Tension chokes the air. I can see Zay’s about to burst, which usually results in him breaking or punching something. Anger is his issue, his way of coping with things. Thankfully, Raven walks into the room at that moment and interrupts Zay’s potential meltdown.

At least, I think it’s a thing to be thankful for until she says, “Who’s Willow?”

3

RAVEN

After letting the wound bleed for a bit, I bandaged it up then made sure to put both my plaid overshirt and leather jacket on to have extra protection from seeing the bandage on my wrist. I leave my hair down to dry and slip my boots on before heading out of the bathroom.

I can hear the guys’ voices from what sounds like the living room, so I head in that direction with the intent of figuring out what the next step is in this whole moving-in-with-them thing. But then I hear my name and the mention of a Willow. I don’t hear the full sentence, but I am super curious as to who she is and why they’re talking about me in the same sentence as her.

“Who’s Willow?” I ask as I enter the room, combing my fingers through the long, raven black locks of my hair.

They clearly didn’t hear me walking in by the way they all sort of startle. Jax swallows hard as he looks at me while uneasiness flows off Hunter. Zay, though, quickly recovers and puts on an indifferent expression.

“She’s just some chick I fuck sometimes,” he says, watching me with this annoyingly expectant look, as if he thinks I am going to blush at his foul words or something.

I don’t give in. In fact, I don’t even squirm, mostly because his answer confuses me.

“Then, why did you say my name in the same sentence?” I question.

He doesn’t answer right away, so I know he wasn’t expecting that. I get a sense of satisfaction knowing so.

Jax looks uncomfortable, rubbing his hand across his mouth while glancing at Zay.

Hunter looks directly at me, wetting his lips with his tongue. “We should get you to your house so we can get your stuff before it gets too late.”

Subject change much?

I internally sigh. This isn’t the first time I have gotten the impression they were keeping something from me, but since Zay said it has something to do with somebody he fucks, I decide to let it drop.

“I don’t think it’s going to be as easy as me just walking in and packing up my stuff,” I tell him, fiddling with the zipper on my jacket. “Plus, everyone’s at the house right now.” I blow out an exhale. “Maybe it’d be better if I just spent the night tonight, then tomorrow, like at lunchtime, or maybe right after school, I can go over there and get my stuff when it’s just my aunt, because she’ll probably be more than thrilled to get me the hell out of there.” I chew on my thumbnail. “Although, my uncle’s been like really insistent that I have to stay there until I’m eighteen. I’m not sure why.”