Page 24 of Wolf

With a shiver, I head back to my room and collapse to my bed. Snuggling under the covers, I close my eyes and smile as I imagine Wolf before sleep claims me.

Chapter 7

Lilli

By Tuesday, I’m feeling better but a little restless. I finished all the homework doled out before the break in addition to Mama’s chores.

With a sigh, I glance at Miriam’s bed. It’s not the same without her here as though pieces of the heart that beat within us are gone.

Not only that but being here alone creates all kinds of ideas that I should be pushing away. With my parents gone, all I can think about is doing something foolish…like going out.

I rationalize that this is a good chance to see Miriam, but I know, deep down, that I’m hoping to see Wolf too. The problemis, I don’t have a car, and the money Mama left me was for groceries, which she will no doubt inventory when she returns.

So, how do I get myself to the track without a ride?

Despite partying with Darcy before, I haven’t spoken to her since she left me the note from Miriam. However, if she was the messenger, this must mean that she knows how to find my sister.

Everyone knows that Darcy works at the diner in town. It’s whispered through the halls along with her mama’s indiscretions as though Darcy’s mainstream job is just a cover for other misdeeds. I know my daddy’s involvement didn’t help with her reputation, but it burns to know that these fools spend so much time spreading horrible rumors.

Even though my parents are gone, I still feel a thrill of fear as I walk down the street toward another slice of freedom. My neighbors don’t know that I’m heading for the diner, but I still glance around as though, at any moment, someone is going to expose me.

Luckily, the diner is only a mile away and as each minute passes, my shoulders slowly loosen until I feel less like I’m walking into my doom, that is until I spy Darcy with her head buried in her phone, outside the front door.

She glances up from her phone and back down before her head shoots up again and she smirks. “Lilli Anne.”

Now that I’m here, I don’t know what to say and fumble over my words before mumbling, “Darcy, I need your help.”

“Oookay, and why should I help you?” She raises a brow, and I pause because I really didn’t expect that answer. Huh.

Licking my lips, I mutter, “Please.”

“I already helped you once and look where that got me,” she says sourly.

“What?”

She shakes her head and looks away, but I see the tic in her jaw when she says, “Wolf won’t even talk to me.”

“Wolf…” Just his name creates a weird tingle in my belly and momentarily derailed, I ask before I can stop myself, “Are you with him?”

She pins her narrow-eyed gaze on me and snorts. “Wolf isn’twithanyone, but he messes around.”

“Oh.”

My chest burns at the thought, but I push it away, too late apparently because Darcy tips her head back and laughs. “Please. You’re not his type.”

“Really?” I slam my hand on my hip and bob my head.

What am I doing?

“Yes, really. I’m pretty sure he doesn’t want to have to dig just to find out if you have tits.”

Glancing at my button-down shirt, I frown. Okay, so I’m not an exhibitionist. So?

Besides, technically he’s already seen my…

Shaking my head, I suck in a breath because this is not why I’m here, even if I’m dying to know just what “messing around” means. Instead, I say, “Look, I don’t have anyone else to ask.”

She cocks her head, eyeing me before finally she says with a grimace, “I know I’m going to regret this, but what?”

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