaded.

  His confusion had turned to desperation. He couldn’t let Tory walk out like this, thinking there was another woman. Tory avoided his gaze as she tried to brush past him, but he caught her elbow.

  “Please, Tory…” he tried again, but she yanked her arm out of his grasp.

  “Don’t fucking touch me,” she said. “Stand in my way again and I’ll scream,” she added, almost running to the hallway to put on her shoes.

  She never looked at him again before rushing out and slamming the door after her. Pierce knew better than to follow. So he just stood there, shocked, unable to even process how everything had flipped on a dime in a matter of minutes.

  What the hell just happened?

  Seventeen

  Tory

  It was only after Tory had arrived back at her apartment and locked the door behind her did she allow herself to burst into tears. A part of her felt foolish for crying over a man she barely knew, but her heart was too broken to accept that kind of reason.

  What had she expected? A happily ever after with a man she had already guessed to be a player? Even Joanne had said as much when they had bumped into each other at The Roast, and Pierce himself had admitted to a colorful past.

  But both of them had also told her he had changed, was different. Oh, how she had wanted to believe that, or to fool herself into believing it. Truth was, she had been starting to see a future with Pierce, as hard as that was to admit.

  And look where it got me, she thought, stumbling over to her couch and curling up under a comforter.

  She never wanted to leave. If only she could just stay on that couch forever, bury her head under the comforter, until she forgot all about Pierce. That was unlikely to happen, though. He had managed to burrow himself into her thoughts, and even into her heart.

  Stupid, stupid, stupid, Tory repeated in her mind, trying to distract herself from thinking about her feelings for him.

  What struck her most was how Pierce had tried to explain himself. How could he even get the words out of his lying mouth? What, did a pair of panties just float in through the open window straight into his bedroom and under his mattress?

  The nerve of that asshole.

  Heartbreak slowly turned into fear as she replayed their conversation in her head. Anger was a hot, burning, fueling feeling, something she could hold onto to drive her forward. She focused on that fury, because it was easier to deal with than the anguish and sorrow Pierce’s actions had caused her.

  Was it possible to fall in love with someone in a matter of days? She wouldn’t have thought so before meeting Pierce. But now, she would never know, would she? It was over. She wasn’t one to be played.

  Pierce was a very good player, though, she had to admit. For a moment his surprise and confusion had even seemed genuine. Was it something he had practiced? Was Tory just another idiot in a long line of deceived women?

  The text she had gotten earlier now felt like a prediction. She still didn’t know who the message had come from, but she didn’t really care. At the time, she had tried her hardest to dismiss it, choosing to trust in Pierce rather than believe some vague, anonymous warning.

  Now, she regretted that choice. There were a lot of choices she regretted, actually. Ever saying ‘yes’ to Pierce when he asked her out was one of them. Ignoring his shady behavior was a close second. And then there was the decision to open her heart to him.

  I’ve learned my lesson, she thought bitterly, wiping away her tears.

  Tory knew her eyes were still a little red when she entered The Roast, avoiding James’ gaze as she ordered her regular. But with her tossing and turning all of last night, unable to not think about Pierce despite the way it hurt, she needed the caffeine boost.

  When she finally looked up, hot cup in hand, to see if there were any seats open, she almost ran back the way she came. There he was, standing in the middle of the coffee shop, looking straight at her.

  Pierce.

  Seeing him again was like a kick in the gut. Her fingers dented the coffee cup as her grip around it tightened, and anger swelled in her chest. He rushed to her side before she could turn around and leave, looking tired and disheveled.

  “Please, just a minute of your time,” he said in hushed tones.

  “I have nothing to say to you,” Tory replied, turning on her heel and marching away.

  His footsteps followed her as she walked outside, and now Tory was seriously considering dumping her coffee on him. But that would be taking it a step too far, wouldn’t it?

  “Don’t say anything, just listen,” he said, easily keeping pace at her side no matter how fast she walked.

  Damn long-legged shifter jerk, Tory fumed.

  “I thought about it last night, and there can only be one explanation – Bonnie planted those panties there. It’s the only thing that makes sense,” he said.

  Tory scoffed, giving him the biggest eye-roll she could manage.

  “Of course,” she slapped her palm against her forehead. “How did I not think of that? What a perfectly logical conclusion,” she said, acid dripping from her tone.

  “No, really,” Pierce insisted. “I didn’t tell you everything about our break-up. She keyed my car. Put my name on Craigslist with bogus postings. Showed up everywhere I went. Called me at all hours. And she started calling me again after she saw us together outside the restaurant.”

  More than irritated, Tory stopped in her tracks, whirling on Pierce.

  “You’re going to blame this on your crazy ex-girlfriend? You had all night to come up with a story, and this is what I get?” she demanded.

