“I think so,” I say, and hold out a scrap of paper. “Here—it’s my number in case you ever want someone to talk to about stuff or whatever.”
He studies the paper, then smiles and pockets it.
“It was a pleasure to meet you, Max.”
“You too.”
“Don’t let him be an ass to you, okay?”
Now I laugh. “Okay.”
“C’mere.”
Omar drops his cable and pulls me into a tight hug. He smells like petrol and oil, but underneath that, the scent of freshly mown grass, cinnamon, and coffee.
“There’s going to be someone else out there for you,” I say before I know what I’m doing.
We pull apart and Omar shrugs. “Maybe. Maybe he’ll be as cute as you.”
I nearly choke as my face burns red-hot.
“Hey, don’t go all blood wolf on me now.”
I swallow and take a breath. “I’m fine,” I say. “Thanks again. Bye.”
“See you round.”
As I turn to leave, I can’t help but notice the tiny throb of pain at the back of my skull.
Jasper and I trudge back to the car quietly, and I’m relieved to see it’s already facing the right direction, ready to speed back up the icy mountain road. We jump into our seats and Jasper flips the engine on.
“Pump the heating,” I say, rubbing my frozen little hands together. Jasper turns the knob then sits back in his seat. “What’s up?” I ask. “You feeling okay to drive?”
“When we get back,” he says, staring at the steering wheel, “is it okay if we… I still think it’s probably best if—”
“If we don’t tell everyone,” I say, finishing the sentence for Jasper, as much as I wish I didn’t have to.
“I just think it would be best until things with the packs are a little more settled.”
I twist my lip and let out a short breath, but I was sort of expecting this. It’s not ideal, no way, but I’m clued in enough to know one night in a tent wasn’t going to change everything. Down in the valley things are different—we could just be—but back on top of the mountain, the rules change, and there are people watching us.
“It’s okay,” I say, snapping my seat belt into place.
“You’re sure?” he asks and turns to look at me, his mouth open in concern but his eyes shining with relief.
“Yeah, it’s okay. We can wait to tell people.”
As Jasper shifts the car into gear and begins to roll up the steep path, I’m left wondering two things:
What is it we’re waiting to tell people? That we’re together? Is that where we’re at? Are we…boyfriends?
And if we’re waiting to tell people…how long will we have to wait?
A ROCKY FAREWELL
Walking back into the Rocky Packhouse feels like walking outside for the first time on a sunny day. I hold my hand above my eyes as if I’m shielding myself from the light, only I’m shielding myself from the noise.
The whole pack, it seems, is waiting in the parlor when we return. Jasper and I stagger through the doors, unwashed and unkempt, feeling particularly haggard in the pristine surroundings. Everyone is fresh-faced, in comfy-looking sweaters, with neat, freshly washed and styled hair. We might as well be a couple of yetis.
