Unforgiven (Wanderers #3) (38 page)

“Starved and thank you,” I said, swiping a bag of
chips.

“Any reason you skipped lunch and dinner?”

“Dinner I accidently slept through and lunch, well…”
I trailed off not sure how much I wanted to divulge.

“Roman,” she guessed.

“Among other things,” I sighed, falling back on the
bed.

“You want to talk about it?” she asked shyly.

“What’s the point? It’s not going to change
anything.” I lost all of my pep the moment Josie disappeared from
my room.

“It might make you feel better,” she said
hesitantly.

“Reminding myself over and over again how much of a
screw up I am?”

“Ella, you’re not a screw up. You just
sometimes…think irrationally.” I scowled at her. “I mean,” she
stammered. “You act first and –”

“I thought you were supposed to make me feel better
not worse,” I said, swiping the cookies she brought. It was a good
thing she thought ahead and brought comfort food.

“I know and I’m sorry. I’m just not good at this. I
haven’t had much practice. I only ever had my sisters. I never
really had a lot of girlfriends growing up.”

“I know Riley and it’s okay, really. Honestly, you’re
right. I’ve been doing a lot of dumb things and saying a lot of
dumb things.”

“You just need to learn from your mistakes.”

“If only I could learn from them. Lately I seem to
keep making the same mistakes.”

“Ella, no one’s perfect and I’m sure not everything
is your fault.”

She said it so innocently I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Thanks.”

“You know what I mean. We all know Roman can be an
ass.”

“And you’re swearing now too? Why Miss Mercer?” I
started to fan myself dramatically.

“Shut up,” she said, throwing a pillow at me. “So
when are you going to tell me what happened in Ireland?” she asked
coyly.

“Long story short, I found him, we bonded, he broke
up with me,” I spit out in one breath.

“Oh…when you say bonded, what exactly do you
mean?”

“Well…” I said, looking away.

“Oh Ella, you didn’t.”

“It just kind of happened. I didn’t plan it and
technically Tristan was my boyfriend not that that makes it
right.”

“I’m not judging,” she smiled bashfully.

“Judge away, I deserve it.”

“Ella, stop being so hard on yourself. I’m sure
anyone would have done the same thing if they were in your
situation. I mean, how many people find out their boyfriend died
but really didn’t. How many times does that happen?”

“Twice if you count Kyle.”

“Huh, maybe there really is something wrong with
you?”

“Hey,” I said, throwing the pillow back at her.

“So it’s really over between you and Tristan?”

“Yep.”

“I’m sorry you had to go all the way to Ireland for
it to end that way.”

“I’m not. I mean I’m glad to know he’s alive, but I
should have known it wouldn’t have worked out. Tristan and I…I
guess we’re just not meant for each other.” Saying those words out
loud felt so wrong, but I convinced myself it was the truth even if
it didn’t feel like it.

Riley looked down at her feet clearly understanding
that was not a subject I liked talking about so she moved on. “So
how much trouble did you get in?”

“A lot. I have to stay here the whole summer and make
up my classes and they’re making me do manual labor around the
school.”

“At least you won’t be alone.”

“That’s true. Cameron and Dean will be there, but
then again neither of them are talking to me at the moment so I
might as well be here alone.” Riley looked away, indicating she
knew something I didn’t. “What are you not telling me?”

“When I said you wouldn’t be alone, I wasn’t talking
about Cameron and Dean.”

“Oh yeah, Mackenzie will be here too,” I said
groaning. Riley started to pick at her nails. “Okay seriously
Riley, what is it?”

“Roman will be here too.”

“What!” I stood up.

“Justin told me he got into big trouble for setting
the tree on fire and part of his punishment is he has to spend the
summer doing the landscaping around the school.”

“Great, I’m sure somehow that will be my fault,
‘cause you know I was the reason he set the tree on fire in the
first place. Every time I think they can’t punish me anymore fate
has a way of proving me wrong. Now I have to spend the whole summer
with people who hate me.”

“Ella, they don’t hate you.”

“You didn’t hear what Roman said to me before lunch,”
I frowned, sitting back down.

