Spilling the rest of my coffee down my throat, I rush upstairs. As I enter my bedroom and kick the door closed behind me, I pull my pyjama top over my head and grab a t-shirt.
You do know I’m in here ? A voice says, and I scream out loud, covering my chest with my arms as see Toby in my bed.
What the hell are you doing in my bedroom ? I yell at him, turning away and putting on my t-shirt. Why are you in my bed ?
I don’t know. I’m so tired. He puts his arm over his eyes. I won’t look.
Shaking my head, I quickly get dressed into a pair of skinny jeans and converse. You know if Ray finds you in here, he’ll murder you.
If it means I can sleep then he can murder away, He then grunts and sits up, holding out my phone. Take this thing. It won’t shut up.
Shouldn’t be in my bedroom then, should you ? I snatch it off him, seeing I have several missed calls from Tasha. I rub my forehead frustratingly and sit on the bottom of my bed.
I think she’s telling the truth, his sleepy voice mumbles from under my covers.
Huh ?
I think she wasn’t just your friend because of Ray.
Yeah, well, she knew about it.
I think Vicky was bullying her.
My stomach twists in knots, because deep down, I know that’s true. Vicky bullies a lot of people and she gets away with it. Heading into my bathroom, I brush my teeth and wash my face. When I go back into the bedroom, I grab Toby’s hoodie off the floor and put it on.
Where are you going ? he asks.
I’m going to give Vicky a piece of my mind.
I grab Colton’s car keys and rush downstairs. It’s surprisingly a nice day as I head outside and unlock the mustang. Putting the key in the ignition, I fire it to life. Vicky lives across town, only a fifteen-minute drive to get there. But before I drive off, the other side of the door opens, and Toby gets inside.
What are you doing ?
Making sure you don’t get into a cat fight. He grins when I roll my eyes.
I know you’re lying, I say.
There’s no way he would jump in the car with his best friend’s sister. He’s never done it before. He sighs. I knew this wouldn’t work.
What wouldn’t work ?
Colton. He called me. Asked me to keep an eye on you over the week while he’s away. He’s worried.
My mouth drops open. I don’t need a babysitter. Especially when it’s over between me and him.
Yeah, well, I have to do what he says, even though I’d rather much be in bed nursing my hangover, he grumbles and turns up the radio. Where are we going ?
Ignoring him, I drive into town. I don’t wait for him after I park up and get out. Vicky’s house isn’t far. I’m even surprised I don’t feel nervous that I’m going to see her.
Layla, Toby whines behind me.
I grit my teeth in annoyance as we continue walking down a busy street. Vicky’s house isn’t far. I’m surprised that I don’t feel nervous about seeing her.
Layla, Toby continues to whine behind me. Can you stop walking so fast ?
I didn’t ask you to come, so quit moaning, I snap.
My God, you and Colton really are a match, he says out of breath as we continue walking up the street.
We’re about to turn a corner when he unexpectedly reaches out and grabs my arm. I look at him confusedly, seeing his forehead pull into a frown as his eyes dart around the busy street.
What’s wrong ?
Shit. He suddenly drags me into a stinky alley, and I stumble back as he pushes me against a wall.
What are you doing ? I ask uneasily, my stomach recoiling from being this close to him.
He puts his fingers on my lips to shush me, his body tense as he continues to look around warily. Coldness tumbles down my spine as he looks at me finally, his face inching closer toward mine.
Toby, what the hell are you doing ?
I’m sorry. I have to. Before I even know what he’s doing, his lips are on mine and he’s kissing me.
I stand in the state of absolute shock that Toby’s mouth is on mine. My brother’s best friend and Colton’s cousin is kissing me. Kissing me. The awkwardness of it hangs in the air, especially when he tries to move his lips, to maybe get some reaction out of me. But I don’t react. I can’t. The crush I had on him before I met Colton has well and truly gone.
Putting my hands on his chest, I push him back, breaking the kiss. Care you tell me what the hell you’re doing ?
He can’t quite meet my eyes as he apologetically glances at me, his cheeks turning pink.
Shit, I’m so sorry. He looks put out. One more thing.
I freeze when he yanks his hoodie down my shoulder, his other hand pushing my hair over my shoulder. Bending his head, he slides his tongue right across Colton’s bite mark and I cry out when it burns. Straight away I bring my hand up to smack him across his face, but he catches my hand and stops me.
His face goes stern, and for a moment I think he’s angry that I went to hit him, at least until he mutters, Act natural.
What ?
I’m still trying to work out what possessed him to kiss me and lick me when he knows exactly what Colton can do. But my mind shuts up when footsteps slap against the floor of the alley we’re standing in. Turning my head, I see two guys walk toward us. Because we’re hidden from the sun, they’re cloaked in shadow and I’m intimidated. Toby stiffens beside me, but his face remains serious.
What are you doing here, Andrew ? he asks the tallest man.
Andrew chuckles, his light hair and eyes clashing with how evil he looks. Not a nice way to greet someone, Toby.
As Toby glares at him, my phone vibrates in my pocket. I don’t reach in and grab it, too wary to move. You shouldn’t be here. You know what Colton will do-
Oh, relax. I’m not here to start anything. I’m only checking out the girl he’s been dragging around.
All eyes come to me and my heart stops for a moment. I try and swallow down the lump in my throat, but it won’t go down. Grabbing the back of Toby’s t-shirt, I glance up at him, seeing his eyes suddenly flash golden. My eyes widen. Although I know he’s what Colton is, it’s hard to imagine Toby turning into a werewolf.
Whoever these guys are, Toby is ready to attack, and that worries me. I don’t think they’re human either. Reaching for my hand, Toby grabs hold of it. I let him because I’m scared. This is Layla. She’s my mate.