Wild Tendy (IceCats Book 2) Read online

  I think it’s a phobia, but I don’t know. It made me so nervous. Nico didn’t eat, he didn’t talk, and when people tried to talk to him, other than Chandler or me, I felt as if I had to save him. I learned so much about why you should make a donation if you’re a business owner that now I feel like I need to start donating. Problem is, I would probably qualify for a donation myself. I was stricken with worry for Nico, but I learned a lot from those amazing businesspeople, and I made some contacts. I didn’t have fun, though; I was too concerned about Nico. To make matters worse, he didn’t even come in or invite me over at the end of the night. He went home, and it killed me to see him drive away.

  In the Google search bar, I type in “phobias.” For the next hour, I read every single phobia known to man between making subs and answering phone calls. I search levels of anxiety, and somehow, I find myself reading a piece about depression, which is a huge mistake because then I start diagnosing myself. I quickly click away from that, and just as I’m about to type “sensory issues,” Callie comes up beside me.

  “Why are you searching sensory things?”

  “I’m worried about Nico,” I say, but before I can hit enter, Callie turns the computer around to herself. “Hey!”

  “Hey back,” she laughs, but I notice her jaw is a little taut. “I need to look up some stuff for school before I head over to the gym. You can wait. Plus, if you’re worried about Nico, ask Nico. It’s not like he wouldn’t answer you.”

  I put my hands on my hips. “I don’t like the way you just take things from me.”

  She shrugs. “Hey, you’re the one who claims me.”

  I lean over, kissing her cheek. “Always will, too, you asshole.”

  She giggles as I reach for the stack of envelopes. “But for real, what are you worried about?”

  I start to look through the weekly coupons. “He was so off last night. He didn’t eat. He didn’t speak. He was just there. I could feel the fear coming off him in waves. He told me he didn’t think we’d stay the whole night, but we did, and honestly, I think it was because of Chandler. He has a way of speaking to Nico.”

  “Made you jealous?”

  “So damn much,” I admit as I tear out a coupon for toothpaste. We always run out of toothpaste since Callie uses it on the rips on her hands from the gym. Crazy person. “But it bothered me. I mean, I know there is something wrong—”

  “No, there isn’t,” she snaps, and when I look over at her, she’s glaring at me.

  “O…kay. No need to get defensive. I’m the one dating him.”

  “There is nothing wrong with him. And you definitely can’t be like, ‘Hey Nico, what’s wrong with you?’ That’s shitty as hell.”

  My jaw falls open a bit. “Whoa.” I hold up my palms to her. “I am well aware of how to speak to people, and what is up with the language?”

  She slams the computer shut. “I don’t want you saying or thinking there is something wrong with him just because he doesn’t handle things like we do. He’s different but in no way wrong!”

  Tears are gathering in her eyes, and I’m truly so confused, I don’t know what to say. “Callie, relax—”

  “For real! Promise me you won’t use that phrasing with him.”

  “I won’t.”

  She storms out, taking my computer with her, and I’m left totally baffled. What the hell just happened? I shake my head and go back to my mail. Hormones, man, they’re out to get me. I don’t know if I’ll make it with her. Holy Grilled Cheese Jesus.

  When I come to an envelope from the medical billing company that holds my mom’s account, I draw in my brows so much, they practically touch. Before I open it, I think real hard. I sent in that payment. Yeah. Yeah, I did. I tear the envelope open, praying it’s only a statement and not another bill. I pull out the letter, and my check falls out. Now, I feel not only my brows touching but my whole face folding in. What in the hell? I look at my uncashed check and then quickly open the letter.

  Ms. Pearce,

  Your check, #2809, was not cashed, as your account was paid in full on the ninth of the month. We thank you for paying off your account sooner than we had discussed, and we are returning your check to you so you can destroy it. We wish you well.

  Account #18083: PAID IN FULL. ACCOUNT CLOSED.

  I think I’m having a stroke. My heart is in my throat, closing my airway and suffocating me. My mouth is dry, and soon, my vision is blurry.

  “What in the ever-loving fuck!”

  “What? I live here.”

  I glance at Callie, and she’s still clutching my laptop while glaring at me. I turn the letter toward her, crumpling it with my hand. “The account is paid in full.”

  She looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. “I need more than that.”

  “Mom’s bill. Paid.” I’m hyperventilating. I lean on the counter as she snatches the paper from me, and when I hear her gasp, I assume she got to the paid in full part. I keep blinking, trying to make sense of how this happened. After I recover…somewhat, I stand up straight and pull my phone out of my pocket. I dial the company’s number and, when they answer, demand to know who made the payment. Callie watches as I yell into the phone. “I need to know who paid this.”

  “Ma’am, it says the account was paid in full with cash.”

  “Cash!” I screech. “Who in the hell has $300,000 lying around? I sure as fuck don’t!”

  “Ma’am, I don’t know. We took the money and applied it to the account they requested.”

  “Who was it?” I roar. “I want a name.”

  I hear typing, and I just know the lady is about to hang up on me. “There was no name left.”

  Why do people just take money without getting a fucking name?

  I slam my phone down, and before I slam my head too, I make sure I didn’t crack the screen of my phone. One of these days, I will, and then I’ll be really screwed. Or probably not… My fairy godmother from Walt Disney World will just buy me a new one! Or hell, Santa will bring me one. Easter Bunny might have one up his ass! “What the hell is happening?”

  “I mean—”

  “No, ma’am. I don’t want you to be all ‘this is great’ or a ‘this is a blessing.’ This kind of shit does not happen!”

  Callie’s eyes widen, and slowly she shuts her mouth, looking away. I don’t snap at her often, but right now, I can’t help it.

  “I need to know who is doing this.”

  The door opens, and Callie turns just as I cut my eyes to the entrance. “Oh, you’ve got to be fucking kidding me.” My sperm donor crosses his arms over his chest, and I let my head drop to the side while staring at Callie. She looks back at me, and I hold out my hand to him. “See? Do you see?”

  Without being asked, Callie heads toward the back, but I know she’s not gone. She’s within earshot to hear everything since she’s a spy disguised as a gymnast. Hell, I might as well send her out to investigate; she could figure out who is sending this money.

  “Listen, I don’t have time for this—”

  He holds up his palms. “Just want to talk.”

  I exhale very dramatically. I don’t want to talk. “What?”

  I hadn’t noticed he was holding a manila folder until he hands it to me. “Here.”

  I take it, and my hands are shaking. Here it is. The papers that take Callie from me. I open the folder reluctantly as he says, “I talked to Callie a couple days ago.”

  My eyes widen, and I’m about to fly off the handle when Callie’s voice comes from the back. “I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you to kill me.”

  I close my eyes to keep in the tears. I can’t lose her. I take a few cleansing breaths before I reopen my eyes to focus on the paperwork.

  “I’m leaving town for good this weekend, and I asked if she wanted to go. She told me no—she wouldn’t and couldn’t leave you.”

  I stop reading to meet his pain-filled eyes. He looks clean and sober, and that surprises me.

  “I haven’t