The 7 Bad Habits of Slightly Troubled Monsters
Page 19
Dylan had risked his life to save him, had been willing to sacrifice himself so Aiden could escape. Maybe he could never fully trust Dylan again, and there would always be a part of him that was a little afraid that Dylan would hurt him, but some of that trust had been restored.
“I know,” Aiden said, widening his stance and lifting his hands. Although his heart pounded and sweat dampened his armpits, he didn’t feel like fainting. “Let’s do this.”
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How to Survive High School Without Really Dying (Shadow Valley #3)
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Aiden sat with his friends, hoodie zipped against the chilly breeze passing through the square. Before long it would be too cold for them to eat lunch outside. They were in their usual arrangement: Aiden and Hanna on one side, Dylan and Tiago on the other.
So far this year had been much better than last year. Aiden had started with everyone else, so he wasn’t behind on his classes. Even gym was sort of okay thanks to working with Dylan and Ms. Yang over the summer. And so far Conner had left them alone.
“Can I come over tonight?” Tiago asked. “I have to write an essay for English.” He made a face. The werejaguar had gotten much better at reading and writing, but it was still a struggle.
“Sure.” Any excuse to spend more time with Tiago.
“And training after?” He arched an eyebrow.
They’d trained over the summer. Aiden had given the excuse to both Dylan and Tiago that it helped to have people with different styles to practice with. There was some truth to that. Instead of using the pit, they’d started going to the woods. It fit both Aiden and Tiago’s magic much better. That helped with Dylan’s jealousy too, as they weren’t in “his” place.
“Yeah.”
“We should do something together on Saturday.” Hanna glanced around. “All of us.” She bit her lip. “I mean, I think it would be fun.” It almost sounded like a question.
She meant she wanted an excuse to spend time with Dylan without it seeming like a date. Hanna was still interested in Dylan, but he seemed uncertain. Aiden had tried to talk to him about it, had kept insisting that if he wanted to date Hanna, it was fine. He wouldn’t be jealous.
Aiden liked Hanna a lot, but she didn’t make him go all fluttery the way Tiago did. It’s stupid and hopeless. He doesn’t like you the same way, and he never will. Hanna did, and you could date her again if you really wanted. Of course there would be the drama with her parents to deal with, and after last year Aiden really didn’t need more drama in his life. Besides, he was happy being just friends with her.
“I’d like that,” Aiden said, looking over at Dylan.
His friend shrugged. “I guess.”
“Sure,” Tiago said. “What should we do?”
“Um… I don’t know. What do you want to do?”
Tiago looked thoughtful for a moment, then he said, “Bowling.”
They all stared at him.
“Is something wrong with bowling? Oh, you don’t have it here?”
“There’s a bowling alley,” Hanna said. “There’s two, actually.”
“Is it not cool then? I know it’s kind of an old-person thing, but I’ve never been bowling, and I just want to know what it’s like.” Tiago pushed a fry around in his ketchup.
“We should go,” Aiden said, maybe a little too eagerly. “I haven’t been bowling in a while. It’s kind of fun.” He mostly wanted to because Tiago did. He could pretend it was a date. A double date.
Dylan shrugged again. “It’s boring, but I guess I’ll go. I can enjoy all the people staring at me.” He didn’t sound pleased at all.
“They won’t stare,” Hanna said.
“They stare every time I’m out in public.” Dylan shoved the last of his bacon cheeseburger in his mouth.
“But you’re a hero now.”
Dylan rolled his eyes and said around his mouthful of food, “Yeah, sure.”
“If they distract you enough, maybe I’ll be able to beat you.” Tiago smirked.
“Nobody is going to beat me.”
“Maybe that’s why you don’t want to go. You’re afraid of losing.” Tiago’s smirk deepened, and Aiden had to tell himself not to stare. God, that boy was handsome. Sitting across from Dylan and Tiago every day was like a present for his eyes.
Dylan glared, a tiny flicker of bright green in his eyes. “I’m going to kick your ass.”
Tiago broke into a wide grin. “Bring it, Lizard Boy.”
A pang went through Aiden. That was the kind of friend Dylan needed, someone more like him. Macho, teasing, competitive. Not like Aiden. I’m a wimp. Why does he even hang out with me? Yet despite their differences, Dylan was his best friend. Aiden wondered if Dylan wouldn’t need him anymore if he found another friend, a better friend.
He supposed Dylan worried about the same thing. Dylan was jealous of the time he spent with Tiago, and he’d seemed a little jealous of Hanna too. He was never mean about it and didn’t ask Aiden to stop spending time with them, but he seemed insecure.
All the more reason for the four of them to spend time together. No one needed to be jealous of anybody.
“So we’re on for bowling this Saturday,” Aiden said. Then a problem occurred to him. “Will your parents let you go?” he asked Hanna.
“Going out Saturday night with three boys? And none of them are werewolves?” Her smile was both shy and rebellious. “I’m sure they’ll freak out, but they can’t stop me.”
Dylan tipped his Coke back, finishing it. “My dad can drive us.”
“Great.” It wasn’t a double date, but he could call it that in his head. Where it was safe.
Get book three now: How to Survive High School Without Really Dying (Shadow Valley #3)
Acknowledgements
Many thanks to Anne Victory for being a great editor and to my beta readers Ekaterina and Robyn. Thanks so much!
About The Author
Devin Harnois has nine published novels and he’d have more if he spent less time on Twitter and playing Dragon Age. He collects skull items and only a strong will prevents his apartment from being overrun by them. Devin lives in Minneapolis.
Find Devin at:
Twitter: devinharnois
Website: devinharnois.com
Email: devinharnois@gmail.com
Other books by Devin Harnois
Young Adult
Not My Apocalypse (Alex Holden book 1)
Saint of Sinners (Alex Holden book 2)
Lord of Hell (Alex Holden book 3)
How to Make Friends and Not Incinerate People (Shadow Valley #1)
The 7 Bad Habits of Slightly Troubled Monsters (Shadow Valley #2)
How to Survive High School Without Really Dying (Shadow Valley #3)
Zen and the Art of Major Magical Control (Shadow Valley #4)
Dragonkin Are from Mars, Changelings Are from Venus (Shadow Valley #5)
Rainbow Islands
Romance
Darkness at Dawn (Love and Monsters book 1)
Taming the Darkness (Love and Monsters book 2)
Through the Fire
Erik's Tale
Undaunted
Other
Emma and the Air Pirates
Copyright © 2016 Devin Harnois
All rights reserved.
Cover design by Devin Harnois
Edited by Anne Victory
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