She shook her head at me. “You need friends your own age.”
“You’ve been telling me that for a long time.” I made my way to the cabinet and grabbed the peanut butter. “I figured you’d give up by now.”
“No.” She chewed for a moment and swallowed. “It’s just I’m hoping you give it a shot. The worst thing that happens is we pick up and move somewhere else.”
That was what we did the first couple of years after the wreck. We constantly moved to ensure that no one figured out I was alive. Finally, we settled down here, and I homeschooled through twelfth grade. I had hoped to do online college classes, but Kassie and Mona refused. They said if they were paying for my education, then college was a must.
I grabbed a banana and peeled it. “Look, I’m going to college onsite. I’m holding up my end of the bargain. You should’ve made friends a requirement too.”
“Maybe we’ll consider that for next year.” Mona winked at me.
“Hussy.” I stuck my tongue out at her as I spooned peanut butter all over my banana.
“I’ve been called worse.” She chuckled as she took another large bite of her breakfast.
“All right, I’m out.” I grabbed my bag and purse from the coat hanger by the door. “I’ll be home later.”
“Have a good day.” She hollered before the door shut behind me.
As I made my way to the car, I scarfed my breakfast down. I had spent too much time considering whether to show up today or not, so I was running on the minute, which I hated.
My hands were sweaty, which was completely ridiculous. I mean it wasn’t like Ella and I were dating or something. When I reached the doorway of the classroom, I took a deep breath and stepped in.
Of course, she was already there, sitting in her normal seat. When she saw me, she waved. “Hey, girl.”
At least she was acting normal. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect after how Mason blew up. The thought that he might forbid her from being my friend had hurt me worse than I cared to admit.
“I had so much fun the other night.” Ella turned her body toward me. “Thank you again for protecting me.”
“It was nothing.” Even though she and her brother didn’t look anything alike, my mind couldn’t help but think of him. “He was an ass.”
“Oh, yeah. Mason told me that he mopped the floor with him a little more after you left.” She snorted. “He came home upset because you did most of the ass-kicking.”
“He did plenty of it in the…” Oh crap, I probably shouldn’t be saying that here. “Gym.”
“You’re so cute.” She shook her head and pulled out her phone. “So, there is another one Saturday night…”
“No.” I had to cut her off. “That was a one-time thing.”
“Look, my brother was being an ass. I know.” She rolled her eyes and sighed. “For some reason, most girls like that. But you’re different. There aren’t any ulterior motives.”
Dammit. I felt bad now. “Look, I’m not trying to be a jerk, but my life is complicated.” That was one way of putting it.
“Girl, mine too.” She reached over and touched my arm. “Look, let’s just hang out and have fun. We can make a pact not to disclose our secrets.”
The problem was I already knew hers. She was a wolf, and they normally stayed within their pack and social circle. She was taking a leap of faith in trying to hang out with me. Most wouldn’t like it… like her brother.
“What would Mason say?” He made it clear how he felt about me, and I didn’t want to cause issues with her family or inadvertently think of him.
“I don’t give a flying fuck what he would say.” She held up her phone, which showed a text.
Don’t do anything stupid, but make sure she’s okay. Let me know.
“Is that from him?” He’d been all grouchy toward me that night. This was a strange twist. Maybe he was messing with me and Ella.
“Uh, yeah.” She tapped her finger on her desk. “It’s kind of strange. He’s actually asking about you.”
He had to have some ulterior motive.
“Are you going to tell him?” The less she mentioned me, the better.
“Hell, no. He was an ass to you the other night.” She pulled her phone back and put it in her bag. “I just got it out to turn the damn thing on vibrate.”
At least she wasn’t going to respond. That had to mean something.
“All right.” The teacher walked in at the same time as Connor. “Let’s get this going.”
I was just relieved that I didn’t have to deal with Connor this morning, too.
Ella learned how I operated because as soon as I began packing up, so did she. Right at the cut-off time, I stood and headed straight for the door.
By now, the professor no longer bothered trying to stop me.
“Hey, let’s get our caffeine fix on.” She caught up to me in the hall. “My treat. I should compensate you for dealing with my weird-ass family.”
“Are we going to the usual place?” I had a feeling she was going to rope me in for the student center.
“I’m missing the blonde roast.” She gave a small pout before a smile spread across her face. “Can we go back to the student center?”
“Fine.” She’d better appreciate how much I love her. “But know this is yet another sacrifice I’ve made for you.”
“I’m totally worth it.” She bumped her shoulder into mine. “And you’ll survive. You’re a big girl now.”
We strolled to the student center in silence and went straight to the coffee.
Within minutes, we were both