“He’s just upset. He was so beside himself when you
left. He thought it was his fault because he didn’t protect you. He
thought you left because of him.”

“What? Why would he think that?”

“Maybe you should talk to him.”

“I am the last person he wants to talk to.”

“Just give him some time to cool off. And remember
you have the whole summer to figure things out.”

“Don’t remind me.”

Riley and I spent the rest of the night catching up.
I told her all about my adventures in Ireland and what I originally
meant about Tristan and I being bonded. Then I told her about how I
was a total bitch to Gabe and because of it I have a new trainer
and why Roman really flipped out on me. We talked up until one in
the morning. Riley ended up falling asleep in my bed and I didn’t
have the heart to wake her. I let her sleep while I cuddled up in
my chair and read a book. I was too afraid to fall asleep after the
last nightmare I had.

I woke up early the next morning. I wanted to make
sure I didn’t miss breakfast today and I knew if I got up early
enough I could get there before anyone else did. No big surprise
Riley was already up and had been for an hour. “Good morning
sunshine,” she said, smiling brightly at me.

“Morning,” I said, rubbing my eyes.

“Had any bad dreams last night?”

“Nope, slept like a baby.”

“Good,” she said, closing her book. “You hungry?”

“You really have to ask?”

Thankfully there were only a few students in the
cafeteria so Riley and I had a seat at our normal table. Cameron
pulled out a chair and slumped down laying her head on her arms. I
looked at Riley not sure. “Okay seriously, next time you decide to
take an adventure how about you leave me out of it,” Cameron
mumbled into her arms.

I opened my mouth, but no words came out. Cameron
lifted her head to look at me. “I’m not mad at you, well, not
anymore. I will admit I do tend to put my two cents in when I
shouldn’t.”

“I’m sorry,” I spit out.

“No worries. It’s all good,” she said, laying her
head back down.

“And if I remember correctly I did try to leave you
out of that little adventure. You insisted on coming with,” I said,
hoping I didn’t open my mouth too soon.”

She looked up and narrowed her eyes at me. “Touché,”
she replied and stole a piece of bacon, smiling.

“So how is training?” I asked, knowing by the way she
looked she was getting her ass kicked.

“Hell and why weren’t you there?” she demanded,
waving a piece of toast at me that she stole from Riley.

“After yesterday Gabe suggested maybe I should have
another trainer.”

“Ouch,” she said. “Is he as bad as Gabe?”

“He prefers to sleep in so already that’s a
plus.”

“I hate you. Wanna switch?” Cameron smiled
sweetly.

“Ha-ha, I wish,” I said and actually meant it.
“Where’s Dean?”

“Probably still passed out in the field,” Cameron
laughed.

“Are you serious?” She nodded. “Good, maybe this will
do him some good.”

“I doubt that,” Cameron said. “He already plans on
making up for lost time by getting smashed this weekend.”

I rolled my eyes, of course he would. Dean didn’t
learn. “Is Dean still mad at me?” I asked, although I was sure I
already knew the answer.

“Why don’t you ask him yourself?” Cameron said,
getting up and stealing some more food off my plate before she got
her own. “Here he comes now.”

I looked up and sure enough Dean was walking straight
for me and did not look happy. He stopped at the foot of the table,
pressed his palms down on the edge, and stared straight at me. “I
know you’re prone to your little hissy fits and you can’t help the
fact that you’re a raging bitch,” I opened my mouth to yell at him,
but he held up a finger. “But bailing out on training this morning
and leaving us to be punished alone, a punishment no less that is
basically your fault.” Dean really knew what to say to get under my
skin. Just when I thought he was done he started up again. “Don’t
say it’s not your fault because none of us would have left it
weren’t for you. You really got a lot of nerve. I guess it took you
no time at all to get that whole princess act down, didn’t it.”

“You done?” I asked, crossing my arms and trying not
to let my anger get the best of me. When he didn’t answer I took
that as a yes. “First off, I didn’t bail on training I was assigned
a new trainer and second how about getting your facts straight
before jumping to conclusions. And if you ever call me –” I froze
midsentence when Roman caught my eye. I lowered my finger that I
was pointing in Dean’s face. I lost all my strength when Roman
walked in the room. The last thing I wanted was for him to catch me
reaming out Dean. I knew it would just give him more ammunition to
hate me.

