The Not So Sad Rejection

Misconceptions

I have seen a lot in my near twenty-three years, as a result there are very few things that can surprise me and even fewer people that can catch me off guard. Thus it is a truly rare occurrence when I am face with both which so happens to be my current predicament.

"You want to what?" I questioned sure that I'd misheard him.

Grant looked at me with exasperation. "I want to go out, with you, on a date."

My brain simply would not start up. "A date?"

"Yes," he said. "Do I need to explain to you what a date is?"

"I know what it is," I snapped. "I simply don't understand why you wish to go on one."

"Because you are my mate. Is that not reason enough?"

I raised an eyebrow at his tone. "No." I turned and started towards the back training field. Gina had set up a temporary shooting range and I thought I might sit in on one of the practices.

"Hold up," Grant said stopping me on the porch. "Why not?"

I sighed, "Have you really not figured it out yet?"

"Figured what out?" he asked waving his hands about.

"That I want more from my life than just being someone's mate," I said slowly and clearly enunciating each word to help him get the point.

"You aren't just my mate," he exclaimed grabbing my hand when I tried to leave.

I jerked my hand back. "Really? It certainly doesn't seem like it. Every time I turn around you're saying the words 'because you are my mate'."

He scowled. "Maybe because that's the only card I have in my hand!"

"What the hell are you talking about?"

He ran his hands through his hair tugging at it violently. "It isn't easy when your mate is in love with someone else."

I huffed. "At least Tristan sees me as who I am and not who he wants me to be!"

"You won't let me see who you are!" he bit out with clear frustration. "You put up a wall that was never there when we were kids and I don't know how to get through it."

"I put up a wall because of you!" I hissed trying not to yell and cause a scene. He jerked back. "Did you really think I am so heartless that being rejected didn't affect me? Did you think I didn't feel the pain that followed?"

"No, of course not," he said cringing. I made another attempt to leave and he once again grabbed my arm. "Katrina-"

A tanned hand was suddenly around Grant's wrist and twisting his arm away from me. "Is there a problem here, Kate?" Jason said putting himself between Grant and me.

I shook my head. "I got it handled, Jase."

"Not for long she doesn't," Lily said in a singsong voice pulling Trina behind her. "Your asshole mate forgot to mention a couple names on the guest list."

I turned to Grant to ask him what she was talking when the explanation decided to just announce himself. "Why is this piece of trash still on my land?"

I had to grind my teeth together to keep from saying the first thing that popped into my head. I didn't think I actually knew so many four letter words. "Breathe through your nose," Trina whispered in my ear.

I tried that and wrinkled my nose. "I can smell the booze when I do that," I whispered back.

"You're right, just don't breathe," she replied scrunching up her own face.