Page 17 of Wolf Cursed
“Did it say anything else?” I asked.
Anything about what the hell he’d made us run from my whole life.
“Not that I’m aware of.”
I nodded, absently rubbing my chest as heartache panged. Not being there to say goodbye sucked. I looked down, blinking away tears. The last thing I wanted was for Oscar to think I wasn’t grateful for everything he’d done.
“I have a link from the funeral service company,” he went on, and my head snapped up again, my eyes wide. “They’ll live stream it if you want to watch.”
“Yes, I—” I swallowed hard against the lump in my throat. “I’d like that very much.
Oscar looked mildly uncomfortable, and I wondered if it had to do with the emotional moment we were having. “Eat and rest,” he said, turning and heading for the door. “I’ll come back later to check on you and give you the link.”
“Actually, can I ask you something?” I asked.
He turned back. “What’s up?”
I set the food aside for the moment, ignoring my empty stomach for a few minutes more.
“About my car,” I said, unsure where or how to begin.
“Oh, right. It’s parked in the back lot. I’ll have one of the guys take a look at it this afternoon.”
“It’s here?” I blinked, surprised.
“Yeah, I had a buddy tow it in early this morning.” He shrugged like it was no big deal.
Except, in my world, it was a huge deal. All of this was. I couldn’t remember the last time someone had taken care of me this way. Hot tears burned my eyes, but I blinked them back.
“Thanks, look, I’ll pay whatever it is.”
He waved me off. “Like I said, Crater owed me a favor.”
“Okay.” I swallowed, trying to figure out my next words. Avoiding his eyes, I said, “Listen, I appreciate you letting me stay the night. I’ll be out of here as soon as—”
“I told you already; you can stay as long as you need.”
My head came up. I checked his face for some sign of a joke or a punch line.
“You’re my brother’s kid,” he added as if that explained everything.
“You don’t owe me anything,” I began.
“No. But family takes care of family,” he said firmly as if the phrase meant something to him.
I didn’t bother mentioning I had no idea what family even was. Besides my dad, I’d never had anyone. Flings and acquaintances, sure, but no one I could count on. No one who could be considered family. After my mom left us, I wasn’t sure I wanted it either. Oscar wasn’t a complete asshole, like Kai, but he wasn’t exactly sunshine and rainbows either.
“I don’t even know what that means,” I admitted.
He grunted.
“And I can’t take your charity,” I added.
“Not offering charity,” he drawled.
My eyes narrowed.
He crossed his arms.
