My Wolf’s Bane(99)

I shook my head innocently. “No.”

“You’re not going to believe this. Apparently, he ran away over the weekend with his new love. He’s gone.”

“Ran away? Why couldn’t he stay here with this mystery girl?” A strange story, but not final enough to warrant a permanent disappearance. I waited for the rest of it.

Maya’s eyes widened. She looked like she was bursting with fascinating news. “Not a girl.”

“What?” My mouth gaped. “An older woman?”

“He met a dude. Supposedly, it’s the same guy he’d met when Jeff said he’d been dragged away by a wolf. Can you believe it?”

Actually, I could, except for the love part. I knew the male lover bit wasn’t Daniel’s idea. He most definitely liked girls. William must have thought it an amusing penalty for disobeying and humiliating him.

It was perfect.

“You know what homophobes his parents are,” Maya went on. “They’re so pompous about their money and knowing all the right people. Their reputation is more important than their own son. As soon as Daniel came out, they disowned him.”

“Wow. That sucks for Daniel,” I said. It was a brilliant plan since being disowned cut all ties, which would make life as a werewolf easier.

Maya giggled. “I guess we don’t have to worry about him stalking you anymore.”

Zack passed by, giving me a nod. I smiled, hoping it appeared genuine. It was the best I could manage.

“C’mon.” Maya motioned for me to go with her and the boys.

“I’ll see you at lunch. I have something I need to do.” Like hide my head in the sand, so I couldn’t do something pathetic like throw myself at Zack.

I made a beeline to the bathroom. As soon as the door swung shut, it opened again. Gina waltzed in, eyeing me coldly.

“You think you’ve won, don’t you?”

“Uh, I didn’t know there was a contest,” I said. “And it’s not like Daniel left you for me.”

She gave a forced laugh.

“And besides,” I rifled through my purse for my lipstick. “Zack and I aren’t together anymore.” I glanced at her briefly to see her eyes shooting daggers at me.

“You’re such a liar. You’ll do and say anything to hurt me and get what you want.” Apparently, she was almost as delusional as Daniel.

I applied the lip color, then rubbed my lips together as Gina’s face flushed and her eyes hardened. If she’d approached me without the attitude, I would’ve smiled and went about my business. “You might get my leftovers if you act quickly.” Dropping my makeup in my purse, I pushed past her.

It was masochistic of me to paint a bull’s-eye on Zack, when there was a chance he might go for it. If he hooked up with her though, I’d lose respect for him and getting over him might be easier. If it went the other way, witnessing him reject her was worth the risk and would make my day slightly less dreary. It was a win-win situation.

At lunch, I waved at Zack’s table from where I sat with John and Janine. Maya had tried to talk me into hanging with her and the boys, but Zack had come to my rescue, telling her it was healthy to socialize with other people now and then. Apparently, no one noticed Zack and I weren’t together. Or maybe he’d already told them something. I was dying to know.

Where did you sleep last night? I asked Zack from across the room.

He smiled. At home. Where else?

But I thought you were supposed to be at my house, I said, focusing on my lunch.

Everyone had to think I was with you. I left and later snuck back into my room through the window.

Clever. I took a bite of my grilled cheese sandwich, grateful that with silent communication, I didn’t have to worry about talking with my mouth full. What did you tell Maya about us? I’m wondering why she’s not interrogating me.

I told her you missed your other friends. She was so wrapped up in the whole Daniel thing, she moved on.

Why not tell her the truth? I asked. That we’re not together.

I wasn’t sure if you’d want to deal with that yet. Good old Zack — always thinking of me. I wished he’d stop that. He made it so difficult to hate him.

Well, thanks. I returned to my meal, but saw Gina approach him in my peripheral vision. Maya didn’t even notice, too engrossed in Trevor.

I told myself not to listen in on Gina and Zack. But, unable to resist, I peeked at them from under my lashes and tuned out everyone else in the lunchroom.

“Hi, Zack.”

“Hey, Gina.” He gave her a friendly smile.

“I wondered if you wanted to go for coffee after school. We haven’t been working on our science project and it’s due soon.”