“He hates me,” I whisper as Callum gets into the front seat.
“Oh, he doesn’t hate you,” Graham says as Callum is getting in, no doubt hearing his brother, though he doesn’t contradict his statement.
I motion to the front seat with my eyes wide at my sister. So, as any normal person would do in this situation, I take out my phone and start texting the person sitting beside me.
Seriously, Bird?
Birdie
They’re just our ride, it’s no big deal.
I’m a grownup. I can handle two plus hours, right? It better just be us sharing a ride and nothing else.
Birdie and Graham are both singing to the music, and Callum and I are unnaturally quiet. My body feels rigid and deep down I wish I could burrow away into some soft blankets where I wasn’t dealing with tension. In fact, add Greer and Lain into those soft blankets and that would be a dream come true.
Speaking of Greer and Lain, did they know about this?
Did you know Callum was coming to Oban?
Greer
What do you mean? We knew he was going away with his brother this weekend.
I groan, and the Alpha in the passenger’s seat gives me a squinted look over his shoulder.
His brother was supposed to be driving me and my sister, but Callum is here too.
Greer
Do you want me to drive out?
How is this man so ready to just drop everything for me? I don’t feel worthy of it. There’s no way I could inconvenience him like that. I’ll just have to grin and bear it. It’s not like I’m un-used to being disliked. Besides Birdie and my mom, I’m not a people pleaser. But there’s something about Callum disliking me that’s upsetting. It must be because it causes a strife between him and the other Alphas, that has to be it.
No. I’ll survive. Birdie promised me they’re just our ride.
Greer
Let us know when you get in.
Lain
Miss you already *image attached*
The photo is of Lain and Fergus smiling at the camera. Well, as much as a dog can smile. I save the photo and realize my sister is looking over my shoulder; I tug my phone to my chest and she acts like she wasn’t snooping.
It’s just a drive, then we won’t see them for two days. What could go wrong?
Birdie is rushing to get ready for breakfast and I sigh as she tosses a shoe in the corner.
“I’ll meet you outside. I need some fresh air,” I tell her and she nods.
Today is the day.
We’ve said our goodbyes to Mom, but something about spreading her ashes makes it feel final. I’m not really sure howto process the emotions of it all. This is what Mom wanted and we’re finally here.
Mom talked about Oban a lot, how she would spend summers here with her grandparents, and I can see the appeal. As I exit the hotel, I’m greeted with a briny breeze that seems to clear my mind a bit, the scent is comforting. With a slight wind chill, I wrap my jacket tighter around myself and lean against the wall.
The water is calm, and there isn’t a ton of commotion happening on the street. It makes it easier to spot the man stepping out of the hotel behind me, cursing under his breath.
