Sheila lifted a brow. “Disappointed that I’m not someone else?”
“No, of course not,” I said.
She nodded to the boots. “I see Alec came through.”
“Yes, thank you for securing that for me,” I said.
“I didn’t do anything in that regard, he was already asking around on your behalf,” she said.
“Probably ready to be rid of me,” I said.
She shrugged. “Could be. But I heard he was trying to find you a cot, too. So, he must not be counting on you leaving too quickly.”
“Well, that’s very kind of him,” I said.
“He’s got a nice guy streak. He just doesn’t let it out often. Especially not around people he just met. You’ve made quite the impression on him,” she said, her tone playful.
“I’m not sure I like what you’re insinuating.”
“You do know sex is normal, especially after a shift,” she said. “Plus, there’s the whole perk of being a shifter and not having to worry about STDs.”
“I got sex-ed in school, thanks,” I said.
She shrugged. “I’m just saying, nobody would judge if you and Alec…”
“That is not going to happen,” I said.
“Suit yourself,” she said. “Sometimes I wish I liked dick so I could see what he’s like in bed. I’m just not into it.”
“Well, you’ll have to ask someone who isn’t me for a review,” I said.
She laughed. “Maybe I will later. Greta is expecting us.”
“Now? I haven’t even washed the blood off and it’s been days since I’ve eaten a full meal.” I would kill for a shower and a hamburger about now.
“Greta first,” she insisted. “It’s far better to bathe in the evening when there’s not a crowd at the lake. Unless you want a crowd.”
“No, thanks. I’ll wait.”
“Good. Then it’s settled.” She opened the tent flap and stepped outside.
Sheila wasn’t going to take no for an answer so I followed her silently out of her tent and back toward the common area. It was full now. Kids were running and screaming, adults were sitting in circles of chairs, others were cooking or playing various games. Things around here looked like they were pretty mellow most of the time.
“Who is this Greta?” I asked.
“She’s like the camp grandmother,” Sheila said. “She’s the oldest shifter here and she knows everything. An afternoon with her is better than years in a classroom. And she’s dying to meet you.”
I never met my grandmother. Or my grandfather. And from what I’d heard, my grandfather went crazy and killed himself. He didn’t seem like he was throwing down knowledge to younger generations. What might it have been like to have elders I could have learned from?
My stomach twisted in nervous expectation. I was excited about meeting Greta, but worried I wasn’t going to be good enough. I wasn’t exactly a normal shifter. “You sure about this?”
“Absolutely.” Sheila paused in front of another green tent. A few boxes of pink flowers in neat rows were set up on either side of the entrance. It created a comfortable, welcoming vibe.
“Go on, she’s waiting for you.”
I hesitated, staring at the canvas tent flap.
Sheila gave me a gentle push. “It’s okay.”