Page 119 of Conner's Luna

"Out," Dad snaps. "You can come back tomorrow. Maybe."

Conner wisely retreats, but I see the look of hard contemplation in his eyes; a keen intelligence that no wild animal could have. Swallowing more tears back, I offer my furry boyfriend a tremulous smile and retreat inside. Dad slams the door shut and turns to look at me.

"I don't care whatAbuelahas to say. I'll tell you the rest of the story. That man who betrayed great-great-aunt Daryle?AbuelaCharlotte wrote in her diary that it was a wolf. She loved him, was loyal to him, and in return, he married someone else. When he slept with hiswifeit caused Daryle so much pain she lost her baby. His baby. The story says when she drowned, and she must have even if they never found her body, he grew more and more depressed. Killed himself two years later."

My stomach churns. Dad's eyes are hard as he slaps the tabletop with the flat of his palm. "I won't let them screw up your life, Peanut. I've heard too many stories about wolves destroying people they're supposed to love."

I walk to the sink to wash my carrots in a dazed fugue state. Far away, in the shadows of the tree line, I can see Conner's hulking shadow standing. I turn on the water, but Dad gently nudges me to the side to Conner's clean his gift to me with several curses whispered under his breath. Dad may not trust Conner, butAbuelamade me think; how can I trust myself? What if my magic voice spelled Conner into choosing me over Lydia? He did truly crazy things for Lydia before he and I became friends.

How long do relationships based on mutual rejection and magic voices last, exactly?

I watch out of the window as the shadows lengthen and deepen until Conner disappears. Picking up a freshly-washed carrot, I bite into it and chew, hoping he can still see me even if I can't see him.

"I'm going to bed, Dad," I say faintly.

He nods. "I'm going out to sit on the porch, Peanut. I'll lock up down here. Make sure you take your pain pill."

When I reach my room I change into my comfiest pair of pajamas and turn on Dad's laptop. I definitely don't want Conner's pack to see what I'm researching. I take my pill and figure I have about half an hour before it knocks me out.

I'm in the middle of reading all aboutMami-Watawhen lips brush my naked shoulder. A hand clasps over my mouth and Conner whispers in my ear, "shh, honeygirl. Your dad's outside cleaning his gun."

Conner comes closer, crowding into me. I have the presence of mind to slam the laptop shut before he kisses me.

"Easy, easy," he whispers. "Ah, damn Bailey." He gently kisses my shoulder over the bandages. His eyes are glowing like neon lights in the dark. "I can't stay long," he murmurs, kissing me again. "Your dad will shoot me then my dad will bury me ten feet deep."

Another kiss and he pulls away, his face twisting in sorrow and pain. "Got to go, babe. Before I can't stop."

I open my mouth to berate him about the sexual power of women andyeshecanstop andwill...but then I remember my voice. I don't want to entrance him.

He kisses me again, then murmurs against my mouth, "sorry I couldn't give you your orgasm today, honeygirl." Another kiss. "I miss you so much, Bailey. I'll see you tomorrow."

He leaves out of my window while I wonder how he can possibly miss me when we were together just hours ago. Then I think about how badly I want my orgasm that he promised me.

A bang makes me shriek. I run to my window, tripping over my comforter and nearly face-planting into the carpet. Scrambling to stay on my feet I grip my windowsill with both hands and immediately regret it.

"Ouch! Poop!" I stare into the backyard at my dad. He's facing the woods, his army-issued pistol hangs at his side. "Dad! Did youshoothim?"

"Nah," Dad calls back. "I missed. He's a fast little bugger."

I sag in relief, then holler out, "put the damn gun away or I'm callingAbuelaagain. This time you talk to her."

Dad mumbles something and stomps back inside like a lethal, petulant toddler. I walk back to my bed and grab my phone to start a group text.

BMW - Is Conner alright? Dad just took a potshot at him.

My phone lights up, the text messages pouring in.

Sarj - Your dad missed him on purpose

Sean texts me fifteen laughing emojis, then a knife and a ghost.

Unknown number - It's Brax. This is my new number. If you need a new boyfriend I volunteer.

I wince a little seeing Braxton's text. Is he also spelled by my stupid voice? I shake my head. I don't even know if I have a special voice.Abueladoes insist we're related to Mick Jagger so she may be coo-coo for Coco Puffs. All those sloe-eyed boys flash through my mind, but I push them away and add Braxton to the group.

BMW - Dad probably did miss on purpose. I've seen him at the gun range.

Sean - Expect a bigger gun cabinet to be installed tomorrow.

---