Primals (Reverse Harem 1)

He smiles. “I would like that.”

He walks to the door then stops.

“By the way, Gia says hello,” he says, turning around. “I told her about you and she said she likes you.”

“I like her, too,” I say as I hide Theo’s gift under my pillow. “She really sounds like an amazing woman.”

“Funny. She said the same thing about you.”

Smiling, he reaches for the door knob.

“Wait,” I tell him, an idea coming to mind.

He turns around again. “What is it?”

“I...” I take a deep breath. “Do you think you can tell my parents something?”

“Anything.”

“Tell them they did nothing wrong,” I say, stroking my cup. “Tell them I’m glad they brought me into this world, and that they mustn’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. I’m brave just like they were.”

“That you are,” Theo agrees, smiling his approval.

“And tell them I...” I stare out the window, envisioning their faces. “Tell them I love them.”

“I will,” Theo promises. “I’m sure they love you, too.”

“I know.”

I can almost see them smiling at me now, tears stinging my eyes.

Find peace, Mom and Dad.

“I’ll go now,” Theo says.

I turn to him, blinking a tear away. “Take care, Theo. It was wonderful to know you.”

“Not as wonderful as it was for me to know you,” he says, the look in his eyes making my chest feel even warmer.

Just then, the door opens, hitting Theo’s back with a thud, though he seems like he didn’t feel anything at all. Behind him, Kyle stands in the doorway with a bowl in hand.

“Oops.” Kyle scratches his head. “I didn’t mean to interrupt. I just came to bring food.”

“It’s fine.” Theo turns to him. “She’s yours now. Then again, she always was.”

I pause in the act of taking another sip of coffee, eyebrows lifted.

Excuse me?

Theo pats a blushing Kyle on the shoulder. “Just tell her.”

Tell me what?

“Ouch.” Kyle winces, rubbing his shoulder.

“Sorry,” Theo mutters. “I’ll get out of your way now.”

He disappears from view, his thunderous footsteps making the house shake as they go down the stairs. I hear the front door opening and closing, then nothing. Everything is still and silent, leaving me to my confusion.