But just as I turned to shut the back door, I heard someone walk into the dog area. I turned back and froze as I took in Kaleb. He had his hands shoved into his pockets, looking confused as he stood in the doorway.
“Why does Ryan look like he’s going to piss himself?”
I hated how good Kaleb looked. He looked like nothing had happened last night, and we were still the same. It stirred up all the emotions I spent all afternoon shoving down.
I swallowed. “Don’t know. He’s not a fan of dogs.”
Kaleb raised an eyebrow at me. “He’s calling you crazy.”
I shrugged. “And maybe I am. What are you doing here?”
He frowned. “I was driving by when I spotted Ryan’s car here, so I thought I would stop in and make sure everything was okay. I know that he’s been bothering you.”
“And as I’ve told you before, I’m more than able to take care of myself. You don’t need to babysit me.”
His eyes hardened. “It’s not babysitting, Nora. I’m caring.”
I turned, needing to end the conversation before I started to yell or cry. “If that’s all, I have work to get back to.”
He was quiet, and I expected him to call after me, but he didn’t. I grabbed the dog pooper scooper and moved closer to the back door. I looked over my shoulder, seeing Kaleb seemedunsure of what to say, what to do. I could see he was thinking, but didn’t say anything.
“Is that all?” I asked, eager to end this.
Kaleb looked at me, and I watched his face fall. “No. I’m going to be heading out to catch up with Brandon. See how their hunt went.”
I nodded. “Alright, thanks for letting me know.” I moved, letting the door slam shut behind me, ending the conversation.
Chapter 16 - Kaleb
I stared into the treeline as Bradon went over the plan once more. “Alright. We’re going out to scan a five-mile radius. Everyone stick to your partners at all times, even if anything happens. People die when you think you can handle things on your own. Eyes are to remain peeled and pay attention. Anything can happen out there.”
“I feel like you give the same speech every time we go out,” Asher said as he popped up from a crouch. He offered Brandon a smartass smirk, and Westley snorted. Asher then looked at me and waved his hand in my face. “Earth to Kaleb.”
I blinked, suddenly realizing I wasn’t paying attention.
My sister, who decided to accompany us, was standing next to me, giving me a look. “Are you listening? Jesus, Brandon! Send him home. He’s going to get me killed.”
Brandon looked at Jade. “Don’t joke like that.”
I rolled my eyes. “It’s the same speech. It isn’t the first time I heard it, and it won’t be the last either.”
Brandon’s eyes darted to me. “Glad my Beta, second in command, was taking my warning seriously.”
I threw my hands up. “Eyes peeled, and pay attention. I heard you. Does anyone else have anything to add before we go in?”
My sister raised an eyebrow at me, seeming to instantly see through it.
“Are we ready to get going?” I asked, waving toward the trees. “We don’t exactly have all day to fuck around.”
“Someone seems to have their underwear in a bunch,” Westley said, wiggling his eyes. “Is a certain someone wanting to get back faster?”
Asher nodded in agreement with him. “Yeah? How is that going by the way?”
“No comment,” I said, grabbing my gear. “Now let’s go.”
“Ohhhhh, someone doesn’t want to talk about it,” Westley sang while walking beside me. I ignored him; what I couldn’t ignore was my sister’s gaze that was burning in the back of my head. I knew she was watching me closely.
We walked into the woods, and everyone spread out. Westley paused next to me while the rest started ahead. “You good?”
