Page 71 of By the Fae

My mind was immediately wiped clean of every thought except,Oh my Gods, oh my Gods, oh my Gods.

I tried not to notice Joey and Taurin watching us.

On the stage, Galmin introduced the band. I heard none of it until he said my sister’s name. She pointed to me, waved, then gave me a thumbs-up.

Their music was a mix of classic grunge covers, and newer chart-toppers covered with a grungy flair. The energy in the bar was buzzing. A small mosh pit of sorts sprung up near the stage. Others were bopping their heads, shouting the lyrics, arms in the air.

Goldie’s fingers tapped out the beats on the table, while the fingers on his other hand slipped under my dungarees and my stretch tee, and absently thumbed little circles over my ribs. Occasionally I felt his breath against my hair, or his tapping hand reach out for his pint. His chest rose and fell, his heart thumped away at my spine.

I wanted to look at him, needed to gaze into those emerald eyes, but I’d seized up. Every muscle resisted my urges. Something stopped me.

Fear, I realised. I was terrified. Of what, though? I had no idea.

When the Bus Stop Willies finished their set, Abby ran straight to me, streaming with sweat, a grin taking over her entire face.

I leapt up and pulled her into a hug. “Oh my Gods, Abby. You were brilliant.”

“Thank you!” she yelled, kissing my cheek, slathering it in either perspiration or saliva, not sure which. “Introduce me to your friends already.”

“Oh, right.” I broke away. “This is Joey.” Joey waved, making her boobs jiggle. “Taurin.” He raised a brow and nodded. “And Goldie.”

Goldie shot forward out of his seat and took Abby by the hand. I wasn’t sure if he was going to shake it or kiss her knuckles, and I didn’t think he knew either. He ended up just holding it there for a few seconds before releasing it.

“Great show, by the way,” he said.

Abby beamed and looked at me. It was a look that said,we need to gossip about this very attractive man you’ve brought with you to my show.

Goldie took the hint. “Well, that’s my cue to go take a p—go to the bathroom. Catch you on the flip side.” He landed a soft punch on my bicep before heading off into the crowds.

“Hell, Hols, he’s a total babe. Have you slept with him yet?” Abby asked the moment Goldie had turned his back.

“Slept, yes. Next to him, in his arms. Have we had sex? No, not yet. Done everything but.”

“What are you waiting for? He’s—”

“We’re gonna get some more drinks,” Taurin said, both he and Joey getting to their feet. He didn’t need to shout, his voice cut straight through the cacophony. “What’re you guys having?”

“Lemonade, please. For both of us,” I said, at the same time Abby said, “Beer.”

“Shandies then,” Taurin said with a shrug, and the pair disappeared before I could voice my protests about my sixteen-year-old sister drinking.

“You haven’t answered my question,” Abby said, watching the enormous retreating back of Taurin. “Is he a minotaur?”

“Yes. Goldie’s other flatmates are a vampire and an incubus.”

“What?! And what?! And don’t think you can change the subject.”

I sighed and flopped backwards against the leather of the bench. It still held some of Goldie’s body heat.

Sex. That subject again. I knew the answer this time. Knew why I couldn’t go that far with him. I wasn’t sure how I could articulate it out loud though. Especially to my sixteen-year-old sister.

“What’re you waiting for? You like him. He’s obviously in love with you—”

“Yeah, I like him—Wait!” I put my palm up, made a circular motion with my hand. “Backtrack.”

Abby watched me for a few seconds. It felt like minutes. “You don’t know he’s in love with you?”

I couldn’t move my head, couldn’t shake it, couldn’t even open my mouth to contradict.

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