Page 13 of Fallout
We continue this pattern for the next half hour. I do eventually start to relax, but when Parker suggests we practice on the highway, I vehemently refuse. My nerves have had enough for the day. We change positions and Parker drives us back to his house.
When we get back, we sit in Parker’s Jeep for a few minutes. He grabs ahold of my hand, lacing our fingers together.
“You did well today.”
Parker hasn’t stopped encouraging me and I’m glad. If he didn’t encourage me, I likely wouldn’t have even tried.
“I still prefer you to drive,” I admit.
He grins. “I know. And you know I love driving you anywhere you need to go, but it’s an essential life lesson.” He brings my hand up to his lips and gently kisses it.
Something bangs against the glass, making me jump. I look up to see Parker’s younger brother, August.
“Dad needs you,” he says to Parker.
Parker huffs. “I need to take Henley home.”
August shakes his head. “There’s not enough time.”
I squeeze Parker’s hand. “It’s fine. The walk to my house is only half a mile.”
He narrows his eyes at me. “I am not having you walk home. I’ll have Will come pick you up.”
We get out of the Jeep and Parker kisses me on the cheek, mumbling a quick goodbye. He then shifts into his wolf form and takes off. I stand there for a few seconds, watching as he disappears into the trees. I consider waiting for Will, but what would be the point? It doesn’t hurt for me to walk, especially since the cold doesn’t bother me as much as it used to.
Squaring my shoulders, I take off down the path that leads to my house. The path is even more well worn than it used to be and I know it’s because Parker makes sure the patrol route takes them by my house every night.
When I hear leaves rustle behind me, I almost turn around, but then I laugh as a squirrel jumps from one tree to the next.
I’m being paranoid.
As I turn back around, I nearly walk into somebody.
My heart races as I look at the figure. I’ve never seen this guy before, but that doesn’t mean he’s not pack. Upon further inspection, I realize he doesn’t give off the same vibes as the wolf shifters. I can’t read his thoughts though, so he’s definitely a supernatural.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you,” the guy says.
“It’s… fine,” I say, but wonder if I should be running away right now. This guy is a stranger on pack land. And there is no telling what kind of supernatural he is. But the more I look at him, the less inclined I feel to run.
As I look into his eyes, I wonder how anybody could mistake him for a human. His brown eyes seem to almost glow, even in the darkness of tree cover.
“What are you?” I ask before I can consider if the question is rude.
The guy doesn’t seem offended. He simply smirks. “You don’t know?”
I shake my head.
But the sound of footsteps behind me has me turning my head. I spot Will running toward me. I turn back to the guy to say something, but he’s gone.
Weird.
“Parker said you were going to wait on me.” Will gives me an annoyed look.
I expect him to question me about the guy, but he doesn’t say a word. Did he not see him?
“I wanted to walk,” I tell him. “Parker worries far too much about me. I’m perfectly capable of walking half a mile.”
“Fine. Then you won’t mind if I walk with you.” Will walks ahead of me on the path.