Maybe he was right. All that connected us were five amazing years, and that was a lifetime ago. Seeing him made me raw again. Those feelings caught up with me like a shadow that had never let go. Part of me wanted to squeeze him tight and tell him how much I’d missed him—because I had. Jericho had shown me the private side of himself he never gave to others, and I’d done the same for him. Another part of me wanted to hate him for the anguish he’d put me through. And yet, I couldn’t help but feel elated knowing that despite his insolence, Jericho wasn’t lying in a grave as I’d imagined. He’d somehow assembled his life into something meaningful and gotten a grip on his demons.
Meanwhile, my demons were currently on the rampage and waving pitchforks.
So I said cutting words that hurt because I meant them, and yet I didn’t.
“I wish I’d never met you.”
Chapter 6
At four in the morning, I swapped out my work clothes for loose jeans, flip-flops, and a thin sweatshirt. My feet had survived another brutal night in my new shoes. I stuffed the black heels in my locker along with my work attire. Lockers were assigned to all the employees to store our personal belongings. Without a home to go to, I had no access to a washer and dryer. What I really wanted was a shower to erase the smell of cigarettes and spilled beer, but I didn’t have that luxury either.
I’d temporarily split with Hawk, and I’d have to stand by that choice, even if it meant smelling like a barnyard animal.
I also had a psychopath human shadowing me, and I didn’t feel safe sleeping in my car. This put me in a predicament. I’d slept on the streets in my younger years, but I’d long since left that vagabond lifestyle behind. Hawk had pocketed my first night’s worth of tips, saying I owed him. Reno’s tab maxed me out for the night. We still had a week before payday, and I didn’t have a place to stay.
“Bye, Rosie. See you later tonight.”
“Drive safe,” she said, yawning and sleepily looking at her watch.
I headed out the main door and strolled across the dark parking lot. When I reached my car, I leaned against the door and wondered where to go. The girl I came to Texas with had joined a pack, but you didn’t just roll up to a Packmaster’s door and invite yourself in to crash with them for a little while. That was a big no-no as you could only stay by invitation. We hadn’t spoken in a month, and frankly, I didn’t know her all that well.
“If you stand out here much longer, you might grow roots.”
I glanced over my shoulder and turned around. A lovely woman with a long braid strolled in my direction. As she neared the lamppost, I could make out her warm complexion and earthy eyes. She looked Native American from her strong bone structure and elegant demeanor. The wind kicked up her long skirt and she reached down and gripped it with her fist.
“Are you having car trouble?”
“No. I’m just… tired from a long night at work. I waitress here.” I pointed at the building and she smiled.
A strand of hair blew free and tangled in front of her face. “I’m Ivy. A brother of mine locked his keys in his truck again, so I came by to drop off a spare set.”
“Maybe he should keep his spare set in his back pocket,” I suggested.
She laughed, and the apples of her cheeks glowed. “He would probably lose those too. I’m not one to be nosy, but I don’t like seeing someone in need. I’m not sure exactly what you’re in need of, but you have that look about you.”
Ivy seemed like an expressive soul, and I got good vibes from her right away. “I’ve temporarily split with my boyfriend until he can get his act together. I don’t think it hit me until I got off work that I don’t have a home to go to.”
“Then you’ll stay with me. What’s your name?”
“My name’s Izzy, but I can’t impose like that.”
She shook her head in disbelief. “And why not? You need a place to stay, and I live in a large house with plenty of rooms. We should help others so one day they can return the gesture to someone else. I’m not asking just to be nice, Izzy. I truly want to help so I can put my good intentions into the universe. Maybe one day some of that goodness will come back to me. Don’t deny me this because you think it’s imposing. Truly, it’s not.”
Wow. This girl could sell. She had a way with words that made you feel as if you were in the wrong and she was imparting her wisdom upon you. What could it hurt?
“Ivy, I’d love that. Just one day is all I need to get myself together. I promise I won’t be in your hair; my body is in dire need of rest, so I’ll probably sleep until midafternoon.”
“Have you eaten?”
“Yes.” The pretzels on the bar counted a little bit, so not a total lie. Usually I ate breakfast at dawn and went right to sleep, but I didn’t want to be a bother.
She eyed me skeptically. “I’ll call my Packmaster and let him know about our arrangement. Follow me.”
I blinked. “You’re in a pack? Oh, in that case…”
“Don’t worry.” She lifted her hand and smiled. “He’s a compassionate man who will not turn away a woman in need. Shifters should stick together. Regardless of what your animal is, you’re welcome in our home. I’ll drive slowly,” she said, walking toward a hatchback.