The Quarterback Alpha: A Sweet YA Paranormal Romance (The Smoky Hills Academy Book 1)

by Emma Wolfe

  But she wasn’t going to leave without a fight. “Liam,” she whined, “come on. What can I do to fix this? I miss you.” She stepped forward and began tracing her finger around in a circle on my pec.

  I grabbed her hand and pulled it away, my frustration with her building. “I told you, Katie, I’m not interested.” I dropped her hand and pulled myself up behind the wheel.

  I started up the truck, and Katie huffed and folded her arms. “Is it the new girl?” she asked over the roar of the engine.

  I leaned out my window. The last thing I needed was for her to order a hit on Cora. “Nope. I couldn’t care less about her. I’m just not feeling this,” I said, waving my hand between the two of us. It was harsh, but I was learning that with Katie you needed to be forward. She had a way of twisting words and “misunderstanding” what I meant.

  She pushed out her lower lip, but I just waved for her to step back as I put the truck into drive and peeled out of the parking lot.

  Even though there was a slight worry in the back of mind about what Katie might do to Cora, I pushed it from my thoughts. I just needed to make sure Cora got home safely and then head to work.

  The ten-minute drive to the vet office was torture. I kept my eyes peeled and my ears perked until I rolled to a stop in front of Cora’s house. I glanced up to the window I’d seen her standing in front of a few nights ago and paused as I listened for the familiar trill of her heart.

  I killed the engine of my truck and tipped my ear toward the window.

  My worry eased as I heard the steady beat of Cora’s heart.

  She was home. She was safe.

  A sharp knock on my door startled me. Mrs. Gray was standing next to my truck with a very quizzical look on her face. She had a bandana tied around her head and her gardening gloves were dark with dirt. She had a few flowers in one hand and pruning shears in the other.

  “Liam?” she asked as she ran her gaze over me. She brought her wrist up to her forehead and wiped away the sweat that glistened on her brow.

  “Mrs. Gray,” I stammered as my cheeks rushed with heat. Great. I’d been so focused on listening for Cora that I’d completely missed Mrs. Gray sneaking up on me. Yet another reason why fating on a human was a dangerous distraction.

  “What are you doing here?” she asked as she ran her gaze around the cab of my truck.

  I parted my lips to say something, but nothing came out. What was I going to tell her? That I was pretty sure her daughter and I were made for each other? That I couldn’t get her out of my head?

  That was a fast way to scare any parent.

  “I, um…”

  Think, idiot! I yelled at my brain.

  “I was just checking on Cora. There’s a girl at school who’s not the greatest.”

  Mrs. Gray furrowed her brow. “What happened?”

  Realizing that I might be spilling more than Cora wanted me to tell, I tried to keep it simple. “Just kind of worked her hard during practice today.”

  “Practice?”

  Crap. I needed to stop talking. “Yeah, Cora tried out for cheerleading.” I rested my arm on the door as I leaned out, hoping I looked more relaxed than I felt. “She didn’t tell you?”

  Mrs. Gray shook her head. “No. She got home and headed straight for the shower. I guess that explains the midday wash.” She sighed as her gaze slipped to the apartment. “Can you do me a favor?” she asked.

  I nodded. Anything to get this conversation over with.

  “Cora’s dad died a few years ago, and I worry about her. Do you think you could keep an eye on her for me? She says she’s happy about this move, but I’m not sure if that’s just for my benefit or if she really is.” Mrs. Gray’s voice softened as her gaze met mine. “I’d really appreciate it.”

  I swallowed, the desire to protect Cora stronger than ever. She was so small. So human. So breakable. It took all of my control not to climb out of the truck and rush upstairs to take her in my arms.

  “Of course, Mrs. Gray,” I said, hoping my nod came across as relaxed and calm.

  She smiled. “It’s Ms. Gray. And thanks.” She tapped the car door. “Anytime I can return the favor, let me know.”

  “Sure.” If only she knew what she was getting into. In a town like this, the vet was asked to do a lot more than take care of people’s pets.

