I WAS GROGGY WHEN I WOKE. The sunlight had moved from the floor to the wall, which meant it was late afternoon. Gavin was breathing slowly, his tongue lolling out onto my leg, my shin wet with his spit.
“Gross,” I muttered.
I heard someone chuckle.
I looked over to see Mom sitting in the chair at my desk, her legs folded underneath her.
“This isn’t what it looks like,” I told her.
She shrugged. “Sure. Though you should know that excuse has never worked on me.”
“What’s going on?” I tried to sit up, but Gavin moved in his sleep until he was lying on my knees. My shins were probably crushed, and I’d never walk again.
“I was watching you sleep.”
“Mom,” I groaned. “That’s creepy.”
She smiled. “Is it? I hadn’t noticed. Besides, I’m allowed. I’m your mother.”
I waved my hand at her. “How long have you been sitting there?”
“A few minutes.”
“Oh, that’s not—”
“I lied. An hour.”
“Mom.”
“Consider it penance for leaving.”
I sighed. “That’s… fair. Still creepy.”
“I never claimed not to be.” She nodded toward Gavin. He was twitching in his sleep. “Is he all right?”
I looked back at the ceiling. “I don’t know. It’s gonna be slow going. He’s been a wolf for years. You heard him. It’s easier. I don’t even know how he managed to shift back in the first place back in Caswell.”
“Really,” Mom said dryly. “You have no idea what would have caused him to shift back. No idea at all.”
“I’m going back to sleep,” I announced. I closed my eyes. Then, “You’re still watching me, aren’t you.”
“No, of course not. I’m watching Gavin.”
“Mom!” I turned my head to look at her again. She was laughing quietly into her hand. “You’re not funny.”
“I’m hilarious. I’ve always thought so. Just because you don’t appreciate my sense of humor doesn’t make it untrue. Your hair is long.”
“Didn’t have enough time to get it cut,” I muttered.
“Kelly told me you had a beard. He referred to it as an infestation on your face.”
“I was busy.”
“Too busy to have basic hygiene?”
“Mom.”
She stood from the chair and walked over to the bed. She leaned over me, her hand pressed against my forehead. “Did you find what you were looking for?”