Ten Reasons NOT to Fall in Love With a Bear

Reason #5

Reason #5

            When mom and I went back downstairs, Dad’s eyes followed us and I immediately knew something was wrong. I glanced at Joey who was throwing me a knowing smirk. As soon as mom left the room, I was attacked by my father.

            “I can’t believe you found your mate and didn’t tell me!” He exclaimed, engulfing me in a hug.

            “Dad,” I groaned. “Put me down, he’s not my mate.”

            My father set me back on my feet. “Sorry, sorry, I was just excited. You’ve finally met your mate!”

            “He’s not my mate,” I growled.

            “May, you can finally mate and shift for the first time!”

            Dad, you don’t even know if that actually works and what if I don’t want to shift?” I stood straighter and put my hands on my hips defiantly. “He doesn’t even remember his family or where he came from. How is he supposed to know that I’m his mate?”

            Joey piped up, “I know you felt the sparks, May.” He winked.

            My father glanced between us. “I’m just going to leave you two alone,” He said and he left the room quickly, tail between his legs—figuratively of course.

            I rounded on Joey. “Why in the world would you tell him that?”

            “Because it’s true,” He defended, frowning.

            “I know it is!” I shouted. Realizing what I said, I clamped my mouth shut and prayed that he hadn’t comprehended what I had said.

            “You do now?” His lips spread into a grin.

            I promptly ignored his goofy grin. “Why did you have to tell him?” I groaned. “I could’ve happily lived without him knowing. Now he’ll force us together in a room whenever he gets a chance! We’re going to be forced together like…like…. I don’t know, dogs.”

            He chuckled. “I highly doubt he’s that bad.”

            “You’ve only known him for five minutes. Trust me, it’ll get worse.” I rolled my eyes at the bear. “Whatever, I’m going back upstairs. Call me if you need anything.” I whirled to leave.

            “Wait, May.” He grabbed my arm, turning me to face him. “Am I ever going to get a chance?” Joey looked so…solemn that I couldn’t exactly deny him.

            “Maybe…” I sighed. “Come to me when you remember your last name, where you’re from, and why you’re so far from home.” I kissed his cheek and dashed up the stairs, leaving him confused by the stairs.

*                                                           *                                                           *

            Joey was still there in the morning, in fact, he was talking to my mother who was cooking pancakes.

            “Morning mom,” I greeted, pressing a kiss to her cheek and plopping into a seat next to Joey.

            “Morning May,” She turned around with a spectacular grin. “So Joey and I have been talking…” I let out a groan but didn’t say anything. “We think that since he might be here a while, he should enroll in your school.”

            I stared at the crazy woman in front of me. “Mom, he doesn’t remember his last name.”

            My mother stared back. “It’s not that hard to create a fake last name for him, May. We could easily pull it off.” She grinned and clapped her hands together. “Come on, it’ll be fun!”

            I shook my head. “I’m just going to get dressed.” It was Sunday, the last day of the weekend and I couldn’t even enjoy it properly. I quickly dressed in a pair of jeans and a hooded sweatshirt. It was cold outside. I was pretty sure the snow had melted but that never stopped it from being cold. I grabbed my coat and boots before heading downstairs.

            Mom met me at the bottom step. “You’re taking Joey shopping.”

            “I know,” I sighed. She held out a credit card.

            “Don’t spend too much. Just buy the necessities—shoes, clothes, underwear, coat hygiene products, etcetera.”

            I nodded. “Okay, where is he?”

            “He’ll be right down.”

            Sure enough, Joey was down in no less than five minutes. “You ready?”

            “Yup.”

            “I like the boots.”

            “Don’t speak of it. We’re buying shoes first.”

            I nodded. “I never thought I’d agree with you so quickly.” I skipped toward my car. “Let’s go!”

            Buying shoes was easy. Clothes were hard though. Joey complained about everything he tried on. I was ready to slap him. The only reason I didn’t was because a girl named Jackie walked by. She was my constant tormentor. She waltzed right up to us and said, “Hello handsome,” giving Joey a winning smile. “Why are you here with this loser?” She turned her gaze to me.

            I sighed. Much to my surprise though, Joey jumped to my aid. “She’s not a loser. In fact she’s far from it. May is the nicest, most beautiful person I’ve ever met. I mean it’s obvious why you don’t like her. She has a personality, you obviously don’t... She has friends, you don’t.” He eyed the tall, blonde girl. “Oh, and she has a brain.” With that, he ruffled her hair and turned back to me. “So as I was saying—“

            Jackie cut him off with a laugh. “Wow that was lame. Where’d she hire you from?”

            Joey let out an irritated sigh and rounded on her, holding her against the wall by her throat. “Stop insulting my mate,” He growled. She looked scared. “I know you’re a shifter. You reek of dog. I hope you never have the joy of finding a mate.” He dropped the poor girl and she scurried off.

            I bit back a laugh. “Thanks.”

            “No problem, what are mates for right?” He offered me a grin. We finished shopping and basically collapsed into bed that night.

            I wasn’t shocked to wake up in the middle of the night to find him cuddled up to me. Reason number five not to fall in love with a bear? They’re over protective and invade your space.