  Dr. Peterson had run from the responsibility that was placed on him, and I wondered how Ms. Gray would hold up when she realized what lurked in the woods. Dad would keep it a secret as long as he could. But the moment one of us needed something, she’d be brought into the pack and sworn to secrecy.

  “I should get to work,” I said.

  Ms. Gray’s cheeks flushed as she nodded. “Of course. I’m sorry to keep you.”

  I shook my head. “No need to apologize.” I pushed my truck into drive and glanced back out at her. “Do me a favor, don’t tell Cora I was here.”

  Ms. Gray nodded. “Of course. And don’t tell her about our arrangement.”

  I smiled. “It’ll be our secret.”

  Ms. Gray returned my smile, and I waved as I pulled away from the sidewalk and made my way down the street.

  So many thoughts plagued my mind, but I pushed them out. I needed to stop focusing on Cora.

  It didn’t take long before I’d pulled up next to the construction site and killed the engine.

  I threw my keys into the center console and pulled open the door. I dropped to the ground and grabbed my hard hat from the back before slamming my door. I nodded at Grayson and Noah as I made my way over to the spot I’d left yesterday and started working.

  The strain on my muscles as I tossed pieces of debris into the dumpster felt good. I was so worked up, and pushing blood through my system was helping lessen that stress.

  “You okay, man?” Grayson asked as he moved to work next to me.

  I glanced over at him and shrugged. “Yeah, why?”

  Grayson glanced over at me. “You’re agitated.”

  I nodded. “Katie pissed me off today.”

  Grayson sighed and a deep growl sounded in his throat. “That’s not what I’m talking about, and you know it.”

  I paused, glancing up at him. Evan, Noah, and Grayson were now standing in front of me with concerned expressions. I knew what they were thinking.

  “Guys, I’m fine. I’m working on it,” I said, throwing up my hands in surrender.

  Grayson shook his head. “You’re not fine. We can feel it. It’s that new girl, isn’t it? Did you…” His voice dropped low as he leaned in, his eyes widening.

  I growled, hating that they could read me so easily. If I admitted that I’d fated on Cora, then my ability to forget how I felt about her would be further from my grasp. “It’s just a little crush. That’s all.”

  All three of them growled at the same time.

  “Really, Liam? And you’re indulging it? Come on. This isn’t the time,” Grayson said, stepping forward.

  I clenched my jaw and picked up a huge chunk of asphalt to throw into the dumpster. “Grayson, please,” I pleaded. I didn’t want to talk about this. He had to see it.

  Grayson studied me for a moment before I saw his jaw muscles flinch. “You told me to forget Rose. It kills me every time I see her, but I did what you asked.” He leaned toward me, and I could feel the weight of his pain. “You need to do the same. You can’t involve a human in our world. Especially not when there’s so much unrest.”

  I swallowed. Frustration and anger clung to my throat. I knew what he was saying was true. I was an idiot if I thought I could handle a relationship with a human. Who knew what the future of our kind looked like? Sure, Grandpa had been okay with looking the other way when Dad and the group left to live among humans, but Grandpa was dead.

  I was pretty sure the next Alpha wouldn’t be so kind.

  I cursed as I pushed the hard hat off my head and shoved my hands through my hair. I was such an idiot. Here I was, trying to protect Cora from getting hurt, while I was th
e one person who could legitimately hurt her.

  Once I gathered my thoughts, I glanced up to see the guys still staring at me. I clenched my jaw as I nodded. “You’re right,” I said. “I’ll stop. Me and Cora are over.”

  Grayson studied me for a moment before he nodded. “Promise?”

  I spit into my palm and extended my hand. A stupid tradition we’d started as kids. “Promise.”

  Grayson hesitated and then did the same. We shook. Evan and Noah, seemingly appeased, nodded and returned to their jobs.

  I spent the rest the night at the site, forcing myself to work so hard that there wasn’t any room to think of Cora.

  My muscles ached and my sight fogged over, but I didn’t stop. I’d made a promise to my pack, and I was going to keep it.

  Cora Gray was off-limits.

  No matter how much it hurt. No matter how much my body fought the decision. No matter how much my heart yearned to be next to her. I couldn’t allow myself to think about her.

