Page 3 of Wylder & the Rising Rockstar
“Thank you, Mrs. Anderson. They’re really pretty.”
“I made some for you too, sweetie,” her mom muttered around a mouthful of pins.
“Really?” Devyn frowned at Wylder. It wasn’t a mean kind of frown, it was pure confusion. Devyn never mentioned her mom, so Wylder didn’t know if they were close, but it looked like the utterly overwhelming Anderson mothering confused her. “Thanks, that’s so … sweet.” She turned and fled to her room.
“She okay?” Wylder’s mom stood back to admire her handiwork, and Wylder wrapped her arms around her waist, laying her head on her mom’s shoulder. “Hey, what’s this for?”
“Just love you for being a cool mom. All my friends are totally jealous.”
“Oh, you.” She swatted Wylder away.
“Need any help?”
“Um, no.” Her mom laughed.
“I don’t blame you, I wouldn’t want me helping you either.”
“Why don’t you go get us some coffees at that fancy cafe of yours?”
“That, I can do. Be back in a few.” Wylder grabbed her coat and went to look for Killian and Diego at the coffee shop.
She found them outside the dorms, heading for the coffee shop themselves. She nudged between them, breaking their hands apart, and linked her arms with theirs. “What are my besties doing this lovely afternoon?”
“We were having a nice boyfriend moment till you showed up.” Killian scowled down at her.
“And I’ve interrupted again, what would you do without me?” She pulled them along toward the cafe.
“Oh, I don’t know, maybe have some privacy?” Killian muttered.
“Leave her alone,” Diego said. “She can’t help it if she’s lonely without Logan.”
“I had the best Thanksgiving, how about you guys?”
“We spent it with Killian’s family.” Diego pushed his glasses up. “It was really nice. I like Texas during the holidays so much we’re going back for Christmas. My dad will be out of the country, so he’s already bought us both plane tickets to Texas as an apology.”
“It’s official, my sisters like him better than me.” Killian grinned. “He spent the whole break playing barbies with my littlest sister. It was adorable. I’m pretty sure she’s more excited for him to come back than her own brother.”
“No doubt.” Wylder laughed. “Come on. Let’s get coffee and head to my room. My mom is redecorating, and she’ll want to see you guys before she leaves to make sure you’ve been properly mothered over the holiday.”
“What’s going on over there?” Diego pushed his glasses up again. Most of the students were already back, but classes wouldn’t begin until the following morning, so everyone had a free afternoon. A large crowd had formed outside the cafe.
“Let’s go see, maybe they’re giving free samples.” Wylder shouldered her way through the swarm of students.
“What makes you think you can come back here after the stunt you and your brother pulled?” a senior on the Lacrosse team shouted. “You shouldn’t be here, man.”
“What a joke.” A girl beside Wylder shook her head. “I thought he and his brother were so hot, but knowing what they did, they’re just pathetic.”
“Go back to Nashville, Cook.”
“Oh, heck no.” Wylder shoved and pushed people out of her way, stepping on toes and elbowing those who didn’t move fast enough. She found him at the center of the chaos, looking like a deer caught in headlights. “Killer!”
“I’m right behind you, Wylds.” Killian and Diego stepped up beside Logan, but they couldn’t get through the throng of angry students.
“Cook’s a Crook.” Someone mock coughed, and Wylder whirled around, looking for the culprit.
“Move!” Wylder darted toward the guy. She must have had a crazy look in her eye because he took several steps back. “Everyone, back off!”
“Hey, Cook, you’ve got at least one fan left. Maybe your girlfriend will buy your next album.”
