Riley's Secret (A Moon's Glow Novel # 1) (21 page)

We were sitting in his kitchen listening to the radio
as he prepared our waffles. “I have something to ask you and remember, you said
you loved me.” At least I hoped he still did.

He set his coffee down on the marble counter top. “I’m
afraid to ask. But what is it?”

I took a deep breath. “Okay, so you know that
graduation is Saturday, right?” He nodded. “Well, my parents are all about the
show. They really care what people think and they have a need to constantly
impress them. They don’t pay attention to me for months, but when I’m
graduating they want to have a dinner party. And they want my boyfriend to
come.” I paused, waiting for a reply, but when he didn’t speak, I decided there
was only one thing to do: beg. “
Please
. I know it sounds awful and they
will act like we’re all so close and that they actually know you. But I really
could use the moral support.”

He smiled slightly. “Of course I’ll go. Where is it?”

“In our garden, right after graduation. They’re
inviting people my father works with too.” I stood up and hugged him tightly to
me. I could have sworn he tensed at my touch, but I chose to ignore it. “Thank
you so much. I love you even more now.” I gave him a few pecks on the cheek and
then sat back down again to finish eating. “What are you doing after
graduation?”

“I have a job at Riley’s Department Store. It’s just
entry level, probably mail room or stocking shelves.” He looked over at me.
“What are your plans? Are you going to college?” His expression was unreadable.
Did he want me to be here or go away to school? Just yesterday I was sure of
the answer, but ever since he told me he loved me I couldn’t tell.

“I don’t know what I want to be, so I’m taking a year
off. I’m thinking of working at the shelter full time, if they’ll let me.”

“I think they would be lucky to have you.”

I took a drink of orange juice just as the news
started from the radio. “Another body was found in Baycroft Park. Police
believe a wolf was responsible. Animal control is in the woods today in search
of the animal,” a male newscaster reported.

“Wow. I can’t believe that. That’s three people in two
weeks. Why would an animal do that?” When I looked up at Nate, he was staring
at the radio with his jaw locked. For a second, I thought his eyes were yellow.
“Your eyes: I swear one just changed color.”

I jumped up, rushing over to investigate, but he
pulled away from me, covering his eyes. “No, it’s fine. I’ll go look in the
mirror. Can you watch the waffles?” He rushed to his bedroom, the click of the
lock echoing into the kitchen.

I really didn’t want to believe that he was acting so
strange because he told me he loved me, but what was I supposed to think?

I lifted the last waffles out of the waffle maker and
set them on a plate for him.

“I’m sorry about that,” he said as he strolled back
out, pulling the silverware drawer out to retrieve a fork.

“Are you all right?”

“Yeah, I think I got something in my eye and it
started to water. You must have seen the light reflect it.”

“Mmm... these are amazing. Did you make these from
scratch?”

“Yes, I love to cook. It relaxes me.” He stabbed his
fork into his food, shoving it into his mouth. After he finished chewing he
said, “I just remembered that I have a ton of paperwork to do for the shelter.
How about I drop you off at home and I’ll call you later.” He took a sip of
coffee, his eyes peering at me over the mug.

“I could come with you,” I suggested, hoping that I
was imagining that he suddenly wanted to get rid of me.

“No, you need a day to yourself. You’re probably
getting sick of me.”

“That will never happen, I love you.” Now I knew he
was trying to get rid of me.

“I love you too.” He scarfed his food down and threw
our dishes in the sink. I wasn’t even finished eating.

He ushered me into his room so I could get changed and
get my stuff. I was probably forgetting something, but I didn’t have time to
make sure I had everything; he rushed me out so quickly.

I had been leaving extra clothes and makeup at his
house. It was beginning to look like we lived together. I noticed he had the
picture Julia took of us last week out on the mantel, one that was taken at the
shelter and a few of my things were placed around the house. He always made me
feel welcome, until today. But overnight he became a different person. I just
wished I knew how to get the old Nate back and I hoped desperately that he
didn’t regret saying those three words. I know that after we said them I felt
closer to him, but obviously, it had an entirely different effect on him.

I really didn’t have anything to do when I arrived
home, so I studied for my last two exams. One was tomorrow and the other
Wednesday. All that homework made me hungry. I slammed my book closed when I
had absorbed as much about fifteenth-century England as I possibly could and
left my room in search of food.

“Mmm, homemade doughnuts, my favorite. What’s the
occasion?” I asked Mona, stepping into the kitchen.

“No occasion. With you at Nate’s and your parents gone
all the time, I’ve been bored out of my mind.” She plunked some dough into the
oil. The hot liquid bubbled and the dough started to darken. “What are you
doing home? You’ve been joined to Nate’s hip for a month.”

“He blew me off. He said he had to do paperwork for
the shelter, but he was acting really strange.” When she raised her eyebrows, I
sighed. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

“What’s that on your neck?” she asked, pointing to the
necklace Nate gave me.

“It’s nice, isn’t it? I’m not sure what it means, but
it’s a family heirloom. He gave it to me last night, right after he told me he
loved me.” I lifted the moon pendant and glanced at it. The feelings from last
night when he gave it to me rushed back. What happened afterward quickly erased
the happiness I felt, leaving only doubt and fear in its place.

“Oh, that’s sweet. Did you say it back?”

“Of course. I also asked him to come to my graduation
garden party Mom and Dad are having.” I chose to keep the rest to myself as I
sat down on the stool.

“Oh good, you’ll need support for that. Are they
allowing you to have one friend?”

“It was their idea for me to ask him. It looks good
for him to be there since he helps run a charity.” I rolled my eyes and leaned
back in my chair.

“You don’t have to worry about that until Saturday.”
She picked a doughnut off the plate lined with paper towel and handed it to me.
“Try one, they’re good.”

