“Hey Loverboy!”
We separated once again and found Stephen standing on the opposite side of the river that I’d come from.
Kodi heaved a sigh and said, “Hey, Stephen. What are you doing here?”
The tall boy smirked as he came further down the bank.
“Your mother called me. It seems she went upstairs to call you two for lunch but were nowhere to be found. She thought I might know where you’d gone. The sad thing is that I had no clue where to find you. I just volunteered to look for you so that I had an excuse to show up to your house for lunch. The fact that I happened to run into you two was an unfortunate coincidence.”
I couldn’t help but feel offended. “Unfortunate?”
Stephen gave me a sly smile and Kodi burst out laughing. Had I missed something?
“What’s so funny?” I asked Kodi. He smiled down at me and I fought to listen rather than drag him in for another kiss.
“He wasn’t trying to find us because he knew if he didn’t, that meant more food for him. Stephen is a sucker for my mom’s cooking. Or food in general to be honest.”
I laughed. Stephen really was a bottomless pit. Stephen didn’t bother denying it and shrugged in agreement.
“It’s true. So, you two can stay in the water and suck each other’s faces off while I dispose of the leftovers,” said Stephen. Kodi laughed and I blushed as Stephen made his way further upriver to hop across a line of boulders to get to the bank where I’d left my socks and shoes. As intriguing as staying here in Kodi’s arms sounded, the wet jeans clinging to my legs had become slightly uncomfortable and the air had gotten cooler. A hot plate of food was starting to sound very appetizing. Looking up at Kodi I waited for him to say what he wanted to do. He seemed to think about it for a moment before turning to me with a smile.
“Let’s go eat.”
We headed to the riverbank and now that my adrenaline rush had faded away I had just a slight twinge in my shoulder and had lost all grace when it came to my legs. A particularly sharp pebble on the river’s bottom caused me to stumble and Kodi’s arm shooting out to steady me was the only thing that kept me from crashing down into the water like a klutz. I nodded in thanks and accepted the hand he offered to help me onto the bank. Shoving my socks into my pocket, I pulled on my Converse shoes and walked in silence with Kodi and Stephen while they indulged in idle chitchat. I only began to pay attention to their conversation when the subject of the Homecoming dance came up.
“Are you going with anybody?” Kodi asked Stephen. Stephen kicked a rock along the dirt path before answering.
“Not yet, but I have someone in mind. I was actually hoping that Meghan could help me out with that.” I looked up at that and he said, “I’d like to ask Katie. I saw you two talking on the camping trip, so I figured you knew her.”
I nodded, “Yeah, she’s nice. She’s really close friends with my roommate, Sarah.”
Stephen seemed to think for a moment before he stopped walking and got a strange look on his face. Kodi and I stopped as well and walked toward him.
“What is it?” Kodi asked.
Stephen’s head tilted to the side. “By “really close” you don’t mean…”
Confused at first, I laughed when I figured out what he’d meant.
“No, they’re not a couple,” I said.
He let out a sigh of relief and I laughed again. We resumed walking and Stephen picked up his conversation where he’d left off.
“Are you going?” he asked Kodi.
Kodi sent a smile my way before answering, “Yes, I’m going with Meg.”
Stephen sent a look to both of us. “Don’t you think that’s kind of like fanning the fire that is Simone?”
An involuntary and inhuman sound shot from my throat and I rushed to cover my mouth with my hands in hopes of preventing any further noise to escape. We had all stopped walking and Stephen turned to me but addressed Kodi.
“Did she just growl at me?” he asked incredulously.
Kodi’s eyebrows rose in amused surprise and he smirked, “I believe she did.”
I waited a moment to think before cautiously letting my hands fall away from my face.
“I’m sorry, Stephen. I don’t think my wolf liked what you said.”
Stephen blinked in shock. “You already have a connection with your wolf?”
The way he asked hinted that it may have happened sooner than expected and I frowned.
