Black Moon (Alpha Pack #3)(20)

Taken aback, she paused. Communication between them had been strained at best since he'd given her the brush-off. And now he seemed relaxed, the glitter in his jade green eyes almost playful. Composing her expression into what she hoped was cool indifference, she walked over to him.

"How's Sariel?" he asked, eyeing her.

Inside, she deflated some. A part of her had hoped he wanted to talk about mending their fences, stupid as that seemed. She took a breath, shoving down the disappointment. "His recovery is progressing slowly. He's still not eating very well, but other than that, he should be up and around in a few days."

"Do you think he would see me? I have some apologizing to do." He sounded sincere.

"I don't know, but I could ask him for you if you would like."

"I would, thank you."

"Just don't get your hopes up. He's been withdrawn since Beryl attacked him, and I doubt you're his favorite person at the moment."

He winced. "Ouch. I deserved that, I guess."

"You guess?" She frowned at Kalen and peered into his eyes. "Are you all right?"

"Sure, honey. Why do you ask?"

Gritting her teeth, she resisted the urge to shout not to call her pet names after what had transpired between them. After he'd walked away and broken her heart. Instead, she forced herself to think like a doctor and studied his eyes. They weren't right. "Your pupils are dilated."

"So?"

"Blown pupils are typically a sign of illness, concussion, or drug use. Have you hit your head? Are you sick?"

"Nah. Been smoking weed in my room." He winked. "Ya caught me."

She smacked his arm as he laughed. "That's not funny, Kalen. I want you to come with me to the infirmary and let me give you a checkup."

"I have a better idea-have lunch with me instead."

"What?" Her traitorous heart skipped a beat. "You've barely acknowledged my presence lately, and now you want to hang out in the cafeteria?"

"No. I want to take you to lunch. You know, in a real restaurant in town, where we can sit and talk without two dozen of our well-meaning friends listening to every word."

Glancing around the room, she spotted several of those well-meaning friends quickly go back to pretending not to eavesdrop. "I don't know if that's a great idea."

"Please?" He affected a sexy pout.

Damn him for being so irresistible. "Checkup, then lunch. It's that or no deal."

"You drive a hard bargain, lady." He gave her a mock glare. "Fine. Poke at me or whatever. Then we'll go eat."

"I'm still not sure that's a good idea. The going out part."

"But you're going to do it anyway." Now he looked smug.

She wanted to smack him again. "Don't push your luck. Come on."

On the way to the infirmary, she did her best not to overtly ogle him. She had a weakness for guys that looked like rock stars, and even though he'd probably never touched an electric guitar in his life, the man totally did it for her.

On impulse, she asked, "Did you ever play in a rock band?"

He cut her a piercing look. "I've told you about my parents. They treated me like shit and threw me out on my ass. You think they forked over the cash for a guitar and lessons?"

She flushed in embarrassment. "No, but a lot of guys who are now well-known started with nothing. I just wondered, that's all."

They walked for a few moments before he responded. "Like a lot of kids, I had big dreams like that. Maybe if I'd pursued music and given it everything I had, I would've succeeded. Or maybe not. Some things aren't meant to be."

"And some things are, like you ending up here, being a part of the team."

He rolled his shoulders in what might've been a shrug. "Sure. Lucky me, huh?"

"Most of the Pack count themselves lucky to be here, yes," she said pointedly.

"You positive about that?"

"I know these men, so yes, I'm positive. Where is this coming from? You're in a weird mood today."

He flashed her a disarming smile. "Ignore me. Must be lack of sleep from last night."

"How often is that happening?"

"A night here and there. No big deal."

"I'll be the judge of that."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Where the hell is the sarcasm in your tone coming from? If I didn't know better, I'd swear you and Aric switched bodies."

"Do me a favor and don't compare me to him," he said curtly. "We're nothing alike."

"Then drop the crap and be yourself."

"I'm not sure I know what that means."

"I think you do, but if you insist on playing dumb, there isn't much I can do about it."

"Who says I'm playing? I don't even have a high school diploma."

"Is that another attempt to make me feel sorry for you?" So he didn't have to know it worked, she injected as much sternness into her voice as she could.

"Nope. Just sayin'."

Apparently she wasn't going to get any satisfactory answers. The jerk was enjoying baiting her way too much. So she decided to keep her end of the conversation strictly professional for the time being. If he wanted to have a meaningful talk at lunch, then he was going to have to work at it.