Dire(44)
She rolled her eyes. “Okay. The end of the hunt.”
“If you are looking for a war, you need to look elsewhere.”
“Fine, we’re still coming with you.”
“You admitted to wanting to go against my wishes, and you still think I want you along?”
“What’s the alternative? Leaving us to our own devices?” She smiled coyly.
She was threatening to stir up trouble. “You’re going to kill me one of these days.”
“Are you done fighting with my wife?” Isaac stepped out onto the porch.
“She says you guys want to come with us.”
“We do.” He sat down on a chair. “How does it sound to you?”
Jocelyn sat next to him.
“Do I even have a choice?” I took a seat on a chair facing them. “Jocelyn just threatened to cause me a massive headache.”
“I also promised to provide much needed female company for your mate.”
“She has Marni.”
“Marni’s a kid. I’m more like a mother figure.” She leaned back in the Adirondack chair.
“Mother? You’re ten years older.”
“I have plenty to teach her.”
“And none of that teaching involves you messing with her. Did you have to freak her out about wanting a foursome?”
Jocelyn laughed. “I couldn’t resist. Her reaction was priceless. She actually believed me.”
“Her reaction was normal.”
“You’re no fun.”
“I’m fun when I want to be.”
She crossed her arms. “We’re already packed, so we can leave when your pack is ready.”
“You’re already packed?” I shook my head. “What would have happened if I’d said no?”
“We would have followed you and bothered you until you said yes.”
“Sometimes you sound like a child.”
“We’ve known each other since we were children, Hunter.” Her words said a lot more then they seemed. Yes, we’d known each other since kids. We’d grown up together, learning to run and hunt on the shores of Lake Placid.
“Remember what I told you about Mary Anne,” I reminded her.
“I’ve got it.”
“I better get back inside in case Mary Anne wakes up.” I stood.
“Glad we’ll be seeing so much of you,” Jocelyn said.
“I’m thrilled.” I walked inside, letting the door close behind me. Life was about to get even more complicated.
I slipped back into the bedroom to get dressed and to drop off Mary Anne’s extra clothes, but then I walked right back out. I was calmer, but that didn’t mean I was in the mood to see her yet. I wondered if she’d even remember the dream.
I knew she was up when I heard the water running in the bathroom. A few minutes later the door to the room we’d been sharing opened, and she walked out. Her steps were tentative and she wasn’t looking me in the eye. She remembered the dream. “Morning.”
“Morning,” she said quietly.
“Oh, you’re up!” Jocelyn walked into the room right in time to break the awkwardness between us. “Did you tell Mary Anne the news yet?”
“What news?” Mary Anne asked.
“We’re coming with you.” Jocelyn grinned.
“Oh. Wow.” Mary Anne struggled to hide her shock.
Issac walked in with a small bag.
Jocelyn didn’t appear bothered by Mary Anne’s response. “It looks like you don’t need my number after all. We’re going to have plenty of time to hang out and get to know each other.”
Why was she laying it on so thick? Was she trying to get to me?
“Before I forget, here are the new ID’S.” Isaac handed me a stack of Driver’s licenses and another stack of papers.
“Thanks.”
I flipped through the plastic cards before pulling out two. I held one out to Mary Anne.
She accepted it. “Jane Sterling. Nice name choice.”
I flashed my card at her. Mine read James Sterling. I smiled at Isaac’s decision on the name. I hadn’t asked him to give us the same last name.
Her eyes widened, but she didn’t say anything. I was sure she’d let me have it in the truck. “Are we supposed to use the new names for each other?”
“Not within the pack, but if we’re in public.”
“Ok. Thanks for getting my stuff.”
“Of course.” I took her hand. She still wasn’t looking at me.
“We’re going to be heading out soon.”
“Ok.”
“Most of your pack is out back.” Isaac stood. “I’ll get them.”
***
Mary Anne stayed as far from me as possible on the bench seat as we drove through the morning. Was she feeling guilty? That would almost make up for the dream.