Page 38 of Last Boy

“Oh, you do want me to,” he says confidently, irking me deep in my soul. “You don’t have to lie, babe.”

My gaze sweeps over him unwillingly. The Wolves sweatpants instantly make an ache form deep inside of me as flashes of his face between my legs assault my brain. For days, I’ve refused to think about what happened between us.

Never mind the fact that I lost my virginity the day my brother died. What is wrong with me? That should have been the last thing on my mind that night. I’m truly pathetic.

My phone rings on the bed beside me, and I look at it, knowing it’s the cremation company.

“Well, what are you doing? Give me a minute, would you?” I shoot him a glare and shoo him into the hallway.

Once he leaves my room, I slide my thumb across the screen and answer.

“Hello?”

“Hi, Ms. Wilson?” a kind female voice says.

“This is she.”

“Hi there. It’s Martha. I was just calling to say that we have your brother here. He’s ready to be picked up.” She pauses. “And from what I’ve read from my coworker’s notes, you’re going to pay a little today, and then we’ve set you up on a payment plan for…one hundred ten dollars a month. Does that sound correct?”

“Yes,” I say, feeling my cheeks heat. Even through the phone, I’m embarrassed about how broke I am. “I have two hundred thirty to put toward it. I’m sorry. I, uh, I’m in college. And I just don’t have a lot of money saved—” I stutter over my words.

Jake tried to give me some of the money he’d saved from working, but I didn’t want to take it. He’ll need it to pay for his utilities and groceries now that he’s on his own.

“Oh, no. Please do not apologize, darling,” she assures me. “Really, it’s no problem at all. Do you plan to pick him up today?”

“Um, yes. I don’t have a car, but I’m sure I can find a way,” I say, tapping my foot as I try to think of how the hell I’m going to get him. I know Ryann will let me use her car. I hate to ask her, but I don’t have another option in this case. “I’ll be over shortly.”

“Thank you. See you soon.”

“Bye,” I mutter, ending the call.

Walker wastes no time walking back into the room. “Get dressed, Poppyseed.” He waves toward my flannel pajama bottoms. “Unless you’re going to wear those out.”

“Where are we going?” I place my hand on my hip.

“To get your brother,” he says matter-of-factly. “I’ll be out in the truck.”

“Walker…you don’t need to—”

Taking a few steps toward me, he places his hands on my forearms. “I’m not offering. I’m telling.” His eyes sweep over my face, stopping on my lips for a moment, making every cell in my body buzz. Finally, he steps back, removing his hands from my arms. “Come out when you’re ready.”

And then he leaves, and my heart flutters the slightest bit.

Little by little, he’s working his way back into my soul.

And that scares the hell out of me.

The lady behind the counter sets the urn before me. “I’m going to go grab a box you can set it in. Be right back.”

The urn I chose is the cheapest one they had, but it’s sleek and black, and I think Van would have liked it—I hope so anyway.

Walker stands beside me, his hand moving to my lower back. “You all right?”

I don’t say anything, but nod my head once. His hand stays on my back, slowly moving back and forth to remind me he’s here.

The lady returns, picks up the urn, and puts it inside a box. “You’re all set.”

I look at her, confused. “Um, I still need to pay. At least the first payment anyway.”

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