Dire (The Dire Wolves Chronicles Book 1) Read online

  “I’m not sure if you got my calls.” Roy eyed me suspiciously. He wasn’t really asking a question.

  “Oh, sorry. It’s been a busy couple of days.”

  “I’ve been calling for the past week, and you definitely avoided me after lab the other day.”

  Genevieve laughed, and I glared at her.

  “I’m sorry.” When push comes to shove, sometimes you have to cut your losses and just fess up to someone even if it’s going to make for a sticky situation.

  “I don’t understand you.” He crossed his arms.

  “How so?” This would be interesting.

  “Why go out with me if you were just going to blow me off afterward?”

  That was a good question, one I didn’t feel like answering.

  “You really won’t even let me drop you off on my way home? I promise I’m a really good driver.”

  “I don’t doubt your driving expertise, but I told you I already have a ride.”

  He sighed. “You look really nice tonight.”

  I glanced down at my jeans and sweater. Nothing overly special. He was grasping for straws. “Thank you.”

  “At least you’ll take a compliment from me. That’s better than ignoring me completely.”

  I felt bad. I never should have said yes to him in the first place. I’d just been curious. And lonely. I was eighteen-years-old. Loneliness shouldn’t have been an issue. “I really am sorry.”

  “Hey, ladies.” Tony strode over in his geeky way. I had no clue what Genevieve saw in him, but she wasn’t the only one. He seemed to always have a girlfriend, and they were generally the really pretty sorority girl type. Maybe it was the whole ‘he could be the next billionaire software developer’ angle. It didn’t do it for me. I’d have rather made the money myself.

  “Hey, Tony.” Genevieve smiled all doe eyed at him.

  “Did you guys see the weather update? It looks like it’s going to be a crazy storm.”

  “The report changed?” How hadn’t I known? I was usually on top of that sort of thing. I pulled out my phone. “Two feet? We’re supposed to get two feet now?” I hoped the more severe forecast didn’t mess with our trip home.

  Genevieve sighed. “There’s no way my flight is getting off tomorrow.”

  I groaned. “If it snows like that I’m not getting home either.”

  “That settles it, we can have a snowed in party then.” Tony put an arm around both of us. Sometimes I wanted to remind him that he wasn’t actually cool.

  “A snowed in party?” Roy asked while shooting his friend a dirty look. I was positive the look stemmed from him having his arm around me. I glanced at Geneviève. She had to realize how ridiculous he sounded. Instead she was grinning. I wondered if I looked just as ridiculous when I talked to Gage.

  Tony appeared oblivious to Genevieve’s attention. “Yeah, we might as well make the most of it.”

  I shrugged out from underneath his arm. I needed to find out what Gage’s take was on the storm. Knowing him, it wouldn’t worry him. “I’m going to text Gage.”

  “Why? So he knows he can stay out all night partying?” Genevieve ribbed. She understood my fascination with Gage as much as I understood hers with Tony. At least we’d never have to worry about fighting over the same guy.

  I rolled my eyes. “No, so we can make alternative plans.”

  “Gage? Gage Morris?” Roy looked between us. “Are you still hung up on him?”

  I ignored Roy. He was really grating on my nerves, and for about the one hundredth time I regretted my decision to go out to dinner with him. It wasn’t that he was bad looking, he wasn’t. He was smart, generally nice, and way better than most of the guys I attracted, but I wasn’t interested. The tiny voice in my head that never shut up reminded me of my problem. I didn’t want to settle for anyone but Gage. I was obsessed, but I had no plans to change it.

  “I’m guessing she never told you who was driving her home,” Genevieve answered for me as I texted.

  Did you see the weather report?

  Gage didn’t reply right away, so I pocketed my phone.

  Roy gave me a disapproving look. “Gage is driving you home? Do you really think that’s smart?”

  “We’re friends from home. It makes more sense then you going out of your way to stop in my town.”

  “It’s fifteen minutes out of the way. What’s fifteen minutes when I get to spend hours in your company?”