“Is that bad?” I asked.
Stephen shrugged, “Not that I know of, but I’ve never met a Changed wolf before. They aren’t common.” He took a big whiff of the air and nodded. “You do smell different. Not noticeable unless you’re looking for it, but it’s definitely there.”
Stephen looked as excited as he had when he’d found out he was going to be able to make s’mores at camp. “This is so cool! What does your wolf tell you about me?”
Kodi laughed. “Relax, buddy. I don’t think those instincts will kick in until after her Change.”
I did what I had when I wanted to find Kodi. I let go. It was like I was climbing into the back seat of my mind and letting my wolf drive. Once I felt the connection snap into place, I looked at Stephen. His smile faded but he didn’t say anything.
“She didn’t like your insinuation that Simone was a threat to us.” I tried to look deeper into Stephen as he swallowed nervously. I tried to focus on the wolf that lay just beneath the surface. There. I could picture him in my mind. A darker brown than Kodi’s wolf, adding evidence to my suspicion that a werewolf’s coat is usually the same basic color as their hair in human form. The wolf reminded me of Stephen himself. Playful and perhaps goofy but could be a soldier if the situation called for it. Allowing my wolf to gauge her own opinion of Stephen, as he’d asked, I waited patiently for her answer.
“She sees you as pack. Not a threat. Not a potential mate.” I blushed at that. “She likes you,” I added as an afterthought, and also to disguise my embarrassment.
Stephen visibly relaxed and laughed, “Awesome. What about Kodi?” I looked at him nervously for permission. He had that look on his face that I could never interpret but nodded. Before even trying, I took a deep breath to steel myself. I knew my wolf felt something for him, but I was afraid she would count him out as a “mate” as well. Apparently, the wolf had a say in who I dated but I refused to allow myself to get angry or worry about that right now.
Once again, I gave over to the wolf inside me. This time she eagerly jumped forward to give me her opinion of Kodi. I saw his familiar wolf form. Eyes a silver like the glowing moon and fur several different shades of brown rolled into one unique coat. I couldn’t help but smile. He was a beautiful creature in either form. He had a strange effect on me every time I set my eyes upon him but even still, this time was somehow different. Looking at him through my wolf’s eyes, sharper eyes, painted a clearer picture of him than my own ever could have before. He was strong, honorable. He was a protector with great potential to be a leader. The feelings emanating from my wolf told me that one day he would be. Kodi was going to be the next Alpha.
I could see my wolf picture herself, me, standing proudly by his side in wolf form and I should have been elated. It wasn’t that I didn’t like the idea of being by his side because I could think of nothing that I wanted more. I didn’t deserve him. I’d pretty much already had him on a pedestal before, but this new information was just too much for me to handle. He was basically the future King of the Mountain Falls werewolves. I filed this all away for later and turned my focus to everything else about him. It was clear that my wolf thought Kodi to be ours. I must admit that I felt that at times as well, almost like he was made for me. I couldn’t tell him that, however, so I decided to wing it.
“Kodi is strong. He’s a born leader who would protect his people as much as he was able,” I said as I looked at him. Stephen nodded and looked impressed. Kodi remained silently staring at me with that unreadable expression. Hopefully one day I’d
be able to interpret that look. We resumed walking and it wasn’t long before we were seated at the kitchen table with Jack and Trina enjoying heaping bowls of chunky beef stew. It was one of the most delicious meals I’d ever eaten, and I was sure to let Trina know.
“Thank you,” she smiled. “It was Jack’s mother, Margaret’s recipe. She only let me have it after I married him.”
We all laughed, and Jack cleared his throat and wiped his mouth with a napkin before speaking.
“You can return to school tomorrow, Meghan. Also, I won’t force you, but I strongly recommend that you return next weekend for your Change. It would go much easier out here where you would have the support and at the group home there would be no guarantee that you could get somewhere private or safe.”
I agreed to return and Kodi visibly relaxed into his chair. Had he thought I wouldn’t want to come back?
