She lifted one brow. “I think Zack wants you back.”
He wanted me back? My heart soared. Then I remembered that he’d never lost me in the first place. “What makes you think that?”
“You should’ve seen his face when that jerk was perving on you.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah,” Maya answered. “He didn’t take his eyes off you guys for an instant. He looked… dangerous. Trevor was all tense and everything in case he needed to pull Zack off the guy. Are you sure you don’t want to get back together with him?”
“Positive.” I nodded toward the stretch of hallway ahead of us. “We should get to class.”
“What did Cameron want?”
“Ashley’s having a few people over for a swim after school today.”
“And you’re going?”
“I thought I might. It’d give me something to do”— I’d almost said while Zack was at work—“since my parents aren’t around.”
She seemed to buy that and we went our separate ways. As I neared my English Lit class, Zack talked to Gina just beyond the doorway.
“So we’re still on for tonight?” she asked.
Zack nodded. “Yeah, around seven?”
“See you then.” She gave him a flirtatious smile, then spun around and walked past me.
By the time I switched to Zack, he was already seated. I stopped right in front of him. “Hey.”
“Hi,” he said, then changed to silent communication. What did Cameron want?
I took my seat and pretended to organize my materials, wondering why Zack was asking about Cameron when he’d heard every word of our conversation. Ashley’s having a mini pool party and wanted me to go.
He eyed me intently. Ashley wanted you to go?
Yeah.
But Cameron was the one who invited you.
He didn’t exactly invite me. I risked a quick look at him. He informed me about it and asked if I was going.
That’s just semantics. As the classroom slowly became more crowded, Zack sighed. In Cameron’s mind, it’s a date, Autumn. And you agreed to it.
That is not a date! The bell couldn’t ring soon enough for me. It’s a few people swimming at her house.
He made a funny little grunting noise. Whatever.
Using your logic, the little get-together with Gina tonight is a date, too.
That’s different.
How so? I couldn’t wait to hear how he justified it.
We’ll be studying, Autumn. He tapped on the surface of his desk, then flipped the cover of his book open. Besides, you knew about it yesterday and you didn’t say anything about it then.
I cleared my throat, keeping my head down. You mean if I made plans to do something with Cameron tomorrow and you knew about it today, then it’s not a date?
The bell rang and he growled. Just forget it.
At the end of class, I gathered my materials, then turned around to grab my sweater off the back of the chair. By the time I turned around, Zack was gone.
The school drama was getting old. Since my next class was with Mr. Collins and Natalie, it would likely get a little older.
Science finally let out and I looked around for Gina who was nowhere in sight. How was I supposed to cozy up to her if she kept disappearing? After a couple minutes of searching, I gave up and headed to my car, hoping to spy Zack along the way. I immediately located his Jeep in the parking lot and waved to Trevor and Maya. Where was Zack?
Intending to stow my books in my car until he appeared, I walked to the Mustang. And there was Zack, leaning against the hood of my car, surrounded by three giggling girls. He smiled charmingly, inviting each of them into his personal circle.
Flirting with girls right at my car? Zack spotted me and each of the girls shifted to follow his gaze. Two of them scowled like I’d just vomited on their new shoes. The third girl seemed surprised. I glared at the two less friendly girls and they backed away a smidgen. Though they were a nuisance, I reminded myself it wasn’t their fault. Zack probably didn’t put up a fight when they attached themselves to him.
I fantasized about being alone with him for a weekend, just me and him. No girls chasing him, no vicious girls setting me up for cheating and no jerks like Greg hitting on me when they’re stoned. Even if Zack liked the idea, could we get away without anyone knowing we’d left town together?
“Hey, I need to speak to Autumn. I’ll talk to you guys later, huh?”
“I thought you two broke up.” The little brunette pouted.
“We did. But I left a couple things at her house and I need to get them back. It’ll only take a minute if you want to wait.”
