Page 10

The ride with Simeon was quiet. He explained my car was totaled, which wasn't surprising but was still devastating. I had no idea how I'd get to work now.

"The pack will help you get another vehicle," Simeon said, as if reading my mind.

"I don't need charity," I snapped, then immediately regretted my tone. "Sorry. I just... I can handle my own problems." Not that I seemed to be doing a great job of it.

Simeon's expression remained neutral. "It's not charity when it's pack."

"I'm not pack," I reminded him.

"You're Emery's friend. That makes you family."

I didn't know what to say to that, so I stared out the window as we approached the barrier. Sure enough, Shane was there in Mom's old Camry, leaning against the hood with his phone in hand. When he spotted Simeon's truck, he straightened up, putting on his concerned-big-brother face.

"Danny! Jesus, we've been worried sick!" Shane exclaimed as I climbed out of Simeon's truck. "Mom's been calling everyone."

"My phone died," I said, not knowing or caring where it was.

"You okay?" Shane looked me over, his eyes lingering on the bruise on my forehead.

"Just a bump. I'm fine." I turned to Simeon. "Thanks for the ride."

Simeon nodded, his eyes moving between me and Shane. "Take care of yourself, Danny. I'll be in touch about the car situation."

Before I could protest again, he was back in his truck, driving away.

"Car situation?" Shane asked, eyebrows raised. I fumed. Shane was one of the reasons I had a car situation.

"Wrecked mine," I muttered, getting into the Camry without elaborating. "Let's go home."

Shane climbed into the driver's seat, casting sidelong glances at me. "What were you doing out here anyway? Mom said you were supposed to be at Emery's."

"I was heading there." Another lie. "Took a wrong turn and hit a tree."

"In the middle of a restricted forestry zone?" Shane's tone was skeptical. "Those Colton people live in a weird place."

I closed my eyes, head still throbbing. "Just drive, Shane."

Thankfully, he let it drop, focusing on the road as we headed back toward Minton. My thoughts drifted back to Bayer. To the feeling of being held in his arms, the warmth of his chest, the sense of absolute safety. I'd never felt that before—not with anyone. And he'd just...left me.

"You look like shit," Shane commented helpfully.

"Thanks."

"Mom's going to freak when she sees that bruise."

Great. More drama I didn't need. My phone was probably still in my wrecked car, so I couldn't even text Gemma to vent since Em was unavailable. And now I had no car, which meant I'd have to beg rides to work from Mom or Shane until I figured something out.

"So, what's the deal with those Coltons anyway?" Shane asked, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel. "Emery moves in with that guy and suddenly he's too good to hang out with normal people?"

I rolled my eyes, wincing as the movement sent pain shooting through my skull. "It's not like that. He's just busy."

"Busy doing what? Living in the middle of nowhere playing house? That husband of his keeping him on a short leash or something?"

I bristled at the implication. "Phoenix isn't like that. They're just...private people."

"Rich private people," Shane corrected. "Living on some massive property out in the middle of nowhere. What do they even do for money? You're not telling me construction pays that much."

"I don't know," I lied. "Maybe minding their own business?"