Aaron: Mating Fever (Rocked by the Bear Book 4) (5 page)

T
he next day
I wake up feeling as heartsick as I did when I broke up with the guy I thought was forever. I came to Bowdoin with my high school sweetheart, Nick. But once we got here, Nick discovered someone else, and he left me for her. My slippers shuffle across the vinyl hall flooring as I make way to the shower. My muscles ache, and the urge to cry is strong. I even have a low-grade headache that makes me want to climb back in bed. But I have finals in two weeks, and I ditched studying yesterday to go out with Aaron, so I need to sequester myself in a library study carrel.

When I return from my shower, Courtney is awake and begins to pepper me with questions. I cut her off quickly when I say, “Yes. He’s gorgeous and fun, and he’d be a great boyfriend, but not for me.”

“Well that’s a shame. How did he take the news?”

I shrug, and lotion is slick on my skin as I smear it on my face. “He said something along the lines of he’d let me make a move if I wanted anything to happen.” In an attempt to convince Courtney and my heart I add, “Which I don’t.”

“I’m sorry, hon,” says Courtney.

“Don’t be. Our summer of fun is about to start.” Courtney and I decided instead of worrying about landing a job right after we graduate, we’d spend the summer waiting tables and having fun. I say, “I’m off to the library today. Want to take a study break this afternoon and meet for coffee?”

Courtney is an art major and a talented painter. She says, “Perfect. I’ll be at the studio all day.”

Once I’m ready I leave her, I manage to get in some decent study time even if I have to keep forcing myself to push the memories of my day with Aaron out of my mind. By mid-afternoon I’m ready to move, and I stretch my arms over my head to get blood flowing before I get up to leave. I’m in the serious section of the library where nobody talks, so when Jax comes down the aisle and notices me packing up he stops to wait so we can chat in the stairway.

I guess he wants to ask how things went with Aaron, and I’m not looking forward to the conversation, but I hurry anyway. When we get to the stairwell Jax’s voice echoes as he asks, “How was your day with Aaron?”

“Fine. He’s a lot of fun.”

“Yeah, he is. He’s got a good heart too.”

“I suppose.”

“You know, the fame thing isn’t what he’s about.”

I glance at Jax. His face is serious as he speaks, and I suspect Aaron might have put him up to this. I say, “Yeah. He told me.”

Jax pushes the door open, and warm air wraps around us as he asks, “Where are you headed?”

Birds chirp in the trees as we walk. “I’m meeting Courtney for coffee.”

The sidewalk forks, and he says, “I’m this way. See ya.”

I wave at him and wonder what that was about. Did Aaron tell him about our date? And what on earth did he say, because I can’t imagine he’s sharing the true mate part with people. I shake my head and decide I’m just reading too much into things, and my shoes scrape on concrete when I jog up the steps to the student union.

I enter the café to find it nearly empty. Most people are enjoying the warm weather, and when I find Courtney I suggest we take our coffee outside. My cup burns my skin as we make our way to a bench on the green across the road.

My roommate says, “Time to spill it. What really happened yesterday with Aaron?”

“I had a great day with him.” I blow on my coffee but don’t take a sip. “He’s nicer than I expected.”

“You said you kissed him and claim there was no chemistry. I don’t buy it, Olivia.”

“Okay. It--they were great kisses.” I sigh.

“More than one.” She nudges me with her shoulder. “So what’s the problem?”

“He’d break my heart. Guys like Aaron don’t do one girl, and I couldn’t handle that.” I take a big gulp of my coffee, and it sears my throat as the threat of tears rises. “Olivia.” Courtney’s voice is stern. “You’re making a pretty big assumption. Those stories are sensationalized press, and you know it.”

“Maybe. But I’m not willing to find out.” I recall how Aaron said he doesn’t want to be with women that only want him because he’s famous. I wish I believed him.

“Oh my god.” My roommate lets out an exasperated sigh. “Nick was three years ago, and you’ve managed to find a reason not to go out on more than one date with a guy since then. You’re going to end up alone if you keep waiting for some fictitious perfect man to come along.”

This is not a conversation I want to have, so I say, “Naw. I’ll get cats.” I force a grin and change the subject.

Courtney scowls for a bit as she lets me, and we chat about little things as we sip on our drinks. I’m worried about my required math class final, and she’s having a lost muse moment as she tries to figure out what her painting for studio art is going to be. I throw out ridiculous ideas to make her laugh when the familiar roar of a motorcycle makes me glance over, and I see Aaron approaching. I guess Jax must have told him where I was.

I take a deep breath as he slows and stops in front of us. People begin to gather around the rock star as he pats the seat behind him and says, “Olivia, hop on, and let’s get ice cream.”

I shake my head, and his face falls before a guy asks him about his motorcycle. Aaron gives him a rushed answer and returns his attention to me. “Please?”

A few girls have come over to be near Aaron, and one says, “I’ll go with you.”

