Forever Fated Mates: A Shifter Romance Collection

by Meg Ripley

  Finding my way up to her apartment, I knocked and waited. When she opened the door a moment later with a huge smile, I looked her over and couldn’t believe what I saw.

  Roxy wore a red-checkered apron over her jeans and simple white top, no leather jacket or vest. No clunky black boots, but simple flats. Even her hair was tied back in a low ponytail instead of hanging loose and wild as it usually did.

  “You look amazing,” I said.

  She looked down and laughed. “It’s not my everyday look, that’s for sure.”

  “Well, I like it.”

  I glanced into the living room, expecting to see dishes, trash, and clothing lying around, but the place was surprisingly neat. Minimalistic, even.

  “Nice place,” I said.

  “Oh.” She rolled her eyes. “Sorry, it’s a mess. Ready?”

  Peeking into the apartment again, I saw no mess. “Ready if you are.” I pulled the door closed behind her and opened the doors as we made our way to my car.

  “Thanks for driving me,” she said as she slid into the passenger seat.

  “No problem. I want to be there when you win.”

  She pointed at me. “If I lose, it’s your fault. I’m adding Worcestershire sauce.”

  I was surprised she had listened. “I take full responsibility.”

  When we arrived, I stood to the side as she checked in, got her name tag and table marker, then found her way to her station. “Here goes nothing.” She clapped her hands together and sucked in a deep breath as she got to work browning ground beef and chopping onion. She was so cute as she worked, her eyes dashing around the work area for ingredients as she concocted her masterpiece.

  “Do I at least get to taste the final product?” I asked about twenty minutes later.

  “Oh. Sure.” She filled one of the small taster cups and handed it to me with a plastic spoon.

  I tasted the chili slowly, pulling out every flavor I could find. “I think it’s perfect.”

  “Not just nearly perfect?” she challenged.

  “Nope. Completely perfect.”

  As the competition got going and the place became packed, I found myself having a lot of fun standing beside her at her table. When someone new came over, she offered a sample and answered questions. People seemed to be enjoying her chili, but I had a limited view of the other tables.

  “I’m going to take a quick walk,” I told her. “To get a feel for your competition.”

  I took a pad with me and made several notes as I went along. Several of the contestants had their prizes on display from previous years. Some of them had won multiple times, it seemed.

  As I wandered, I asked strategic questions, like how long the contest had been going on and how the judges were chosen. I ran some quick numbers and then counted the participants from that year.

  When I returned, she leaned in and asked, “What’s the scoop? Do we need to break some kneecaps?”

  “Your biggest competition is Billy at table 14 and Susan from table 26. They’ve both won in the past and judges seem to like what they’ve made this year.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “How do I break into that level if I never won before?”

  “Be memorable. More memorable than the others.”

  She scrunched up her face in thought for a moment. “So, should I cause a scene or something?”

  I shook my head. “You don’t want to get kicked out.”

  I looked around again, and then I noticed something. “Stand in front of the table.”

  She gave me a look but walked around to the front anyway. Immediately, two people started talking to her and she laughed with them, handing each a cup of her chili. They both went nuts over it, and when she thanked them, she naturally touched their arms. She probably didn’t even realize she had, but the men’s faces grew warmer when she did. I watched the men walk away and point back to her table, telling their friends.

  Roxy turned to me and shrugged. “Do you think it really makes a difference?”

  I nodded and grinned as a young family walked over. Roxy even had the kids talking and laughing by the time they all walked away. She was so good with people. I’d thought long ago that she might be, and now I saw the proof of it.

  “You’re what’s making the difference,” I told her. “They won’t be voting for the chili alone. They’ll be voting for you.”

  “So, it’s a popularity contest?”

  “Most things are. But having really good chili helps.”

  When the event came to end, it was time for the announcement of the winners. All of the chili makers and everyone who had stayed for that moment gathered as a man on a small podium with a microphone in his hand addressed the crowd.

  “And now, the winners!” the man announced, pulling a piece of paper from his pocket.

  Roxy stood beside me and when the man opened the paper to read the names, she reached over and squeezed my hand. I gripped back quickly, not wanting her to let go.

  The man announced the third place, then second place. Her palm started to sweat.

  “And the grand prize winner…” The man paused dramatically. “Is… Roxy Quintero!”

  Roxy squealed in delight and rushed up to the front, where a blue ribbon was placed around her neck. The crowd cheered loudly as the man handed her a check for her prize money and several photos were snapped. She spoke briefly to a reporter and then came back to find me where I waited, watching the whole thing.

  I couldn’t help the grin on my face.

  “Say it,” she challenged.

  “What? I already told you that your chili was perfect.”

  “I mean”—she shoved my shoulder playfully—“the part where you say you were right.”

  “It’s your recipe. I just made one tiny contribution.”

  “And the standing out front thing? I think that did make a difference. You’re brilliant!” She wrapped her arms around me in a tight hug.

  When her body pressed against mine, every inch of me reacted. I felt on fire with longing for her as I held her tight.

  When we moved apart, I looked down and met her gaze. She looked back up at me and the longing was clear in her eyes, too. Leaning closer, my lips were just inches from hers when she took a step back.