“We’ll wait,” the blonde said huskily. “C’mon Emily.” She gave him one last seductive smile before sweeping her friends away to huddle a few cars down.
“So are you coming over tonight?” Zack asked, keeping his voice low.
“Are you sure you’ll have the energy after satisfying those girls, then doing your shift at work and seeing Gina?”
He closed his eyes a moment as he inhaled and exhaled. “It’s all for show and you know it. Are you coming over or not?”
“Yes,” I hissed.
“Fine.” His jaw tightened just before he stalked off to reunite with the three girls.
I got in my car and left, pretending I had blinders on so I couldn’t look at Zack laughing with them. What I really wanted to do was stomp over to the girls, stake my claim on Zack, then order them to stay the hell away from my boyfriend.
But Renzo had told me to keep our relationship under wraps, that we never knew when we’d meet up with a werewolf who wasn’t on vacation. Even if no other werewolves showed up, Renzo was the last person I wanted to cross. Just thinking about being cornered by him again, made me tremor from my toes all the way up to my spine.
† † †
I slipped a pair of shorts over my bathing suit, so I wouldn’t have to worry about changing once I got to Ashley’s. Grabbing a towel, I dashed out of my house, looking forward to a few hours of stress-free swimming with friends.
Ashley lived only a few blocks away on the outskirts of the forest. Driving down the rural road reminded me of Charles and I wondered what had happened to his remains. I didn’t watch much TV, nor did I normally pay attention to the news alerts that popped up on my browser. I didn’t need to because my parents usually clued me in on anything noteworthy. If they missed something, I’d hear about it at school or from Mrs. Morales next door who’d bring a basket of muffins and chat about everything she could think of until we were properly informed.
Yet I’d heard nothing at all from anyone.
Wouldn’t finding an over-sized, mutilated wolf carcass hit the local news? Especially since wolves weren’t common in our area? It’s not as if we’d hidden the body — we’d left it right on the ground close to where we’d parked the car.
I detoured and turned up the road that would take me to that spot. About a mile along I pulled over and climbed out of the car. Where was it? The forest looked completely different during the day.
As I trekked along the dirt road, I inhaled, trying to pick up the scent of wolf. I hiked a few yards farther, then the stench of old blood filled my nostrils. I recognized the raised tree root, a broken branch and big rocks scattered about. It was definitely the spot.
I didn’t see a body, though. Even if the animals had scavenged him, wouldn’t there be something leftover, like a skull or a tuft of hair?
But no such traces existed. I waved my nose in the air, trying to find a scent trail, a direction the carcass may have been dragged off to. Or walked… Could Charles have survived with his insides ripped out? According to the movies, the only way to kill a werewolf was a silver bullet. How much truth did that theory hold?
After a few more minutes searching the immediate vicinity, I walked back to my car. I was about to open the driver’s side door when a ranger truck parked next to me.
“Excuse me, sir?” I asked as he got out o
f his truck.
He swiveled around in his short-sleeved, crisp uniform. “Not sure it’s a good idea for you to be out here alone, Miss.”
“Extenuating circumstances. I needed to check something out. Saturday morning, we were hiking around here and saw a dead wolf right over there.” I pointed to where we’d left Charles.
“We don’t have wolves in this area, Miss. Must’ve been a coyote.”
“It was definitely a wolf.”
He gave a sigh, which said it all — someone so young had no business telling him about his job. He’d never buy the wolf theory. If I pushed it, he’d think I was stupid and he’d be less likely to take me seriously.
“Okay, it was definitely dog-like.” I shrugged. “Did you see it or maybe someone called it in?”
He folded his muscular arms over his chest, shaking his head decisively. “No. Probably got eaten by local scavengers. Why so much interest in it?”
“Felt bad when I saw it.” I softened my voice. “I assumed he was dead, but then I got to thinking maybe he was wounded and needed help.”
That was all I needed to say. The ranger was obviously an animal lover. “We patrol the area frequently. If there was a wounded animal, I assure you, we would’ve seen it and taken care of it.”