Courtney speaks under her breath. “Don’t be an idiot. Go.”

The memory of holding him is strong in my mind, and my skin flushes with the heat of my physical craving for his touch. I find my iron will and whisper, “I can’t.”

More women try to sweet-talk their way onto Aaron’s bike, but he ignores them and puts on what I think is his public persona as he says, “You’re killing my reputation, Olivia. Courtney?” He holds out the helmet to her.

My roommate glances at me and says, “You know what?” She moves her gaze to Aaron. “I’d love to get ice cream with you.”

In a strange way I’m relieved, because I know Courtney would never do anything to hurt me. But my stomach clenches with jealousy anyway, and I get up to throw the rest of my coffee away as the purr of Aaron’s motorcycle fades. A voice pulls me from my thoughts, and I turn to Cherri, the girl Nick left me for. They stopped dating over a year ago, but the pain will never fade for me. Especially when I recall how she pursued him relentlessly even though she knew we were together. She says, “Why you turned down the hottest man I’ve ever seen, I’ll never know.”

I glare at her. Her name is pronounced like the fruit, and I wonder who names their kid after a berry as I say, “There’s more to a guy than looks.”

“I know.” She flips her bleached-blond hair over her shoulder as she says, “We work in the math lab together, and he’s super sweet too. You just made a big mistake.”

My jealousy might make steam come out of my ears. As tempted as I am to light into Cherri, I don’t. Instead I turn away and go back to my dorm room. And when I get there I pull out Aaron’s leather jacket to clutch it to my chest as I inhale the scent of the man that my heart wants, even though my head is sure it’s a mistake.

I
’ve been kicking
myself for the past two days since Aaron took Courtney for ice cream. I stare at the leather jacket I keep folded on the end of my bed. When I pick it up to smell it for the millionth time I realize Aaron’s scent is fading, and I’m surprised by the tears that fill my eyes. Courtney told me he was nothing more than friendly to her, and they had a great time. I suspect there might have been some conversation about me, but she didn’t mention it. And I didn’t ask.

I sniff quickly and drop the coat when the door opens and Courtney enters our room. She frowns at me as she says, “I can’t sit back and watch this any longer. Go find Aaron and tell him you want to be with him.”

“You know I can’t.”

“Why? Because of some idea you have in your head that he’ll hurt you?” She sits next to me on my bed to ask, “Aren’t you miserable without him anyway?” She has a point, and her grip is light on my arms as she holds them. “There’s something between you two, Olivia. Live life a little, and act on it.”

When I don’t say anything she lifts up his jacket. “At least return his coat.”

I nod. “You’re right. I’m not sure why I keep holding on to it.”

Courtney raises her eyebrows at my statement, but I ignore her as I get ready to walk over to Aaron’s house. It’s mid-afternoon, and I have no idea if Aaron will be home, but I don’t want to lose my nerve. I need the closure of telling him in no uncertain terms thanks, but no thanks.

As my feet tap out my approach I notice two scooters outside of the duplex. When I get closer I discover one is yellow and the other is lime green, and they’re adorned with flowers that give them the appearance of something from the ’70s. I smile at Colleen and Maggie when they come out of their apartment holding two pink helmets with decals that match the scooters.

Colleen squeals when she sees me. “Olivia! Oh goodness, it’s about time you came back. Your boy’s heart can’t be mended no matter how many
bear paws
we give him.” She winks at me.

Maggie’s helmet clicks shut, and she elbows Colleen, as I say, “It’s okay. I know what he is.”

“Oh good.” Colleen grins at me. “Did you like our jokes?” Her round face is childlike under the pink helmet, and her eyes twinkle with adventure as she climbs on her Vespa. “Aaron loves our puns.”

I can’t help but smile back and say, “I did. You two are quite clever.” I hold up Aaron’s jacket. “Do you know if he’s home?”

Maggie hasn’t gotten on her scooter yet and says, “No, he’s not. But if you’re returning the man’s jacket, this can’t be good.”

“No. Most certainly not,” says Colleen, and she dismounts her vehicle. “Give me that, and I’ll put it in a safe place.” She and Maggie exchange a look, and she says, “You need to take a little road trip with us.”

While Colleen’s feet pound up the steps with purpose Maggie yells out, “Get her the spare helmet!”

“Wait.” I ask, “Where are you taking me? I really should study for finals.”

“Hogwash,” says Maggie. “You need to learn to live life, Olivia.”

I recall Courtney telling me the same thing, and I suppose I can spare a little time for two sweet old ladies. “Fine. Just tell me where we’re going.”

Colleen says, “For ice cream.” She scowls at me. “And don’t you dare order vanilla.”

I open my mouth to protest and then frown because I wonder how she knew it’s what I always get. She gives me a stern look, and I turn toward Maggie coming back to us. She hands me a plain white helmet and says, “This is the only vanilla you get.” She turns to Colleen. “We really need to dress that thing up.”

