Page 91 of Tracking Wolfe

“I’d try my best.” I lifted him over a small stream cutting across the trail, then set him back down carefully on the other side.

He sniffed and looked away, into the dark shadows of the surrounding forest. “I was an idiot.”

“Stop.” I turned to face him, yanking my headlamp up again so as not to blind him. “Having someone abuse your trust makes them an asshole. Doesn’t say anything about you.”

Wolfe nodded, unconvinced.

I used my thumb to wipe the rain off his cheeks. “You’re worrying me, baby,” I said softly. “What happened?”

He leaned forward and wrapped both arms around my neck again, clearly wanting a hug despite the sodden mess of muddy rain jackets and his daypack between us. I moved my hands from where they’d been steadying him by his hips until they banded around his back and squeezed tight.

“You’re okay,” I murmured again.

“He knows I’m Wolfe Marian, Jude’s son.”

I froze. From what Shay had said, I wondered if that wasn’t all Jake knew. But I had to remind myself not to push.

Not now, when Wolfe was already upset.

Not when I was still hoping Wolfe would tell me the truth about Fletcher Coe in his own time.

“You don’t seem surprised,” Wolfe mumbled.

“I’m not. Jake referred to you as Wolfe at the campfire the other night. I figured maybe you’d told him.”

He let out a shaky breath. “Not on purpose. He saw it on my credit card. I thought he was chill about it, you know? Like he might not ask for favors.” Wolfe glanced away again. “He wants me to help his sister get a music career.”

“Is that why you argued?”

He shrugged. “Partly. I told him I couldn’t, wouldn’t, do that. But I… I felt bad for him and Shay. They got a shitty deal with their parents and everything. It’s not fair that I grew up with everything while they grew up with nothing. Then Jake got angry, and he… Well. It got worse from there.”

He was babbling like he was still nervous, which made sense. He was probably going into shock. I needed to get him off this trail and into a warm shower.

Listening to this sweetheart rant in defense of the man who’d just left him cold and injured on the muddy ground was one of the reasons I couldn’t help but love him.

Wolfe Marian had a huge heart. Just like his fathers. Just like the man I’d met all those years ago in the bar who’d worried more for the broke-ass barback than the fact that he’d almost had his throat cut. Just like that man’s husband, who would give anyone the shirt off his back if it would keep them warm.

But knowing how Jake had tried to use Wolfe’s kindness against him was infuriating. Resentment slithered over me with every raindrop that snuck under my jacket, cold and slimy on already chilled skin.

“How much money did the Bluebell Foundation give away last year to help people in need?” I gritted out as I turned us back onto the trail and prayed for patience. By my estimation, we had two miles left to go. At this rate, we’d be on the trail for another couple of hours.

“That’s not the same as being born with privilege, and you know it.”

“Maybe not. But I’m not exactly in the mood to feel sorry for Jake fucking Mason.”

“Neither am I.” Wolfe let out a sound that I mistook for a sob.

“I’m sorry, baby—” I began before realizing it had been a snort. A snort of laughter. “Wolfe, what the fuck?”

He laughed until we had to stop so he could double over. “Oh my god, I can’t believe that actually happened. He left me up there on the fucking mountain. And all I could think was that I was like the damsel in distress in a cheesy thriller movie, waiting for a rescue⁠—”

“Except that you saved yourself,” I pointed out.

Wolfe stopped and looked at me for a long moment. Then his whole face softened. “You always fucking know what to say, Trace Bishop.”

I stared at him. I didn’t think that was true, but I was glad he did.

“I was thinking about you,” he added conversationally as we moved down the trail again, picking up a little speed. “The whole time Jake was ranting. When I was terrified coming down the mountain. I pictured your face. Heard your voice in my head, reminding me of all the survival stuff you’ve taught me over the years and telling me to keep going.”