Wild Girl (Slateview High 2)

I’d gotten so comfortable speaking to Josephine that I’d forgotten how dangerous the world she lived in was, and how dangerous her husband was. How dangerous he could be to the three boys I w

as falling in love with if he discovered the truth.

Thankfully, Josephine misinterpreted my sudden silence as general worry for the boys, and not worry that her husband in particular might wreak vengeance on them. She squeezed my knee, taking in a deep breath as she straightened her spine.

“I’ll tell you what. How about you give me a call if you ever need it?” she offered. “You and those boys clearly care about each other, which means you’ll likely be a regular fixture around here.”

My eyes widened a little as her words threw me for another loop. I hadn’t expected such an offer. She smiled and stood, going to a large desk in one corner of the room. She pulled out a small piece of paper and a fountain pen, scrawling across it easily before she handed the paper over to me. It was thick, like cardstock, and her handwriting was in elegant swirls with her name and number printed on it.

I pocketed the paper, trying to get my equilibrium back. I’d bounced back and forth between fear and ease so many times since the Lost Boys and I had arrived here that I was liable to get whiplash.

“Thank you.” My fingers brushed over the edge of the paper I’d just stuck in my pocket. “I—”

“Ah. There you are.”

Nathaniel stood in the doorframe of the library, the boys just behind him. He went to Josephine, moving with the same effortless grace she had, before putting his arm around her to pull her to him. He pressed a soft kiss to her temple.

The gesture was gentle. Loving.

It was so intimate for just a temple kiss that it almost felt inappropriate to watch.

“I was just talking with Cordelia about our boys.” Josephine smiled wryly, wrapping her arms around her husband in return. “And what a nuisance they are sometimes.”

She chuckled, sinking deeper into Nathaniel’s embrace, her body melting against his as if she gained strength from being near him. I understood that feeling all too well.

“Oh? Shocking that my own wife would think I’m a nuisance.” He chuckled warmly, a teasing glint in his eye. Then he gave her another kiss and looked to me. “I’m sorry we didn’t get to meet properly. But maybe next time the boys swing around, they’ll bring you.”

His voice was pleasant, and there was nothing in his tone that suggested anger, but I could hear the echo of power in his voice. I got the distinct impression that it was less of an invitation and more of a statement that it would happen.

Regardless, I gave him a polite smile.

“Of course. It was nice meeting you. And you, Josephine,” I added, looking to her. “Thank you for talking. It… helped.”

“I’m glad. I hope I’ll see you again soon, Cordelia.”

Her smile beamed at me, and no matter how hard I searched, I couldn’t find the lie in it anywhere.

Eleven

The boys couldn’t tell me too many details of what they’d met with Nathaniel for, and as they drove me back home, I found that I didn’t want to tell them every detail of my conversation with Josephine either.

It felt like something that belonged to just the two of us.

They each kissed me goodbye before they drove off to carry out whatever task Nathaniel had given them, and I tried to do what Josephine had said and appreciate what I had rather than worrying about what I might lose.

It made my kiss with each of them hotter and deeper than the usual quick goodbye, and all four of us were breathing hard by the time I reluctantly stepped out of the car.

Hmm. Maybe there’s something to this idea.

Privately resolving to kiss them like that every damn chance I got, I watched as Bish backed out of the drive and they pulled away.

I spent the evening doing homework, and after they returned from their job, I happily spent the night in the Lost Boys arms. Mom was gone again, so I didn’t even feel guilty about having them stay over.

Appreciate what you have, Cora.

It was the last thought I had before I drifted into an exhausted, sated sleep.

For the next several days, over the weekend and even as I headed to school on Monday, I carried Josephine’s number around with me.