  “You don’t think I know how this sounds?” he countered, staring right into her eyes. “But humor me, just for a second. Bonnie forgot her phone at my house once, and I was busy at work. So she swung by and I gave her my key so she could go get it. She came back later that day and returned my key, and I thought nothing of it,” he said.

  Gritting her teeth, Tory did her best to listen without letting her emotions get the better of her. Hell, why did he have to look so sincere, so desperate to get her to believe him? Those dark eyes burrowed right into her soul, and in a moment of weakness, all she wanted to do was throw herself into his arms.

  “I think I know where this is going,” she interjected. “You think she copied your key without you knowing.”

  She could tell by his expression that was exactly what he had been getting at.

  “And the open window when we got to my place last night,” he added. “Remember, I said it was weird? That was before we ever stepped foot in the bedroom. I think she left it open to air the place out, so I wouldn’t catch her scent and know what was up.”

  A small sliver of doubt crept inside Tory’s brain. Was it because he was making some semblance of sense, or did she just want to believe him so badly? She couldn’t tell anymore. Her trust in herself had become too shaky.

  “She has to be seriously messed up to do something like this, you realize that, right? Like, needs professional help messed up,” sh
e said.

  “I know,” he nodded. “But I also know it’s the only plausible explanation, because Tory… I don’t want anyone but you. And I definitely would never do anything to risk our relationship, least of all cheat on you.”

  Blinking up at him, she didn’t know what to say. Did his words hold any weight anymore?

  “Do you have any proof of this crazy theory, other than an open window?” she asked.

  “No,” Pierce admitted, his face falling. “But what if I can get some?”

  Tory had to admit, her curiosity was getting the better of her. The ache in her chest slowly subsided as she studied Pierce, her lips pursed and eyes narrowed.

  “Go on,” she said.

  Eighteen

  Pierce

  Pacing around his house, Pierce couldn’t help the growl echoing from his chest. His bear was not in a docile mood, and neither was he. As soon as he had weighed all his options and come to the conclusion Bonnie had to be the one behind all his troubles, he had barely been able to contain himself.

  It had taken all he had not to go and confront her. But he had to be smart about it. He needed to get Tory to believe him, and he needed Bonnie for that. There was no assurance his plan would even work, and a good chance it might even make things worse between him and Tory.

  But he had to try. He would do anything to make things right with his mate.

  The text he had sent Bonnie nearly twenty minutes ago had told the woman that he needed a friend to talk to, and asked her to come over. After how they had left things, he wasn’t sure she would even reply, let alone agree to meet. But given what Bonnie had done to keep him and Tory apart, there had to be feelings there.

  Time ticked past with excruciating slowness, and the animal inside Pierce thrashed and roared. Finally, he couldn’t taking just standing around anymore, and walked over to the back of his house. The forest loomed not far away, lush and green, full of familiar smells.

  With steady purpose, Pierce strode over to the tree line, feeling his muscles tense and relax. Tapping into the primal power inside him, he let his bear float closer to the surface, until the barrier between man and animal became nonexistent.

  His body began to ripple, his bones realigning with practiced ease. He could feel his frame stretch and widen, his mouth twist into a muzzle as he dropped onto all fours. All together the shift didn’t take more than a couple of seconds, the change flowing over him in a wave of released energy.

  Pierce was still himself, his mind maybe a little more wild than usual, but he was still in charge of all of his faculties. Anyone who might spot him would only see a huge grizzly in place of a man that used to stand where the bear now sank his huge paws into the dirt, but they were one and the same.

  Shaking his brown fur, Pierce padded into the forest, sniffing the air as he went. With the thud of his paws and the sounds of the nature around him in his ears, he picked up speed, until he was dashing through the trees, the wind on his face.

  His mind began to clear as he let his instincts take over, focusing on nothing but the way his massive body cut through the dense wilderness at breakneck speeds. Circling back, he caught the scent of a rabbit, and tracked it for a while, just to put his senses to the test.

  When his house began peeking out though the trees once again, he slowed, pulling back on the strength surging through him. His bear, pleased to have been let out, didn’t resist when Pierce pulled it back, reversing the shift.

  Within moments, he was solidly on two feet again, with his thoughts clear and his determination unwavering. His plan would work, he would make sure of it. He would accept nothing but success.

  When Bonnie had replied saying she would be over at around eight, Pierce had been both relieved and apprehensive. He had called Tory right away, giving her the update. Reluctantly, she had agreed to come over at seven, before Bonnie could get sight of her.

  It was clear she still didn’t fully trust him, but at least she was playing along. That would do for the moment.