Roman walked toward us and it was like the air was
sucked right out of me. I couldn’t breathe. “Ella, are you okay?”
Riley asked. I just sat there and stayed silent. I could feel his
eyes on me. They felt like they were burning holes in my skin from
the intense way he was staring. He slowed down as he approached the
table. My stomach started to twist in knots and I felt sick all of
sudden, worried he wasn’t finished yelling at me from
yesterday.

“Ashby,” Dean nodded.

“McCallister, I wanted to give you your balls back.
You left them out there on the field along with your dignity,”
Roman said, laughing and making my insides flip flop at the sound
of his voice. His laugh seemed to have a calming effect on me and I
hoped maybe he lost some of his animosity towards me. My nausea
slowly disintegrated at the sight of his beautiful smile.

“Shut up,” Dean said embarrassed, pushing Roman.

“What happened?” I stuttered.

Roman’s smile faded at the sound of my voice and he
turned to glower at me. Well that answered that question. I shrunk
under his scrutinizing stare then reminded myself that I was being
ridiculous and shouldn’t let him get to me like that. I was strong,
I was a good person, people make mistakes, I said to myself over
and over again. Then I sat up straight and looked Roman straight in
the eye, challenging him to say something to me.

He backed down, but kept his lips pulled into a tight
line. “You have to ask Dean what happened,” he said, walking
away.

I exhaled slowly and then went back to my breakfast.
I knew today wouldn’t be any easier for the fact that I had classes
with Roman, but we’d have to face each other eventually. Cameron
joined us back at the table and looked at all our faces. “Okay,
what did I miss?” she asked.

“Nothing,” Dean and I said together.

“So Dean, I see you managed to peel yourself off the
field,” Cameron giggled.

“Whatever, I let you win,” he said, taking a seat and
stealing my tray.

“Really?” I glared at him.

“You weren’t eating it.”

“I so was, dick.” I slid the tray back over to me and
glared at him again.

“I guess this means you two made up?” Cameron
said.

“Dean can’t stay mad at me for long. If he did he
wouldn’t have anyone to torture then.”

“Whatever, you love it,” he winked and stole some
more food from my tray before he left to go get his own.

It was true. No matter the situation Dean and I never
stayed mad at each other for long. He was my brother so it was in
our nature to fight. It wouldn’t be normal if we didn’t and anyone
who tells you they don’t fight with their siblings they’re either
lying or seriously weird. I didn’t even know why I was worried
about Dean being mad at me in the first place.

“So, Roman,” Cameron said as she shoveled pancake in
her mouth.

“Can we please talk about something else?” I groaned,
not even wanting to touch the subject. My stomach was just starting
to settle down.

“O-kay. What’s your new trainer like?”

“Not sure yet. All I know is he’s Gabe’s nephew and a
transfer student.

“Wait, Gabe’s nephew?” Cameron asked, suddenly
interested. “Is he as hot as Gabe?”

“Ew, you think Gabe is hot?” I asked, taken by
surprise.

“Totally, don’t you?” I shook my head no. “Seriously?
Okay, he’s like seven foot, muscular, short dark brown hair, teal
eyes, seriously killer body, and I would imagine if he smiled it
would be stunning. Not to mention the very strong, masculine
features in his face, his golden bronze skin…”

“Okay Cam, we get the point,” I said, trying to keep
my breakfast down.

“You really don’t think he’s attractive?”

“I guess I just never looked at him that way. To me
he’s just always been Gabe my guard…ian,” I said, suddenly
realizing what a fool I was. Of course that was why I never gave
Gabe the respect he deserved. I only ever thought of him as my
bodyguard and nothing else. And that wasn’t true. Gabe was so much
more than that. I was just blinded by my own stupidity and
immaturity to notice.

“I’m sorry guys. I have to go.” I got up abruptly and
left, leaving them with question marks on their faces. I didn’t
have to time to explain. I had to find Gabe and apologize. It might
not change much, but I had to at least try. I had to do the right
thing for once.
No time like the present to start.