  Genevieve gave me an ‘I told you so’ look.

  I shrugged. The guy was nice, but I was done leading him on.

  Roy touched my arm. “Looks like the snow already started.”

  I followed his gaze to look out one of the small windows someone had opened. A light sprinkling of snow blew inside.

  Genevieve watched with a pout as Tony walked off to talk to another group of girls. “Ready to head home?”

  “Sure, nice seeing you, Roy.” I tried to be polite. Lesson learned: don’t date guys you have to take classes with all four years of college.

  “Listen, Mary Anne. I think we should try it again. I had a great time the other night, and I know you did too. I was going to wait until after break to ask, but with the weather and all we’re probably going to be stuck here another day. Maybe we can watch a movie or something tomorrow night?”

  “Oh, I don’t know.” I struggled to find an acceptable excuse.

  Genevieve shook her head. I shouldn’t have even given the guy hope, but I wasn’t used to turning people down. It wasn’t something I’d had to do a lot.

  I said a polite goodbye to Roy before following Genevieve out of the apartment and into the stairwell. We walked down the stairs and out into the light snow. I regretted bringing a coat without a hood. I looked down as we walked to avoid getting the stinging flakes on my face.

  “We’re almost there.” Genevieve shivered beside me. She was probably having the same coat regret I was. “Remind me again why we go to school in the arctic?”

  I laughed despite the discomfort. “You think this is cold, try living where I’m from. It’s worse.”

  “I’m only visiting in the summer.”

  “Are you sure? I’d have thought you’d want to learn to ski.”

  She pulled her jacket tighter around her. “The only kind of skiing I enjoy takes place on the water.”

  “And that’s the one type I’ve never done.” I pushed open the door to our dorm. Genevieve hurried in behind me, and we let the door slam shut.

  We took the stairs up to the fourth floor and automatically went to my room. I was one of the lucky few who’d ended up with a single room. Genevieve had a roommate whose boyfriend had pretty much moved in the first day. I’d been tempted to offer to switch rooms with her roommate, but I loved having my own space when it came time to studying—or pining over Gage. Her roommate had left for vacation already, but some habits are hard to break.

  Genevieve glanced at her phone. “Damn it.” She slammed my door.

  “What?” I hung up my jacket in the closet.

  “They already canceled my flight.”

  “Seriously? But the snow’s just starting.”

  She shrugged. “Well, at least I don’t have to worry about it. I know I’m stuck here.”

  I sat down cross-legged on my bed. “They’ll have the airport dug out quickly, and hopefully they’ll rebook you soon.”

  “Let’s hope.” She slumped down next to me.

  My phone rang from my purse, so I got up to look at it. “Gage?” My heart sped up even though I knew why he was calling.

  “Hey, Mary Anne.” His voice changed slightly when he said my name. Either that or I was imagining things. “Are you packed?”

  “Yeah, but it looks like we’re going to be here another few days.”

  “Not a chance. I’ll swing by to get you in ten minutes.”

  “What? Didn’t you see the weather report?”

  “Yeah, that’s why we’re leaving now.” His deep voice distracted me until I hea
rd a door slam. “It’s not like I’m dying to get back to my parents’ house, but I don’t want to get stuck on campus without power or anything. I need to go pack the truck. I’ll see you in ten. Will you be outside?”

  Ten minutes? He really wanted to leave in ten minutes? “Are you sure about this? What if the storm gets worse?”

  “I’ve got the chains ready. We’re good, I promise.”

  “Gage, I don’t know—”

  “Do you want a ride home or not?”

  If it were anyone else asking I would have said no, but it was Gage. Any logical thoughts went out the window when it came to him. “Yeah, I need one.”

  “Then I’ll see you in ten.” He hung up.

  “No.” Genevieve shook her head. “There is no way you’re getting on the road right now.”

  I stared down at my phone. “I think I am.”

  “Why?”

  “He thinks we’ll beat the storm this way. It would be nice to get home…”

  “So what, you’re just going to leave me here?”