I took it from her, eager for one of my favorite Mona
specialties. I took a bite and wasn’t disappointed; crunchy on the outside and
so moist and chocolaty on the inside.

“
Oh, they’re so good.
I’m taking some with me
into my room. I have a feeling I’m going to be bored.” I left her singing along
to an oldies station and dropping more dough into the pot.

Back inside my room I decided to clean out my closet.
I had given the charity clothes I hated because they were paid for out of guilt.
But I hadn’t gone through clothes that didn’t fit me or I no longer wore. It
took a lot longer than I thought it would, which was good since I didn’t have
anything else to do.

I took a break and ate dinner with Mona and Ben. Once
I cleaned my plate, I headed right back to my closet to work, trying to forget
that Nate hadn’t called yet like he had promised he would.

By seven, I had four boxes ready to be taken to the
charity.

Slumber Party

I went out to the patio to enjoy the evening, taking
my phone and doughnuts for company.

This time I actually saw the wolf come out of the
bushes. He crawled slowly, close to the ground, looking me in the eye the whole
time. At first I was afraid. The radio report of the animal attacks was still
fresh in my mind and here was a wolf just a couple feet from me.

But
this
wolf made slow movements, always
watching me as you would a frightened child. He sat at his usual spot in the
bushes. Although I had never seen a wolf up close before, this one appeared
different than any I’d seen on TV or in pictures. It was very large, for one
thing and the color was tan. I’d never seen many pictures of a tan wolf.

“H…hi again.” For some reason I felt the need to talk.
It was either that or go inside. His unrelenting gaze was making me nervous and
I found myself starting to babble. “Look what I have today.” I held up a
doughnut and tossed it to him. And just like last time, he caught it in his
mouth. “You know, I really think you’re trying to drive me crazy. I’m pretty
sure it’s not exactly normal to have a conversation with a wolf. But here you
are and I’m talking to you again. Don’t tell anyone, okay? It’ll be our
secret.”

I paused, surprised by the tilt of his head, like he
was actually listening to me. “But please don’t talk back, because I don’t
think I could handle that.” He didn’t, but I saw that bizarre smile again.

I lay back in the chair, completely comfortable,
picturing Charlie on the patio with me and not the wild animal that actually
was. “You know, men are jerks sometimes.” I pointed at him with my doughnut.
“Take my boyfriend for example. He tells me that he loves me one minute and
then the next he’s blowing me off, acting distant. This morning he told me he’d
call, but I’ve heard squat from him all day.”

I looked up at the wolf, whose ears were flat, his
head lying on his paws. “Are you a boy or a girl?” The wolf lifted its head up
and actually shook it, as if to say, “
How could you doubt me?”
“A boy,
huh. I bet you confuse the heck out of your girlfriend too.” I stretched out
onto the lounge chair, crossing my ankles.

“You know, I really think he’s acting this way because
he regrets telling me he loves me.” I hadn’t meant to say that out loud. Thank
God the wolf couldn’t talk. He whined and stomped his front paw onto the ground,
dust flew up, covering his fur. “You want another one? Here you go.” I tossed
it to him, but instead of catching it in his mouth as before, it fell on the
ground beside him, a layer of dirt sticking to the chocolate. He glanced down
at it, then back up at me and whined again. “Well, that’s all I have.” He
blinked, continuing to stare at me, until finally I got a little worried that
it wasn’t the doughnut he was hungry for.

“Well, I’m going to bed. You know what? If he calls
I’m not going to pick up. Well, maybe. Probably.
Men
,” I groaned. “See you
next time.” I stood up, tossing him my last doughnut. It landed beside the
other one. I walked away slowly, trying not to show fear.

Nate did call, making lame excuses about being busy.

It was like that for the next few days. I don’t know
what happened; just last week we couldn’t see enough of each other. Now that
school was basically out and we had more time, he was always gone. The only one
I had to talk to was Mona and of course the wolf. He came by the next few
nights, only staying a couple minutes then taking off. Now I was sure it was a
male. I wanted to talk to Lauren, but I couldn’t. I had promised Nate I’d keep
our relationship a secret—that was, if we still had one.

Wednesday after my last exam, I stopped in at the
cafeteria to grab a strawberry banana smoothie. The room was basically empty,
with only a few students milling about. The smell of french fries lingered in
the air.

Nate was busy again so I wasn’t in a hurry. Mona was
off today buying my graduation present. She didn’t tell me that, but I knew. I
paid for my smoothie and started to head to the exit when I saw a hand waving
at me. Lauren, Lily and Allison were gathered at our usual table looking at the
yearbook.

“
Oh my God
, look at Julian’s picture. He has
serious bed-head,” Allison exclaimed with her usual dry humor. Lily giggled,
moving over as I stepped up to them. I took the seat next to Lily, stealing a
fry off of Allison’s plate.

“Are you finished with your exam?” Lauren asked after
taking a sip of my smoothie.

“Thankfully, Yes. I am
so
finished with high
school.”

Allison, whose eyes were still focused on the book,
raised her arm and hooted, “
Whoo hoo
.”

I laughed softly, leaning over to look at the pictures
with them. “
Yes
, there it is,” Ally nearly shouted. “It’s proof that you
two are dating.” I rolled my eyes at her with a sigh.
Not this again
.

She held the book out to me. The picture she was
pointing at was of me walking beside Nate, in the days when he was protecting
me from Shane and company. “How is that proof? We’re just walking. I told you
he was protecting me. That was him walking me to class, that’s it.”

She scowled at me. “Then how do you explain that?” She
stabbed the picture with her finger and smiled, sure she had caught me in a
lie. I glanced at the other two and they were looking at the picture with doubt
in their eyes.