Page 16 of What the Hex
“To be honest, I didn’t have any idea at first.” Taking his cue from Storm, he chuckled lightly and lowered his gaze. “Downside of being human, I guess.”
“But you are sure you two are really mates?” It was the same guy with the pink mohawk, and he sounded more accusatory than curious.
“I’m sure,” Storm interjected. “Believe me, it’s not something an Otherling would get wrong.”
“King, are you happy?” The female who spoke looked a bit older, maybe closer to his age, and she graced him with the warmest, sweetest smile. “I mean, is this something you wanted?”
He took a moment to really consider her question, but not so long that anyone would think he wasn’t telling the truth. “Being mated to Storm isn’t something I even knew I could want. I still can’t believe it’s real, you know? But yes, I am extremely happy, and I’ll let you in on a little secret about Storm Black.”
The crowd quieted and subconsciously leaned closer, clearly eager to hear the insider information about the shifter.
“He is one hundred percent as incredible as you think he is.”
“Oh, my gosh, he’s so cute!” one girl in the front row shouted as the rest of the room exploded into squeals and giggles.
King cleared his throat and thrust the microphone back to Storm as his face burned about twenty different shades of pink. When someone asked Damien what he thought about the news, he took that as his cue to make a quiet exit.
Only, Storm apparently had other ideas. Instead of letting him slip away unnoticed, he squeezed King’s hand and dragged him back for a quick, chaste kiss. Which, of course, initiated more giggles, screams, and applause from the fans.
“My mate, everyone!” Storm said into the microphone. “Isn’t he amazing?”
King finally made his way to the back of the stage amidst a chorus of agreements and practically collapsed into Arlo’s arms. “I’m going to kill him.”
“You loved it, and you know it.” Still, Arlo stroked his head comfortingly. “The fans did, too. You did great.”
“Do you really think so?” King lifted his head to meet those mesmerizing amber eyes. “You’re not just saying that?”
“I really mean it. Have I ever lied to you?”
True. Even when he might not want to hear it, Arlo had always been honest with him. If he had made a total ass out of himself out there, he trusted his best friend to tell him so.
“Okay. Good.” He straightened and took a couple of deep breaths. “I just need a minute. Can you keep an eye on things here?”
“Sounds like they’ve finally course-corrected to talk about the show, so take your time.”
Sure enough, once he tuned back into the conversation, he could hear Damien discussing his character in the drama. “Still, just text me if anything happens.”
Arlo rolled his eyes and nudged him in the middle of the back. “Nothing is going to happen. Go. Take a breath. Get something to drink. I’ll hold down the fort.”
“Thanks. Do you want anything from the café?”
“A large, iced cherry bomb.”
King arched an eyebrow. “What the hell is that?”
“Something new.” Arlo shrugged. “A chocolate cherry mocha.”
It didn’t sound all that palatable to him, but he smiled and nodded before exiting through one of the service doors behind the stage. The minute he entered the empty hallway, he paused, closed his eyes, and took a deep, cleansing breath.
Some people, like his mate, were meant for the spotlight. If the last fifteen minutes had taught him anything, it was that he was not one of those people.
Following the corridor to the lobby, he made a detour into the nearest public restroom. He didn’t need to use the facilities, so he went directly to the row of sinks and turned on the faucet. A shiver of relief rippled through him as the cool water splashed against his overheated cheeks, and with each repetition, his nervous system slowly calmed to a resting state.
Once he felt somewhat normal again, he patted his face dry with a couple of paper towels, checked his reflection in the mirror, then turned to exit the bathroom. He only made it two steps before his cell phone starting buzzing.
Thinking it was Arlo needing him to return, he fumbled the device from the inside pocket of his jacket. It wasn’t Arlo, though.
RHIA: You’re mated to Storm Black? No fucking way!