Page 101 of Wolf Cursed
He grinned. “I can smell him on you, ya know.”
I froze with the water glass halfway to my mouth. My cheeks heated, and I knew they were flaming red. “Seriously?”
“Hmm. Do I need to have a talk with the guy?” he asked. “Find out his intentions?”
“I— Uh...” I was a stuttering mess, and my cheeks were on fire.
Oscar laughed, loud and full and complete with a knee slap. “You’re too easy to mess with, kid.”
I scowled and drank the water, turning away from him in the process. When I lowered the glass, now empty, and looked back at him, Oscar’s expression had sobered.
“Do you think it’s a bad idea?” I asked. “Me and Kai?”
“As a matter of fact, I think it’s a great idea.”
“You do?”
“Well, I mean, I can’t say I’m thrilled at the idea of you with anyone. Kind of gives me weird inclinations to lock you in a closet for the next few years.”
I snorted. “I think that time has come and gone.”
“Yeah, you’re an adult now. I’m a little late.” He waved it off, but I couldn’t help feeling a little warm and fuzzy, knowing Oscar felt protective of me that way. It had been so long since I’d been the object of parental concern, I’d forgotten the feeling.
“I’ve known Kai his entire life,” Oscar said. “His dad was pretty rough on him so he spent a lot of time here. Kid’s been working on motorcycles since he could hold a wrench.”
He smiled, and it was easy to see the affection he had for Kai.
“You two are close,” I said, and for some reason, that meant a lot to me. The two guys I cared most about in the world also cared about each other. It felt like…family.
“He’s like a son to me,” Oscar said. “He’s got a good heart, but he’s also tough as nails. Kai’ll keep you safe,” he added. “That’s what matters to me.”
“Thanks, Oscar.” I fought the urge to hug him again. One hug a night was probably Oscar’s max. But I did squeeze his shoulder as I passed him on my way to bed. Turned out, for all his gruffness, Oscar had a good heart too.
And, for the first time since discovering the truth about my birthmark, I actually wanted to break the curse, especially if it meant helping Oscar.
The next morning, Idrissa and Isaac were already waiting at the shop door when I came down to open up.
They wore matching expressions of guilt, which would have been funny. Except that I was still pissed about them lying to me.
“What do you want?” I asked.
“Can we come in?” Idrissa asked.
“Pretty please with a virgin cherry on top?” Isaac added.
I stepped back, allowing them inside, and crossed my arms.
Isaac held out a paper bag.
“What’s this?” I asked, taking it hesitantly.
“Donuts. A peace offering,” he said.
My brow rose.
“I would have brought alcohol, but you don’t drink. And my shrooms dealer isn’t awake this early.”
I decided not to comment on that last part.