  “Guess we should get packed up now,” she said, spinning on her heel rushing over to her station.

  What just happened? She’d given me all the signs. Smiling, touching me and hugging me like that. And then looking at me like that. What had I missed?

  I walked back to the table as she finished cleaning things up, feeling confused by the whole day. Had I just imagined the way she’d seemed to warm to me? I must’ve.

  I drove her back to her apartment and when we arrived, I didn’t get out. “Do you need help getting upstairs?”

  “Nope.” She yanked her things from the backseat and stuck her head back in to say, “Thanks again. I couldn’t have won without you.”

  Before I could respond, she turned and disappeared into her apartment.

  13

  Roxy

  I took a shower, washing all the outside world and handshakes off me. There had been a lot of people there, and though I managed to win it in the end, I felt exhausted by it all.

  A hot shower helped to relax me, and when I got out, I saw a text from Velvet.

  “Coming out tonight?” she asked.

  “Hell yes. Where and when?”

  That was exactly what I needed: a night out to let loose with my friends. To unwind and recharge.

  As I dressed and looked in the mirror, I wondered what Alex would say about my outfit, black skinny jeans and black boots with a tight tee-shirt and my leather jacket. It was what I typically wore, but the thought actually crossed my mind that Alex might not like it.

  Who cares? I ran a brush through my hair and grabbed my bike helmet.

  As I rode to the bar, I couldn’t stop thinking of Alex. Why had I backed away when he tried to kiss me? I’d wanted him to. Hell, I’d almost
kissed him. But maybe it’d just been the excitement of winning. After all, I hadn’t felt the urge to kiss him when I got out of the car.

  When I made my way into the bar and found Hellcat and Velvet with some of the other ladies, I took a seat and greeted them.

  “I have a very important announcement,” I said when there was a break in conversation.

  They all looked at me and waited.

  I held up my beer mug, “You are looking at this year’s Big Bend Chili Contest winner.”

  Velvet was the first, but it didn’t take long before they all broke out into laughter. I set my mug down, unsure of how to respond.

  Velvet put her hand on my shoulder, still laughing. “Good one.”

  “Uh, I wasn’t joking.”

  She looked at my serious face and the humor left her.

  “Oh,” she said. “You really entered a chili contest?”

  I felt self-conscious about it with them all looking at me and still half chuckling. I nodded a subtle yes and tried to blow it off. “It was no big deal. Just a silly little contest. Hey, I like to eat, what can I say?”

  “I’ll drink to that,” Hellcat said, raising her glass. “What should we do tonight, ladies?”

  Several of them jumped in with answers, but I just sat there, stunned. They laughed at me for entering a chili contest? At least I’d won. What would they have said if I’d lost? I could only imagine. I pictured Alex’s face, genuinely happy for me and excited. He understood that it was important to me.

  My thoughts and feelings wandered back to Alex over and over through the night, and I found it hard to concentrate. Partly, I was still annoyed at the Devils, and partly, I was wondering what it would have been like if I had kissed Alex.

  “Well, I’m bored,” Hellcat announced some time later. “Who wants to get out of here and fuck some shit up?”

  “I’m in.” I finished the last of my beer and slammed the mug on the table. I wasn’t going to let them think I’d gone soft or anything.

  “You sure?” Hellcat asked me. “I know after I eat enough chili, I can’t leave the house for about a day.”

  They all laughed again, though not as much that time.

  “Yeah,” I said. “Intestines like iron, I guess.” I was extra glad that I’d been the first to speak up; I’d have to prove myself that night. I was still on probation, and if I wanted to get in and become a member, I’d have to prove to them that I was worthy.

  I stood up and looked around. “I say we ditch out before the bill comes.”

  Hellcat stood, too. “I like how you think.”

  We left the bar in small groups, quickly. Outside, we hopped on our bikes, creating a deafening roar as we started our engines and took off.

  The night air felt cool and refreshing after being in the heat all day. I let the feel of the ride take over and soothe me. That was why I bought a bike in the first place: for the sheer feeling of peace it brought me.

  I wasn’t sure where we were headed. I’d zoned out somewhere during the conversation, but it didn’t matter; I was up for anything that night.

  When I saw we were nearing Big Bend, my heart jumped to my throat. Would it be a repeat of the last time we’d come? I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to get us off again if we got busted.

  Hellcat stopped just inside the park at the spot where many trails began. Several signs were posted, marking the trails and describing them, listing the experience level and so on.

  Hellcat looked over the trails, deliberating. “What do you guys think?”

  A few answers were called out. I suggested the trail that was least likely to get us into trouble.

  “You know,” Hellcat continued, “I’m feeling extra devilish tonight.” She turned to us with a glimmer in her eye. “Who’s with me?”

  I shouted louder and pumped my fist harder than any of the other ladies.

  Hellcat looked over at me with a raised eyebrow and mischievous smile. “Do you know where that cave is? The one with all the bats?”

  “Yeah, it’s on the east trail. But we can’t ride that one.” I pointed to another trail. “This one goes by some cool rocks and stuff.”

