Chapter 8
CHAPTER 8
brIAR
I t’s the last day of classes before winter break. Anticipation buzzes in the air as the other freshman chatter excitedly about their plans. While I’m looking forward to a break from school, it’s hard to be excited for going back to Hawthorne Grove. What if the woman who can restore my memories is dead? Or moved? Or refuses to help?
There’s so much that can go wrong. Dread sits like a block of lead in my stomach, heavy and probably unhealthy for me.
“Are you even listening, boo?” Rory’s voice snaps me out of my thoughts.
I aim a guilty look her way. “Um… no. I’m sorry, Ror. I just have a lot on my mind.”
Her face softens with sympathy. “That’s okey dokey, babe. We all have times like that. You wanna come over to study for finals this afternoon?”
“I’d love that. I just have to check with, er, the guys first,” I finish lamely. I can’t exactly blurt out in the middle of class that I’m living with three of my professors… and sleeping in their bed every night. With them. I’m pretty positive WHU would aggressively frown on that and probably kick me out.
With Patrick almost murdering me, they’re a little overprotective. The Wyldhart brothers like to know where I am at all times. I try to let them know my plans to ease their worry.
Rory gives me a wide grin, pleased beyond belief about whatever’s going on with her cousins and me. “Mm-hmm, and how are things going with the guys?”
I blush bright red at her suggestive tone. We haven’t gotten past kissing—unless you count spanking, but there’s no way I’m telling her any of that. While she’s my best friend, she’s also their cousin, which makes talking about that stuff with her weird.
Luckily, I’m saved by Xander walking into the room. I wonder if I’ll ever get used to just how attractive the Wyldharts are. Xander’s tousled blond hair, piercing green eyes, and muscular frame cause my breath to catch in my throat. My gaze greedily roves over the stubble sharpening his jawline, his tight button-down shirt, and his defined forearms showcased by rolled-up sleeves.
“Since this is the last day of class, we’re going to spend the period reviewing the information we’ve covered this semester. Partner up and go over the practice quiz I’m going to pass out.” Xander turns his back to the class and digs into his satchel for what I’m guessing are the practice tests.
Rory and I always partner up in this class, so I don’t bother to ask if that’s what we’re doing this time.
As I’m searching through my satchel for my pens that really don’t want to be found, one of the guys in front of me hollers, “Hey! New girl!”
I look up to see who’s yelling and find Nick, who sits right in front of Rory, staring straight at me. My eyes widen in surprise. Looking behind me, I check to make sure he isn’t talking to anyone else. When he just looks expectantly at me, I ask, “Uh, can I help you?”
Apparently, he completely misses the discomfort in my tone. “You can, actually. Be my partner for the activity.” Nick flashes a megawatt grin that’s supposed to be charming. Unlike when the Wyldharts smile at me, I feel nothing when Nick does. Instead, I just feel creeped out.
Glancing at Rory, I see her watching our interaction with a frown. I’d so much rather partner with her, but I’ve stolen Rory for every partner exercise so far this semester. Ronan’s had to partner with randos, so he’d probably appreciate working with a familiar face this time.
Sighing and hoping Ronan appreciates my sacrifice, I agree. “Sure, I’ll be your partner.”
I’m going to regret this, aren’t I?
“Come down here, then, new girl.” Nick winks at me before patting the seat to the left of him.
Yep, he’s already making me regret it.
I roll my eyes at him as I step over the row to sit by him. “Yeah, my name’s not ‘new girl.’ It’s Briar, and I’ve been here the entire semester.”
“Miss Wylder, I expect you to be focusing on the practice quiz, not chatting with your classmates,” Xander barks right in front of me. My head jerks up automatically to look at his face. When I see anger and disapproval warring in his eyes, I flinch back minutely and look down at my lap.
Jesus. What is it with everyone yelling at me today?
He hasn’t even passed out the tests yet, and I was just introducing myself. He needs to take a chill pill or five. “Yes, professor,” I mumble while avoiding his mesmerizing gaze.
It’s always such a fun game wondering which Xander I’m going to get—the one who gives me hugs and reassurance or the one who’s perpetually annoyed with me. I guess I found out which it is today.
“Here.” Xander thrusts two of the quizzes out. I take them from his grip and wait for him to move on, all without taking my gaze off his polished black oxfords and perfectly pressed charcoal suit pants. When I don’t respond, Xander sighs quietly and walks down the row.
“It’s okay, new girl. Professor Grimm is like that with everyone. You get used to it,” Nick tries to reassure me.
I snort and barely keep from outright laughing. This particular brand of Xander is reserved only for me. I don’t think anyone else annoys him quite as much as I do. It’s a talent, really, to get on your mate’s nerves as badly as I get on Xander’s.
Does Xander even want to be my mate?
The answer’s probably no, which makes my heart crack a little—or a lot. But we’re in class, so I need to think about something else. I can ponder how much he doesn’t want me somewhere safer, like the ballroom with the piano.
I’ve been sneaking down there most nights. Even surrounded by the Wyldharts, I’m still not safe from the nightmares. I’m lucky if I get four hours of sleep a night. At least I don’t wake up screaming. That’d be super embarrassing.
Shaking myself out of my Xander-induced funk, I hand one of the papers to Nick. “Do you want to each do half or work on the problems together?” Please say half. I feel even less like talking to a stranger now than I did before.
He makes sure to graze my hand with his as he takes the quiz from me. “We’ll do them together. That way we can get to know each other.”
“Sure.” I look down at the quiz and take a second to understand all the problems.
“So, what are your plans for winter break?”
“Hanging out with friends and family,” I answer evasively. What am I supposed to say? Oh yeah, I’m just going to the town I grew up in on a quest to right some mysterious wrongs? Or my dead mom told me to find a lady to magic all my memories back?