Then why was there no trace of the body? Scavengers would’ve left bones and fur, right?
“Thank you. That’s comforting to know,” I said, really laying on the innocent act. I got in my car and resumed the short drive to Ashley’s.
When I arrived, John and Janine greeted me at the door and ushered me to the backyard.
“Hey, Autumn, glad you could make it.” Ashley hugged me and handed me a soda from the cooler by the table.
I took it and hugged her back, happy to see her and thankful for the company.
“Um.” She frowned. “I invited Zack this morning, thinking it would be fine since you guys still hang out. But when I saw him at lunch, he looked pissed off. You guys still okay?”
“Yeah, I think he was mad about something else. He and I are good.” I smiled and waved my hand, unsure how I felt about Zack showing up. A part of me was anxious to see him, but the other part loathed the thought of continuing the charade. I just wanted to take it easy for a little while and not have to pretend, not have to lie to anyone.
“I guess he has to work, so he’s not coming until later anyway. If you feel weird about it, you can always slip out before he gets here. But I’d like you to stay… if you want,” she added uncertainly.
“Thanks. I’ll have to go home to eat at some point anyway, so I’ll play it by ear.”
“My parents are springing for pizza.”
There went that excuse, but I liked her idea of dinner much better than what I’d find at home. “Pizza sounds awesome.”
“Hey, Autumn,” Cameron called out from the pool. “Water’s great. Come on in.”
If Zack was right and Cameron thought it was a date, I should keep my distance, so he wouldn’t be led on. Since he was the only one in the pool, I figured I’d wait until he got out before I got in. “Yeah, maybe in a bit.”
Wait a minute. If Ashley invited Zack, wouldn’t that be a date, according to him?
So… following your philosophy, since Ashley invited you over to her house, that means it’s a date. And you’re seeing Gina later for another date. You should be careful — you don’t want to overlap your women. I wondered if the hypocrite could hear me three miles away at the auto shop.
It’s not a date, Autumn. Ashley is the host. She invited several people, not just me. I have to work now, okay? I’ll see you at Ashley’s in a little while.
I didn’t answer, realizing that now he expected me to be there when he arrived. I was locked in, pizza or not.
Cameron got out of the pool. Seeing the perfect opportunity to avoid him, I stripped off my shorts and tank top, feeling many pairs of eyes on me. I became aware of the skimpiness of my bathing suit and wished I’d brought my one-piece instead. Not that this one was any more revealing than any other bikini at Ashley’s today, but the straps were thin and the bottom was cut so that it rode up, exposing a smidgen of my rear. Between the bright green and the ruffles around the top, I may as well have been a beacon showing everyone the way.
I dove in. Instead of being soothed by the warm water carelessly lapping against the sides of the pool, I stressed over the possibility of Cameron joining me and making it awkward. Plus, my nerves were jumbled in anticipation of Zack’s arrival.
Just as I’d feared, Cameron jumped in a couple minutes later. Thankfully, Ashley did too, along with a few others who provided the perfect diversion. Cameron didn’t try to talk to me again and after a few minutes, I began to have fun.
Then Zack arrived.
He said hello, then promptly ignored me. As far as they knew, I wasn’t his girlfriend anymore so it wasn’t as if he could give me special attention. I understood that, but it still stung like rejection.
When the pizza arrived, the pool emptied. Cameron handed me a piece of pizza and I gave him a smile while observing Zack out of the corner of my eye. He was talking to some pretty blond girl I didn’t recognize. She smiled at him a lot and every time she shifted her weight to another side, she somehow inched closer.
I couldn’t watch anymore, so I pivoted until they were out of my line of vision.
Cameron asked me about my classes and if I planned on going to college. At the first opportunity, I turned the questions around on him. When he looked like he was about to switch subjects and tie me with him longer, I clutched at the chance of escape.