  That indulgence was over.

  12

  Cora

  I sat in home ec the next day with my back rigid. I’d slept horribly last night, and my stomach had been in knots all day. Liam had invaded my dreams, and all I could think about as I sat waiting for class to start was that I was going to see him again in mere moments.

  I just wasn’t sure if it was joy or dread filling my soul.

  I was pretty sure he liked me—he hadn’t been particularly subtle about it. And maybe I liked him too.

  I needed to see him again. Maybe that would give me the clarity I desperately needed.

  The bell rang. I glanced over my shoulder at his still-empty desk. I felt frustrated that I’d worked myself into such a state just to have him not show up. I was being ridiculous.

  I groaned as I leaned down and rested my forehead on my arm. I needed a minute to calm my nerves before I gave Mrs. White my undivided attention. Liam Bronson made me feel like I was legitimately losing my mind.

  Mrs. White started talking, drawing my gaze up to the front of the room. She was explaining a team project we were going to start. I was only half-listening. My eyes were glued to the window on the far side of the wall. Liam was walking down the hall. He had his head down and he looked…upset.

  My heart picked up speed as he opened the door. Mrs. White stopped talking and turned to face him.

  “Well, I’m happy you decided to join us, Mr. Bronson.”

  Liam didn’t really respond. He just nodded and kept his head down as he walked over to his desk. He had his hoodie pulled up over his head and his hands shoved into the front pockets of his jeans. I couldn’t help but peek over at him as he dropped his backpack and slid into his seat.

  Mrs. White continued talking as if she hadn’t been interrupted, and I was once again too distracted to pay attention. All I could think about was Liam.

  What was wrong with him? He looked like he was in pain, and he hadn’t even looked at me.

  Every time I’d seen him, it had been a matter of moments before his gaze met mine. But today, it was like he was shutting out the world. Shutting out me.

  And it hurt.

  “Ms. Gray?” Mrs. White’s voice sliced through my thoughts.

  I jumped and turned. “Yes?”

  Mrs. White’s eyebrows were raised as she stared at me. “Are you paying attention?”

  I chewed my lip and slowly nodded. “Of course.”

  Mrs. White didn’t look like she believed me, but she didn’t push it. “I have picked teams of two. When you hear your name called, please come up to receive your assignment.”

  Forcing myself to pay attention, I kept my gaze trained on the front of the room. I focused on Mrs. White as she called out names.

  “Ms. Gray,” she said as her gaze focused on the clipboard she held in her hands. “You’ll be paired with Mr. Bronson.”

  My heart took off racing as I stared at her. I was paired with Liam? For what? I really wished I’d been paying attention.

  Mrs. White’s gaze met mine, and she looked at me expectantly. I nodded and slipped from my desk, making my way up to the front. When I got there, Liam still hadn’t moved from his seat. Instead, his head was down and resting on his arm.

  “Could someone please wake up Mr. Bronson?” Mrs. White said, annoyance dripping from her words.

  The girl who sat behind Liam tapped his shoulder. Liam jumped and whipped around, a death glare written all over his face. She startled but then seemed to regain her confidence. She waved to the front, and Liam turned slowly. His gaze landed on me, and it took my breath away.

  He looked so frustrated. So hurt.

  I felt myself lean forward, the desire to fix whatever was bothering him burning in my gut. Then he slowly reached up and slipped his earbuds out.

  “What?” he asked as he focused his gaze on Mrs. White.

  Call me crazy, but it was almost like he was avoiding me.

  “Mr. Bronson, you know the rules about headphones in school.” Mrs. White held out her hand and wiggled her fingers. “Please bring them to me.”

  Liam looked down at his headphones. He sighed as he stood up and made his way to the front.

  My heart raced as he approached. He looked as if he were marching to his death. His wince grew deeper, and he kept his gaze trained on the floor in front of him. When he got to Mrs. White, he deposited his earbuds into her hand and then stood there with his shoulders sagging and his head dipped down.

  “Can I go back to my seat?” he asked.

