Shadow Mate - Jen L. Grey Page 0,40

how to act as though he didn't exist if I wanted to survive and come out unscathed.

Kai winced. "Yeah, I didn’t mean to make you think about your brother’s game." He sucked in a breath and groaned. "This wasn't smooth or how it was supposed to go."

"What are you talking about?" He was acting nervous, which made me feel even more uneasy.

"Well, you know there is a lot going on the first week before a football game, so I wanted to talk to you." He put his hands into his short's pockets. "It's just that I want you to have fun at the first football game and all. Afterward, there will be some sort of party we could go to … together."

I wasn't sure what to say at this point, so I stayed quiet.

"People start making plans early in the week." He then rubbed a hand down his face. "So I wanted to talk to you now before you get some set."

"Plans for this weekend?" I'd never seen him act this uncomfortable before.

"I guess what I'm trying to do, albeit not so eloquently, is ask if you want to go to the football game with me?" He chewed on his bottom lip as he stared into my eyes.

He was asking me out on a date. I didn’t know why, but I hadn't expected that. "But the heirs threatened you."

"I don't give a damn about that." He reached out and took my hand in his. "Look, I've never wanted to be part of that crew. I've seen what it does to people. How it changes people, and since the first time I laid eyes on you, I can't get you out of my head."

My gut reaction was to say no. He wasn't my mate. But why would I? My mate wanted nothing to do with me, constantly tried to hurt me, and even threatened my family. Kai was sexy, considerate, and interested in me. Best of all, he didn’t come with any head games or hidden agendas. "I mean, I've already kind of committed to going with Bree and Tripp."

"Of course you have." His cheeks turned a shade of pink, and he nodded. "I was being stupid."

Maybe my feelings for him could grow if I gave them a chance. "No, I want to go with you, but I promised them I'd hang out with them too."

"Really?" A huge smile stretched across his face.

"I do." I felt safe with him. "How about the two of us go together, but we hang around the other two?”

"I'm good with that." He squeezed my hand gently in his.

As I stared into his eyes, I hoped I didn't just make a big mistake. I liked Kai, but my heart had already been stolen and shattered countless times by someone else. Maybe he could mend it or at least make the void disappear. I hated to think of the other alternative; losing him as a friend. I had to try harder to forget about Liam. It should have been easy, but somehow, I knew I was only kidding myself.

Chapter Twelve

The rest of the week flew by, and all too soon, it was Friday. Dread settled hard in my stomach. I didn't want to attend the football game because Liam would be playing. He was the starting quarterback, so there was no way to not see him.

I headed out of Chemistry hurrying to Shifter History. I had to time it perfectly so I didn't run into him. He still consumed my thoughts way too often, and I didn't know what the hell to do about it.

Kai seemed great, but he wasn't Liam.

My back prickled with awareness of my mate being so close to me. Somehow, I forced myself not to look for him. My family was more important than having a moment of weakness. He'd be an ass anyway.

As I hurried into the class, I sat in my usual seat and waited for everyone else to arrive.

"Damn, you get here fast." Tripp glanced over his shoulder and then entered the room. "I'm assuming there is a reason why."

He knew why since I had told him about it Wednesday. He was trying to see if anything had gone down with the heirs. "Yup. The same one as last time."

"I'm sorry." He came over and plopped in the seat next to me. "It sucks he's your mate. You're doing the right thing trying to keep your distance."

What? My body stiffened. I hadn't told anyone he was my fated mate. "What