Page 8 of So I Fell for Bigfoot
“We might not need them,” Destiny waggled her brows. “The Main Street Saloon was full of shifters last night. And some of them said that Lars—"
“They didn’t say anything.” Zoe glared at her. “Hannah, whatever you do, you’re living our dream up there. Don’t hold anything back.”
Bibi’s eyes had been wide and unblinking ever since Zoe stopped Destiny from spilling some major tea. I had goosebumps too…what were they saying about Lars?
But instead of asking about it, being caught off guard, Bibi cleared her throat. “Any thoughts on what Hannah should ask those three gorgeous shifters?”
“Ask if any of them can top what that hot piece of squatch ass did with his tail.” Zoe gave me another hug. “Now go up there and make us all proud.”
four
Lars
“I’ve been on stage in front of thousands of people before in Broadway plays and at awards shows, and nothing was as nerve-racking as takingThe Mating Gamestage.” Logan Mathis paced the small space where I waited to be called to the stage from the green room. I wondered why it wasn’t green, but the color of the walls was the least of my worries right now. Bibi had gathered some of the show’s former contestants to give me an insider’s look at what I could expect. “I can’t imagine how you’re feeling, doing this in your natural form when you’re not used being around people. But the nerves? Those are totally normal.”
“Nothing feels normal right now.” I huffed out a chuckle, but those nerves could get the best of me. Ever since I’d had the run-in with Armand and his undead wolf crew and made an appearance in The Village, I’d been staying near my mountain. Getting it ready for Hannah. Bringing a human into my home when there was a threat from these ancient beasts—and the slim possibility that my brother was alive—wasn’t the best idea, but I’d do whatever I had to do to protect what was mine.
A shiver went down my spine. I looked at the women that Bibi had introduced as a glam squad, whatever that meant, who put artificial smelling pomades into my fur before they brushed it, to see if they noticed my reaction. If they had, they didn’t let on. Not that they’d relaxed since they’d arrived.
I wasn’t sure if they were trying to make me look more like a human or a beast.
“It’s wild to have cameras follow your every move, have people shit-talking about the most minute details of your life online,” Gabe Wylde added. The Hudaknocker had been found during his episode, and that was when I’d become fully involved with the show. “You’ll never totally get used to it. Having an entire entourage with you when you’re trying to get to know your mate. But Bibi and the crew are there to help you. It’s nice to have that behind-the-scenes sounding board.”
“I’ll have a lot of questions.” I wasn’t used to being around so many humans, and although I was familiar with basic technology, I hadn’t incorporated it into my everyday life. Everything for me would be wild.
But to wake up every morning with Hannah’s colorful, curvy body in my bed, it would be worth it.
“Any time.” Logan pulled his phone out of his pocket and then stopped, grinning at me. “I was about to give you my number so you could text me, but I don’t suppose you have one of these.”
“Even if I did, probably wouldn’t have service that far out in the mountains.”
He nodded. “Bibi knows how to get in touch with me. Don’t think I’ll be headed out of town again until I do promo for my new movie. I’m looking forward to finally getting settled in the new house with Cindy and the kids.”
Logan was a movie star, and his episode with Cindy had kicked offThe Mating Gameempire.
“You can get in touch with me any time, too. Wendy’s been dying to talk to you about artifacts. She tries to tell me about her finds, but half the time, she goes so deep she loses me.” Gabe laughed.
I tried to catch my rumble, but not in time to stop my stylist from recoiling. It had nothing to do with her, and everything to do with Wendy getting too close to those ancient relics for her own good. For my own good. If she discovered that the Sempiternal Scepter was in my mountain, all hell could very likely break loose.
“I’m so sorry,” the stylist said.
Gabe chuckled. “Think you’d be used to growly beasts by now.”
The stylist’s cheeks pinked, but I wouldn’t feel bad for embracing my natural form.
Someone knocked on the door before she had a chance to answer. A young woman wearing a headset poked her head in the door. “We’re ready for Lars anytime.”
“That means now.” The stylist backed away, her relief palpable as she motioned to the mirror. “Is this what you had in mind?”
I hadn’t even looked until now. She’d managed to somewhat tame my fur, brushing it over to one side of my forehead, like she would if I were human.
I nodded. “Thank you.”
That seemed to make her feel better. Maybe I could go public for the very first time and not terrify humans in the process. I rose from the chair, towering over everyone in the room.
Gabe clapped his hand on my forearm. “This is as far as we can go and not make the other contestants think that you’re getting preferential treatment. Next stop is what we like to call the Pit. You’ll see the other guys there. Marissa will call out names—the other two should be random, but she’ll make sure you’re up there. Everything will move a million miles an hour until Hannah picks you. Remember to breathe when you’re up there. And try to have fun. It’s easy to get caught up in the stress of having your mate pick you, but it’s worth it. Good luck, Lars. We’re rooting for you.”
“Don’t let the crowd scare you,” Logan said. “They’ll say things that might shock you because they forget that we’re real. It’s awesome that they care enough about us to watch us fall in love, but all that matters is Hannah.”