"Well, if I'm such an ass, then why did you come visit me?" Griffin's words came across clear, even from where I stood, halfway down the corridor. I had hoped that with Griffin being injured, he and Asher would have called a temporary truce on their almost constant bickering, but apparently, that was wishful thinking.
As I opened the door, fully prepared to lay into my two closest friends, I was brought to an immediate stop, my eyes not quite comprehending what I was seeing. Izzy stood just feet from me, glaring across the room at a very annoyed looking Griffin.
"I already told you! I'm not here to visit you," she barked, stomping her foot on the ground like an angry toddler. "I thought I would find Logan here. Why would I want to visit a mutt like you, when I could just go to the pound and find something much cuter and with a lot less flees?" Izzy snapped back.
The thought of sneaking back out of the room before they noticed me vanished with the snicker that escaped my mouth. Both their heads turned in my direction, as I stood in the doorway.
"Where have you been?" they both questioned in tandem.
Looking between the two, I wasn't sure who to answer first. Just as I opened my mouth, Asher came strolling past me. Not at all affected by the tension-filled room. Nor did he seem surprised by Izzy's presence.
"So, you guys managed not to kill each other while I was gone then?" he joked, as he took a seat near Griffin's bed.
What happened while I was meeting with Davidson, and just how long had Izzy been here?
"Just barely," Izzy muttered. Her immature behaviour, something that in Griffin, annoyed me to no end, I found somewhat adorable. Again, I could feel myself getting lost in the vision, that was this tumultuous she-wolf.
It wasn't long before her eyes were locked on mine. Her shoulders quickly fell as though all the tension left her body, and I couldn't deny the pride I felt for having that effect on her. Without a thought, I closed the distance between us, wanting to feel her small frame against me. But once I reached her, I froze.
"Why are you here?" The words came out with an anger even I didn't understand.
"I uh..." she paused obviously thrown off by my tone, but it didn't take long for Izzy to recover. "I came to see you."
"Let's be honest. She came to see me, and we all know it. Otherwise, this wouldn't have been the first place she stopped," Griffin piped in. Whether his comment was meant to break the tension or just because he couldn't help making another wisecrack, wasn't clear. What I did know was, in my current mood, it didn't matter if he was in a hospital bed recovering, if he didn't shut up soon, I would be extending his stay.
"Yes, but why?" I questioned, completely ignoring Griffin's comments.
Izzy turned her gaze from Griffin to me. Seeing the heartache written across her face, I immediately wanted to retract my words. I wasn't trying to hurt her, but at the same time, I couldn't hold back my own sorrow.
"Can we talk, in private?" she urged, her head nodding towards Griffin and Asher. Both men immediately turned their gazes elsewhere.
With a quick nod, I made my way to the door, holding it open for her. As we walked to the pack house, Izzy remained silent. Each time I dared to glance in her direction, I had to fight the urge to run my thumb across her swollen bottom lip. I wondered if she realized what that small action of biting her lip did to me.
The closer we got to my office the more I was sure I had no clue what I wanted to say to her. There was a brewing anger inside me, that much was evident but I was entirely sure where it was coming from. It wasn't until she came to a stop that I realized we weren't in front of my office door but my bedroom. And just like that my anxiety kicked into over gear. What was it about a simple change of venue that altered the entire tone of a situation? It is just a room nothing more, I told myself.
Izzy stood there, her head downcast. It felt like forever before I realized she was waiting for me to let her in. Reaching past her to open the door my hand brushed her arm causing the now very familiar sparks to radiate through me. Izzy followed me into the room taking a seat on the edge of my bed. As I closed the door only one thought went through my mind. This was most certainly not going to go well.