Resisting The Heat [TinCan 18+] (ON HOLD)

-11- 🌙 Hate How Much I Care

"Oh, I hate how much I love you, and I hate how much I care. I spend all of my money and all my time, 'cause I hate our love, I do."
~Conor Maynard, 'Hate How Much I Love You'

~~~

*Tin's POV*

Over the past week, one simple truth has become extremely obvious.

If Can thinks he can avoid me without catching my attention, he's an idiot.

Although, I'm not sure why I should even care. I hate him, don't I? I mean, I've hated him for the past four years. Maybe it's the mate bond or whatever, but I can't seem to get him off my mind. Even as he avoids me, I'm constantly catching myself thinking about him. Wondering how he is, where he is, what he's doing, who he's talking to.

This 'mate bond' thing is getting ridiculous.

Sitting at my desk, I glare impatiently as the clock ticks slowly. I know that as soon as the bell rings, Can is going to run out of the building before I can see him. Not that I want to see him, it's just... oh, forget it. The bond makes me want to see him. I don't actually want to see him.

Not at all.

As if sensing my thoughts, the hand on the clock ticks forward once more and the final bell rings throughout the school. Sighing, I pack up my books and head to my locker. My steps slow when I notice someone waiting for me. Frowning in confusion, I nervously shove my hands in my pockets.

"Pete?" I call out, and the Omega raises his head to look at me.

"Tin," he flashes me a small smile, reminding me of how he used to smile at me every day before I made him angry.

"What are you doing here?" I ask, stepping up to my locker.

"I wanted to talk," Pete tells me in a quiet voice.

"About?"

He squirms a bit. "About Can."

My eyes narrow. "What about him?"

"How are you doing?" Pete inquires, tilting his head slightly. "You and Can aren't on great terms. It must be difficult to be mated together."

"It's not ideal," I admit, leaning my back against my locker. "We won't ever have the type of relationship that other mates have, but I'm fine with that."

"Wait, what?" Pete frowns. "What do you mean?"

"Can and I agreed that we won't reject each other, but we're not going to date either. I can't even imagine doing such a thing," I shudder, even though the idea makes my wolf purr.

Pete's eyes widen in horror. "Are you serious? Tin, how is that going to work? Mates can't resist being together. It's unnatural."

I almost comment on how it's unnatural for two men to be together, but I bite my tongue. I already got in trouble with Pete once for saying such things before; I don't need to stir up more trouble.

"Well, it better work," I say instead. "I can't imagine being in a romantic relationship with someone as messy and loud as Can."

Pete giggles softly. "You two bicker like an old married couple. It's cute."

"It's not cute," I roll my eyes. "A married couple? Please. That's never going to happen. An Alpha shouldn't even be with a hybrid."

The words slip out before I have the chance to think it over and stop myself. Pete's eyes widen briefly before softening with compassion.