“That you didn’t tell me it was happening?” She shrugged. “A little, but I get it.”
“Are you going to do the same?” I asked. “Before the battle?”
She glanced at the bathroom door.
What are you two talking about? Dastien asked.
Girl stuff.
He grunted. How much longer you need?
I dunno. A couple minutes? Maybe more. And no listening in!
He chuckled. I’ll do my best.
“I don’t know,” Meredith said. “Donovan wants to me to meet his pack. They have this whole elaborate ceremony in Ireland, but now… I don’t know why we’re waiting.”
“This fight… I mean that thing nearly ripped me in two. If just one was hard, how are we going to fight more than that?” I blew out a breath. “I’m scared.”
“Me too.” Meredith slouched down on the bed. “But we’ll get her.” The shower shut off, and she stood up. “I’m happy for you. You deserve a big slice of happy in all this crazy.”
“Thanks. So do you.”
She sighed. “I know. I’m just afraid what his pack will do if he comes back with some random chick. He was kind of a player back in the day and there are a bunch of she-wolves over there that are going to be pissed.”
“When the time comes, if you want me to go with you to Ireland, I will. You’ve had my back and I will totally have yours.”
“You’ve had mine, too.” Meredith squeezed my hand. “I haven’t forgotten what you did for me.”
/> I shook my head. “That was no big deal.” A little curse seemed like nothing compared to what we were dealing with these days.
“It was a big deal.” She gave my hand a quick squeeze as the bathroom door clicked open. “Night.” She whistled at Dastien, who was still glistening from the shower and wrapped in a towel that was a little too small for him.
“Goodnight, Meredith.” He gripped the knot of the towel as she slid past. Probably wise. His face was flushed when his gaze met mine. “We need to get you out of this dorm.”
I laughed. “Or get you slightly bigger towels. Wouldn’t want anyone sneaking a peek at my goods.”
He grinned. “Your goods? I thought they were mine?”
“It might be your body, but it’s mine, too.” He jumped onto the bed, and suddenly, I wasn’t all that tired. “Just be careful. I’m wounded.”
“I’ll be really gentle.” He lowered to brush a kiss on my lips, and grinned. “Very, very gentle.”
***
I woke with a start, unsure what was going on.
“Who is it?” Dastien’s voice rang out.
“It’s Teresa’s father. You have five seconds to get your ass dressed and out of my teenage daughter’s bed.”
Oh shit, I said to Dastien as I pushed him out of bed. The movement ached along my side, but nothing like the pain from a few hours ago.
We’d put on clothes to sleep in—you never knew what was going to happen living in the dorm—but still, this was more than a little disconcerting. With my side still aching, it took me a second to pull a sweatshirt over my head. By then, Dad was pounding on the door again.
“Don’t make me break it down, Teresa Elizabeth McCaide.”
Shit. He three-named me. I checked that Dastien was fully dressed before opening the door. Dad was bracing to knock again.