The Professor's Mate Clause novel Chapter 26

CHAPTER 26

FREYA’S POV

“You came.”

Kelvin stands when I walk into the coffee shop. He looks different. Tired. His hair is messier than usual. Dark circles under his eyes. He looks like he has not slept in days.

Good. Neither have I.

“I almost did not.” I sit across from him. Keep my bag in my lap. Ready to leave at any second. “This is probably a mistake.”

“Probably.” He sits back down. Gives me a small smile. The same smile he used to give me when we first started dating. Before everything got complicated. “But I am glad you are here anyway.”

The barista comes over. I order coffee. Black. Need the caffeine. Need something to do with my hands.

Kelvin already has a cup in front of him. Barely touched. He just stares at it like it has answers.

“You look good.” He says it quietly. “Different but good.”

“Do not do that.”

“Do what?”

“Compliment me. Act like we are friends. We are not friends Kelvin. You made sure of that.” I lean back in my chair. Cross my arms. “Why did you want to meet? What could you possibly have to say that I would

want to hear?”

“I wanted to apologize. For real this time. Not just empty words.” He runs a hand through his hair. “I know I messed up. I know I hurt you. I know sorry does not fix anything but I need you to hear it anyway.”

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“Fine. I heard it. Can I go now?”

“Freya please. Just give me five minutes. That is all I am asking.” His eyes are desperate. Pleading. “Five minutes and then you never have to see me again if you do not want to.”

I should leave. Should walk out right now. But something keeps me in the chair. Maybe curiosity. Maybe stupidity. Maybe just the fact that I have nowhere else to be.

“Five minutes.” I check my phone for the time. “Starting now.”

“I miss you.” He says it fast. Like he has been holding it in. “I know I have no right to. I know I am the one who ruined everything. But I miss you Freya. Miss talking to you. Miss having you in my life.”

“You got married Kelvin. You have a wife now. Go miss her.”

“Vanessa is not you. She does not care about me. Does not even like me. We barely talk. Barely exist in the same space.” He looks genuinely miserable. “The whole thing is a nightmare. I made a huge mistake.”

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“That is not my problem.”

“I know. I know it is not. But I just needed you to know. Needed you to hear that marrying her was the worst decision I ever made.” He reaches across the table. Stops just short of touching my hand.” Because the best decision was being with you. And I threw it away.”

The words should not affect me. Should not make something in my chest twist. But they do.

Because part of me wanted to hear this. Wanted him to regret it. Wanted proof that what we had

mattered.

“Why now?” I pull my hand back. “Why reach out now? Why not a month ago? A week ago?”

“Because I heard about you and Metcalfe.” His jaw tightens. “Heard you two had a fight. That you left. And I thought maybe you would actually talk to me now. Actually listen.”

“You have been keeping tabs on me?”

“Of course I have. I still care about you Freya. That does not just go away because we are not together anymore.” He leans forward. “And I am worried about you. Metcalfe is not who you think he is. He is dangerous. Controlling. He will hurt you.”

“And you would not? You already did.”

“I know. And I am sorry. But what he will do is worse.” Kelvin’s voice drops. “He is not normal Freya. There are things about him you do not know. Things you should not trust.”

I almost laugh. If only he knew. If only he understood that I already know exactly what Adrian is. What I am. What this whole messed up world is.

“I can handle myself.”

“Can you? Because from what I heard you are staying in some run down motel on the east side. Alone. No money. No plan.” He looks genuinely concerned. “That does not sound like handling yourself. That sounds like running.”

“Maybe I am running. Maybe I just needed space from everything. From everyone.” I take a sip of coffee. It burns my tongue. “Including you.”

I

“I get that. I do. But Freya you do not have to do this alone. I know I messed up. I know I do not deserve your trust. But I am here. And I want to help.”

“Help how?”

“I do not know. Whatever you need. A place to stay. Money. Just someone to talk to.” He actually looks sincere. Looks like the Kelvin I fell for. Before the cheating. Before the lies. “I still care about you. That has to count for something.”

It should not count for anything. Should not matter. But I am tired. So tired of being alone. Of fighting everyone. Of pretending I am strong enough to handle this.

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And Kelvin is familiar. Safe in a way Adrian never was. With Kelvin there are no werewolves. No mates. No supernatural drama. Just normal human problems.

Even if those problems include him being a cheater.

“I do not need your help.” But my voice is less certain now.

“Maybe not. But maybe you want it anyway.” He finally touches my hand. Just his fingers on mine. “I know I do not deserve another chance. Know I probably never will. But can we at least try to be friends? Can you at least let me be there for you right now when you clearly need someone?”

“I have people.”

“Do you? Because it does not look like it. It looks like you are completely alone. Completely lost.” His thumb traces circles on my hand. “Let me help. Please. Even if you hate me. Even if you never forgive me. Just let me do this one thing right.”

I should pull my hand away. Should tell him to go back to his wife. Should leave before this gets more

complicated.

But I do not. Just sit there letting him touch me. Letting his words sink in. Letting myself want something

I know is bad for me.

“This is stupid.” I finally say. “We should not be doing this.”

“Probably. But when have we ever done what we should?” He smiles. Actually smiles. “Remember that time we skipped class to go to the beach? Got completely soaked in the rain?”

“You complained the entire time.”

“Because it was freezing. But you laughed so hard you cried. Said it was the most fun you ever had.” His eyes are soft now. Nostalgic. “I think about that day sometimes. About how happy you were. How happy we were before I ruined everything.”

The memory hits harder than it should. I do remember that day. Remember feeling free. Remember thinking maybe Kelvin was the one. Maybe we would make it.

Before he cheated. Before he broke my heart. Before everything fell apart.

“That was a long time ago.”

“Not that long. Just feels like it.” He squeezes my hand gently. “Look I know this is weird. I know showing up and asking to be friends is probably crossing a line. But I meant what I said. I miss you. Miss having you in my life. And if friends is all you can give me then I will take it.”

“Kelvin-”

“Just think about it. That is all I am asking.” He lets go of my hand. Sits back. “This place is kind of loud. Kind of public. Want to go somewhere quieter? Somewhere we can actually talk?”

Every instinct says no. Says this is a trap. Says I should walk out right now and never look back.

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CHAPTER 26

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