  Mrs. White stared at him then shook her head. “No. You’re pairing up with Cora.” She waved at me.

  I knew I wasn’t an incredibly hot girl. I know I’m not a knock-out. But no girl wants to see a guy grimace the way Liam did. He looked like he was in physical pain, being paired with me.

  “Really?” he asked.

  Mrs. White furrowed her brow. “Are we going to have a problem, Mr. Bronson? May I remind you a failing grade from me means no football. Do you want that?”

  Liam paused. He literally paused. Apparently, quitting football sounded better than being partners with me.

  It stung to stand there and see his reaction. And then I felt like the biggest idiot in the world. Why had I thought Liam liked me? I must have completely misunderstood, because from the way he was looking at me, he could barely stand to be near me.

  “Mr. Bronson,” Mrs. White said in a tone that sent shivers down my spine.

  He glanced over at her and then dropped his gaze back to the floor. “No ma’am.”

  Mrs. White’s shoulders relaxed slightly as she turned to me. “Go grab your baby and sit together while I finish the instructions.”

  My ears were ringing. Did she just say baby?

  “I’m sorry, what?” I asked at the same time Liam said, “What?”

  Mrs. White shot us both a very annoyed look and then dropped her gaze to her clipboard as she rattled off the names of the next pair.

  I wasn’t going to get any answers from Mrs. White, so I turned and headed for the large box in the corner. Baby dolls in car seats were stacked on top of each other.

  I stared at them, realizing what this assignment was.

  Liam and I were going to have to care for one of these babies. I’d thought assignments like that had died out years ago. Apparently not.

  I could feel Liam come up behind me. His warmth covered my body and caused my cheeks to flush. As much as I wanted to read into his closeness, I knew I shouldn’t. Not after he basically told Mrs. White that being my partner was only slightly better than being kicked off the football team.

  I was such an idiot for thinking there was something going on between us.

  I reached inside and wrapped my fingers around the handle of one of the car seats. I pulled it out and made my way back to my desk, not caring if Liam followed.

  I set the car seat on my desk and slipped into my seat. I grabbed my notebook and readied my pen. I needed a distraction, and looking like the dutiful
student was all I had.

  Thankfully, it didn’t take long for Mrs. White to finish assigning groups. After she called the last two, she set her clipboard down on her desk and started in on the instructions.

  We were to care for the baby for the next four days. Apparently, our other teachers were aware of this assignment and had agreed not to give any strenuous homework or tests until it was over. We could work together or take turns caring for the baby.

  She explained that the baby would turn on at four in the morning and last until nine at night. We needed to be done with our sports to care for the baby. Each day, the time we needed to care for it would increase. The last day, it would remain on the entire night. We also had wristbands that communicated with our babies. We were not to take them off or share them with anyone until the assignment was over.

  Thankfully, her instructions took the rest of the period. Just as her final words left her lips, the bell rang.

  Not wanting to get caught up in a forced conversation with Liam, I grabbed the handle of the car seat. Just as I stood up from my desk, a hand brushed mine.

  Startled, I glanced up to see Liam’s furrowed brow. He didn’t look disgusted to be touching me—thank goodness. He looked sad. Hurt. In pain. Like being next to me was doing something to him physically.

  “I can take this,” he said. The tone of his voice was low and rough.

  I wanted to fight him. I wanted to tell him off. I wanted to be mad that he’d led me on just to act like he no longer liked me. Mad that I’d fooled myself to think he did.

  But I couldn’t. Instead, I found myself nodding as I let go of the car seat, letting it rock gently on my desk.

  He shot me a small smile and then grabbed the handle and pulled it from the desk. We walked side by side out the door. We didn’t talk—I wasn’t sure what to say—as we walked down the hallway.

  I knew I should have peeled off and headed to chemistry. But I didn’t. For some reason, I wanted to be next to him. Despite the fact that he’d hurt me earlier, I really did like him. And he didn’t seem so stressed with me next to him.

  Just as I began to relax, Liam straightened, and a low growl escaped his lips. I glanced up to see Grayson staring at us. He looked confused and a little angry as his gaze swept from me to Liam.