I dragged my fingers through my hair. “Beth? What are you doing? Do you have any idea how much trouble I’ll be in with Nate if he finds out you’re—”
“You know who I am?” Her voice came deeper than I expected, carrying husky undertones.
I nodded.
She frowned. “How?”
“Photographs.”
Her eyebrows lifted. “Nathan has pictures of me on show?”
“No,” I said with a small head shake.
She seemed to regard me for a few seconds before she spoke again. “How long have you known I was following you?”
“Since I kept spotting your hair.” My head tilted as I shrugged. “And do you drive a black Lexus by any chance?”
She gave a half smile. “I guess I’m not very good at this tailing game.”
“You’re better than Sean.”
The smile on her lips widened.
“It took me about thirty seconds to make him when he first stalked me.”
“Shame on him.” She gave a quiet laugh, sobering as her gaze travelled over me, head to toe, shoulder to shoulder.
When her scrutiny became uncomfortable, I asked, “I take it you know who I am?”
“You’re Jem.” Another smile accompanied her matter-of-fact tone.
“Then, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Beth.” I held out my hand, and she took it.
“You, too.”
“But seriously,” I said, “do you understand how much trouble I’ll be in if Nate hears about this?”
Her lips twitched. “Will you tell him?”
“He’ll know.” I shrugged. “Do you truly believe I won’t mention this to Sean? Do you have any idea how hard it will be for him to know I’ve seen you when he spends every day missing you like crazy?”
Her fingers tugged at her lower lip as her eyes moistened.
I cringed. “That was really tactless. Sorry.”
“You shouldn’t apologise for being honest.”
We returned to studying each other for a few seconds before I remembered my abandoned shopping.
“Excuse me for a moment.” I held my finger up, walking the ten metres to grab my stuff. When I returned to Beth, I asked, “Can I ask why you’ve been following me?”
She glanced away before our gazes reconnected. “Nathan has told me a lot about you. About how happy you make my son. I was curious.”
I could accept that. If I’d been her, and a female lived in my house, with my family, when I’d been sent away, my curiosity would be alight, too.
“Are you busy?” she asked.
I lifted my shopping basket. “Christmas shopping.”
“For Sean, by any chance?”
“Some, yes.”
“Do you mind if I join you?”
At her request, my inner conflict kicked in. I really wanted to get to know the woman more. Should I, though? Knowing how much trouble it would get me into with Nathan? Should I take an opportunity Sean had been denied for years? My warring emotions battled it out as I stared up at her.
Beth reached out, placed her hand on my shoulder. “How about if you don’t answer?” Her head dipped to my level. “How about if I just take it upon myself to tag along?”
“I’m not sure . . .”
“I’ll even save you the bother of confessing to Nathan by calling him myself to let him know what I’ve done.” Her convincing tone placed emphasis on the ‘I’ve’.
Against my better judgement, I shrugged. “It’s a free country.” I broke eye contact, kicking a toe against the pale floor. “If you happen to be in the same departments as me or the same aisles . . .” I looked up again. “It’s hardly a crime, right?”
• • •
“So,”—I turned from the picture frame I held to Beth—“is it just curiosity that’s had you chasing me everywhere? Or is there more to it?”
She smiled. “Nathan told me you can be pretty sharp.”
“He said that?”
“Yes, he did.” She gave a small laugh that sounded more like a chuckle.
I remained quiet, hoping for my answer as I stuck the broad, dark oak frame in the trawler net with the album.
“Do you want the truth, Jem?”
I kept my mouth shut, waiting for her to elaborate.
Her head cocked to the side. “Of course you do, now I’ve said that.” She stared at me as though expecting a response. “Okay, the truth is I have a …another reason for following you.”
I turned to fully face her. “Go on.”
“Well …a few weeks ago, I asked Nathan if I could come home.”
My muteness had returned.
“Would you like to get a coffee, find somewhere more comfortable to talk about this?”
Though my eyes narrowed, I gave a small nod. “Sure.”
• • •
The restaurant resided on the top floor, and we carried our cappuccinos to a booth tucked into a far corner. Neither of us said anything as we emptied sugar into our mugs and stirred the liquid into a swirl of froth.
I placed my spoon aside and took a sip. “So …you asked if you could come home?”
Beth nodded.
“What did Nate say?” I asked, lowering my mug.
“At first?” She sighed. “You’d think I’d suggested we go bungee jumping or something equally radical.”
I took another sample of my coffee.
She went to take a drink, too, but paused in the motion. “Okay, I offered you the truth, so I’ll give it.” She blew out a small breath. “I used you being there with them as a bartering tool. I waited …to see how everything worked out for you—”
“How much has Nate told you about my life since being with Sean?”
“Everything.” The reach of her hand to enclose my arm reflected the emotion of her voice.
“You understand I was bitten because of another pack? And that said pack kidnapped me?”
Her fingers tightened their hold. “Yes.”
I stared at her. “What the heck made you think that was a good bartering tool to convince Nate?”
