Page 32 of Wolf Cursed
Teddy just winked and left.
Behind me, something must have caught her eye because Idrissa muttered some curse words that impressed me with their creativity. I heard the name “Vinny” mingled in amongst the worst of it and decided not to ask.
“Okay, I have questions,” I said.
“Hit me,” Isaac said.
“First, no one cards here?” I asked.
Isaac grinned. “We’re sort of like VIPs around here. No carding for us.”
“Why are you VIPs?” I asked.
“Our family was one of the founding members of the Falls,” Isaac said. “And our dad is on city council. It makes us a big deal.”
“Isaac, don’t fill her head with your delusions,” Idrissa said. She looked at me. “We are not VIP. Or not any more than the others. Teddy doesn’t card us because he doesn’t card anyone.”
I shook my head. A town official whose perks included illegal drinking for his teens? A bartender who endorsed it? “Um, that only gives me more questions.”
“I’m full of answers,” Isaac said.
“More like full of yourself,” Idrissa snorted.
Isaac shot her a glare, but she was too busy staring people down at the bar to notice.
“Why is everyone staring at me?” I asked.
“You’re new and shiny,” Isaac said.
“Is it really so strange to get visitors here?”
“Remember the whole ‘outsiders’ issue?” Isaac said in a tone that felt more like an answer than a question.
“This entire town has serious trust issues,” I muttered, which, for some reason, made Isaac hoot with laughter.
The noise drew more stares, and Idrissa looked ready to spit nails at everyone in here.
“Why did you bring me here then?” I asked. “I mean, if they were going to treat me like a window display at a porn shop, why bother?”
Idrissa’s mouth curved. “A porn shop, huh? Well, we don’t have one of those, so I wouldn’t know. But you wanted to see the Falls so here it is.”
“This is the real Ridley Falls?” I asked, echoing her earlier words. “A dive bar in the middle of nowhere?”
“This is where the locals hang out,” she said. “When we’re not burning it down at a bonfire or house party, I mean. Besides, free drinks.”
She motioned to my untouched margarita.
“I don’t drink,” I said quietly.
“Uh-oh. Something tells me we fucked up,” Isaac said.
“No, it’s fine. I just…my dad drank. So,” I shrugged. “I just don’t.”
I expected them to look uncomfortable. Change the subject. Most people didn’t pry once they realized they’d scraped a wound. But Idrissa looked right at me and nodded.
“Is that who gave you those bruises?” she asked.
“I…” I raised my fingers and pressed them gingerly to the bruise I thought I’d done a decent job of covering up. “No. My dad would never hurt me.”
