“Fine,” I repeat. “Now will you get out?”
With a tight nod, Griffith turns on his heel, closing the door behind him. The lock might be broken now, but at least the latch still works. I throw out the bloody bandages and pull another package of gauze from my bag, along with a roll of medical tape.
Once my wound is as dealt with as much as I can manage, I exit the restroom to find Griffith waiting for me.
He probably thought I would try sneaking out the back way.
I might or might not have considered it.
“Carl is going to meet us at the healer’s.”
“You called him already?”
“I said I would.”
Shit. I can only imagine how he’s freaking out. Probably has his sirens going as he books it through town.
“Let’s go then.”
The sooner my brother sees I’m alive and mostly well, the sooner he can stop panicking.
On our way out, most of the bar watches us. I ignore them, only catching a quick exchange between Griffith and another worker, who I guess he’s telling to handle closing.
Carl and I have weekly video chats—he’d prefer they be daily, but a girl needs a break, and he needs a life—in which he updates me on all the small-town gossip. Our Sunday teatime, I like to call it. And during those many exchanges, he’s mentioned his best friend plenty. I know Griffith bought the town bar and that he renovated the place. I know the wolf bartends most nights. I know he bought a house and is letting Carl rent a room. I knowGriffith has dated a few mythics, but never anyone for the long-term.
I also know I didn’t want any of these updates on the judgmental douche, but I try not to let on how much I despise my brother’s best friend. Carl has gone through enough because of me, and bad-mouthing someone he cares about is a boss level of bitch I plan never to reach.
When I left Folk Haven behind me, I vowed I would also leave my screwup habits in the past. That I would build a life for myself that allowed Carl to sleep easy at night.
Now I’m back in town, bringing him a potential shitstorm.
World’s Worst Sister award once again goes to me.
Outside, the rain is coming down in heavy sheets, but at least the thunder seems to be gone. When I step into the downpour, I can feel Griffith’s heavy gaze on me. He’s probably wondering why I’m allowing every inch of my hair, skin, and clothing to get soaked when I’m the type of mythic who should be able to bend the raindrops around myself with magic.
He doesn’t know I tried to use my power to manipulate water on my way inside, only to get lightheaded and nauseous. All magic use is on hold for the moment.
“Here.” Griffith lowers the tailgate on his truck and waves toward Shrimp. “He can jump up, right?”
I gape as I wipe rain out of my eyes. “No way is my dog riding in the back of a truck. Do you know how many dogs fall out of those? How many break their legs so bad that they have to get them amputated? And that’s if they’re lucky enough to survive.” With a scoff, I turn toward my vehicle, mud squelching under my sneakers. “Fuck that noise. I’ll drive myself, with Shrimp safely in the backseat.”
Griffith mutters a string of curses, slams the tailgate closed, then wrenches open the passenger door. “Both of you,” he barks, “in. Now.”
Gods, I want to argue back, but the rain is chilling my skin, and my teeth start to chatter. I snap my fingers for Shrimp to jump up ahead of me, then slide in after him. I expect Griffith to slam the door shut, but he closes it gently.
A waterfall spills off of Shrimp’s coat as he sits, panting, on the middle of the bench seat.
How long will the scent of wet dog linger?
As if having the same thought, Griffith glares at my dog after settling behind the wheel, then gives a shake of his head and starts the engine.
Admittedly, it’s a relief not to have to focus on the road. The pain has sharpened my temper but fuzzed my ability to concentrate. When I lean my forehead against the cool glass window, the temperature feels good on what I realize is feverish skin.
It’s okay, a voice whispers in the back of my mind as Shrimp lies down with his big head on my thigh and drapes his tail over Griffith’s lap.This place is safe.
My thoughts are too fogged for me to figure out if that soothing reminder refers to being in Folk Haven.
Or being with Griffith.
