Wolves at the Door (6 page)

“See? You’re doing John a favor by saving him from the horrors of public transit,” Zack whispered at my temple. 

“Fine.” Obviously, I was outnumbered. “But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

As much as I hated burdening John with my old car, prom was fast approaching. I needed a few things for that night and now I had some extra money.

† † †

Instead of waiting for Zack by the curb after school, I dashed to my car to avoid Gina.  She must have spotted me, though, because she made a beeline towards me. Damn.

“It’s the Virgin Princess.” She smirked. “Have that chat with Zack yet?”

“Actually, yes.” I gave her a tight smile. “Sorry to break it to you, but we’ve never been better. Now you’ll just have to go away and get a life of your own.”

Her smile faltered, but she bounced back with a snicker. “It’s not like he’ll tell you how much fun we had together. Guys always lie about the girls who came before.”

The possible truth of her words roared through my brain like a chain saw.

“I don’t know what Zack told you,” she went on with a sympathetic smile, “but if he said it was his idea to stop seeing me, he’s not telling you everything. I’d already lost interest in Zack when Daniel dumped you and—”

“Daniel broke up with
me
?” I exhaled with a half snort. “Are you insane? Gee, that must’ve been your evil twin kissing Daniel in the bathroom just before I dumped his sorry ass.”

Gina scoffed. “You’re such a drama queen.”

Zack draped an arm around my shoulder. I’d been so aggravated by Gina, I hadn’t sensed him approaching.

“Hey, Gina, you’re good friends with Natalie, right?” Zack asked her. “Jeff’s her boyfriend, which makes him perfect for you.”

She glared at us and stomped off.

“She bugging you again, babe?” Zack asked, turning to face me.

“It’s what she does best.” It hadn’t escaped me that Zack didn’t deny anything Gina had said. Whatever. I didn’t want to know.

As I was about to
climb into the driver’s seat, I spotted a dark blue sports car beyond the gate several cars down. I straightened. That was the second time I’d seen that car there. Had to be Renzo. Why would he be watching Zack at school?

“Blue sports car parked at eleven o’clock.” I gave a slight jerk of my head toward the car.
I hoped Charles would notice the new werewolf and still be protective of Zack. Maybe he’d even force Renzo out of town like he did my ex and the other werewolf.

“Yeah, I saw him when I was walking over.”

I
slid behind the wheel. “What took you so long, anyway?”

“Had to finish something up in my last class, then go to my locker.” He checked the time on his cell phone. “It’s only been five minutes. In a hurry?”

“No, but I don’t enjoy my run-ins with Gina. I always feel so dirty after dealing with her.” I reached for the driver’s side handle. “Are you taking your mom to the doctor today?”

He shook his head. “I want to wait one more day.”

“She shot you down, huh?”

Zack snorted. “Stubborn as hell. And bossy.”

“Why don’t I drop you off at work, then come get you later? I have some errands to run.”

“
What kinds of errands?” Zack’s seatbelt clicked into place.

“Clothes shopping.” I
started the car. “I need more natural fibers.” Zack may have been content with his synthetic fabrics not morphing with him, but I hated changing back totally nude and having to scrounge for my clothes. Incredibly inconvenient.

By the time I’d rolled the Mustang to the gate, the blue car had disappeared. I didn’t see any sign of it on the way to the auto shop either. Maybe Renzo had taken off. If only he’d stay gone.

After I dropped Zack off at work, I stopped at the bank to withdraw some cash. The balance printed on the receipt had more digits than my checkbook register.

Everything had seemed normal when I’d talked to my parents. But why the large deposit?
Maybe they planned to be gone a while longer and wanted to make sure I had plenty of emergency money.

It made me wonder if there was some other reason they hadn’t come home. I missed them. But since it was my fault they’d left — I’d gotten tired of their hovering and blackmailed them into leaving — I had no right to complain. They could be cool, though. At this point, I’d gladly take them back, over-protectiveness and all.

† † †

After the mall, I stopped by the auto shop to get Zack, then took him home. I promised to meet up with him later and headed to my house to unload my loot. When I parked against the curb, I noticed an unfamiliar car in the driveway. Last time I’d come home to a strange car, it had been a rental when my parents had returned unexpectedly. What if it wasn’t them this time?

I thought about calling my mom, but if the car out front didn’t belong to her and she knew about the stranger at my house, then she and my dad would worry. I could find out who it was without involving them or putting myself in danger.

Staying in my car
, I tapped the horn on my steering wheel and hoped my guests would show themselves. I waited a beat and the screen door opened. I abandoned my bags in the car and bolted across the lawn.

“Mom!” I leaped into her waiting arms, hugging her every bit as tightly as she hugged me. What felt like minutes later, I’d finally gotten my fill and released her.

“Still can’t believe you picked a convertible.” She nodded toward the Mustang. “Thought you didn’t like the wind messing up your hair.”

I didn’t want her to think I’d shopped frivolously or that I’d changed drastically since she’d been gone. She’d only worry. “It has modifications, which according to the mechanic make it special. So I put up with it.”

She chuckled. “You love it, don’t you?”

“Yes.” I grinned. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”

Her face grew solemn. “Let’s go inside. I have something to discuss with you.”

Once through the front door, my eyes scanned the living room. “Where’s dad?”

“He couldn’t get away.” She sat and leaned back against the dining room chair. “Actually, we saw no point in him making the trip since you’re flying back with me.”

I blinked. “What?”

“We’ve decided our family’s been apart long enough.” She gave me her firm look. “We’ll be in New Mexico for a while, which is what you wanted. To stay in one place for a long period.”

Setting my purse on the table, I dropped into a chair thinking of all the lame things I could say when there was only one thing I wanted to know. “Mom, level with me. Why do you guys move around so much? Dad could work from just about anywhere and you guys would save so much money in travel expenses.”