“Because, despite everything that’s happened to you, you are okay, Jem.” She released my arm, rubbing it before withdrawing. “That was always my aim. See for myself, to check. Even with the threat of another pack, everything worked out.”
“But there was no guarantee it would.”
“Yes, I know.” The darkness of her eyes intensified. “But if you thought you would be in as much danger as you ended up in, would you still have stayed?”
My jaw tightened. She’d cornered me and knew it because she already knew what my answer would be. Seconds passed before I said, “Yes”.
“Why?”
“Because . . .” I lifted a hand, lowered it again. “Because it meant I could be with Sean.”
Her eyes softened as she smiled. “Well, maybe I’d like that opportunity. I’m so tired of hiding away, Jem. I haven’t seen my sons in ten years. Ten—”
“I’m not saying you shouldn’t come back, Beth.”
She closed her mouth on whatever protest she’d been about to give.
“But, I think it would be wrong to mislead you into thinking there’s no danger. I’m in danger every day—every time I leave the house.” She went to cut in, but I held my hand up to stop her. “That doesn’t mean I don’t agree with your coming back. Because I think it would work out all right. I think there are enough of us to try our best to make it be okay. And I know what a difference your physical presence would make to Sean and Ethan’s lives—Nate’s, too, no doubt.” I took a deep breath. “So, if you’re expecting me to argue Nate’s corner …I won’t. I do believe you should be there.”
Her lips curved as she heaved
a deep sigh.
“But, if you tell him I said all this, he’ll string me up for definite.”
She breathed out a small laugh, matched by one of my own that dwindled as a thought occurred to me.
“When did you say you asked him?”
Beth shrugged. “A few weeks ago.”
I nodded. “I suppose that would explain his moods lately.”
“Moods?”
“Well, not moods exactly. It’s just been obvious he’s had something on his mind.” My shoulders bunched, dropped. “He’s been …stricter, I guess.”
“Ah.” She sighed. “When I nagged him enough to consider it, he said he had to be sure everything was as it should be first. Maybe he needed to be sure you were all taking precautions before he brought in extra responsibility.”
I nodded in agreement. “You realise Nate only behaved the way he did because he was terrified of losing you, like Connor did with Nadine, don’t you?”
“Of course. I’d never seen Nathan truly afraid before that day. If not for that . . .” She shrugged.
“You should know that what I have to say next is not to make you feel better, but because I believe it’s the truth.”
Her eyes tightened before she smiled. “Okay.”
“I think you’ve found it difficult to accept that they allowed me to stay …in the beginning, I mean, when I was still …like you.”
Beth’s head cocked side-to-side.
“I’ve only ever believed it was because of who I was. If it were anybody else …some random person, Nate would never have allowed it. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
“Yes …and thanks.” She took my arm again. “Listen, I’m a little hungry. Would you stay long enough to eat with me …please? I’m quite enjoying your company, truth be told. That’s if you’re hungry.”
A quiet laugh drifted past my lips. “I’m always hungry.”
“You would be, wouldn’t you? I’ll grab us a roast.” She got to her feet, already turning away. “My treat.”
As I watched her grab a tray and join the short queue, I wondered if Nathan would relent, allow her home, and how that would change Sean, Nathan, Ethan—everything.
I’d spent months wondering what Sean’s mother would be like, what kind of woman had married into a family of werewolves and nurtured two teens through puberty when they hit their first change. Not for one minute had I expected I’d feel so comfortable in her company.
When my mobile rang in my pocket, I drew it out. After a quick glance at the screen, I said, “Hey, baby,” with a smile.
“How’s your day, Jem?” Sean’s deep voice asked. “Everything okay?”
How should I answer? Well, I’m just sitting here watching your mother pay for the meal she invited me to eat with her?
“I’m having a good day,” I managed.
I would tell him. How could I not? Just not before Beth had spoken to Nathan.
“So …where are you?”
Beth turned from the cashier with a tray in her hands. Steam spiralled from the plates and two mugs it bore.
“I’m in a restaurant, in a department store.” I smiled. “I’m just about to have lunch.”
“Lucky you. I’m absolutely starved, but I’ve got to finish this plastering before I can head out for something . . .”
Beth slid back into her seat and placed the tray on the table before handing my food to me.
“You could have asked Dad to let me come with you.”
I inhaled the rich meat and fresh vegetable scents, smiling when my stomach growled its approval. “How could you have come with me when I’m Christmas shopping?”
At my words, Beth’s head shot up. Her gaze met mine.
Sean chuckled. “Are you buying presents for me?”
Beth leaned forward to whisper. “Would it be too invasive if you allowed me to listen to him?”
I grinned at Sean’s question. “Maybe.” Switching to loudspeaker, I positioned the phone beside my plate.
Beth gave a nod of thanks.
“If I ask, will you tell me what?” Sean asked.
“No.” I snorted. “It’s meant to be a surprise.”
