Page 53 of Scarred Savages
His lips quirk in a half-smile. “We’re happy you’re here, Luna.”
He reaches over, his hand finding mine. We stay connected for the remainder of the drive.
Best day ever.
15
Luna
Notebook: Happiness feels weird. But I think I’m starting to like it.
It’s been three days since the Damien incident.
Three days of him avoiding me completely. Three days of Hudson watching me like I might bolt, of Axel’s stare making meforget how to walk correctly, breathe normally, or form coherent sentences.
I spent three days finding perfect gifts outside my door: a book about wolf mythology with highlighted passages, homemade blueberry muffins still warm, that come with cute little notes, like, “Just thinking of you. -E.”
And three days of Oli being… Oli.
Which is why I’m hiding in the game room with him, pretending everything’s normal.
I grip the controller tightly, my hand cramping as I mash the buttons. “Take that, carrot-boy!” I yell, landing a devastating combo on Oli’s fighter.
“Hey now, Luna, no need to get personal!” He leans in, his shoulder brushing mine as he attempts to counter my attack. “Just because my hair is auburn doesn’t mean—”
“It’s not just the hair.” I grin wickedly. “You literally ate twelve baby carrots during the last round. Twelve!”
“They’re healthy!” His ears turn red, matching his hair. “And crunchy. And… shut up!”
“You’re double carrot-boy now,” I tease.
“That’s not how nicknames work!”
“You have a stash in your hoodie pocket right now.”
“I do not… okay, maybe I do.”
“Carrot. Boy.”
“I mean, lots of people like carrots!”
His nose twitches frantically, and I narrow my eyes.
“You’re getting weirdly defensive about this.”
“No, I’m not!” His nose twitches. “I just think vegetable-shaming is excessive!”
“Is that a thing?”
“It is now! And just for that—” His character executes a perfect finishing move. “KO! That’s what you get for the double insult!”
“Did you just win while eating another carrot?”
“…Maybe.”
Oli’s infectious laughter fills the room. Those adorable dimples appear as he grins at me, his feet thumping excitedly like he’s doing a sitting rendition of Flashdance.
I toss the controller aside, crossing my arms with a huff. “I demand a rematch.”
