Summer Cursed

Stella’s car was in the driveway when I got home. I normally loved her company but the talk with Liam had put me in a funky mood, and I’d hoped to have the evening to myself.

“Hey, Stell,” I called as I got out of my car.

She smiled as she rose from her seat on the porch step. “Hey, Ember.”

“I need a drink. You want anything?” I asked as I went straight to the kitchen.

She shook her head.

I grabbed a stemless wine glass, plopped in two ice cubes, and filled it with vodka. The first sip burned a bit but took the edge off my funk. I gulped down another swig and grabbed the bottle as I walked back into the main room.

“Did you have a bad day?” she asked with a nod to the bottle.

I placed the glass on the dining table, slipped off my shoes, and sat in the chair. “You could say that. I was just with Fraser”

“Oh no. That’s why I came back. I’m sorry I brought him here.”

I lifted my glass in her direction. “It’s all good. Want to hang for a while? Or do you need to run?”

“No, I can stay for a bit.”

I smiled. “Good. Have your parents settled into their new place?”

Stella’s parents had recently moved to the Oregon Summer pack. They had gone there on vacation a few times and loved it so much they bought a house.

“Yes. They love it there. I don’t know why. Whenever I’m there, it’s gloomy and rainy, but they fell in love the first time they went.” She shrugged. “It’s weird with them being across the country.”

“I’m sure it is. You doing okay with it though?”

She gave me a weak smile. “I am for the most part. I have you and Isaac and my job, so it’s enough for now.”

“No luck on the mate search?” I asked.

She’s dreamed of meeting her mate since we were pups. It was all she ever talked about when we were in sixth through ninth grade. Then her hormones kicked in and she started actively looking for him.

“No, but I’m having fun looking,” she said, winking at me.

“Oh? Are you a little slut now, Stella?”

She laughed, and it made my heart swell. “I think I might just be.”

“Welcome to the club. It’s fun, you’re gonna like it here.”

“I do! I do like it.”

I laughed. “How many?”

“Not enough,” she said with a shrug.

Her mood soured a little, and I rose to wrap my arms around her. “Eh, we are still really young. We’ll find our mates soon enough. Have fun for now, don’t worry too much about it.”

“I’ll try.” She kissed my cheek before stepping out of my embrace. “Want to tell me what happened with Liam?”

“Why do you think something happened?” I asked.

“You never drink vodka. And you were pretty upset when you came home.”

“Yeah, he has a way of getting under my skin.”