The Unwanted But Inevitable Choice

Chapter 5

Lanie's POV

I'm a little upset. I had to sit outside for 20 minutes while dad and most likely his friends gave Austin "the talk." He is so embarrassing. I decided to just wear what I have on. But I changed my tennis shoes and put on some cowgirl boots. At least Sarah doesn't live too far away, Austin seems tense. I bump his shoulder. "Hey are you okay, you seem quieter than usual.. I'm sorry if Dad and his friends gave you a hard time."

"I'm okay and they didn't." He says flatly, I decide to leave it alone. I instantly start to think about Will. Just thinking about him sends chills through my body.

"Are you cold?" Austin asks

"No, just cold chill" I laugh lowly. That was embarrassing. He grabs my hand and my mind instantly goes to Will. Like I'm nervous he will see us or something. Which is crazy because I don't even know him. But at the same time, he seems so familiar.

"Hey! There's Sarah's house I say and grab my phone to let her know we are here. I see Adam's car and instantly feel guilty.. But then I remember Stacy freaking Chapman and Austin squeezes my hand. I think he can tell I'm nervous.

"Hey Lane, I know I only get to be your fake boyfriend, or mate, as your dad calls it…. For one day, but I want you to know I will be the best boyfriend you could ever ask for in these few hours. And I'm so sorry…" He is so sweet. I squeeze his hand and smile.

"Yeah my dad's a weirdo, and I'm glad we are doing this. Maybe you will persuade me to change my mind about you. I do care about you Austin.. It's just… something inside me telling me things.." He looks at me, confused.

"What do you mean? Do you hear a voice in your head?" He stops me and looks in my eyes.

"What? No? I'm not crazy…" I laugh and we continue walking. But I'm lying to him. I feel something has changed inside me. Like a faint voice is talking to me… soon we are at Sarah's door and she opens it.

"Hey guys! Nice to see you both made it official! Come up to my room, the boys are playing video games." We walk in holding hands and I can feel Adam glaring at me. I look over at him and put on my best smile. I look up and Austin is doing the same. Which makes me smile.

Adam and Austin never got along. Adam was always jealous that Austin had a thing for me. Austin never hid it either. He would call me babe right in front of Adam. I always just laughed it off but Adam would always accuse me of messing around with him. I'm sure he thinks he is right now too. Which kinda makes me sad because I really was loyal to him..

We go up to Sarah's room and make fun of Adam for looking so upset. He said he didn't care about me.. He said I meant nothing to him. Am I supposed to feel bad? I know the answer is no but I do..

"Helllloo! Earth to Lanie?" Sarah is snapping in my face.

"Huh, yeah.. Sorry I was thinking." Austin sits on the bed beside me and gives me a hug.

"Lanie, don't worry about Adam. He doesn't even matter. You are so much more than what you think of yourself right now.." I hug him back and feel myself about to cry. He is rubbing my back comforting me.

"Geez guys, get a room, and NOT mine" We all start laughing. "Hey, actually let's go downstairs and eat. I'm starving!"

"Sarah you are always hungry I don't know where it goes! I say, Sarah is so skinny, and she is pale with brown hair and brown eyes.

"What can I say, high metabolism!" We walk downstairs and Adam and Sarah's brother Tommy are still playing video games. Adam looks up at me. I don't know what I saw in him he doesn't even compare to Will or Austin… I give him a disgusted look. I can see he is about to say something but Austin grabs my hand and pulls me away softly to the kitchen.

"Austin, you are way more attractive than him." I say out loud not really meaning to.. Then I look up at Austin who has the biggest smile on his face.

"I think you're hotter than him too, sweet heart." We all burst out laughing. We eat a pizza Sarah ordered a while ago and go in the living room.

"Okay losers, our turn on the PlayStation." Sarah announces

"No way! I am on a streak Tommy whines." He acts like a baby but he is 16.

"How about we all play, I can definitely kick your asses in black ops." Austin says looking straight at Adam.

"Whatever." Adam says and Sarah puts the game in.

"It's only 4 players." Sarah says.

"Oh that's okay, me and Austin can share'' I say and sit down beside Austin, who wraps his hand around my waist. I see Adam shift uncomfortably but I don't look at him.

2 hours later

"Okay babe your turn Austin says."

"No!" I giggle." The last time I made us lose!"

"Okay! So were you cheating on me?" Adam bursts out.

"What?" I say, stunned..

"You both were always flirting and now you guys are.. What? A couple?"

