The Reluctant Cougar (Rise of the Alpha King's Heir)

Going Down

Friday came slowly that week, and it seemed to take an eternity for the clock to tick past five o'clock. Eventually it was time, and Ben went through his preparations at warp speed, doing everything at a run; he even waved at Stew and jumped the gate, too impatient to wait for it to open.

Ben sprinted through the parking lot, up the stairs to the meeting building, and looked at Mrs. Hail beseechingly.

"You seem to have arrived first this time, Mr. Cougar," Mrs. Hail said with a sweet smile. "I can go ahead and give you the key and a room to wait in."

Ben nodded mutely, panic beginning to flood his veins. Was she not coming? Had he hurt her that bad? What was he going to do if she didn't visit? Could he talk P.A. into checking him out? Could he catch a ride home with Mr. Marshall? Could he find a pay phone to call Robbie to come get him? If he ran fast enough, if he zoned, would he be able to run to her house before anybody realized he was gone?

"Mr. Cougar," Mrs. Hail said pointedly, holding out the room key.

He took it, murmured his thanks, and walked towards the meeting rooms.

"Mr. Rodriguez," Mrs. Hail greeted, "your Mate is waiting in room 3..."

Ben turned to see Dustin grinning at him. At Dustin's lifted brow, Ben shook his head, and Dustin's grin fell. He quickly caught up and asked, "Did she send a message saying she'd be late or anything?"

Ben shook his head. His heart thundered, and his stomach burned with anxiety.

"Do you want me to--"

"No, you go see your girl."

Dustin hesitated, "You sure?"

Ben gave him a shove and a forced smile, "Get in there, Rodriguez. Just be careful. Eileen said Mr. Marshall signed up for an adult language class. I'm betting it's--"

"Spanish," Dustin nodded. Then he shrugged, "We both know they don't teach the type Weildon speak. He'll get some of the words, but it won't make him fluent. If he really wants to learn, I'll teach him."

They gave each other a fist bump before going to their respective doors. When Dustin's door opened, a squeal of excitement entered the hallway. When Ben opened his, empty silence met him.

What was he going to do? Had he ruined their relationship? Did she no longer want him? What he'd said had been insensitive, but it hadn't been that bad, had it? She must have thought so.

With a bereaved sigh, he sat in one of the chairs and waited.

***

A knock on the door jolted him awake. Ben looked around the dark room in groggy confusion as Coach Hail opened the door.

Their eyes met, faces solemn.

Ben's heart fell. She wasn't coming.

Then Coach Hail stepped to the side and Eileen walked in, eyes avoiding him.

"Eileen!" Ben was out of his seat instantly, hope growing in his heart again.

Coach Hail closed the door, giving them privacy.

"Eileen?" Ben paused half-way to her, looking at her uncertainly.

He saw her lip tremble, her fist clench. After a deep breath, she asked, "Do you want to break up?"

"What?!" Ben demanded, heart stopping, guts ripping. He didn't bother hiding the horror, the sadness, the misery that swept through him at her question.

Eileen looked at him then, her eyes showing surprise at his tidal wave of emotions.

Taking another steadying breath, but this time looking at him, she repeated, "You said I had too much...experience for you. Do you want to break up with me?"