  After his run, the hours to seven had passed a little faster, with Pierce trying to focus on the best-case scenario, instead of the worst one. If he just got Bonnie to admit what she had done, and have Tory hear it for herself…

  But Pierce had no idea why Bonnie had even agreed to meet, or what she was expecting of the encounter. And if she was truly unhinged enough to break into his apartment, who knew if he could ever get any semblance of truth out of her?

  Pierce was very aware of the exact moment the clock hit seven. Perking up his ears, he hoped that Tory was actually going to show up, and hadn’t agreed to just get him off her back. He wouldn’t put it past her.

  His heart nearly skipped a beat when he finally heard footsteps approaching, and he rushed to the door. He opened it before Tory could even knock, startling her for a second.

  “Oof,” she huffed, staggering back from the door.

  “Sorry,” he quickly said. “Come in.”

  Hesitating at the front step for a moment, there was still a healthy amount of skepticism in her gaze when she stepped inside, crossing her arms in front of her as he shut the door behind her.

  “Hi,” Tory said through pursed lips. “So she’s coming?”

  “In an hour,” he replied.

  She arched a brow at him.

  “Then why am I here so early?”

  “Because she might come early and I didn’t want her to see you,” he replied.

  “Oh, okay,” she nodded. “Makes sense.”

  He led her to the couch, double-checking that all the curtains were drawn. She plopped down, avoiding his gaze and fiddling with her hands. Clearly she wasn’t keen on small talk, and he wasn’t sure if saying anything would make things better or worse.

  It pained him that her trust in him had been shaken, and that Bonnie had managed to drive a wedge between them. Things had been so easy before when her laughter had filled his house, instead of this awkward silence. How he wanted her to look at him like she had before, with that spark in her eye that told him she felt the same as he did.

  “Can I get you something? Water, coffee, wine?” he asked.

  “This isn’t a social call,” was her curt reply.

  She seemed to catch herself a moment later, biting her lip.

  “Water would be great,” she said quietly.

  He fetched a glass and filled it, handing it to her, but knowing better than to sit down at her side. She gulped it down in huge sips, handing the glass back empty.

  “Thanks,” she muttered.

  “No problem,” Pierce replied.

  Time passed in silence, almost half an hour, while he busied himself with running through all sorts of scenarios regarding Bonnie. He knew he had to be prepared for anything, and so did Tory.

  “Look,” he started, breaking the silence. “I don’t know what’s going to happen when Bonnie gets here. I don’t know what she’s going to say. But if you can, please be patient. I don’t expect her to admit to anything right out of the gate. Just try and trust in me a little while longer.”

  Slowly, Tory turned to look at him, and it was then that he could see the hurt in her eyes. Gone was the anger she had tried to hide behind, and Pierce wasn’t sure what was worse – seeing her in pain or seeing her act like she hated his guts.

  “I’ll try,” she replied.

  Pierce searched for something else to say when a rhythmic click of heels caught his attention. He listened for a moment, gauging where the footsteps were heading.

  “She’s here,” he whispered, making Tory’s eyes widen.

  “She’s early,” she replied in hushed tones.

  “Go, go,” he ushered as she got to her feet. “Stay in the bedroom. Leave the door open a crack.”

  Tory rushed away as he gathered himself. A part of him just wanted to throttle Bonnie, to ask what the hell was wrong with her. But that probably wasn’t going to get him very far. He waited for her to knock before going into the hallway.

  His hand hove
red over the door handle.

  Here goes nothing.

  Nineteen

  Tory

  Tory fought nausea as she hid away in Pierce’s bedroom, listening to him invite Bonnie inside. She couldn’t see much, but their voices were clear enough for her to make out their conversation. Standing as still as possible behind the bedroom door, she held her breath as Pierce and Bonnie passed it on their way to the living room.

  “Thanks for coming,” Pierce was saying.

  “Of course,” Bonnie replied, and Tory could hear the smile in the woman’s voice. “But I have to say, I’m a little surprised you asked me to come.”

  “I’m kind of surprised myself, actually,” Pierce replied. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately, and I wanted to talk to you in person.”

  There was a moment of silence, and Tory edged closer to the bedroom door, wanting to make sure she caught everything the two of them said. She couldn’t help thinking how Pierce could probably hear how fast her heart was beating. Truth was, she wanted to be convinced, wanted to believe that Bonnie was behind everything.

  “Last time we spoke you told me you had nothing to say to me,” Bonnie said.

  “Yes,” Pierce replied. “I was meeting someone that night, do you remember?”

  Bonnie’s voice took on a different tone as she replied, sounding cold and terse.

  “I remember very well.”

  “That was Tory, and that was our first date. She was someone I thought I might have a more serious relationship with,” Pierce continued.

  “Why are you telling me this?” Bonnie asked, sounding somewhat impatient.

  “Because we broke up,” Pierce replied.