Андреа Кремер - Nightshade

“Come on, Cal. You love it there,” Ansel said, bouncing the soccer ball on his knees. “Don’t pretend dive bars aren’t up your alley. Besides, we haven’t done anything with both pa—, er, all of us since Eden. We need to blow off steam. Together.”

“What time?” I asked.

“Ten.”

“I don’t know.” I glanced at Shay. Ansel followed my gaze.

“You should come too, Shay. Hang out with us tonight,” he said. “We have a good time even when we’re not eating lunch.”

“How will you guys get past the doorman?” Shay asked. “Or do you all have fake IDs I don’t know about yet?”

“Nev’s got an in with the owner,” Ansel said. “No IDs needed.”

“Sounds great.” Shay threw a wicked smile at me.

“Uh, yeah.” I swallowed a groan. “That sounds just great.”

Ansel beamed. “Mason’s gonna pick us up after nine. It’s just off Highway 24, Shay. There’s a gravel road on the right. Follow it and you’ll get to the bar.”

“I’ll be there,” Shay said.

I rummaged through my coat pocket, tossing Ansel keys. “You can drive us home, An. I’ll meet you at the car in a sec.”

“Really? Cool!” He made a dash for the parking lot before I could change my mind.

Once he was out of earshot, I glared at Shay. “Are you insane?”

“For wanting to hear Nev play?” Shay smiled placidly. “I don’t think so. I hear he’s good. Though I suppose Mason’s opinion might be biased.”

“You know what I mean.” I didn’t smile back. “Ren will be there.”

“That seems likely.”

I couldn’t stop thinking about both boys in the same dark, cramped bar. The night spelled disaster in garish neon lights.

“He’ll want . . .” I bit my lip.

“To be your boyfriend?” Shay’s eyebrow shot up. “In public?”

I dropped my gaze and nodded.

“I understand.”

“Thanks, Shay,” I said, relieved he wasn’t putting up a fight. “I do wish you could come hang out.”

“Really?” He grabbed the top of my locker door, swinging it back and forth. “And why is that?”

I frowned. “Can’t you just take it at face value?”

“I don’t think so.” His lips curved playfully. “No.”

“Why are you always so difficult?” His smile made my chest ache, reminding me of how much his mischief could make me laugh. It would be a stressful night without his company to take the edge off my anxiety.

“Just tell me.”

“I don’t know if it matters, but I’ll miss you.” I edged closer to him. “Sunday feels like a long time from now.”

The minute the words were out of my mouth, I bit my lip.

Why did I just say that? I should never say anything like that.

“That’s nice to hear.” Shay’s smile was dangerous. “But I’m still coming tonight.”

“What?” My heart skipped a beat. “But I just told you—”

“I know, Calla,” he said, squeezing my hand. “See you tonight.”

I stared at him. He just laughed and walked away.

Mason turned his Land Rover up the gravel drive. The imposing vehicle looked out of place next to the motorcycles and muscle cars that belonged to the bar’s regulars.

Bryn unbuckled her seat belt. “I don’t know why we had to come here. I’d much rather be at Eden.”

“Nev doesn’t play at Eden,” Mason said. “Besides, it’s good to be well rounded.”

“Trust me, this is better than Eden.” My gut knotted at the thought of returning to Efron’s club. Mason and I exchanged a glance. We didn’t say it, but I knew what we were both thinking. Logan would never show his face at the Burnout.

Ansel slid his arms around Bryn’s waist, pulling her from the car. “You’ll have a good time and you know it.”

She pouted until he kissed her, and then she beamed.

The Burnout had been built on the remains of a roadside café ravaged by fire a decade earlier. Rather than tear out the ruined building, the new management had simply built the bar around and over the old site. Charred, smoke-stained wood appeared throughout the small space like misplaced modern art. The hardwood slats that composed the floor had a definite upward slope, so sharp at some points that it was easy to trip over.

The only light in the bar flickered from the variety of neon beer signs that hung along the walls. A haze of smoke hung in the air like a veil, filling my nostrils, masking other scents. A collection of grizzled regulars perched on mismatched stools along the bar, and leather-clad bikers clustered at tables in the more-shadowed corners of the room. A squat platform that served as the stage faced the bar.

Neville sat on the edge of the stage with his legs dangling off, guitar at a casual angle across his lap. Shay leaned against the platform. Nev caught sight of us and gave a brief nod. Ansel and Mason immediately headed for the stage.

Bryn laced her fingers through mine. “Their music talk gets pretty intense. Want to grab a seat?”

I followed her gaze to the opposite side of the room, where Ren, Dax, Fey, Sabine, and Cosette sat together.

“Sure.”

As we approached the table, Ren got up, stretching his hand out to me. “Glad you’re here.”

My pulse stuttered, but I walked to him, letting him tuck me into the curve of his body and lead me to the chair beside his.

“Thanks,” I murmured into the folds of his leather jacket before we sat down. Bryn sank into the chair on the other side of me.

“Hey guys.” I smiled at the other wolves. “Good to see you.”

“Hey Calla,” Dax said.

Sabine smiled briefly. Cosette spoke too quietly for me to hear her over the buzz of the bar crowd.

“Fey.” I glanced at my packmate as I settled into the chair. “Mason said Dax gave you a ride here.”

“Yeah.” She edged her seat closer to Dax.

I opened my mouth but thought again and kept quiet. Better to see how this plays out.

Ren looked toward the stage, his eyes settling on Shay.

“Your fan club arrived earlier. He’s been waiting for you.”

I bit the inside of my cheek. It will be a miracle if I make it through this night.

“Ansel invited him.”

“I’ll have to thank him for that,” Ren said with a smile full of knives.

“I think it’s a good thing,” Bryn said, sounding a little defensive. “Logan wanted us to look out for him. Calla shouldn’t have to do all the heavy lifting. It’s a pack responsibility.”

“Of course.” Ren’s irritated tone faded. “We should help her take care of the kid.”

“We’ll see if he can hold his own outside of school.” Dax grinned.

Fey whispered in his ear and he laughed loudly.

“Something you’d like to share?” I leaned over, catching her wrist in a vise grip.

She tried to twist out of my grasp. “Not really.”

Bryn drew in a hissing breath and Fey stopped struggling.

“Sorry, Cal. I didn’t mean any disrespect,” she said quickly. “It was an inside joke.”

“I understand.” I stared her down until she looked away. I dropped her wrist when Ren squeezed my shoulder.

“Easy now,” he said. “It’s our night off. Dax, go get another round for the table.”

Dax nodded, patting Fey’s thigh before he went to the bar.

Ansel, Mason, and Shay settled into the other chairs at the table.

“Hey guys.” Ren offered them an easy smile. “Glad you could join us, Shay.” I tried not to notice the sudden sharpness of Ren’s expression, that of a wolf on patrol.

“Isn’t that the bartender from Eden?” Bryn’s eyes were on the stage.

Two men had ascended the platform with Neville. I recognized the Bane from the club, but now he had a bass slung over his shoulder.

“That’s Caleb,” Mason said. “And yeah, he works at Eden. He’s a good friend of Nev’s.”