Page 20 of Bad Wolf
“Wren,” Casey snaps me out of my spiral, “Theo and his fiancé had a joint bachelor and bachelorette while we were all on break.”
“I can’t even…” And then his words hit, my cheeks blazing crimson, “Oh, right. That, erm, that makes sense. Because of your break in the season.”
They all nod in agreement, the heat of their combined stare making me sweat. They’re weighing me up.
“Does, umm…Does anyone else know you came to see me?”
“No, Knox doesn’t know. And neither does Troy,” Coralie says, cutting off any notion that Knox knows they’re visiting with me.
“Oh, okay.” My eyes find the floor again.
Casey checks his phone and balks. They’re about to leave and I really don’t want them to. I don’t want them to leave me here.
“Listen. We’re heading out in a couple of hours. Take this.”
Casey pulls some money out of his flashy wallet and tries to hand it to me.
“No.” I shake my head. “Not a chance I’d ever take money from you.”
He throws the bills down on the dresser anyway and then turns to leave, his eyes making one last roving gaze around the room and then a simple “Bye.”
“Take care of yourself, Wren,” Coralie whispers as they walk away.
I step forward, wanting to reach out to one of them but stop myself. There’s no way I’d ever be welcome in their lives again. I hurt their little brother and for that, I’ll never be graced by their innate warmth. Their love.
All too soon, they’ve disappeared the way they came. I’m left stunned and confused but somehow fortified. I doubt I’ll ever hear from the Madden siblings again. My number will just be filed away under “W” and that will be that.
But one thing is for certain, I have to see Knox again.
For six years, my dad, my pride, my wits, and my guilt got me nowhere. It’s time Knox knew the truth.
Moving closer to the makeup dresser, I pick up the money, spreading out the grainy rectangles of paper. A thousand bucks?!
Fuck me, that’s insane, I think, but I pack it away safely in the zip compartment of my bag, and then scurry off home to hide it and find the All-Star game on TV.
* * *
My hand flies into my bag searching like hell to find the shitty little thing that is currently blasting one of the worst polyphonic ringtones known to man, “We no speak Americano”. I can’t work out how to change it and it’s set as my alarm, call,andtext notifications.
“Hello?” I answer, just as I’m nearly mowed down by a gaggle of skateboarders.
“Hey, watch it assholes!” I yell, and then remember the phone is in my hand.
“Some things never change, eh Wren?” The caller says with a chuckle.
“Hello?” I say again, looking at the screen for the first time.
Shit, it’s a 718 code,New York. I thought this call would never come. It’s been over a week, nearly two, since they came to the club. I never dreamed he’d ever call.
“It’s Casey. Look we’ve…” he sighs, “Fuck, Wren, we’re worried about you. I’ve been going back and forth over doing this because I’m not sure he’ll ever forgive me. I think this is gonna blow back in all our faces, but you should come to New York.”
“What?!”
“I think you should get out of Miami, away from your father, and I think you should come here and talk to Knox. Fight for him.”
“F-Fight for him?” I stutter because fantasies of somehow winning Knox back have been all-consuming.
When I thought, even though it was for only a second, that Knox had gotten engaged, my heart had plummeted to the floor. Time will only be on my side for a little longer. He’s the whole package and could have any girl he wants. Sooner or later, he’ll fall in love again, but he’s mine.My person,and I at least have to try.
