Page 92 of Bones
“That was way fucking longer than ten minutes,” a familiar voice grumbled. “Hurry up, the guard is gonna change soon.”
The gate opened, and Trey urged Violet through. Sam glared as he shut the gate behind us.
“Thanks for the help, Sam,” Trey said, a smile in his voice.
“Bones is givin’ me enough grey hairs. I don’t need you chippin’ in,” Sam muttered.
“I’ll help you pluck ’em out,” Trey said.
“You owe me.” Sam pointed a finger at Trey. “It’s a good thing Bones is my favorite person on this crew.”
“Since when?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Since Griz ate the last piece of bacon this morning.”
“Oh, I see how it is,” I said.
Trey laughed.
“You see the lights, Shortcake?” Sam changed topics as we headed for the stables.
“Yeah.” My voice warmed, remembering how beautiful they’d been. “They were the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
“See?” Trey sounded smug. “Worth it.”
“Fine,” Sam grumbled, then scowled up at me. “You know, Shortcake, I’m a little offended ’cause nothing could be more beautiful thanthese.”He flexed his biceps and Trey groaned.
They continued bickering all the way to the stable, and I found myself fighting a smile. I slid off Violet and watched Trey get her ready for the night. Sam threw his arm around my shoulders, and I didn't mind it.
It wasn't until I lay in my bed in the dark that I realized these people were starting to feel like a family. It made my eyes well up and panic grip my lungs all at once. Wolf tried to snarl something at me, but he sounded fainter. I pressed my face into my pillow, hoping Trey wouldn't hear my unsteady breaths as I tried to ignore both Wolf's warnings and my desperate longing that it could be true.
14
The next morning, the door opened, and Zip’s massive form filled the doorway.
“Hey, Doc!” he boomed, and all the kids in the loft vanished out of sight. “You feelin’ better?”
The unease surged back, my mind attempting to piece together how he wanted me to respond. Trey and Sam bristled by the exam table, but thank the gods, they didn't say anything. It took more effort than I expected to go up to Zip. When I reached him, he pulled me into an aggressive kiss. I could sense the sharp edge of his energy, and it made me more anxious.
“Yeah, I am,” I answered, hoping my voice sounded steady.
“You up for Mootzie’s tonight?” His hands traveled down from my waist to my hips.
“Sure.” I tried to muster a smile and failed.
“Pick you up after the dinner bell then.” It sounded more like a threat than a promise, and he kissed me again, all rough beard and teeth, his hands gripping my ass. When he pulled back, he gave me a look that made my stomach churn with dread.
After he left, the silence felt heavy with judgment. I moved awkwardly back to the sink where I’d been washing some tools, avoiding Trey and Sam’s gaze.
“You still with Zip, then?” Sam asked, a sharp edge to his voice.
I shrugged, distracted by the anxiety coursing through me.
“If you’re into the big burly look, you could at least go with Griz,” Sam muttered, and my face warmed.
Trey stayed quiet, and after a few minutes, he strode outside. Sam followed him, casting heavy glances my way. The pit of dread in my stomach grew harder to ignore.
The day flew by, and soon the dinner bell rang. Zip showed up minutes later, and I had to force myself not to jerk away when he grabbed my hand. Most of the snow had melted, leaving just a few large piles from where it’d been shoveled out of the paths. Someone had sprinkled woodchips on the path in an attempt to combat the mud. Zip towed me along in silence, and I retreated into myself like a dog following a familiar path home. Then I realized where we were heading.
