Chapter 26

Eric's POV

I wait in my car before going inside to pick up Nilo. I use the time to decompress, work has been stressful lately.

Not to mention getting accused of stalking. As though I need a reason to be at the store, I practically own this town. I could get Renee, or whatever her real name is, banned from that store if I wanted and maybe I’ll just do that. The thought releases some tension in my muscles.

I popped the door open to my sports car and step out. The small sleek model makes it easier to get in and out of these ridiculously narrow parking spots. Especially when all the other cars in the minivan, I guess they’re called soccer moms for a reason.

I wasn’t too thrilled when Mia told me Nilo wanted to join the soccer team, something like football is more manly, but apparently, the school doesn’t offer it.

Really Mia should be the one here picking Nilo up with all of the other soccer moms, but she claims she is with him all the time and I need to spend some more time with him. I just don’t know how to really talk to the kid.

Another reason why I bring my most expensive car, at least it gives us something to talk about.

I walk up to the building and appreciate the old-money feel that goes into maintaining the building's historic architecture. Too many of these new schools are flashy and lack any kind of roots in our ancestors.

I walk to the back of the building and spot Nilo instantly. Mia spiked his hair because she said it makes him look taller, I think it makes him look ridiculous. Although it’s more than just his hair that makes him stand out, it’s the fact that he’s standing right next to Debbie.

I find myself wishing I was here to pick her up instead. I’m not sure what it is but I feel drawn to her, it's like this small child holds all the answers to these secrets kept by her mom.

Besides, I’ve been wanting to talk Debbie ever since what Nilo told me he saw the other day.

I don’t believe in signs or any superstitions, but I know an opportunity when I see one.

Maybe Mia sending me here to get Nilo is the opportunity I need to get closer to Renee, it’s not like I have another way. Not since Mia threatened to leave me if I didn’t stop talking to Renee.

I laughed when she told me that. That woman would never leave me and she knows that, what really got me to distance myself was that Mia said it’s becoming desperate the more I try to dig into “that poor woman’s life”.

I can’t come off as desperate, not as the Alpha so I just need to be more discreet about it.

I’m aware of the eyes that stare at me while I walk my thousand-dollar designer shoes across the mud.

“Hi Eric,” Mrs. Hazel steps into my line of vision. I try to smile. She means well, but damn is she annoying.

“Milo is right over here,” she says as though I can’t see what’s right in front of me.

“Thanks,” I mumble and step to move past her while she fumbles to find more ways to keep this non-existent conversation going.

“Eric!” Debbie cries out. This is going to be easier than I thought.

“Hi Debbie,” I greet her.

“I haven’t seen you in forever,” Debbie says. Milo shoots her an annoyed look.

“Why would you? He’s my dad,” Nilo says and I try not to cringe.

“Don’t be jealous,” I snap at Nilo. “It’s a bad look,” Nilo hangs his head in shame.

“Go inside and get your backpack and wash your hands before getting into my car,” I tell Nilo. I can see him hesitate, not wanting to leave me alone with Debbie.

He gets insecure because I’m not really his father. I give him a pointed look. He walks away, knowing better than to argue with me.

I grab a paper cup from the stack and fill water from the jug. “What are you still doing here? I thought your mommy said you couldn’t play soccer,” I eye Debbie taking a sip of my water. She kicks at the dirt with her toe.

“I can’t,” she says sadly. “I can only watch,”

“That doesn’t sound fun,” I say.

“It’s not!” Debbie quickly agrees. I smile as an idea forms in my mind.

“You know,” I tell her and turn my body towards the field. “Nevermind, it wouldn’t be right,”

“What? What is it?” Debbie begs and I take another sip of my water to hide my smile.

“Well, I think you should play soccer anyway. It’s probably good for your muscles and might heal you,” Debbie looks at me thoughtfully.

“I’ll tell that to my mom,” she says like that might do the trick in letting her play soccer. I suck in some air.

“I don’t think your mom is going to agree with me on that,” I say my voice full of sympathy.

“Why not? You’re her boss. Shouldn’t she listen to you?” Ha. Smart kid.

I set my cup down. “Well, to be honest, Debbie” I say to her in a lowered voice as though I’m letting her in on my own little secret. “I don’t think your mom wants you to play soccer. I think if you get better then she’ll have no one in her life left,”

“But that’s not true!” Debbie gasps.

“Well, I mean it is a little. She has no husband which is why I always thought it was so kind of you to get her a daddy because you can’t be held back your whole life just because your mom is being selfish,” I watch out of the corner of my eye as Debbie’s thoughts run wild her face changing expressions. The seed is planted.

“You should play soccer because it’s good for you and your mom should be happy for you. Simple as that,” Debbie turns herself towards me and crosses her arms over her chest.

“Do you like my mom?” Debbie asks bluntly. I choke on my water.

“What makes you say that?” I ask trying to steady myself.

“Well, you treat her just as Nilo treats me. My mom always says that if a boy is mean to you that means he likes you,”

“You think I’m mean to your mom?”

Debbie brings her head to her shoulders like she’s thinking about it. “Not mean exactly. But you definitely make her annoyed,” I laugh at that.

“It’s complicated,” I tell Debbie, realizing I can’t honestly answer their question and that annoys me. Were quiet for a bit. Debbie watches a few of her classmates run up and down the field. I zone out.

I haven’t liked anyone, ever. I mean there was Annie who was my fated-mate that I was supposed to be in love with, but I never had time for that. Then Renee shows up and looks just like her it’s uncanny and I can’t get either of them out of my mind.

I find myself wanting to be around her and thinking of ways that I can get close to her when I’m not near her. Is that what it means to like someone?

“So, you really think I should play soccer?” Debbie says breaking the silence and getting back to what she thinks is the important part of this conversation.

It’s a simple question on her end, but for me it’s an answer. “Yes,” I tell her confidently. If Debbie plays soccer, that’s a sure way I’ll run into Renee more.