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Chapter Eleven
Tye
Tye’s palms were sweating when he hung up his phone. He hadn’t been expecting that call. He went downstairs to find his mom.
“Mom!” He yelled through the house, even though he wouldn’t really have to do that. She would hear him regardless.
“I’m in the kitchen Tye.”
“Hey. I’m sorry to do this, but something just came up. I won’t be here for dinner.”
“Tye. Are you serious? Do you know how much food it takes to prepare Thanksgiving for a family of bears? I even made that special honey butter with your honey, and extra rolls just for you.”
“I know mom. I’m really sorry. If it wasn’t an emergency, you know I wouldn’t bail like this.”
His mom studied him. He knew she’d be able to tell he wasn’t telling her the whole story just based on his elevated heart rate. He just hoped she’d be cool enough to let it slide.
“Fine. Here, where you’re going would you maybe like to take some of your honey butter and rolls?”
How the hell did she know that?
“Yes, please.”
As she set about packing him up a basket, he took off back upstairs to get ready. It was just about an hour drive where he was headed, and he didn’t want to be late.
“Hello, I’m a friend of Melanie’s.” He extended his hand to very domineering man who opened the door. He could only assume this was her father. He tried to keep his anxiety in check, but he really wanted to take off. There was no way in hell he would make it through this day without royally embarrassing himself.
“Melanie didn’t mention any friends stopping by.” He still had yet to invite Tye inside. Tye finally dropped his hand to his side, and held the old man’s stare.
“My name’s Tye, I am doing the internship at the hospital with her. We’re partners. My folks don’t live to far from here, and she invited me over. I hope that’s okay.” He saw now where Melanie got her tenacity. Her father wasn’t the least bit deterred by his golden eyes as he continued to hold his eye contact. Most humans would have already dropped their eyes, Tye’s family wasn’t the head of their clan, but they were very dominant.
“Tye! I’m so glad you made it. I see you met my father.” Melanie threw the door wider, and gestured for Tye to come inside. He stepped around her dad, and circled her up for a hug. Then he handed her the basket of goodies his mom sent with him.
“We were just getting acquainted. Tye, my name is Victor Gloss.”
“Nice to meet you Dr. Gloss, Melanie has told me so much about you. I bet you’re proud of her, following in your footsteps. She’s already at the top of the internship.” Tye knew damn well the old man didn’t give a rat’s ass how well she was doing, but he couldn’t help himself. He was proud of her, and he wanted her dad to know that even if he didn’t appreciate her, others would.
“Of course. Her mother and I are both very proud. We’re hoping she’ll come settle down nearby soon though. We’re both looking forward to grandkids.”
Tye looked at Melanie who looked like she wanted to kick her dad. Apparently her last minute call for help had something to do with her settling down.
“My parents feel the same about grandkids. All in good time though. There’s so much to see and learn at the hospital were interning at, it’s hard to imagine a life outside of doctoring. I’m sure you understand having been through the same.”
“Yes, the medical world is always changing. Make sure you take time to yourselves though.”
“Tye, let me show you around the rest of the house. You have to try my cookies I baked today. It’s an old family recipe.” The smile she shot his way is enough to make him stutter step, and just about face plant. She turns around to laugh as Tye adjusts himself. Hopefully her dad didn’t notice the clumsiness, but Tye didn’t bother turning around to check.
“Your dad seems pleasant.”
Melanie busted out laughing. He loved seeing her so carefree.
“He didn’t hate you. He would have just simply asked you to leave if that was the case. He’s probably too concerned that you’ll one day cross paths in business one day. Appearances are everything.”
“I see. So you wanna tell me why you called me last minute begging me to come to your rescue.” He knew he would strike a nerve with his comment. The way her eyes narrowed at him for a second told him he had been successful.
“I didn’t beg. I simply asked, and you jumped at the opportunity.” Her eyes twinkled with delight at their banter.
“I see.” He backed her up to the kitchen counter, and rested his hands on either side of her hips. Her eyes immediately went heavy with desire. It was like an electric current charging between the two of them. It was getting stronger. Tye was pretty sure that without realizing it, Melanie had allowed herself to start connecting to him through their bond. It wouldn’t be long, and they would both spontaneously combust from the chemistry.
“So you said something about cookies?” He pulled back from her. He didn’t trust himself to touch her. He may not be able to control himself.
“Yes. I, um, made my grandma’s no bake cookies.” She cleared her throat, and adjusted herself. Tye never took his eyes off of her. When she called he had hoped that she was finally ready to drop the pretenses, and be his. She handed him a cookie from a porcelain cookie jar shaped like a Santa. It seemed so out of place. The house was a mansion furnished with all the best furniture, and decorations. The Santa cookie jar looked old, and worn amongst the rest of the beautiful china.
Tye’s family didn’t have fancy china, or much of anything porcelain. Bears weren’t the most graceful of creatures with their giant size; let alone a Kodiak bear. Tye and Jake had gone through their change only a couple years apart, so the house was a war zone for a while. How his mom survived with a house full of Shifter men he’d never know.
“You can lie and tell me if you hate them.”
“Oh man, no way these are the best! I’m an expert too. We bears love our sweets.” Tye was genuinely impressed with the cookies. He had never known no bake cookies to be so good. It was almost as good as his honey straight off the comb.
“For real?” Her eyes were back to sparkling with delight. Tye didn’t know how much more torture he could stand. Not sure if he could speak clearly, he grabbed three more and proceeded to gobble them all down.
“I’m glad you’re here Tye. Thank you for coming.”
“I’m glad you called me, Melanie.”
Tye’s bear perked up then. He pushed Melanie back behind him, and let out a low growl.
“Hello Melanie.” Ethan’s voice seemed to fill the kitchen.
“Tye, what’s wrong with you.” She poked him in the back, and tried to move around him.
“I wondered why you were never weary around me. Why didn’t you tell me you knew other Shifters?”
“Because I don’t, you’re the first one I’ve met.”
“No, he is.” Tye said pointing to Ethan.