I smile at the women and ask, “Okay, who am I cuddling up to?”

“Me,” says Maggie, and she revs her engine. Her face lights up when she says, “Listen to that baby
roar
. Get it? Roar?”

I chuckle as I swing my leg over the seat behind her and clasp onto her tiny frame. I say, “You’re a regular comedian.”

The Vespa jerks a little as she takes off, and I wonder how wise this decision was. Do the sisters even have driver’s licenses? I push my fear away, though, because we’re going about twenty-five miles an hour, and while it would hurt if we fell, we’d probably survive.

The ice cream shop is less than a mile away, and we arrive in a few minutes. We approach a white building that has brightly colored picnic tables set out in a variety of colors. The sign is homemade, with each flavor listed in a different color too. I gaze at the list wondering what I should get. I ask, “What’s the best flavor?”

Colleen says, “I usually get butter pecan, but Maggie gets something different each time.” She winks at me. “My sister is the wild one.”

I turn to Maggie as I decide I’ll get whatever she picks. “What’s it going to be today?”

She gives me a mischievous smile. “How about bear tracks?” Bear tracks is raspberry ice cream with chocolate chips.

I shake my head at her as I say, “Of course. Why not?”

Once we get our cones, Colleen leads us over to a blue table. I lick my treat and let sugary flavor flood my mouth. It’s good and makes me wonder why I always get vanilla. Maggie reaches over and places her cool fingers on my arm. “Tell us what’s wrong, dear. What’s keeping you from being with Aaron?”

I shrug. “We’re not right for each other.”

Colleen says, “You couldn’t be more right from what we hear.”

“I think destiny screwed up,” I say.

Maggie says, “No. Destiny doesn’t screw up, dear. You two are meant to be, and sweet Aaron is trying hard to let you figure that out.”

“We’re too different, and I’d make him miserable.”

“He’s bear tracks, and you’re vanilla?” asks Colleen.

I nod as I lick my ice cream and notice the flavor is so much better than my regular choice. I say, “And I’m afraid he’d get bored with me.”

Maggie frowns. “You’re making excuses. That’s not what you’re really afraid of, is it?”

I open my mouth to protest, but the glare I get makes me feel as if I’m talking to my own grandmother, and I know I’m not going to get away with a lie. I say, “No.” I sigh. “I’m not sure I can trust him. He’s going to tour with the band in a few weeks.” The tabloid images of him with women hanging off his arms flash in my mind, and a sharp pain slices through my heart. “Women love him...”

“But he doesn’t love them, Olivia. He loves you.”

Tears burn in my eyes as I recall the pain of seeing Nick with Cherri. We were supposed to be forever, but he changed his mind. I’m not sure I can live through that agony again. “But what if it’s not enough? What if another girl comes along to take him away from me?”

Maggie places her hand on my arm as she says, “It can’t happen with your connection. Especially if you complete your bond.” Maggie’s cone crunches as she bites into it.

“This is forever love, dear,” says Colleen. “And you’re making yourself miserable not accepting it.”

I recall that to complete my bond with Aaron he has to bite me and make me a werebear, but I hadn’t considered that because I was too busy trying to sort out how to keep my heart safe. “It is?”

Maggie says, “Oh yes. You can ignore it, and move on to live without Aaron if you want to.” She sighs, and Colleen pats her hand. “But I wouldn’t suggest it.”

I wonder if maybe Maggie had a true mate too, and Colleen answers my question. “I’ve watched it firsthand. Maggie here didn’t have the opportunity you do. It wasn’t done back then, and Edward would have been cast out. She sacrificed true love for him.”

My heart twinges with compassion for the woman next to me, and I say, “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry.”

Maggie waves her hand at me. “It was decades ago, but if I had it all to do again I would have never pushed him away thinking I was doing what was best for the love of my life. And I can’t sit back and watch you do the same.”

“Do you still miss him?” I ask.

Moisture glistens in Maggie’s eyes as she says, “Every single day.”

Tears fill my eyes too as I imagine missing Aaron the way I do now for the rest of my life. I glance at the tears rolling down Maggie’s cheeks. Tears for a love she let go decades before I was even born. Do I really want to live with that kind of pain? It hits me that maybe my father left for reasons beyond his control too. Maybe he and my mother were true mates. Suddenly all I thought I knew has changed, and a rush of pain makes a sob escape.

Maggie says, “Goodness, look at the two of us.” She sniffs and hands me a napkin.

The paper is rough on my skin as I wipe the moisture from my cheeks, and I glance over at the Vespas with their girly flowers. I recall the hopeful look on Aaron’s face when he asked me to get ice cream. It mirrors how I feel and gives me an idea. I clear my throat, take a deep breath to calm myself, and smile.

Colleen says, “Look, sister, our girl is forming a plan.” She leans forward and whispers, “Are you plotting how to claim your mate?”

I nod as my grin gets wider. “I am. And you ladies are going to help.”