  “He’s my ride home. What am I supposed to do?” I finally snapped out of my fog enough to start collecting my stuff.

  She crossed her arms. “Roy made it clear his offer was still on the table. It makes more sense.”

  “I’m going with Gage.” My reasoning wasn’t sound, but it was Gage Marshal. Nothing about me was ever sound when it came to him.

  “Don’t let your hormones get you into trouble. Do you really want to spend this storm stuck at some seedy hotel?” She paused. “Wait. Don’t answer that.”

  I laughed. “We’ll be fine. I’ll call you when I get in.”

  “How much time do you have?”

  I glanced at my watch. “About eight minutes.”

  “Seriously? That’s it?”

  “Pretty much.” I searched around my room for anything I may have forgotten to pack. “Great. I forgot to pick up snacks for the road.”

  “Let’s check out the vending machines.” Genevieve knew me well enough to know there was nothing she could do to change my mind.

  I put my purse over my shoulder and wheeled out my large suitcase behind me. I turned off the lights and locked my door. “So long room, I’ll miss you.”

  Genevieve nudged me. “Stop rubbing it in.”

  “Oh come on, your roommate left today, you actually have your own room tonight.”

  “True. I might as well enjoy it.” She led the way to the stairs. “Too bad Tony’s not interested.”

  “There are so many better guys out there.”

  “Says the girl obsessed with a muscle head who thinks of you as a little kid.” She held open the door to the vending area of the lobby.

  I tried to shrug, but that only offset my bag. “We can’t choose who we fall for.”

  “Isn’t the saying we can’t choose who we love?”

  “Yes, but I don’t want to admit I love Gage.”

  “But you do.” She gave me a knowing look.

  “No comment.”

  The vending machines were largely empty, so I settled on a bag of M&M’s, two bottles of Coke so we could stay awake, and a package of peanut butter cups.

  Genevieve picked up the peanut butter cups. “I thought you didn’t like peanut butter.”

  “I don’t.” Gage, however, loved it.

  I glanced at my watch. I was down to a minute. “I need to head out.”

  “All right, be safe.” She pulled me into a big hug.

  After a few moments I pulled away. “You too! Have a safe trip, and I’ll miss you.”

  “We’ll have to talk once I make it home. I want to know all about your drive.”

  “I’m sure I won’t have anything to report, but I’ll tell you all the boring details.”

  A horn honked, and I knew exactly who it was. “I better go.”

  She held open the door, and I wheeled my bag out.

  Gage jumped out of his truck while keeping the engine idling.

  “Did you have to honk? I’m less than thirty seconds late.”

  He grinned. “I have to keep you on your toes.” He took my bag from me before walking around to the back of his truck and opening the tailgate. He had one of those camper shells, so at least we didn’t have to worry about our stuff getting wet in the snow.

  I shook my head and went around to the passenger side. He was already in the driver’s seat by the time I closed my door. “Are you sure about this? The snow is getting heavier out there.”

  “Relax, Mary Anne. Don’t you trust me?” He set those brown eyes of his on me, and I was lost.

  I nodded absently. “Of course.”

  He grinned again, probably realizing exactly what effect he had on me. “Just sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.”

  Chapter Four

  Gage

  Shit, she was uptight. Mary Anne was cute, but man, she was tuned up tighter than a guitar string. If she’d been any other girl I’d have probably been coming up with ways to get rid of that tension, but she was off limits—even to me.

  I drove through the nearly empty city streets as she struggled to get out of her dark blue parka.

  “Do you need some help with that?” My chivalrous side couldn’t stand to see her struggle.

  She pulled one arm out. “You’re supposed to be driving.”

  “I can drive and help you at the same time.” I was good at multi-tasking.

  She blushed which made me wonder if she was thinking about me helping her in another way. Now that would make the four hours go quicker. My body responded to that thought, and I cursed silently. Getting a hard on this early in the trip wasn’t a good thing. Maybe I shouldn’t have agreed to drive her home.

