Page 2 of Wylder & the Rising Rockstar
“Because I know you as well as I know Luke. Luke will come find us when he’s ready to talk. And you know the best place for us is Defiance Academy.”
“Then let’s get out of this creepy house.” Sebastian shivered. “I don’t know how Luke stands it. It’s so big and empty.”
“Like a tomb.” Logan left to go pack, eager to get back to the school that felt more like home than this place ever had.
And Wylder. He was eager to see her again.
1
“Mom, you seriously don’t have to come with me to school.” Wylder slammed the car door, juggling her suitcase and several gift bags.
“Well, get over it. I’m taking my kid back to her dorm room, and I’m going to help her redecorate it whether she likes it or not.” Her mom gathered up a large Target bag with her new comforter set and gave Wylder a shove. “Move it, kiddo, I don’t have all day.”
“You know, most kids get dropped off or they take a car from the airport. Parents don’t really do this here, Mom.”
“Yeah, well, let them fly in on their private jets and ride in chauffeured limos. You’re just going to have to accept your dear old mom flew you here in the family Volvo.”
Wylder rolled her eyes and headed toward her dorm room, secretly glad she had the kind of mom who cared enough to do little things like sewing curtains for her kid’s dorm room windows, even if they totally weren’t Wylder’s style.
“It’s your last year here, Wylds, and I know college isn’t your thing—as much as I disapprove. So, this is the only dorm room experience you’ll ever have. I want it to be special.”
“Or JoAnn Fabrics had a sale on glittery, girly fabric and you couldn’t resist.” Wylder shot her mom a knowing look as she held the door open for her.
“Well, you’ll outgrow the glittery, girly stuff eventually, so sue me for living vicariously through you while I can.” Wylder didn’t say she outgrew that phase when she was like ten. Truth was, she didn’t really care what her dorm looked like, so she let her stepmom have her fun.
“Hmm.” Wylder snorted as they made their way up the stairs.
“What? Spit it out, Wylds. I know you have something snarky to say.”
“It’s just … I always thought I inherited the sarcasm from Dad. Turns out snark is a learned trait.”
“Learned from the best, didn’t you?” Her mom winked and waited at the top of the stairs for Wylder to catch up. “You really should be in better shape, honey.”
“Oh, hush.” She huffed and puffed, lugging her bags—dragging them along the floor to her room.
“Let’s get started.” Her mom shoved into the room in a flurry of activity. “You get us some proper snacks and some hot cocoa, and I’ll get to work on the curtains. You think Devyn will like the drapes?” Wylder’s mom pulled them from one of the bags.
“Oh, Mom, they’re beautiful.” She was glad for the lie when her stepmom’s cheeks flushed with pleasure. Wylder moved to get a better look at the soft pink curtains. They sparkled with tiny crystals sewn at random intervals. Okay, so they were beautiful, just… so girly.
“They’re goofy like a prom dress.” Her mother giggled. “I couldn’t resist.”
“They’re perfect, Mom. Thanks.”
“I made a set in turquoise for your room too.”
“To match my new comforter.” She smiled. Turquoise, she could do.
“You were right, it is cold in here, no wonder your old blanket wasn’t enough.”
Leave it to her mom to remember a conversation from two weeks ago where Wylder mentioned she slept in a hoodie and sweatpants and made a cocoon of her blanket to get warm enough to sleep. The dorms were drafty. Hence the new winter-ready decor.
“Hey, Wylds.” Devyn came bursting into the room, dressed in her riding gear. “How was your Thanksgiving?” She glanced up from her phone to see Wylder’s mom on a step ladder hanging the new drapes. “Oh, um, what’s happening?” Devyn turned to Wylder with wide eyes.
“Mom made us some curtains.” Wylder opened a bag of pretzels and cheese dip and set it on the counter.
“Oh. Why?” Devyn frowned.
“Be-cause she’s nice and crafty and they’re adorable.” Wylder handed her roomie a pretzel and flung an arm around her shoulders. “Say thank you, Devyn.”