"You said you didn't want to be with her. And you definitely didn't care about her when you were kissing Stacy Chapman in the locker room this morning. You don't deserve Lanie. She is way too good for you and me both. So please don't be an a*s and try to make her out to be something she is not." Austin raises his voice and yells at him. I want to hug him so badly but I don't like that it feels like I'm playing games with him. He deserves better. He walks into the kitchen and I follow him. I look back at Adam who has a shocked look on his face.

"Austin, do you wanna walk to the lake?"

"Hmm, isn't that your and Adams 'special place'" he says but smiles.

"No, it's just my place, I invited him to go there because dad doesn't like him in the house." Austin burst out laughing.

"Okay, lets go." We tell Sarah thank you and make our way to the lake. It's already almost 7 so I know we won't get to stay there long. Finally I see the wooden fence by the lake.

"Yay we are here!" I run to the little park by the lake and get on a swing. "Austin! Swing with me" I know I probably look like a big baby but when you swing here if feels like you are going to go into the water and it makes me feel so free.

"Okay" he says with a small smile. I stop swinging and look at him.

"Austin what is going in with you today?" He runs his hand through his hair.

"Lanie… I feel like I'm going to lose you." He looks down.

"What do you mean? I'm not going to college, I'll be here all summer!" He looks frustrated.

"I can't do this Lanie, I can't watch you be with someone else."

"Austin, I'm not taking him back. I don't even-"

"Not him."

"What?"

"I'm not talking about Adam."

"I don't even talk to anyone else Austin, where is this coming from."

"Do you believe in soul mates Lanie?"

"I've never really thought about it… I think so? I have this feeling inside that somewhere out there is the perfect person for me.."

"Do you think that person could be me?"

"Oh… Austin.. I'm not sure…" Suddenly he places his hand on my check and presses his forehead to my own. "Austin.. What are yo-"

"Lanie, let me kiss you."

"I don't want to hurt you."

"You won't hurt me Lanie.." I think about it. I do like Austin but the only thing keeping me from him is the fact he has been with so many other women. And that really isn't fair. Maybe I should give him a chance? I just don't want to get hurt again. Adam moved on from me so fast..

"Okay," I say finally and before I can rethink my decision he presses his lips into mine.. I feel sparks.. His kiss is filled with so much passion and want. My stomach is filled in with butterflies. It never felt like this with Adam. Not even our first kiss. I kiss Austin back and he wraps his arms around my body and I put my hands through his hair. But I feel something in the back of my mind.. Guilt?

When we break apart to breathe we are both smiling. And all of the sudden I smell maple syrup. One of my favorite smells.

"That was…" he looks at me, hoping I'll finish.. And I do..

"Amazing!" I say with a shy smile. "How do you smell like maple syrup?" I laugh.

"You smell me?" He says his eyes are wide. I didn't mean to offend him

"Not like that! You don't smell bad. You smell really good actually. I've always liked the smell of maple syrup."

"Uhh.. Thank you.." He clears his throat. "We should go back to your house"

"Austin!" I smack him.

"No I mean... your dad needed to talk to us and it's getting late"

"Oh I'm sorry.." He takes my hand and we walk back to my house. When we make it to my house, the black suv is gone but my dad's car is still here. I look at my phone and it's 7:26pm. I show it to Austin.

"Look, we made it back early" he smiles at me. I don't know what that kiss was but it definitely changes things. I never really let myself look at him because he is so attractive I always felt guilty.. But he really is hot, and when he smiles and his eyes light up he makes me melt.

"You aren't checking me out Lanie Tyson are you?"

"Maybe a little," I admit. "I've never really looked at you before."

"Owe Lanie, my heart," he says, grabbing his chest. I know he is just teasing because he smiles. I look up and my dad is standing in the doorway. He smells like coffee.. I didn't even hear him open the door. He looks disappointed.

"What's wrong Dad?" He ignores me and looks at Austin.

"Austin, Will just called me. He said someone kissed Lanie. Do you know anything about that? Because she smells like you." He says as he ushers us inside.

"How does he know that?"

"Because they are MATES who have already met. If she kisses or, you know, with anyone. He will feel pain."

"Dad, what are you talking about and since when did you start drinking coffee, at night?"

"What did you mean when did I start drinking coffee?"

"You smell like coffee and it's giving me a headache." His eyes get wide and he looks at Austin.

"I… we need to talk to you Lanie Bug" he gestures toward Austin.

"What about?"

"Well, I'm not sure how to start this conversation.. I've been thinking about this day for the past 18 years." he says and frowns..

"We just need to say it. like ripping off a bandaid." Austin says to my Dad.

"Go ahead" my dad says to Austin. I'm nervous they are both in on a secret. Austin moves closer to me and looks me in the eyes. I can see how nervous he is so I grab his hand.

"It's okay Austin, you can tell me anything."

"Well.. Lanie... we are werewolves."