"Did I what?"
"Invite other girls?"
"No."
"Okay… Thanks."
"See you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow." I hang up quickly and shove my phone into my pocket because I was so tempted to call back and tell him I changed my mind. Instant regret was happening. I just agreed to go to a secluded cabin with three men I didn't know anymore, after sorta kissing two of them.
I know I'm using the thing with my parents as an excuse to make me feel better about going. I also know going away with three strangers was weird. But I wanted to go. So I'm going.
It sounded so much cooler when I said it like that. I wanted it, so I did it. Yeah! That sounded way better than saying: I wanted it, denied I wanted it, used my parents as an excuse to get away.
I huff in frustration as I reach the pretzel stand and order two with a side order of deep-fried Oreos.
Time to eat my feelings.
I have no idea how long I would have to wait until it was safe to go home, so I find a bench on the outskirts of the booths. I can also see the second floor of our home from here, so I snuggle into my winter jacket and listen to the live band while enjoying my food.
I was both hoping and fearing my mom would call and let me know when it was safe to come home, but the call never came through. And since no smoke signals came from the chimney and there was no white flag waving from their bedroom window to let me know they were done, I waited until the band finished their last song and started packing up for the night before heading home.
When I got inside, the place was quiet, and when I passed their bedroom, I could hear multiple people snoring.
I'm exhausted and freezing from being outside in the cold for most of the evening, so I crawl straight into bed and pray I won't have the same dream I always seem to have.
The one where my three boys picked me six years ago and didn't break my heart.
Chapter Four
Vanessa
"Vanessa Reed! Zayne Frost is sitting in our driveway, waiting for you! Why is Zayne Frost sitting in our driveway waiting for you, Nessie? Are you going somewhere with Zayne Frost? Why didn't you tell me you were going somewhere with Zayne Frost?"
I sit up in bed, a layer of sweat coating my forehead fromthatstupid dream. My skin feels warm, and I'm out of breath, but seeing Mom in my room, pouting at me, shocks me into awareness. It was light outside, and Mom was yelling at me about Zayne. "What?"
"Zayne Frost is in the driveway waiting for you."
I gasp and jump out of bed. Yanking my curtains apart, I look out the window and spot Zayne leaning against his truck, his sunglasses hiding his gaze, but his head is tilted up, like he's staring right at me. I open up the window and lean out. "I'm so sorry! I'm running late!"
I swear I can see his bottom lip twitch, but he just shrugs and says, "Okay."
"Sorry! I'll be right down. Give me fifteen minutes." I slam the window shut and hurry around my room, throwing things into my suitcase. My mom stands in the middle of my room, still pouting, lecturing me about making plans without telling her.
"When was I supposed to tell you, Mom? During your sexy time last night? That was the only time I saw you since I ran into Zayne."
"Nessie, you just got here." She grabs me by the wrist and pulls me to stand in front of her. "Where are you running off to this time?"
I give her a reassuring smile and hug her tight, thankful that she smells like her familiar lavender self with hints of lemon from the soap she uses and not like the aftermath of whatever they got up to last night.
I shudder just thinking about it.
"I'll only be gone for the weekend, Mom. The guys asked me to go up to the cabin with them, and I really need to focus on writing for a bit. I thought it would be the perfect place to do it."
I let go of her, and she grunts. "You're going with all three of them? A pack of alphas?"
"Yep." I walk into the bathroom and turn on the shower. "I need to get ready, or Zayne will leave without me."
