Chapter 17 Secrets

*Diana*

My Dad wouldn't and couldn't look at me straight in the eyes after I had encountered him and Uncle Mike having that argument. Yeah, we would still do the things we normally did together, like have breakfast and dinner together, watch our favorite shows together and joke around at the diner. I was waiting for him to tell me what Uncle Mike had told him to tell me, but he acted like there was nothing to tell, hoping I'd forget about it.

I just had a few days left of school before Christmas break and I kept to myself most of the time so Michelle and her posse would just stay clear of me. Good thing they were all getting ready for the annual Christmas Program, and party, so the girls didn't have much time to go around making other people's lives miserable.

"Hey, Sullivan! I heard you'll be 18 soon." Bryan, the idiot jock just had to visit my locker today.

"Yep, on the 21st. Did you need something? I thought I taped up your essay you wanted me to do for you on your locker." He paid me money to do his schoolwork for him. What can I say? A girl needs to save up for college.

"Oh yeah. Thanks. I got an A. You are worth every penny I pay you. I was wondering if you wanted to hang out or something." This has got to be a prank. These jocks really think they're so cool. What a bunch of idiots.

"Nah, I already have a date with Netflix. Maybe some other time when I'm not so busy." I slam my locker shut and try to get past him and his goons. Is that dirty wet socks I smell? Gross.

"Ah, come on, Sullivan. I can make you a happy girl on your birthday." He winks at me. When my dad does it, it's adorable, but when he does it, it's disgusting.

"You know what would make me happy, Bryan?" I say sweetly, batting my eyelashes at him.

"Tell me. What will make you happy?" He leans on my locker door, trying to look all dreamy.

"It will make me utterly happy if you would quit calling me Sullivan. I have a first name, too, you know." I push against him and his goons so I could walk through and get to class.

"Yeah, and mine is Bryan, Sullivan." I turn around and look at him with disdain on my face. Talk about no brain cells. I shake my head and continue walking to my classroom. I am so done with high school. I want to go to college asap!

"Hey, D! Seems like Bryan and the boys want to get to that cherry." John, our part time cook and my bestfriend, comes running towards me so we could walk side by side to class.

"Gross. Can't you not call my virginity that way? That is truly appalling!" I punch him on his arm.

"Words out you're the last virgin standing." I look at him. When did my virginity become headline news?

"Nope. There's Stacey." I tell him.

"You are always the last to know. She got hers popped by Meyer." John wiggles his eyebrows.

"How about Jenny the Mascot?" I ask him.

"Remember, two years ago."

"Ew, yes! You." He laughs.

"So that leaves you. Hey, I'm available." John puts his arm around me. I elbow his ribs. "Ow!", he cries out.

"Serves you right. No one in this school is ever going to touch me in any way. Now, let's get to class!" I push him towards the door of our homeroom. What is wrong with people?

"Your virginity should be given to your mate and your mate alone." The voice in my head says. Even the voice has something to say about my virginity. Sheesh!

Class was boring as usual. I looked outside through the windows watching the snow fall. The voice talked about a mate. Must mean husband. Hmmm... What do I want in a mate?

He must be charming and smart, smart enough for me to learn from him. Polite and ruggedly handsome. Like a cowboy. All man. I smiled. He should be just like my dad. I doubt if I will ever meet someone who had those qualities. Well, in that case, I think I'm going to be a virgin forever. Poor me.

To my complete and utter amazement, school went by quickly. I was so engrossed in my thoughts that I didn't hear the school bell ring.

"D, class is over. Didn't you hear the bell?" John was standing in front of me, putting his backpack over his shoulder.

"It is? It is!" I gather all my things and dump them in my bag. "I need to get to the diner. Didi said she might not come in tonight."

"Ok. Well, I have band practice for the Christmas program tomorrow." John was part of this heavy metal band. I don't know if they could hear themselves play, but their music sounded more like noise. I just didn't have the heart to tell him.

