Page 67 of Wylder and the Secret Rockstar
“Cara!” Wylder scooted out of the booth to give her favorite waitress a hug.
“Wylder Anderson, did you sneak off campus again?” Cara Butler wrapped her in a motherly hug.
“Of course not.”
“Uh-huh.” Cara shook her head. “And who are your friends?”
“Killian and Diego,” Wylder introduced them. “We were dying for a decent burger and one of your amazing shakes.”
“I think we can manage that.” Cara winked, scribbling Wylder’s order on her pad.
“How are Jack and Lillian?” Wylder asked. Lillian just graduated the previous summer from Defiance Academy, and Wylder liked to think her matchmaking meddling had led to her successful relationship with Cara’s son, Jack Butler.
“They’re doing so well!” Cara beamed. “They love Oberlin College. I still can’t get used to having a son at a college like that, and with such an incredible girlfriend like Lillian. That girl is going to be a star.” She shook her head, ever the proud mama.
Lillian was a talented ballerina destined for greatness, though Wylder knew for a fact the down to earth girl didn’t hunger for fame. She just genuinely loved to dance. And Jack was the same. They were a great team.
“So, what gives, Wylds?” Killian asked after Cara brought them their milkshakes and a plate of fries to tide them over until their burgers arrived. “You’re freaking me out. Something’s bothering you.”
Wylder smiled. It felt good to know she had a friend who knew her so well.
“Are you okay?” Diego reached for her hand. “I didn’t realize anything was wrong, but if Killian says so, it must be bad.”
“I’m okay, Diego.” She squeezed his hand. “I just have a lot on my mind, and I’m not sure how to handle it.”
“Is it him?” Diego leaned closer. “The guy?”
“Sort of. Yes.” Wylder sighed. “I fell in love, guys. The summer was great, and I’d give anything to have that back with Bash.”
“But?” Killian pressed. “There better be a but coming.”
“There is. Now he’s my teacher … and I’ve learned a few things about him I didn’t know before. It’s not good.”
“He hasn’t been shady, has he?” Killian asked.
“No, not really.”
“Wylder, I’m going to need you to define ‘not really.’” Killian leaned closer.
“There’ve been a few kisses.”
“Like, at school?” Diego scowled. “That’s not a healthy relationship, Wylder.”
“You’re right, I know. But with Bash and I, over the summer, everything just clicked. It was amazing. Neither of us expected to ever see each other again. He’s only a few years older than me, and I am a legal adult. If I had graduated on time, this wouldn’t even be an issue.”
“What’s he done?” Killian demanded.
Wylder sat back against the worn vinyl booth and met her best friend’s gaze. “He wants to sneak around. He thinks we can carry on as we were if we keep it a secret until I graduate.”
“That is not the thinking of a smart man, Wylds. You cannot get tangled up in this with him.”
“I know. I realize that. Things have changed, and it’s not an okay relationship. Plus, he doesn’t need to risk his job for this. Not for me.”
“What do you need from us?” Diego asked. He was often clueless, but he had a heart of gold, and she knew she could count on both of them to help her.
“I can’t be alone with him. Not again. I can avoid him most of the time, but I’m not doing well in his class. He keeps trying to get me to come to his office for one thing or another—and I do think he genuinely wants to help me pass his class. He just doesn’t get how wrong this whole thing is. That, or he doesn’t care.”
“We’ll help you,” Diego offered. “I’ll stay with you during and after class, and if he asks you to come to his office, I’ll come with you. We’ll just tell him I’m your tutor.”
