Page 38 of Pack Coffey

I stand to leave, "I'm going to campus."

"Let us know if you need us," Saint tells me.

Giving him a quick nod, I slip out of the house.

DARCI

My professor has literallyjustcalled class to an end when I get a text from Lawrence.

Lunch?

I smile at my phone.

Sure!

I expect him to text again, telling me where to meet him, but he doesn't. As soon as I step outside of the classroom, I see why. He's leaned against the wall waiting on me. I try not to run to him like I want, but I do, however, throw my arms around him as soon as I get there.

"I needed this today," I tell him. "Thank you."

He leans down with his lopsided grin and plants a kiss on my lips. "Anything the matter?"

I shake my head. "Just feeling lonely for some reason."

We start walking, his arm covering Henry's mark that's half showing on my neck. "Probably because you need Henry. You should've taken the day off today and spent it with him. He's probably feeling like you are right now."

"You think?" I ask, feeling guilty for coming to class.

"Yes," he says, "but don't worry. You'll see him later. You know that you don't ever have to feel lonely again, right? Therearefive of us to your one."

I roll my eyes, even if it is a kind statement. I don't want to pull them from their lives for my feelings. I'll be fine. "I can't get you guys to hold my hand for the rest of my life. You're all going to be working or in class at the same time at some point."

"Hmm," he murmurs, thinking on it.

I'm so caught up in our conversation that I don't even see the two people hovering around my car where Lawrence is parked next to me.

"Mom? Dad?" I call out to them.

They both turn, taking in Lawrence's arm still around myshoulders. Mom's nose turns up even though she doesn't even know him. My smile drops into a grimace.

"Hey, Hun," Dad greets, coming over. He forgoes the normal side hug he typically gives me. Instead, he holds out a hand to Lawrence. "Hey there. I'm Alex, Darci's dad. This is her mom, Rachel."

"Lawrence," my beta offers, removing his arm from my shoulders to shake my dad's hand. "We were just headed to lunch, if you guys care to join us."

Mom has her arms folded across her chest, and is putting on her best glaring show. Dad graciously accepts. Lawrence tells him the place. The drive over is quiet after he asks if I'm okay. Honestly, I didn't know how to answer him, and I'm not sure I do. I've been feeling like crap all day, and I really don't want to be dealing with this too.

We get to the restaurant where we get seated immediately. No sooner than we put our order in than Mom starts her crap.

"Look, Darci," she starts. "We heard about the murders happening here right now. We think it's a good idea that you come home until they've been caught and things are back to normal."

Me before Pack Coffey would've submitted immediately and left with my tail tucked between my legs. Now? I'mnotleaving. I'm not leaving them.

Sitting straighter in my chair, I grit my teeth before asking, "What bothers you more, Mom? The thought that I might end up on the wrong side of the serial killer, or that it might be me?"

Lawrence throws an arm on the back of my chair and leans my way, offering me his comfort and support.

Mom's face goes redder than I've ever seen it. "Do not mention that in public again, young lady. I will not hear of it. Itsimproper table talk."

"Then answer the question, and I'll drop it," I tell her, folding my arms across my chest.

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