Page 173 of Wicked Savage Wolves
I squeeze her arm. “It’s okay. You don’t have to tell me.” My smile is forced, but I keep the expression until we reach the door to my next class. “I gotta go, but we’ll talk later.”
“Oh.” Her nose scrunches. “Are you sure?”
“Yup. Don’t worry about it.”
I wave and go into class, counting my steps as I go.This is for the best, I remind myself for what feels like the one hundredth time. It has to be.
* * *
Lunch is weird,but what did I expect? Jordy takes César as soon as Desmond arrives, and I let him. It’s what we agreed to. He isn’t coming over every day anymore, so we agreed he could have César at lunch and during fourth. He’s also picking him up twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We haven’t worked up to overnights yet, and I’m thankful for that. I don’t know when or if I’ll be ready for that step anytime soon, and like we’d agreed before everything unfolded, he’s letting me set the pace. I get to make the big decisions and he’s not pushing for more than I can give where César is concerned.
Desmond, Rafael, and Jordy are on one end of the lunch table. Meiying and I on the other. With Zheng and Isa in the middle, acting as a divider between our two groups. The division doesn’t go by unnoticed, and already people are starting to look and whisper.
“So, this Thursday,” Meiying hedges, “You’re sure you want—”
“Yes!” I say, hoping to cut her off before the boys overhear us. I lower my voice to keep our conversation private. “I need the job and I’m really grateful you were willing to talk to your aunt for me.”
She smiles and nods her head, black curls bouncing with the movement.
Meiying’s aunt runs Suzy's Diner, a local diner Isa works at and that Meiying sometimes helps with. Meiying doesn’t need a job, nor does she particularly want one, so she was more than happy to put in a good word for me if it meant getting her out of picking up the vacant shifts. It’s only two days a week—Thursdays when César is with Jordy, and then on Sundays. KeAnna has offered to watch him anytime I need the help and I gratefully accepted the offer, but I know I need to give Jordy the option first. If roles were reversed, I’d want the option of more time with my son before leaving him with a sitter, even if it was a friend. Co-parenting the right way. Right?
“Okay, then I guess just show up on time and you’re all set. Isa works this week so she can show you the ropes.”
“Sounds good.”
A girl walks up to our table, a determined look on her face. She has a little extra swing in her step and her entire focus is zeroed in on Jordy. She reaches him and says something, but I can’t make out the words. She laughs. I look away, but still track their movements in my peripheral. Jordy turns his head to look at me. I can’t make out his facial expression, but having Meiying close by means I don’t have to.
“I think he’s gauging your reaction,” she whispers low enough for only me to hear.
I sigh hard and shrug. “I don’t know why. He can do whatever he wants. He doesn’t have to worry about my feelings.” I force a smile and climb to my feet. “Thanks again for talking to your aunt.”
“Don’t thank me yet. I’ve helped out before and it’s no walk in the park. Half the clientele are students and they’re mostly assholes so, just try not to let anything get to you. Okay?”
Despite myself, I chance a glance back at Jordy. The girl is gone, but he’s staring at a small piece of paper in his hands, his expression serious. A phone number. Figures.
“No worries. I’m becoming a master at not letting things get to me.”
75
Jordy
We’ve beenco-parenting,as Joaninha likes to call it, for three weeks now.Tortureis a more accurate term, if you ask me. I don’t have enough to occupy my free time. I considered getting a job—working at one of the shifter-owned businesses in our community—but my brothers shut that idea down real quick. They want me focused on school and César. When I argued—because hell, we have bills and I’ll be damned if I don’t pay my way around here—they informed me Raul had a life insurance policy with the Pack. I didn’t even know something like that existed, but I guess he set it up when he first felt the inklings of going rogue. I never realized he cared. Or that he was even aware that he was spiraling down to that end.
There was a decent chunk of change there that the four of us decided to split five ways. One portion went to living expenses. It paid off the house and will cover the utilities for at least the next few months. The Pack will help if we ask them to, but none of us is willing to be a burden. Not when there is another way.
The rest we each put into individual bank accounts for later use. I have no clue what Roberto or Antonio will do with theirs. I still don’t really know what Roberto’s plans are now that he’s back. But Sofia says she’s putting hers in savings. Smart girl. And I gave most of mine to Joaninha.
She fought me at first. Didn’t want to take it. She said it was too much. But if you ask me, the ten grand I gave her wasn’t enough. I had to remind her we agreed I’d pay child support. I wasn’t there in the beginning and I didn’t have much to give when she came back. This was the least I could do to make sure she and my boy are taken care of. It took some convincing, but when I threatened to have the janitor open her locker and leave it there, she finally took it.
I don’t need the money. I have a home. My brothers. A Pack. I have people and resources to lean on. She doesn’t have a support system like I do and if she needs more money, I’ll give it to her. I’d give that girl anything, even if all it does is make her more comfortable. She’s still living with Jae, and who the fuck knows how long that will be for, but I don’t have a say in the matter. Even if I think I should. With any luck the money will help her get her own place sooner rather than later.
She got a job too. Part time at Zheng’s aunt’s diner. I thought she might quit once I gave her the money, but she didn’t, and every chance she gets to pick up a shift, she takes it, not that I can complain. It means more time with my boy, but I can see it wearing on her. She doesn’t smile as much, and there are always dark circles under her eyes.
Because of school she works the closing shift and the diner is open till midnight most nights and then classes start at seven thirty. She isn’t getting enough sleep. Isn’t taking care of herself. And it grates on me that I can’t be the one to take care of her. My wolf wants to provide for her. And the feeling goes beyond duty or obligation.
I miss seeing her and César after school every day. And now, I have nothing but time on my hands to sit and dwell on how much I hate this arrangement.
“You wanna grab a bite to eat?” Antonio asks, poking his head in my room. “Roberto and I are taking Sofia to the station.”
