Page 100 of A Wolf's Wound
“What?”he asks, not taking his eyes off Hannah’s face.
“Maybe your plan,” I begin, not sure what I’m going to say.“Um, maybe your plan—maybe we should talk about it a little more.”
“What?”Brian stares at me.I see Hannah exhale in relief.
“Just, you know, talk it through,” I say.“Make sure it’s exactly what you want to do.”
“Are you doubting me?”he asks and I quickly shake my head.
“No, man.You’re my friend.Right?”I say in the most reassuring manner I can muster.
“I don’t know,” Brian scowls.“You haven’t always treated me like that.”
“I know, and I’m sorry.I can be an ass sometimes.”
“It’s true, he can be,” Hannah chimes in and I almost smile.
“How long have you known Ryder?”Brian asks her.
“Not as long as you,” she tells him.“You know him much better than I do.Any tips on how to deal with him?”
I stare at Hannah in open admiration.I know she’s terrified, yet she seems to know just the right words to say.
And sure enough, the flattery works.Brian’s whole face relaxes as he considers her question.“Be careful when he gets drunk,” he finally tells her and she smiles.
“Thanks for the tip,” Hannah tells him.
“I’ve learned my lesson,” I add.“I don’t do any of that anymore, Brian.”
“And he can be arrogant,” Brian says, as if he hasn’t heard me.“His ego is kind of insane.”
“Yeah, I’ve noticed,” Hannah tells him and rolls her eyes.He smiles a little.
Is it wrong that right now, I’m glad that Hannah’s here?Of course I feel guilty that she’s caught up in this.And I know it would be easier to take out Brian if I didn’t have to worry about Hannah getting caught in the crossfire.
But she’s having such a calming effect on Brian.Her presence is giving me the chance to collect my thoughts and try to figure out what Brian has planned.Because he has something bigger in mind for humans and shifters.
I run over our conversation and try to find the clues.Nothing pops out, though.I shake my head in frustration and then realize that both Hannah and Brian are looking at me.
“You okay there, buddy?”Brian asks.
“Yeah, sorry,” I say.
“Because if our conversation is boring you, we don’t have to keep talking,” he continues.
“I’m enjoying this,” I tell him.“I’ve missed talking with you.”
“Really?”
“Really,” I say as sincerely as possible.“Brian, I know I wasn’t a very good friend to you.I took you for granted, and I’m sorry.”
“You’re not just apologizing because I’m freaking you out?”Brian grins.
I force a smile.“No, man, I’m not.I mean it.You’re a good man, a good friend.I should have told you that a long time ago.”
“Yes, you should have.”He nods.
“But at least he’s saying it now,” Hannah says.
