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“Did Marley Cage just drop an F-bomb?”
“You’re damn right I did!” I exclaimed. “Lana, that’s a huge deal! I didn’t even know we were having an election so soon.”
“Well, that’s not exactly set in stone yet,” she admitted. “I’m going to petition for a recall vote. But I’m fired up after you were let go and watching this wedge get driven into our school despite all my best efforts to teach these kids to be kind to each other.”
“I think you’d do an incredible job as superintendent,” I gushed. “I’m so excited for you. When you have that petition ready, let me know ’cause I’ll sign it. I’m sure Cole will as well.”
“Absolutely. You’ll be the first person I’ll bring it to,” Lana said with a wink.
After finishing our mall trip, we decided it was a good time to head back to New Middle Bluff and get some lunch. We wound up getting some amazing sushi from a place that had opened downtown, but the meal was a bit soured by the presence of the protesters. There were even more than when we got back from Georgia.
“I kind of wish we’d gotten our food to go,” I told Lana. “Seeing these protesters really makes me feel stressed about what things are coming to.”
“I wouldn’t worry about it too much,” Lana said as she popped a tuna roll into her mouth. “I’ve been doing more research into Lanyon Clover. You know why we only just found out about them?”
“No, why?”
“Because they’re mostly coming from some backwater town in rural Florida. They look through all the shifter-related news online, pick a place to set their sacred mission in, and cause problems until they either get run out of town or succeed in whatever bullshit they’re attempting.”
“How often do they succeed?”
“Not often enough for us to be worried about it,” Lana said. “These people are basically protesting tourists. People with way too much fucking time on their hands.”
“Gross,” I said. “I hope you’re right about them.”
Lana sipped her drink, her eyes fixed on the protestors outside. “The world can change quickly, and we’ve witnessed that firsthand recently.”
“True,” I agreed. “But sometimes it feels like there’s no escape from all the stress and uncertainty.”
Lana placed her hand on mine in reassurance. “Just try to take it one day at a time, Marley. You may not be able to control everything happening around you, but you sure as hell can control how you react to it.”
Her words brought a faint smile to my lips. “Thanks, Lana. Honestly, hanging out with you always makes me feel better about whatever’s stressing me out.”
She returned the smile and squeezed my hand. “Anytime. And trust me, this isn’t just about this situation. Whenever you need support, I’m there. Always. You know that, don’t you?”
“I certainly do,” I said, returning her reassuring gaze. “Which is why I value our friendship so much.”
“Flattery will get you everywhere, girl,” she teased.
When we left, we avoided the protesters as much as we could and hopped back into the car to head to the grocery store. I was grateful we weren’t hungry, because even with our sated appetites, Lana and I went a little overboard getting snacks. We gave ourselves the excuse of needing comfort food for the next day, but I found myself a little nervous about how much we’d bought after I dropped Lana off at home.
My nerves got worse as I drove to the beach house. It would be the first time I’d be home to see Cole with enough time before bed to have a real conversation with him. And I would be starting that interaction by bringing home a car full of stuff I spent a bunch of his money on.
My heart was thundering as I pulled in under the new carport and got out of the car, popping the trunk to unload everything.
Cole appeared in the doorway, concern marring his handsome face. “Baby, you doing all right?” he asked.
“Wh-what? Yeah! Why?” I cringed at how jumpy I sounded.
Cole walked over to me and looked into the trunk, letting out a low whistle. “You brought the whole store home with you,” he teased.
Heat crept into my face. I’d overdone it. I should have stopped or slowed things down. I should have—
I felt Cole’s hand on my arm and looked up at him. His brows were furrowed, his eyes gently concerned. “Marley, sweetheart, I can hear your heart jackhammering away. I can feel that you’re upset, so what’s that all about? Did something happen with Lana?”
“No,” I said. “Did I buy too much? I was worried you were going to be angry.”
“I mean, you bought a lot, but it mostly looks like food. We have two shifters in the house and a guest coming over, so it’s not like it’s going to go to waste. As for the other stuff…unless you brought home some fancy-schmancy vase, I’m sure it’s fine.”
