Page 59 of Moonflower
Cora: What do you want?
Matt: A fucking apology, for starters.
“That,” Wilder says, jabbing at my phone. “That right there. For starters. I don’t like that.”
I’d argue, but I don’t like it either. I don’t bother replying, texting the girls instead. They give me Blaze, DeAndre, and Ryan’s numbers. I find it a little odd—or maybe disappointing—that Imani is the one who gives me Ryan’s number. Makes sense since he’s in charge of security for DeAndre and Imani, but I was hoping something happened between him and Liling on Friday.
After I give their numbers to Wilder, he pulls on his leather jacket and steps outside to make a couple calls. I’m still a little lost on what exactly they’re planning on doing, but I’ll make him tell me before anything happens.
“Hey. You okay?” Ezra says. He steps in front of me, tilting my chin up with two fingers.
I shrug. “A little worried, I guess.”
“There’s no need to be.” His voice is gentle and soothing, and I let it calm the anxiety welling inside me. “We’ll take care of you. And while we’re gone, we’ll make sure you have people looking out for you.”
“I just . . . I feel a little stupid. I never should’ve let him move in when he asked. The cheaper rent was nice for both of us, but he’s a horrid roommate. I should’ve known better.”
“Hey, it’s okay. We’ll take care of it.”
I could probably deal with Matt on my own. But it’s nice that I don’t have to.
“Thank you.”
“Anything for you, Moonflower.”
When Wilder steps back inside, he gives us a tight smile. “All of them said they’d help you out if you need it. You just have to call.”
“I could’ve asked them,” I mumble.
Wilder raises an eyebrow. “Would you have, though? Or would you have put it off because you didn’t want to be a burden?”
Ezra grimaces. “Ouch.”
I hate it, but Wilder is right. I would’ve kept it to myself.
“Thanks,” I mutter.
“Ryan seemed pretty enthusiastic,” Wilder says, probably so I don’t dwell on his comment for too long.
“I bet he did,” I reply with a smile. He jumps on any chance to potentially get on Liling’s radar. “The two of them need to stop dancing around each other.”
“Seriously,” Ezra says. “How long has that been going on?”
“Since this summer, I think. That’s when he got the job at Grayson Security and started working on DeAndre and Imani’s security team.”
Wilder shrugs. “We waited years. They’ll get around to it when the time is right. Now, speaking of time. We don’t have a lot. Pull out your phone, Moonflower. Let’s deal with this guy.”
I grab my phone, and Wilder tells me what to type.
Cora: Can you meet me at the park?
Matt: Alone?
Cora: Yeah. The guys just left. Long drive home.
Matt: Fifteen minutes.
Ezra peers at the exchange. “Got it. We’ll be back soon.”