Promised by Leigh Walker

Author:Leigh Walker [Walker, Leigh]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: CMG Publishing, LLC

21

Consequences

I waited for as long as I could for him to return, but I eventually fell into a restless sleep. I tossed and turned. Images of giant wolves, Eden’s blazing eyes, and a desolate-looking James haunted my dreams.

When I awoke, the sun was peering over the horizon.

Oh crap. I’d never texted my dad. I reached for my phone, finding ten different messages from him. They started out conversational and went significantly downhill from there.

The last one read: You’re grounded. Come home as soon as you get this.

My heart sank further as I noticed the bed beside me hadn’t been slept in. There was no sign of James.

I crept downstairs, worried about what I might find. The kitchen was empty, as was the living room. I peered out the window. Patrick, Luke, Eden and James were down on the beach. My spirit lifted—even though Eden had tried to drink from me last night, it relieved me to see her in one piece.

I wrapped my jacket around me and headed outside.

No one looked in my direction as I approached. They appeared to be deep in conversation, listening to James. His back was to me, his shoulders hunched. He gesticulated again and again with his hands. I didn’t have to look at his expression to know that he was extremely pissed. As in livid.

“Hey Taylor.” Luke was the first one to greet me. His smile was tight.

“Hey.”

Eden’s gaze skittered over to me, then quickly away again.

I joined their circle, taking the spot next to James. There were traces of dark circles underneath his eyes. His lips were pale.

“Hey.” I squeezed his arm, but he was cold and stiff beneath my fingers.

“I need to get you home.” His voice was hoarse, as if he’d been up all night shouting.

“Wait—I didn’t mean to interrupt you guys. What’s going on? Did you see the wolf again?”

He frowned. “Let’s go.”

I looked to Patrick, but he just shook his head. “I’ll stop by your house later,” he said.

“You don’t have to—I’ll be here.”

“No, you won’t be.” James steered me by the shoulder toward the truck.

“W-Why not?”

“Didn’t you check your phone?” His tone was curt. “You’re grounded. Your dad was texting us both all night.”

“He’ll understand. I fell asleep.”

“I don’t think he’s going to let you off that easy.” James didn’t look sorry about it.

I frowned at him. “Well, I’m eighteen years old. There’s not a lot he can do.”

He said nothing. He climbed inside the driver’s side and slammed the door.

“Hey.” I didn’t get in. “Aren’t you going to tell me what happened?”

He refused to look at me.

“Is Eden okay? And what about Edgar?”

“They’re fine.” He nodded toward the passenger seat. “Get in the truck, Taylor.”

“Not unless you promise to tell me what happened last night—and also, stop acting like this.”

James raised his eyebrows ever so slightly. “Like what? An asshole?”

“Well…yeah.”

He finally looked me full in the face. “Why would I stop acting like that, huh? That’s exactly what I am. Only an asshole would put his girlfriend in danger again.

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