Yeah, I’m sure Nick wouldn’t think I’m crazy at all. Or maybe he wouldn’t. I haven’t mastered telling who’s a wolf and who’s a normal human yet. I’m supposed to be able to tell by smell, but all the scents are kind of overwhelming since my wolf was unlocked.
“You have friends?” he blurts.
I pause before looking at him and blinking in shock a few times. Did he really just say that? I know I don’t hang out with many people, but still. “Yeah, Nick, I do,” I deadpan. “Thanks for asking.”
He raises an eyebrow in disbelief. “Who?”
“Rory and Ronan for starters.” A genuine smile crosses my face. I’m so lucky Rory chose me the first day of classes. She and Ronan are the best friends a girl could ever ask for.
“Oh, yeah, I meant like actually cool friends,” Nick replies.
I twist to glance at Rory over my right shoulder. She’s staring at me with her mouth parted in surprise. I’m guessing she’s heard the entire train wreck of a conversation. This is why I don’t talk to new people. It literally never goes well.
When our gazes connect, her expression turns from shock to anger. Rory’s not upset Nick insulted her. She’s pissed that he insulted her brother and best friend. Before Rory can kick his ass, I try to redirect the conversation. “Is there a reason you’re asking mildly insulting questions, dude?”
“Yeah!” Nick chirps enthusiastically. “I wanted to invite you to a party I’m having this weekend at my family’s barn. It’s gonna be totally epic. You should come, and you can make some friends, instead of keeping to yourself like you have all semester.”
“Nah, I’m good. Thanks, though,” I answer immediately. I’m sure Nick is well-meaning, but he’s been an ass. I’d rather not subject myself to more people like him if I can help it.
“What? This is the party of the semester, and you’re turning an invite down?” he asks incredulously.
“Yep. I’d much rather hang out with my family and not cool friends than be at a party with you and your friends,” I tell him bluntly. He opens his mouth to respond, but I cut him off. “I’m handling problems one through ten. You solve problems eleven through twenty. We’ll swap answers when you’re done.”
Turning away from him, I get to work on my problems. I pop in an earbud to ward off any further conversation and put on “Give Me Something” by Seafret. The next thirty minutes pass in uneasy silence, but it’s better than the previous conversation. I finish before Nick and spend most of the class period doodling house designs on my paper. When he’s done, we swap answers.
“All right, class, that’s all for today.” Xander’s leaning against his desk as he speaks. “We’ll have our final on Wednesday morning. Don’t forget that it counts for forty percent of your grade.”
The class collectively groans. Xander’s final counts for the most of any of my classes. Here’s hoping I don’t bomb it.
I move to get up, but a hand clamps down on my thigh. I flinch at the sudden touch I wasn’t expecting. It takes me a second to realize it’s just Nick. “Wait! Don’t you think we should exchange phone numbers? I can help you study for the exam, and I’m sure I can convince you to come to my party.”
My skin’s crawling from his touch, but I’m frozen and unsure what to do. Instinctively, my eyes look for the one person in the room that makes me feel safe. The breath wooshes out of my chest when my gaze connects with Xander. The feeling of safety doesn’t last long as I register the boiling rage in his eyes.
Oh fuck.
Someone’s going to die today if I don’t remove Nick’s hand from my leg. Spurred on by the absolute fury on Xander’s face, I roughly shove the hand off my leg. Hopping up, I step on my chair and leap back to the safety of my row.
“Nope. I’m not giving you my number. Have a nice life, Nick,” I rush out, hoping to get him to leave the classroom before any death or dismemberment happens. I don’t want Xander to get in trouble.
Nick glares at me. “You don’t have to be a bitch about it. I was just trying to be nice. I can see why you stick to your loser friends.” He stomps out of the classroom after his last parting shot. Well, he doesn’t seem very thankful that I saved him from at least a light maiming, if not worse.
With Nick gone, I close my eyes in relief and sag against the front of my desk. Crisis averted.
“Miss Wylder.” Xander’s sharp voice cuts through the slowly emptying classroom. “I need a word with you.”
I spoke too soon. Crisis not adverted, just transformed.
Xander sounds absolutely livid at me.
What for? I don’t know.
Nick was the one being a jerk taco, not me.
Sighing deeply, I nod at him and start packing up my stuff. I shove it into my bag and yank out my earbud with more force than necessary, annoyed at Xander. It doesn’t seem to matter what I do, the man will always find a reason to be frustrated with me. It’s exhausting and just about the last thing I want to deal with after the Nick debacle.
I also don’t appreciate him calling me out in front of the whole class twice today. It’d be cool if he would refrain from telling everyone he has a problem with me.
“You need me to talk to him, girly?” Rory rubs my arm gently to comfort me.
I smile gratefully at her, my chest filled with warmth at her concern. “Thanks, Ror, but I need to handle this myself. I’ll see you in Bastian’s class.”
“Okay. Text me if you need anything. See you soon, babe!” With one last gentle squeeze to my arm, Rory grabs Ronan’s hand and makes her way out of the classroom. Instead of her usual bubbly skip, Rory walks slowly to the door while glaring at Xander the whole time. He doesn’t notice, gaze fixed firmly on me.
I wait until the last person leaves the room. Then I slowly make my way down to Xander.
He waits until I’m in front of him and I tip my chin up to look at him before saying anything. “To my office. Now.” Every word drips with barely leashed wrath.
I bite my cheek because matching Xander’s anger isn’t going to resolve anything. It’s just going to escalate the situation. The best thing I can do is stay calm and hope he cools off on the walk to his office.
Dreading what will happen when we’re alone, I reluctantly follow Xander out of the classroom.