"No problem. I brought my car. My dad just put in winter tires on my car. I'll just see you later." I wave goodbye and run outside. It was freezing. I tied my scarf around my neck to protect me from the cold and run to my car to get the heater on.

I got to the diner in record time. My Uncle Mike was relieved to see me come in for work. He was the one manning the tables all day.

"Where's Dad?" I put on my apron and name tag on while Uncle Mike sits down to give his poor feet some rest.

"He's at the port. He said he'd be here by lunch, but he hasn't messaged nor called. Has he gotten in touch with you?"

I look at my phone and swiped to see if there were any messages. "Nope. Nada. Let me see if he'll text me." I send a text asking him when he'll be by the diner. After a couple of minutes I get a message saying, "Soon." My dad hates texting.

"Got a one word text from him. Soon." I show Uncle Mike my dad's message and he laughs.

"He still hates texting and messaging through those messaging apps. And he dislikes video calls. All the moving around and the lagging kills the conversation or so he says."

"Uncle Mike, I've been meaning to ask you about that argument you had with my dad. What was that all about?" Uncle Mike's smile went to a frown. I guess I won't be getting answers from him.

"It's better if your dad explains it to you. I really want to tell you, I do. You're like a daughter to me more than a niece. Let's just say, your birthday will be a big day for you. In all aspects." He gives me a reassuring smile and says, "Don't worry, kiddo. I will be there right by your side like I've always been. You can count on ol' Uncle Mike."

"So turning 18 will be a big thing for me then?"

"Oh definitely. Just remember Diana, your dad loves you very much. He may not be perfect. He may have done things differently, but he loves you more than anything in this world. Believe you me."

"I know that, Uncle Mike. I wouldn't want any other dad, but him."

"Good. That sounds reassuring. If ever your dad tells you what needs to be said, please don't get angry at your father. If you do, come to me. Don't do what other kids do these days and just run off. Promise?" My Uncle Mike raises his pinkie for a pinkie swear. I wrap my pinkie with his and shake hands.

"I promise, Uncle Mike."

The chimes on the door ring and we both look to see who just walked in. He was a tall man, with messy golden brown hair, unshaven and was rubbing his ungloved hands from the cold. He was wearing a brown cowboy hat, a brown leather jacket and had a brown leather satchel on his shoulders. His jeans were dirty as well as his boots. He walked to one of the tables in my section and the other customers gave him curious glances as he walked by. He took off his hat and sat down, spreading his long legs infront of him.

"I'm up." I take a menu and place it infront of him. "The specials for today are baby back ribs with a side of mash potatoes and green peas, carrots and corn. You can add any choice of drink which comes with a free refill and a slice of apple pie for an extra two dollars."

"Diana. That's a pretty name. The name of the Moon Goddess." He says while his eyes were on the menu. I raised my eyebrow at him, finding it strange he would even mention my name, though I liked how he said it. He had a very manly voice, which spoke of authority even if he looked like he needed to take a bath and have his clothes washed.

"The Roman Goddess of Moon and..." I was about to finish my sentence when he abruptly cuts me off.

"Hunt. Actually, the virgin goddess of the moon and of hunting. Divine." He flipped casually through the menu while he gave me the definition of my name. "I'll have the specials and I'll add the extra two dollars for the drink and pie." He closes the menu and hands it back to me

"Got it, Sir. There's a washroom in the back if you want to wash your hands. I'll get you your order in a jiffy."

"Thank you, Diana." It was one of the rare moments when someone actually said thank you saying my name...who wasn't part of my family, that is.

"You're welcome, Sir. I'll go get you your order."

"You don't have to call me "Sir". My name is Ethan."

"I'll go get your order, Ethan."

The door chimes ring as I pass on the order to the cook. The tall man named Ethan had gone to the washroom.

"Where is he?" I turned around and saw my dad, panic etched on his face. I look at Uncle Mike, who also looked worried. My dad walked toward my uncle and whispered something in his ear.

"Where is he, Michael? Where is the wolf?"