“Thanks for inviting me Cameron, but I should go. I still have stuff to do tonight.” Leaving some crust on my plate, I set it down.
“Yeah, I have to go soon too. Guess I’ll see you at school tomorrow, huh?”
He looked hopeful. Crap. Zack had been right. Cameron considered it a date.
“Unless you’ve switched schools.” I grinned as I stepped into my shorts and grabbed the towel. “’Bye John, Janine.” I waved at everyone and hurried out, nearly bumping into Ashley.
“You’re leaving?”
“I have homework and some other stuff to do. I’ll see you tomorrow. Thanks so much for inviting me — I had fun.” Just beyond Ashley, I spotted her parents. “Thanks for having us over and feeding us.”
They nodded and smiled and I got the hell out of there — without looking back at Zack.
Starting up the Mustang, I leaned back in my seat and sighed. If I could get through the next few weeks of school, then Zack and I would have fewer people to pretend in front of. Except by then Zack might not be around at all.
My heart hurt just thinking about that. The next few weeks, miserable or not, might be all I’d have with Zack.
Gunning the engine, I took off in a huff. I had to figure out a way for Zack and me to get some quality time together. I passed the road that led to where we’d left Charles and realized I’d forgotten to tell Zack about the recent developments.
Zack, I took a detour on the way to Ashley’s earlier and went to the spot where we’d left Charles. He wasn’t there.
Maybe he got eaten by wild animals.
Even the bones and fur? I asked. There wasn’t a hint of him anywhere. I talked to a park ranger who said no one’s seen any wolves, dead or alive.
Let’s not get worked up over this. It’s not like he could get up and walk off without his guts, right? There has to be another explanation.
I guess so. But it still nagged at me. Something wasn’t right.
† † †
Homework was almost too easy. Once I wrapped that up, I paced the floor and wondered what do to next. I really wanted to read some of the books on shape-shifters and werewolves that Zack’s dad had left for him. But I was too antsy to focus on that kind of stuff.
Passing the hallway, I stopped. My parents had to keep their paperwork somewhere, right? I seriously doubted they always traveled with all their important documents.
I surveyed my dad’s office again. File cabinets. Desk. Chair. Closet… I opened each drawer of his desk and removed them, looking inside through the rectangular hole they slid into. I found nothing but empty space. Back to the closet, I examined a box of envelopes and various supplies.
My eyes caught on the paper cutter that sat on a black cloth. But it wasn’t either of those things that stole my attention. What was that square metal box under the cloth? I lifted the corner to reveal smooth silver.
Ah, the safe. I’d forgotten it was there since I’d never had a reason to think about it.
I tucked the cloth under the weight of the paper cutter and eyed the large knob covered with small numbers. Damn. How was I supposed to get past a combination lock without the combo?
A few months ago, I’d watched a movie about a thief. He’d filed his fingertips to make them sensitive enough to the feel the clicks on the lock. Another old flick had the burglar use a gadget to amplify the sound and listen for the little clicks.
I wondered if I could do either of those things. My superhuman hearing should be more than adequate.
Kneeling, I shook out my hands and did my best to relax. I put my ear to the cold metal of the safe and turned the lock ever so slowly.
After hearing a faint click, I turned the knob in the other direction. Another click signaled I'd found the second number, so I reversed the direction. I heard a different kind of sound, like a soft thump, and pulled the handle to open it. The door gave way with no resistance.
I’d cracked the safe!
Peering inside, my fingers instinctively reached for what looked like a checkbook. I automatically began searching for the last entry. The balance column had too many digits. That couldn’t be right.
If my parents were rich, why were we always moving and using the excuse that my dad needed to work? And why did we live in a three bedroom house when we could afford a mansion? And why let me drive around in a vintage Taurus for two years?
To make sure it wasn’t an error, I looked earlier, but couldn’t find anything amiss. Each entry gave a large balance that increased with every page.
Shapes of Autumn (Boxed set, books 1 - 5) Page 42