“You’re going to be fine, Meghan,” said Trina in a reassuring smile. I returned it with less confidence and ate the last few bites of stew that remained in my bowl.
“Would you like some more?” she offered. The bowl I’d eaten out had held a large portion and I’d also had a good-sized slice of buttered bread along with it. It had been so long since I’d eaten this good a meal so even though I wished I could have accepted, I had to decline.
“No thank you, I don’t have any room left,” I said.
“Amateur,” Stephen smirked.
There were snickers around the table, and I couldn’t help but smile and shake my head. Trina stood and began gathering our dishes and I rose to stop her at the same time that Kodi did.
“Mom, I’ve got the dishes. You cooked,” Kodi said as he reached to take the dishes from her.
“I’ll help too,” I said as I gathered Jack and Stephen’s empty bowls and bread plates.
“Well thank you both,” Trina said with a grin. I expected her to sit back down at the table or go upstairs to relax but instead she walked to the large pot of stew sitting on the stove and began spooning large scoops of it into a container. Once it was full, she sat it down in front of Stephen.
“Take this home,” she said in a tone that told him not to argue.
“Yes, ma’am. You don’t have to tell me twice,” he said, but the smile he offered didn’t reach his eyes. Something told me that when it came to Stephen Porter and his dad, Bill, the son took more care of the father than the other way around. I pitied him. I didn’t have parents, but I had Jane, Jensen and Dr. Thomas. Stephen gave us all a wave and headed out with his leftovers, Mr. and Mrs. Barrett went upstairs and Kodi and I approached the sink.
“I wash, you dry?” Kodi offered.
“Sounds good,” I replied and grabbed the red dish towel hanging over the cabinets below the sink. We worked together like a well-oiled machine and I had to admit that it felt nice.
“So how do you feel about going back to school?” asked Kodi. I didn’t answer right away. How did I feel about it?
“I’ve enjoyed my time here and I definitely like it better than the group home, but I know I need to go back. I’m behind in all of my classes and I need to make sure that Remy is alright,” I finally replied.
Kodi stopped washing the bowl he’d been working on and frowned at me.
“Remy is the pig, right?” he asked, and I nodded in affirmation. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you about that. Like Stephen said, we don’t have much experience with Changed wolves. I just wanted to remind you that wolves aren’t very good friends for pigs. Animals have a generally good sense of smell and Remy might pick up your new scent. If he does, I can guarantee you it’s not going to be pretty. To be safe, I’d start thinking of someone to take over his care unless you want to unintentionally eat him after your Change.”
I didn’t like anything that had just come from Kodi’s mouth. It took me forever to save up for that pig and I’d barely gotten to raise him in the two months he’s been alive. I was not happy about the prospect of just giving him away. It took me only a moment, however, to acknowledge that I’d be even more unhappy if he was hurt, especially if it was me that had hurt him. I really didn’t want to eat Remy when I became a werewolf. I also didn’t want to run the risk of scaring him to death or causing a scene at school that I couldn’t explain. I’d have to make a call after the dishes were finished.
Five minutes later the dishes were done, Kodi was in the shower and I was in his room calling Sarah from my cell phone.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Sarah, it’s Meg.”
“Oh, hey. Jane said you’ve been sick. Are you alright?”
“Yeah, I’m doing better, thanks. I’ll be going back tomorrow.”
“That’s good news. I heard Olivia say that she should get your room since you were probably dead anyway. She was complaining about Santana’s dirty feet stinking up the room.”
I rolled my eyes.
“Yeah, that sounds like Olivia. Anyway, I called because I was hoping to get Katie’s number from you?
“I think she’d be alright with that, but would it be cool if I ask her first and text you back?”
“That would be great, I’d appreciate it.”
We hung up and not even two minutes went by before my phone buzzed with a new text message. I clicked it open and there was Katie’s number. I saved the number into my phone as a new contact and hit the call button.
