Bad Wolf (Wild Men 4)

“Chin up,” Sydney tells me. “Didn’t you just tell me you’ll be seeing him tomorrow? I thought you’d be happy.”

“I am. But I’m also afraid. Of what he’ll say. Of how he’s changed. What he thinks. What he feels.”

Her mouth turns down at the corners. “Oh man. You really are in love.”

“I thought you said it was obvious.”

“It was.” She hums, hiding behind her coffee mug. “I just don’t think I’ve ever seen a person in love before. Like, really in love, the sort where you pine away and live for the next time you’ll see them.”

My hands fist in my lap. “I’m not pining away.”

“No?” She perks up. “Then maybe you’ll come with me tonight? There’s this—”

“No.”

She slumps back in her seat. “You need to start living again, Gigi.”

I flinch at her words. “I’m living, I’m—”

“No, you’re not. You flunked your last test. You’re not studying. Or partying. Or eating much. You never smile anymore.”

“I’m sad, okay? What do you want me to say? Plus, you told me you were done going to bars and parties, getting yourself into danger.”

“I never said that.” She looks away, mouth going tight. “I only said I haven’t found Kash yet. Not that I’ve given up.”

I swallow hard. “In any case… How could I party when Jarett is behind bars?”

“A year, girl. He’ll be away for a year.” She shrugs, turning back to me. “Think of it as a year abroad where he had to go for work. And you’re here. Still alive. Still studying, and living. Waiting for him, but living. See the difference?”

“I don’t… I don’t know.”

“He’d want you alive and well when he’d come back, right? From his trip. Or prison. And you’d do well to be strong, inside, for the months to come, and for when he’s out, free to be with you again. Get it?” She taps the side of her head, her eyes bright.

I nod and swear to myself I won’t cry again. I’ve done it way too much in the past days and weeks.

“He will be released. He will be with you. If you don’t run yourself to the ground, if you’re strong enough for both of you.” Sydney smiles at me. “And you can be. You are. I know you. You’re a supergirl, Augusta Watson. If you love him, if he’s worth waiting for, then you can do it. Show the world that you can.”

She’s right. If she can do this—waiting, searching, believing in someone she loves—then so can I. I will do this. For him. For myself.

I just hope he’ll keep fighting, too.

Inside the prison visitor center, it’s all white and blue, with a long table and chairs. It feels like a hospital, of sorts.

I wipe my sweaty hands on my jeans. I’ve already passed through security control. I scan the room for Jarett, but can’t find any familiar face staring back at me.

I don’t know what I’d expected. A smaller room? Jarett waiting for me?

Unsure what to do next, I sink down in one of the chairs and fold my hands on top of the table. I’m in the right place.

Be strong, Sydney said. Okay.

Deep breaths.

Then he enters, and I shoot back up to my feet, my heart racing. It’s him. He’s in a gray prison uniform, and his dark hair is cut close to his scalp. He looks thinner, pale, but his eyes light up when he sees me.

He starts toward me and I run into his arms. “Gigi,” he whispers, his arms wrapping around me so hard I can’t breathe. “God, Gigi.”

I’m drowning. He’s my lifeline. He’s here. He’s okay.