  Hellcat shook her head. “I just watched this video online. Those bats are badass, and I want to see them.” She turned to the group and talked excitedly. “These bats are like, special in some way, and when you go inside this cave and shout loud enough, they all go crazy and fly around and stuff. It’s wild.”

  My chest tightened. That video had caused us Rangers many problems. At one point, it had been so bad with people coming and trying to set off the bats, we had to post security outside the cave.

  “They watch that cave carefully,” I said. “We’ll get busted for sure.”

  “Then you can just talk our way out of it again.” Hellcat put her hand on my shoulder. “Roxy is going to lead this ride.”

  Velvet slapped my back and whispered, “This is huge, Roxy.”

  I smiled and tried to think fast. If I was leading things, then maybe I could somehow pull something else off.

  “Yeah, okay,” I said. I pretended to inspect the different trails, deciding.

  “So, let’s go,” Hellcat said. “The east trail. Lead the way.”

  I shook my head. “There are much better trails.” Though none of them allowed bikes, and riding any of them would cause some level of disruption or damage.

  “Roxy,” Hellcat spat, taking on an annoyed but authoritative tone, “I want to see the bat cave, and you are going to lead us to it.”

  I looked at all of them looking back at me with expressions ranging from irritation to expectation.

  “Sorry.” How could I make this better? “I know it’s super uncool, but these bats are really rare. Like, they only live here in Big Bend. So their cave is under extreme watch. The Rangers will freak out if we go near it, and I won’t be able to talk us out of it.”

  Hellcat rubbed her hands together. “It’s sounding better and better by the minute.” She revved her bike engine loudly.

  “Uh, but the thing is,”—I made an apologetic face—“with everyone wanting to see the bats after that video, they’ve had to shut down part of the trail. And part of that is the bridge that we’d have to take to get to the cave. The bridge was taken down to be rebuilt.”

  Hellcat narrowed her eyes at me. “You know, Roxy, I thought you were cool.”

  “I promise, I will take you on the best ride ever,” I said. “But we can’t disturb the Mexican long-nose bats.”

  Velvet burst out laughing. “You sound just like that nerdy guy you make fun of all the time! What’s his name? Allen or something?”

  I chuckled. “Right. He probably would have called the cops.” My throat had gone dry. I was being compared to Alex now? Was I really acting nerdy?

  Hellcat shot me a glare. “What are you saying, that’s what you’re going to do?”

  “No, of course not!” I felt panicky. The whole thing was going so badly. I needed to show them that I could hang and now they thought I was a huge dork. “I just meant, that’s how lame Alex is. Let’s ride!”

  Revving my engine, I took off down the north trail. It would be the best for that sort of thing. I worried for a moment that they’d just ditch me and go down the east trail anyway, but when I looked behind me, they were there, following me.

  Hellcat caught up to me and shouted, “This better be amazing!”

  I nodded and waved. Crap. Crap. I’d have to make sure I really made this good. I thought fast, taking us by some of the famous rock formations, the places that tourists loved to go. I swerved through bends and through some dangerous curves, just to show I had no fear.

  By the end, I felt relieved. No Rangers had come after us, and the ride was over.

  When we all stopped at the end of the trail, Hellcat said, “Aw, no Rangers this time. Bummer.”

  “We must be too slick for them to catch us.” I chuckled.

  “That was cool,” Hellcat said.

  I smile
d and felt more relief.

  “But,” Hellcat went on, “I still want to see those bats some time. As soon as that bridge is fixed, we’re there.”

  She slapped high fives with several of the Devils and I swallowed hard. How could I keep that from happening? Hellcat could come on a ride anytime without me.

  “Seriously, though,” I said, trying to reason with her. “If we ride near that cave, we could kill off a lot of those super endangered bats. Loud vibrations mess with their echolocation.”

  “Don’t worry.” Hellcat shook her head at me. “I won’t make you take us. That way, you won’t be held accountable.”

  I opened my mouth to respond, but one of the ladies called out to Hellcat. When she left, Velvet came over to me.

  She shook her head, too. “You’ve gotta fix this. You lost major points tonight.”

  “Sorry,” I muttered. “Just trying to do my job, you know?”

  She gave me a sad smile. “Yeah. But next time, don’t.”

  She peeled off and I rode home, conflicted. I couldn’t just let that sort of thing go down. Alex and I had our differences about what was important, but I knew the park inhabitants needed to be protected, despite whatever I told him. Partly, it was just fun to argue with him and get him riled up. But that didn’t matter now.

  I’d probably lost my chances of being a She Devil and kicked myself all the way home, trying to figure out how to make things better.

  I wasn’t home an hour before the phone rang. It was past 2 a.m., but I snatched it up.

  “Yeah?”

  “Thought you might want to hear this,” Velvet said.

  “What’s that?”

  “What Hellcat said about you tonight.” She had a hint of playfulness in her voice.

  My defenses rose. “Oh yeah? And what was that?” My stomach tightened.

  “Well, despite what you pulled, she likes you. Something about not being afraid to look stupid and stand up to her. She admired that, even if she was pissed that you did it in front of the club.”