Bad Wolf (Wild Men 4)

“Didn’t ask for your opinion.”

He laughs. “Right. Well, I don’t know much about her. Probably even less than you.”

Thank fuck he isn’t asking why I’m interested. “Humor me.”

“Well, she used to go to school here with Ev. Then her family moved to Chicago, and she only came back the day of the party. She’s thinking of studying design, Ev says. You know she makes jewelry.”

“I didn’t know.” I remember the pendant she wore at the party. Was that one of her pieces? I lean forward, more curious than ever. “Any reason why her family would move to Chicago?”

“Fuck if I know. Maybe her parents got jobs there?”

“Right.” Or the bullying got so bad they moved away. “That’s it?”

“Ev’s the person to ask if you wanna know more.” His gaze sharpens. “Chick really got under your skin, didn’t she?”

“She hates me,” I say, bitterness coating my tongue.

“She doesn’t hate you. She’s scared of you.”

Is she? Well, with good reason. “I frighten her and disgust her. How’s that any better?”

It comes down to the same. She doesn’t want me, and as for me… I can’t wait to see her again.

Chapter Nine

Amber

“I think I know what to wear at the wedding,” Ev says, sprawling on the couch and dumping her purse beside her with a heartfelt sigh. “I tried this white dress yesterday, I think it will be perfect.”

“A short dress?”

“Yeah, short and knitted. With beads.” She grins. “I think you’ll like it, you’re a bead person. What about you?”

A short dress is a surprise where Ev is concerned. Up until recently, she refused to wear anything short, refused to show the scars of surgery on her leg—the one her ex-boyfriend broke when he ran her over with his bike. She’d finally told me the story, after some prodding.

What a bastard.

“Don’t know yet.” What to wear—or even whether to go or not. I place the two mugs of steaming tea on the low table and sink into the chair across from her.

Ev’s eyes pop wide. “You kidding me. It’s in ten days, girl. When are you going to find something?”

“I know.” As if I could forget. My palms start sweating at the mere thought of another social event I’m supposed to attend.

“Hey, we can go shopping together!” She claps her hands together, eyes bright. “I know some cool shops. Time for you to get re-acquainted with your town.”

I pretend to think about it, while I recall my conversation with Jesse, and how he dreaded shopping. I wonder if he’ll pass by again to check if I found his leather band.

Here I am, thinking about Jesse, again, no matter how often I scold myself for it. There’s something about him that’s burrowing under my skin. I miss him. How can I miss someone I’ve only seen a handful of times?

“Have we met before?” He said that, and there’s a nagging familiarity about him, too, though I’m pretty sure I’ve never met him before returning to Madison.

This is crazy. Like something out of Lost. And it’s all in my mind.

“Amber.” Ev is waving her hands up and down, making faces at me. “Houston, come in.”

I shake my head and laugh at her antics. Silly girl. “But you already know what you’re going to buy.”

“I don’t mind tagging along to help you choose yours, girlfriend.” She sighs. “It’s good to have you back, you know.”