  She folded the coat in her lap. I needed a coat on my lap at the moment, but I’d already tossed mine in the back. “It doesn’t matter. I got it off.”

  “Great.” I turned on the radio and started to flip through the stations to distract myself. How was this girl having this effect on me? Maybe it was from the close proximity.

  She pushed my hand off the dial. “I can do that.”

  “Oh, can you?” I teased, while trying to ignore how good the momentary physical contact felt. I was losing it, and we’d just gotten on the road.

  “I’d rather get out of this city in one piece. Please drive, and let me do the other things.”

  “The other things. Gotcha.”

  She flipped through the stations until she landed on a rock station.

  “Do you listen to this stuff?” I asked with genuine surprise. I pegged her as the classic or folk music type.

  “Yeah. My dad raised me on classic rock.”

  “Oh, my mistake.”

  She crossed her arms. “What kind of music do you listen to?”

  “Rock.” I smiled. “You picked well.”

  “Great.” She settled back against her seat. “I’m sorry.”

  “For?” I glanced over, hoping my momentary lapse from keeping my eyes straight ahead wouldn’t set her off again.

  “Getting on your case. I just get nervous driving in snow.”

  “It’s a good thing you’re not driving then.” I put an arm behind her seat and glanced out at the dense flakes of snow that seemed to be falling faster than even ten minutes earlier. “But how you can be nervous driving in the snow growing up in Mayville, I have no idea.”

  “Don’t you remember my accident?”

  “Wait, yeah. Didn’t you total your Dad’s car the day you got your license?” That story had spread through town like a wildfire.

  “Yeah.” She slumped down. “I don’t think my dad’s ever forgiven me.”

  “At least you weren’t hurt.”

  “Not physically… it took me six months before I tried driving again.”

  I touched her arm gently. “I’ll say it again. It’s a good thing you’re not driving.”

  She pushed my arm. “Thanks.”

  “Aw, come on. We have all had that kind of stuff happen.”
<
br />   “Not my family,” she mumbled under her breath.

  “Fair enough.” She had a point. Not only was her brother the star player on just about every sports team you could name, he was also valedictorian. He was the kind of kid everyone hated.

  “The snow’s picking up.” She changed the subject as I turned onto the Mass Pike.

  “Back to the weather, are we?” I teased.

  “It’s appropriate considering what it looks like outside.”

  “Think of this as an adventure then.”

  “An adventure? Right.” She turned to look out the window, but I caught a smile on her face first. She had a nice smile, the kind that actually showed off teeth.

  Nice. At least I was making some progress with her.

  We drove for about another hour before we came to a near standstill in traffic. The lines of cars went on for as far as I could see. It was probably an accident. “Fantastic.”

  “Do you want to stop? We can still turn around or find a place for the night.”

  I’d have been more than happy to find a place for the night with her, but that wasn’t in the cards. “No, the snow isn’t too crazy right now. Let’s pull off at the next town so I can put the chains on.” I didn’t want to admit it, but the snow was getting heavier. With chains I’d be able to get through the mountains, but without them it might get dicey.

  “Okay, we can reassess then.”

  I smiled. Reassess. This girl was something else.

  We crawled for another twenty minutes before we finally hit the exit. I pulled off, looking for a gas station with a covered area and an open twenty-four hours store so Mary Anne could grab us some food. Half a mile down the road, I found something better, a station catty corner to a diner that still had its lights on. I decided to deal with any angry response head on. “One of us needs to do the chains and the other needs to order food. I’m not about gender stereotyping but—”

  “I’ll get the food. What do you want?”

  I laughed. I guess I’d been wrong about her response. “Surprise me.” I winked.

  She slipped back into her coat and zipped it up. She looked adorable with the hood on, but I kept that assessment to myself.

  I opened the tail gate and pulled out the chains. It would probably take longer for her to get the food, but I wanted to get the chains over with. Even without the snow, it was cold as hell out, and I was ready to get inside.