His voice dropped, tone deepening. “I could make you tell me.”
Beth’s fingers rose to her mouth, smothering silent amusement.
“You can try as hard as you like, but I won’t tell you.” I picked up my cutlery, speared a chunk of carrot. “It’s a surprise.”
Another of Sean’s chuckles travelled the line, and would have tightened my stomach if not for my company. “I’d have fun trying, though.”
“I’m sure you would.”
“In fact, just wait until later. I’m going to—”
I almost choked on my food. “I’m not having this conversation with you right now.” I dipped my head to conceal my embarrassment from Beth and dropped my voice as I said, “I have you on loudspeaker so I can eat, and someone might overhear.”
His next chuckle more than tightened my stomach. “Okay, okay. What time are you out until?”
“How would I know?”
He sighed—no doubt at my all-too-often response. “Okay, I have to go. I’ll speak to you later. Make sure you call when you leave the store.”
“What makes you think you won’t ring me before then?” I asked around a roast potato.
“Jem?” he said, his tone a plea.
I rolled my eyes. “Okay, I’ll call.”
Two seconds later, we hung up. I sent Beth a smile before giving my meal my full attention.
Her hand folded around mine, paused it mid-lift to my mouth. Her eyes, as ours met, brimmed with emotion. “Thank you,” she said.
16
“Would you mind my company for longer?” Beth asked as we left the restaurant.
I tucked my hands into my jeans pocket. “Actually, I could use some help.”
Beth’s head cocked.
“I don’t have a clue what to buy Nathan—or Connor. Ethan should be easy, maybe a T-shirt—something butch.”
Beth chuckled.
“And I should be able to get away with pretty much the same for Josh, Dan and Kyle.”
“How are they?” she asked. “Obviously, Nathan keeps me informed, but a woman’s point of view may tell me something he hasn’t.”
“They’re okay,” I said. “Josh and Dan are dating . . .”
Her brows lifted as she smiled.
Not particularly suicidal, I deliberately failed to mention the pack’s current problems, but deciding it unfair to mislead her into believing Josh and Daniel had found someone to settle down with, I said “But their girlfriends are nowhere near good enough for them.”
Beth’s brows lowered.
When I didn’t elaborate further, she asked, “And Connor? How does he seem to you?”
“He’s doing okay.”
“That’s good,” she said.
The trip down on the escalator interrupted our conversation. In the men’s department, I headed straight for the underwear. Rails of boxer shorts sported a whole host of colours, patterns and fabrics. I located the silk pairs, testing their texture against my fingertips. Beth stayed with me without interruption as I studied one pair after another until I settled for silk in the same deep blue as my eyes—a favourite shade of Sean’s.
From there, we tag teamed in our T-shirt perusal. Finding one which would not only fit but that Ethan would wear offered a challenge all on its own.
“This one?” Beth held up her third option—black with white lettering across the front that read, ‘Boys will be boys’.
I grinned. “Perfect.” It went into the basket.
Metal scraped across metal as we pushed hangers of T-shirts back and forth. �
�How did you and Nate meet, Beth?” I pondered over a collection depicting cartoon characters.
She smiled. “We were both at school.”
“You went to the same school?”
“Yes.” She chuckled. “There were mixed schools in our day, you know.”
“No, I didn’t mean—”
“I know. Just teasing.”
I drew out a green polo shirt I thought would suit Kyle.
“Nathan went to my school, but he was two years above,” she said. “And he was extremely fit, in more than one sense of the word.”
I contained my laugh, disguising it with a hand to my mouth.
“He played on all the sports teams. That’s how he caught my eye. Apparently, it’s how I caught his, too.”
Her gaze was on me, but she didn’t appear to focus on anything other than her memories.
I almost joined in her daydream—Nathan, young and chasing girls? Too funny.
“Nathan was never interested in all the popular girls in school.” She paused. “They were interested in him, though. Maybe because the further through school he went, the …bigger he grew.” She turned to me at last. “He had the attention of almost everyone—he and Connor. But he ignored that. They both did.” A smile coated her lips. “Until they saw me and Nadine one day, doing laps around the track. The football team was training in the centre whilst we ran circles around them—literally.” Her finger indicated the route they’d run. “It took a few laps to understand we were being observed. We were more interested in sport than makeup and mini-skirts, so we weren’t really used to being watched by boys.”
I smiled like a goon at Beth’s recollection. “So, what happened next? Did they ask you out? I didn’t realise you and Nadine were friends before you met Nate. Did you go on double dates?”
She laughed. “Yes, yes, and yes. But it wasn’t Nathan who did the asking. He got Connor to do it. Even then, he wasn’t used to people telling him no, and I think he was afraid of his first refusal. With Connor doing the dirty work, it would seem like he had the knockback rather than Nate himself.”
I laughed at the idea of Nathan being unsure over anything—could hardly picture it.
Beth held up the T-shirt she’d clutched throughout her tale. “Do you like this one, Jem?”
Blue Moon Page 15