I smile and it’s genuine, because her evident joy is contagious.
Maybe I will go over. Sayhi. Hang out until Erica gets here.
“Okay,” I say and he’s immediately making a call and putting his phone to his ear as I’m moving to follow her. I linger just around the corner so I can hear him talking on the phone.
“Jase, hi. She’s just left the building, but she’s just outside with my pack around the–”
He stops talking because I’ve come back, and I’m now facing him with my arms over my chest and what I’m sure is a murderous expression on my face.
“…corner. It’s five twenty five when I’m leaving this message. Bye.” He hangs up.
“Care to explain yourself?” I ask.
“Just left a voicemail message. I’m trying to mend fences with him. I offered to watch the door, to report to him if you leave.”
I can see Jase’s truck. And a pile of clothing sitting on the hood, his shoes by the driver’s door.
The guy who wanted to date me yesterday is Jason’s minion today? Lovely.
I roll my eyes and stomp back into the building.
Erica is coming in just a few minutes later with Ivy, Amelia, and Stacy in tow.
“Hey,” I mutter.
They all stare at me like I’m an accident scene they can’t help but gawk at.
I promptly burst into tears.
I’m immediately surrounded by them.
“It’ll be okay,” Erica soothes, rubbing my back while Amie has her arms around me.
“We’re here to help,” Amie adds.
I’m ushered to the comfy couch circle in the back of the library where this club of females mated to our council surround me with warmth and care in their gazes.
And a thought occurs like an avalanche of emotion I don’t know what to do with. Fate wants me inthisclub. It wants me to be one of them. I wanted to be one of them. I wanted it with my whole soul. And I was sure it was just a dream that would never come true, that I’d be on the outskirts, part of the group but not really… and now it all just hurts even more. Looking at them. Having them surround me like this. Thinking about what I wanted and how silly it all was. Or maybe I’m being silly now. I don’t even know.
“Why am I so flippin’ emotional?” I complain, wiping my eyes with my sleeves.
“Talk to us,” Stacy says.
“I can’t.” I shake my head.
“It’ll help,” Erica assures.
“He… I…” I swallow before blurting, “I can’t. I’m just…devastated, you guys. I need time. I need the spell extended so he can’t touch me tomorrow.”
I don’t know how much time I need. I don’t even know what I truly need. I just… I can’t imagine tomorrow coming and him being able to just take me and…no.
Panic is rising.
“Did something new happen?” Ivy asks. “After that scene with Sherry and Jase’s parents? Stacy filled us in.”
“My book club girls aren’t supportive of my petition. Some of them kinda ripped me a new one.”
“What?” Amie demands, outraged. “What kinds of friends are those?”