She studied me. “You’ve never complained before.”

“Actually, I have. You just weren’t listening.” My tone
lowered an octave. “Let me be clear. I don’t want to move again.”

She reached out to take my hand. “Once we’re all settled in New Mexico, you won’t have to worry about that for a while.”

I pulled my hand away. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“You can even keep the Mustang,” she went on as if she could replace my friends, a high school diploma and the entire life I’d built in Southern California with a car. “We’ll drive out tonight, once we’re packed.”

“Mom, we went through this a couple weeks ago. I told you how I felt about being uprooted.” My blood began to boil. It was as if the conversation had never taken place. I sucked in a deep breath, then fixed my gaze on her and stretched my shoulders back. “Sorry. I’m staying right here.”

She stared at me, like she still didn’t quite believe me. “Alone?”

“Mom, I love you both and I really miss you guys, but I can’t do the gypsy thing anymore. If you leave and sell the house, I’ll understand. I can get a job and figure it out. I’d rather do everything on my own than move again.”

“What’s so important that you have to stay?” She narrowed her eyes. “Did you meet a boy?”

My mouth gaped. “You’re still not listening. I want my diploma and I want to go to prom. I
hate
moving. And I don’t think you and dad have been truthful to me.” Oops. I hadn’t meant for that last bit to slip out.

“What do you mean?” Her brows pulled together. “We’ve never lied to you.”

No, but an omission amounted to the same thing. If my parents were shape-shifters, then they should’ve told me that I would be turning into one, too. If they were human, then that meant I was adopted. Again, they should’ve told me.

I was dying to just tell them I was a shifter and find out either way. But if they were human and I revealed my true nature to a mortal, I’d be breaking the most important law of the supernaturals. I could get killed for that. I was already breaking serious werewolf laws. I didn’t want to press my luck
breaking more. Besides, what did werewolves do with humans who knew their secret? I had no idea, but I couldn’t take the chance that they were human and Charles or Renzo would kill them.

On the other hand, if they were shifters and I spilled the beans, I wouldn’t be breaking any laws. But if they were shifters, wouldn’t they have said something?

“Whatever.” I wrapped my arms around my waist. “I’m staying and this conversation is over.”

“You’ll be on your own.” Her voice softened. “How will you get through college and make enough money to get an apartment? You’ll need to eat. Or do you plan to sacrifice your education and make minimum wage the rest of your life?”

“My education? Seriously? If you cared about that, you wouldn’t be giving me an ultimatum. Come with me or cut me off? What kind of parenting is that? You guys make no sense at all.” I exhaled loudly and lifted one shoulder. “I’ll work it out, maybe stay at Maya’s for a bit.”

My mom was silent for a moment and I wondered whether she’d given up or was about to try a new angle. I caught a glimpse of the clock on the fireplace mantel, knowing Zack would be expecting me for dinner shortly.

“I’ll be right back.” I grabbed my purse and paused. “How long are you staying this time?”

“If you’re not coming with me, I’m leaving right away.”

“Meaning minutes, not hours?” I asked, unsuccessful at hiding my apathy.

She nodded.

“Why don’t you guys just come back and
stay
?”

“Sweetheart, your father can’t not work. We have rent to pay, your private school and—”

“Never mind.” I’d heard it all before. I spun and hurried up the stairs to my room. After closing the door, I rooted through my purse for my phone and texted Zack with trembling fingers to tell him I’d been delayed.

Damn! Why had they forced me to make a choice? God, was I even making the right decision? Phone still in hand, I slapped it against my palm as I paced near the foot of
my bed.

Staying and struggling to make ends meet scared the daylights out of me
, but I loved my life here. Except Zack would be leaving in just a few weeks and then I’d lose him too. But I still had Maya and Trevor — until they went away to college, at least.

But that wasn’t the point
. I didn’t want to move again. I was done starting over. Eventually, I’d be forced to leave when the wrong werewolf discovered me, but until then, I intended to live my life on
my
terms.

My parents would always love me. I knew that. And I could visit them. With that realization, my body began to calm and my breathing steadied. I quit pacing and ran downstairs, quickly locating my mom who held a phone to her ear. She eyed me, then said
good-bye and hung up.

I hugged her. “I love you, Mom.”

“Love you too. More than anything in the world.” She held me close. “I’m so happy you changed your mind.”

I squeezed one last time, then let her go. “I didn’t. Moving isn’t going to happen for me, no matter how many times you ask.”

She tilted her head, her brows drawn. “But…”

“Do what you have to do, sell the house or whatever. I’ll deal.” I had all that extra money they’d deposited in my account, but that wouldn’t last forever. It would hold me over, though, until I got a job.

She turned away and seconds passed before she faced me again. She looked tired suddenly, defeated. But I reminded myself that it wasn’t bad to stand up for myself.

She tapped her thigh with the tips of her fingers. “Okay. Stay here. We’ll keep the house for now and make sure you have money for anything you need.”

“Thank you.” I threw myself at her. “You won’t regret it.”

She wrapped her arms around me again. “I hope you’re right.”

I loosened my grip so I could meet her gaze. “Please spend the night. We can hang out, stay up late and watch a movie or something. Dad will live without you one more day.”

“Yes, I’m sure he’d survive. But I have to help him wrap up this job and prepare for the next one.” Mom smiled, then glanced at her watch. “I should go. If I leave now, I can make the next flight.”

It was absolutely baffling how my parents could do a one-eighty, from obsessively worrying to completely deserting me. Why couldn’t the New Mexico job wait an extra day? But I already knew my questions would go nowhere. And I’d just had a huge victory with them supporting me while I stayed. I didn’t want to press my luck.