Page 81 of The Howl
“Good. Then go home.”
“No.”
“I see.”
“No, you don’t. But I do. As soon as we hang up, you’re going to do something to try to get me to leave this house prematurely. However, it won’t work. Do you know why? Because I’ve already put up with as much as I can deal with today. Do what you need to do, but remember that Ashlyn’s under Megan’s protection before you start handing out ultimatums in an attempt to get your way in whatever game you’re playing.”
I hung up the phone before she could answer.
“What do you think Adira’s going to do?” Ashlyn asked, measuring out some flour. I started in on my recipe, too.
“It’s hard to tell with her. She never does anything that would be obvious, you know? I don’t think you have anything to worry about, though.”
“I know. I’m more worried about what she’ll do to you.”
“My mom’s already mad at Adira. I don’t think Adira will rush to do anything to make her angrier. She’s not stupid.”
My phone started ringing before I managed to crack my eggs. Thinking it was Adira, I didn’t rush to answer it. When I saw it was Mom’s number, I frowned and said a wary hello.
“Hey, baby. I wanted to apologize again for this morning. I know I messed up, and I promise I won’t surprise you with any meal options in the future.”
“Thank you.”
“Did you get your jacket?”
“Yes. Thank you for talking to Adira and getting my clothes back, too. I should have thanked you right away.”
“Nonsense. You were upset. I understand. Do you think you’ll be home soon?”
I looked at all the ingredients we had spread over the table.
“Probably not. Why?”
“I want to talk to you about something, and I’d prefer to do it soon.”
I opened my mouth to ask if something was wrong with Dad when another thought occurred to me.
“Adira,” I said. “She called you, didn’t she?”
“She did.”
“She’s trying to manipulate me into leaving Ashlyn’s to spend more time with you.”
“Is spending time with me a bad thing?” Mom asked.
Guilt hit me hard.
“Mom, it’s not about you; it’s about Adira. She needs to stop trying to force me to do things.”
“She told me you’re feeding on non-sexual energy, Eliana. Is that true?”
“Yes, but not for food. I was just doing it to help people out.”
“You need to come home now.”
I pulled the phone from my ear and stared at it in shock. My mom had just used a mom-voice on me. She never did that. Ever.
“Respectfully, I think it’s best if I don’t come home for a while. I don’t think either of us is in the right frame of mind for whatever talk you want to have.”
