My cheeks heat. They’re not? “Umm…” I lick my lips.
I have no idea what to say.
Des sighs and shifts to face me. “What Jordy meant to say—” he pauses and smacks him upside the head.
“Hey!”
Des scowls at Jordy and continues, “…is that it’s our senior year. We don’t have time for females. We’re focused on Pack. So, if you’re trying to get with Rafe— ”
“I’m not. Oh, my god, I’m really not.” My cheeks are flaming by this point, but I don’t want anyone here getting the wrong idea. “I’m his punishment. That is literally the only reason I’m here right now. Something about him having to show me around this week to avoid detention.”
Jordy whistles and eyes me up and down like I’m a piece of meat before turning to Rafael with a wide grin on his face. “How’d you manage to get a hot piece of ass as punishment?” He says it like a joke but there’s a certain level of concern in the question.
“It’s not a big deal. Just Mrs. Ford being Mrs. Ford.”
Both guys groan. I ignore what’s said next and decide to check my cell.
It was buzzing on and off during first and second period, but I didn’t want to risk looking at it and having it confiscated. I don’t know how strict the teachers are here. Back home, Emmett or one of the other Clan Alphas would have taken it in a heartbeat.
I scroll through my text messages. I have three from my ex, Oliver.
Oliver: Baby, I know we broke up but I miss you.
Oliver: Let’s make plans soon to meet up.
Oliver: I miss your kiss. The way you taste…
Gross.The last includes a photograph. A dick pic. Wonderful. What an asshole. He broke up with me. The day my mom died. Who does that? And he cheated on me. The asshole even had the nerve to try and play it off like some normal shifter growing pains bullshit. That his beast—a freaking coyote—made him do it. I’m not that gullible and none of these texts are an apology. Not that I’d forgive him even if they were. Instead he treats me like some booty call he still has skin privileges with as if I’d want a stupid picture of his pencil dick. No, thank you.
I delete his messages, not bothering to respond and move on to the other two waiting for me.
Selena: I know I messed up. I’m sorry. Talk to me? Please.
Delete.
Josué: If Selena messages you, I’d ignore her. She and Oliver are still fucking like rabbits.
I sigh.At least he doesn’t sugarcoat it.
Me: Thanks for the heads up.
His response is almost immediate.
Josué: I’ve always got your back. Miss youChica.
Me: Miss you too J.
Josué’s beenmy best friend since we were seven. Ever since Raquel Johnson stole my ice cream cone in the woods behind our Clan house and called me stupid. He told her she was a fugly hyena that would never find a mate and that my stolen ice cream would make her fat. We’ve been thick as thieves ever since.
J knows me inside and out and I know he’s always got my back. Only now he’s got it from two states away. I hate the distance between us, but I just need to make it through this year. Emmett promised I could come back to the Mountain Spring Pack when I was eighteen. I just need to bide my time.
With a smile still on my face, I shove my phone back in my pocket. When I look up, Rafael is staring at me. He doesn’t say anything so neither do I. The other guys seem to consider me and then Jordy asks, “Hot boyfriend?”
I snort. “No. Just some people from my old Pack,” I tell him. There’s no reason to lie.
He lifts a brow as if to say,elaborate.
When I don’t, he says, “You get dick pics from people often?”
