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Bailey says, “So, Riley didn’t stay? Not even after all that, huh?” She’s asking me, but her eyes are bouncing between Jason and Lincoln.
“Nope,” I reply. “Just ripped apart the guy, then looked at me for five seconds and left.” I pour a second shot of rum and down it.
***
The room goes quiet, and energy zings around me in a way that makes me feel like they’re all communicating without words.
“Saddle up, we’re headin’ out,” Jason tells me, coming back in from outside.
I get to my feet after setting my glass on the table and look at the girls. “You guys wanna hang out with me on my bus?”
“Sure,” Bailey chirps happily.
“She’s not sleeping in her van after all this, Jase. She can stay with me,” Cicely offers.
“She’s goin’ to Tyson’s old cabin,” Lincoln pipes up from behind Jason.
I shake my head. “I’d rather stay where I am in the parking lot. Until he’s ready to talk.”
“Riley’s meeting you there. You two are bein’ locked in for a week,” Jason advises.
“What?” I whisper.
“We took a vote,” Lincoln explains. “Can’t resolve your issues if you’re not in the same space. You’re gonna spend a week there and see what conclusion he comes to.”
I blink rapidly as I process this. A week alone in a cabin with Riley?
My heart sinks. Because a week with Riley that isn’t what he wants hurts. It’s happening because his pack voted for it to be so.
“Um…” is all I manage to verbalize.
“Right,” Jason claps, “C’mon, Erica. Bay…can you talk to Ivy? Help her organize provisions for a week for them and have it dropped off to Ty? He’ll deliver it all in the morning.”
“Why don’t the men ever organize food provisions?” Cicely mumbles as Bailey happily chirps, “Absolutely.”
“We could,” Lincoln offers, “but the result’d be beef jerky, Fritos, and beer for a week.”
“True,” Bailey says with a giggle.
Cicely rolls her eyes.
Bailey then jumps up and hands me the tote bags. “Take these bags of snacks. There’s chips, crackers, chocolate, a cheese ball, some nuts.” She passes Jason the tote bags when I don’t take them.
“But…” I try.
“No, Erica,” Lincoln denies. “Riley needs this. I don’t know that it’ll be easy, but it’ll be progress. You said you’re here to sort shit with him, right?”
“I’d rather he come to talk to me of his own free will. How are you getting him there with me? Isn’t he going to be… uh… hostile or-”
A new voice enters the space by saying my name.
I turn to see the man I instantly know is Greyson Blackwood. My cousin. We haven’t met yet.
“It’s been a couple days and that hasn’t happened, he’s gotten worse. So this is what needs to happen. It’s been decided. He’s on board. Albeit reluctantly.”
I hold out my hand. “Greyson. I’m so glad to meet you.”
He stares at my hand a second and I drop it, crestfallen, thinking he’s another wolf shifter who’s afraid of physical contact with me. But he surprises me by instead pulling me into a hug.
“Me, too. We’ll catch up another time though, yeah? Let’s get you there and get this show on the road.”
I almost burst into tears at the affection he’s just given me. I put my arms around his middle and sink into his strong warmth. After a minute of silence, I look at his face. He’s very handsome. And I know those kind, silver eyes. My sisters Jessie and Vivi have those same eyes. So does Danica in color, though hers are more almond-shaped. Mine aren’t far off either, though mine are flecked with a lighter brown. Some of his facial features are reminiscent of my father, actually. And now I’m feeling emotional; I’m barely holding onto the tears.
“You look a little like my dad,” I manage.
“Where is he? Will I get to meet him?” he asks, eyes soft.
I shake my head. “He died when I was twelve.”
He squeezes my shoulders. “Sorry to hear that. Hey… this? It’s gonna work out however it’s supposed to. Can’t say it won’t get ugly first, but Riley Savage is a good man. The best. You both need this.”
I force myself to swallow and then nod. Greyson leads me outside, Bailey and Cicely following.
“Good luck,” Cicely says, then holds out the bottle of booze. “You might need this.”
Greyson takes it for me.
“Your brother seems pretty awesome,” I whisper to Bailey.
He lets out a low laugh in response and messes up his sister’s hair. She looks at him with affection.
She squeezes my hand. “He is very awesome. Now, go. He’ll get you there. Go get your man. Maybe the sooner you get yours, I’ll get mine.” She looks at Jason wistfully.
He sees and hears this and doesn’t react. In fact, he seems oblivious.
And then her eyes search mine. “Do you know what’s gonna happen with the rest of the council members? I mean… who they’ll mate with and when?”
