Page 141 of Haze

I lose it. Slumping down in my chair, I toss the card aside. I rest my head in my hands. Suppressing silent sobs, I let the breakdown happen.

“Knock knock.” Nikki’s voice and her fingernails clicking on the laminate wood door interrupt my moment.

I pull it together. “Hey, Nikki, what’s up?”

“Oh no. Lena. What’s wrong?” Nikki walks into my office and moves the door to mostly closed but doesn’t let it latch.

Shaking my head, I wipe a tear and grab a tissue for my nose. “Rough day. It’ll be fine.”

When I look at her, I realize there’s one thing, one someone, I didn’t put back together. Shit.

The expression on Nikki’s face says it all.

Nikki caught a glimpse of the submissive wolf locked inside me.

Somehow she comes up with words anyway. She whispers quickly, “Okay, before you freak out. You’re my friend. I don’t care if you’re an Alpha or a submissive. It’s like I’m pack, and I’m pretty sure it doesn’t bother you that my bloodline is severely underwhelming. Does it? Second, it’s no one’s fucking business, and I won’t say a word. You’re safe. Third, I kinda already knew from your lab work.”

I’m still reeling, but I nod my head because I should do something, probably.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Nikki sits in the other chair in my office.

I’ve considered putting her name on it because of how many hours she’s spent sitting in it.

Drawing a breath, I blow a raspberry. What’s happened is real regardless if I say it out loud or not. Brayden will tell the entire lab by noon. Rolling my head to look at her, I try to force my wolf under. She slinks back.

“I’ve been dropped from my programs for missing too many classes.”

The words aren’t any more real this time when I say them. This can’t be happening.

Nikki doesn’t say anything. She waits for me to keep speaking.

“Brayden knows about me not being enrolled. He found me in the parking lot on my way back here from campus.” I pull my hair out of its ponytail and let it down to breathe for a little bit. Drawing a deep breath, I continue. “I’m sorry. You’ve done so much for me already, and now I’m dumping this on you.”

“You needed to get it all out and vent. You would... maybe... do the same for me.” Nikki shrugs with a smile.

“Yeah. I’m a shit friend. I’m sorry. You’re a lot better at this than I am.” I shake my head and sigh. “In my defense, it’s not like I’ve had a lot of practice.”

Nikki laughs. “Well, I was coming to see if you wanted to do something friend related, but I don’t know if this is the right time to ask.”

My door slowly swings open, revealing Finn, who leans against the doorframe. His arms are crossed in front of his chest. He can’t figure out what’s happening between us, as made evident by the way he’s furrowed his brows and pressed his lips into a firm, thin line.

Turning to Nikki, I give her a soft smile, and she understands. Dismissing herself, she stands, and Finn steps aside to let her out of my small office. She walks past Finn with a friendly pat on his shoulder.

Finn remains on high alert, observing me. I’ve gotten myself calm and have everything under control with Nikki.

But it doesn’t stop him from asking, “What’s wrong?”

“I don’t want to talk about it here.” I shake my head at him.

Even thinking about saying the words out loud again brings me back on the verge of tears. How did it get to be this fucked up?

“Okay, let’s go.” Finn shuffles, pushing the door open.

“Go where?” I question. I defend my need to be here. “I just got in. I need to start looking at lab results.”

“I saw you with Brayden. Now you’ve been in here with Nikki. I know something’s wrong, Lena. We’re on our way to lunch. Let’s go early, talk about it. You can come back without another break in your work,” Finn offers with impeccable logic that I can’t argue with.

With a sigh, I pick up my purse and follow him out of my office.

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