Page 20 of Solitude

“I heard it was a bag of oranges!”

“It’s probably both. She’s terrifying.” Beck gives a full body shiver, and I grin. “I haven’t come home because summers are still busy with training, and…I don’t know. I guess it’s partially because I love the peace I have being away from this place now.”

His words soothe a part of me that felt in limbo for allthis time, but it knots up another part that wishes he’d come back more often.

I push off the fence and rub my hands over my arms. “Why are you back in town now then?”

“I miss this place,” Beck says with a smile and a shrug like it’s that simple. “Magnolia Hollow is home. The people here might irritate and annoy me, but I feel content here.”

I think about the way Cole could’ve left, but he decided to stay despite everyone knowing all of the intimate details of his life. Magnolia Hollow has this magical feeling to it.

You can feel suffocated.

You can feel like nothing is private.

You can feel lonely.

But at the end of the day, you still somehow feel safe and sound wrapped up in the sea breeze and people with good intentions.

A light illuminates the Hale’s front porch, and our eyes cut that way as Gus and Ben come out on the porch, shirtless and sporting wild hair in their matching grey sweatpants. Gus strolls our way, but Ben ducks inside to put some sandals on his feet before jogging to catch up with his friend.

“Neighbor girl,” Gus says, recognition sparking in his face as he smiles. He turns slightly and smacks the back of his hand against Ben’s chest. “I told you it was her.”

“You literally didn’t say anything.”

“Well, I meant to say it.”

Ben rolls his eyes. “What’s her name then?”

“Irrelevant,” Gus replies easily. He winks at me. “No offence.”

Blinking, I glance at Beck then back at Gus. “None taken?”

Beck sighs, stuffing his hands in his pockets, and my eyes catch on the way the breeze ruffles the sleeve of his shirt. That small tattoo that’s teasing me as it peaks out of his shirt and wraps around his ribs. It looks like curly writing or a small design, but I still can’t tell.

“Ignore him,” Beck says, forcing me to meet his eyes so I’m not caught staring. Though if Gus’ smirk is anything to go by, I’m well past being caught. “I don’t know how he got out of the house. We try to keep him locked up tight.”

Gus looks around like he’s looking for a camera. “What am I? Your secret little werewolf pet?”

Ben pats his head. “Calm down. You know how you get when you get too worked up.”

“Oh, fuck you guys.”

“Why’d you guys even come out here?”

Ben shrugs, scratching his chest as he glances at Gus. “You were gone for a while, and you weren’t answering your phone.”

“Mom was worried,” Gus adds, jabbing his thumb over his shoulder in Ben’s direction, and Ben shoves his shoulder. “Ow, fuck.”

“Gus was droning on and on about you losing the bet already.”

I cross my arms over my chest, a frown on my face, as I look between the three of them. “Bet? What bet?”

“It’s embarrassing…”

Gus chuckles and slaps at Beck’s private parts. “Little Beck isn’t allowed any action until after the season is over. There’s five hundred dollars on the line.”

Beck sidesteps him and snaps. “Stop nicknaming my dick.”

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