“Hello?”
I opened my mouth to reply but nothing came out. Kodi had chosen that moment to enter the room freshly showered and wearing nothing but a beige towel wrapped around his waist. His abdominal muscles moved as he walked, and I couldn’t peel my eyes away. Water dripped from his wet hair down his chest and shoulders and I couldn’t have responded to Katie even if I’d wanted to.
“Hey, sorry to interrupt. Just needed to grab some clothes and wanted to let you know that the shower was free,” he said as he walked to the dresser. I managed to get past the blood rushing through my brain just enough to nod in acknowledgement. Kodi smiled and slightly bent down to rifle through his drawers to find the clothes he wanted, and my heart stopped in my chest. I was torn. Half of me wanted him to leave as soon as possible so that I might regain my composure and brain function. The other half just wished that the towel would fall off.
That image alone caused my blood to boil and heat to burn throughout my body. I had known that I was strongly attracted to Kodi, but this was beyond what I’d ever known I was capable of feeling. In truth, I wasn’t ready for the intensity of my desire for him, so I remained silent while he gathered his things and left the room with a nod. I let out a breath I hadn’t known I was holding. After the few moments it took me to gather my wits, I called Katie again. She’d told me at camp how much she’d wanted a pig of her own but hadn’t been able to afford it, so I could think of no one better to take care of Remy and be his new owner. I used school, work, and college applications as an excuse as to why I couldn’t give him all of the attention that he deserved. She was only too happy to accept and I had to hold my phone away from my ear so that her excited squeals didn’t blow out my eardrum. The phone call neared its end and I paused.
“Hey, Katie?”
“Yeah?”
“Do you know Stephen Porter?”
“I don’t think so, why?”
“He’s tall, was on the basketball team last year and always hangs around Kodi Barrett and Simone McGrath?” There was a pause.
“Wait, was he at camp, too?”
“Yes, he sat next to Kodi, across from us at the bonfire.”
“Oh, okay. Yeah, I know who you mean. I think I caught him staring at me a couple of times.”
“Yeah, that was probably him. Anyway, he recently expressed great interest in taking you to Homecoming and I was wondering what your opinion on that might be.”
I waited for her response which came after a longer pause.
“Are you serious?” she asked, and I couldn’t tell if it was meant in a good way or bad.
“Yeah, so w
hat do you think?” I asked and began to bite my lip nervously on Stephen’s behalf.
“I’d love to!” she said in the same excited tone she’d used when I’d told her about Remy. Questions sprang from her about Stephen left and right and I spent another ten minutes on the phone answering them before we finally hung up. I didn’t mind the questions and I didn’t blame her for asking them, especially since she didn’t even know anything about him. I’d just told her that he was a new friend, but that he seemed like a really nice guy that was definitely worth getting to know. I really liked Katie. I could easily see us being friends. Maybe since our dates were best friends, we could go shopping together to pick out our dresses. I chose to ask her by text instead of calling her again. Almost instantly I received an affirmation that had several exclamation points. I laughed and slid my phone closed. I was glad that I’d have someone there to give me an extra opinion.
I grabbed a towel from the hall closet and pulled some clothes from my bag including a bra, panties, plaid shorts and a shirt. This time I would change in the bathroom after my shower and not risk repeating the incident of Kodi walking in and seeing me without a shirt, or even worse.
Thirteen
The hot water felt wonderful cascading down my back and the steam warmed my body to the core. I was almost sad when the shower ended, and I stepped out to towel off. I began brushing my hair in the mirror when I caught my reflection. I searched for a sign, any sign that indicated that I may have been anything other than human. I saw no change other than my shoulder which was almost completely healed. Only a few fissures in the skin were all that remained. Testing it, I rotated the cuff and although there was slight stiffness, there was no pain. Pulling on my clothes except for socks or shoes, I walked back to Kodi’s room and found him sitting on the bed.
High School Bites Page 12