Wolf Blood

Chapter Seven: Wolf Date

Impromptu dates were scary, though I’d never been on one, I knew they were cause that’s how I felt now. Ezekiel radiated confidence, experience, and he had his brother tenacity for chasing. He held the ice cream store door open for me. I thanked him and stepped inside.

“Order whatever your heart desires,” he said.

I ordered chocolate ice cream in a bowl with Oreos. It costed extra for a topping and it was my favourite kind, but I didn’t often buy it.

“Wow, going for the expensive stuff.” He laughed. His voice reminded me a bit of Everette’s. He ordered vanilla with caramel. After he paid, I followed him to a booth in the back.

“Thank you,” I said taking a bite. This place had the best ice cream.

“What are your future plans, now that you’re done with high school?” He asked taking a chunk of ice cream and putting it into his mouth.

“I thought about pursuing English in college, then maybe business because I dreamed of opening a store when I was young, but business isn’t easy,” I said quickly. “I haven’t decided yet. I dabbled with the idea of teaching too. I’m sure I’ll find something once I get there though.”

“Those are great goals.” His spoon slowly made its way toward my bowl. He hesitated, floating above the cup before he dove it in and took a scoop. After he swallowed, he said, “That’s pretty good. I was skeptical at first because how can cookies n’ cream be improved?” He laughed.

“I wouldn’t necessarily call it an improvement,” I said shrugging. “It’s definitely a nice change though.” He nodded. “What are your plans for your life?”

He took another bite of ice cream before saying, “I took business in college.” He laughed. “I will be taking over the family business in a few years.” I forgot Everette’s father creates apps, computer programs, and other techie things.

Ezekiel was different than how Everette painted him to be. He didn’t seem like a brooding recluse to me. He was more like Everette than I imagined. I liked the fact he didn’t back down, not now or when I first met him. He ran his fingers through his hair while watching me.

“You heading off to college this fall?” He asked raising a brow. That simple action made him look a lot like Everette.

Looking down I said, “That’s the plan. I got accepted into a few, but I haven’t quite decided which one yet. There is something appealing about an out of state school, but I also get pretty homesick.” I scooped another spoonful into my mouth before looking up at him. Plus, Everette hadn’t decided either and we got accepted into several of the same schools. I wonder if it would be bad to pick a school based on whether a friend went there.

“Going out of state lets you stretch your wings. Gives more independence without parents being so close.” He leaned back in his seat before saying, “A lot of freshman don’t handle that freedom well and flunk out their first year. You don’t strike me at that type though.”

I wasn’t that type, but Zander was. I could imagine him flunking out. I mean, it took him forever to decide if he wanted to go to college. “I got all the responsibility genes in the family.” I laughed. “Zander, my brother, he is the one who gets into the most trouble,” I said.

“Don’t forget to live a little. You can’t just go to college and study – that’s not the whole point. It’s the community too. I met some of the best people.” He pushed his bowl toward the center of the table. “The ice cream here is great, I see why you insisted on this place,” he said smiling.

“I always choose this place.” I pushed my bowl forward before resting my hands on the table.

“You have memorizing eyes. I’ve only heard of stories about people who have two different colours,” he said leaning forward.

“Thank you. I used to get teased, but that was before it was cool.” His face slowly moved closer to mine. “I should probably get home now. My mum is paranoid about the pack of wild dogs.”

“I wouldn’t worry about the dogs.” His hand brushed against mine. “I’ll walk you home.”

His hand rested over mine for a few minutes before he slid out of the booth. Taking a breath, I followed him. We left the ice cream store and headed toward my house. The sky darkened, but not enough for the streetlamps to turn on. Ezekiel walked close to me; our hands brushed by one another.

“Thanks again for the ice cream,” I said once my house came into view. “I had a nice time.”

“Me too, Selene,” he said. When he said my name, it sounded like a purr. “We should do it again sometime.”

“Yeah.” I glanced up at him and met his dark eyes. As much as I enjoyed our time together, I missed Everette. He looked a bit like him and sounded a lot like him. The Cardova boys looked a lot alike and it freaked me out sometimes.

Like a gentleman, he walked me up to the door, but stood by the handle. He looked down at me and smiled a crooked smile. One like Everette’s.

“Are you busy this summer?” He asked.

“I have college to prepare for, but other than that.” I paused. “Not really. Hanging out with friends before I go pretty much sums it up.” Also, figuring out who bit me and how to undo this werewolf disease, as well as, figure out how I feel about Everette because I know he like me. But the boy will have to take a backburner to the disease.

“Right. Of course,” he said chuckling. My stomach tightened a bit, this was growing uncomfortable. I wish he would either tell me what’s on his mind or move out of the way. Ezekiel opened his mouth but closed it again when a familiar Mustang pulled into my driveway.

Everette hopped out of the car and glared at his brother. “What are you doing here Zeke?” Everette asked walking toward us.

“Wrapping up a date. What are you doing here?” Ezekiel asked stepping toward Everette, blocking his path.

“Seeing my friend.” Everette’s voice hardened.

This is when those fight or flight instincts kicked in and all I wanted to do was leave. A rumble sounded from Ezekiel. Could Ezekiel be a werewolf? Kinsley said I’d know by smell, but he smells the same as Everette and Everette is not a wolf. There is no way Everette is a wolf.

I stepped toward the boys. “Guys, it’s been a long day. I just want to sleep,” I said. Everette glanced at me, his eyes softened.

“Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow?” He said with brow raised. I nodded before looking at Ezekiel. His eyes were dark. The green seemed to disappear.

“I’ll catch you later, Selene,” Ezekiel said stepping around his brother before beginning to jog down the road.

I turned and headed to my front door. I glanced back at Everette as he watched me from the car. He offered me a small smile, which I returned before heading inside. One difference I noticed between Ezekiel and Everette was how dark Ezekiel seemed to get, but I’d never seen that in Everette. When I first met Everette I knew I could trust him, but I didn’t feel that inclination toward his brother.