Page 102 of My Undead Heart
I breathe a sigh of relief when Danny’s SUV finally pulls up at the curb of Jared and Rae’s apartment. “Thank you so much for the ride.”
“It was no problem. We’ll see you around?” Danny’s eyes hold an anxiousness I don’t understand but it makes me agree with a nod just to earn his smile. “’Night, Mia!”
“Have fun at your party!” Nikki calls before I shut the door.
That is my exact mission as I walk into the foyer and ride the elevator up to the rooftop. I step out of the car and push open the steel door that leads outside when my phone buzzes in my hand. I look down to find a text message from Matt.
Matt: Sorry, I’m not gonna make it.
Glancing over to the time icon, I find it’s only a few minutes past eleven. Sure, it’s late, but this is Matt we’re talking about. I’ve witnessed that man work into the early morning hours almost every single night, then get up at dawn to do it all again. I know he’s not too tired. If he’s ditching the party, it’s because he doesn’t want to be here. He doesn’t want to be with me.
An actual growl leaves my lips as I shove my phone into my coat pocket.
“She comes with sound effects, too. Special!” Jared’s waiting for me when I raise my chin. On further inspection of my face he claps his hands wildly. It’s alarming, especially with how he’s completely bleached his hair and eyebrows white.
“Salt?” I tilt my chin and take in the white high top sneakers, white jeans, and white mesh tank top.
“Don’t you love?” He spins in a circle.
“Marvelous. When do I get to meet Dr. Pepper?”
“He’s in law, not medicine, and he’s dying to meet you, too. Come on, Kitten.” Jared hooks his arm in mine and practically skips. He drags us across the party to an attractive—and older—man. That is, unless he had his hair treated to appear to be a forty-something.
“Logan, this is my Kitten. Mia, meet Logan.”
“So nice to meet you.” Logan hands Jared his glass and wraps me in a tight embrace.
“You, too,” I say, stepping out of his arms. My lips pull up with a smirk as Logan takes his glass back and slides his other arm around Jared’s waist. Where Jared went all white, Logan’s varied it up with a pair of black and white wing-tip tuxedo shoes, black dress slacks, and a black suit vest sans shirt. His white bow tie and cloth pocket napkin complete his outfit. Regardless of the fact he must be at least five to ten years older than Jared, they fit perfectly together.
Jared waves Rae over, and once she sees me, she screams. It doesn’t stand out over the music, but her enthusiasm makes me laugh anyway. She grabs two beers from the cooler on her way and after doting over my costume, and I over hers, the four of us gather to chat and drink.
“So, Logan ... Jared tells us you are quite the defender of the innocent.” I can’t help but tease and Rae covers her mouth to hide her giggle.
Jared glares but Logan takes my question in stride. “If you consider legal research and drafting documents for my firm to sign as their own ... I guess I do.”
“Don’t let him fool you. Logan’s firm does amazing work for our community. Several of the partners and staff take on domestic violence cases pro bono. Logan’s a part of that team.”
“Handsome with a good heart. Where do I find the straight version?” Rae blinks and glances around the party.
“Not here.” Jared laughs and she slaps him across the chest. “Hey, when is Matt getting here?” he asks but before I can answer, Rae interrupts.
“Yeah! We can’t wait to see his costume!” Rae nods and then looks at Logan. “Matt’s got a manbun, and he’s a retired fighter. If he shows up dressed with a giant hammer in his hands, you’ll have to hold me up. Because I’ll totally faint over that.”
“Thor obsession,” is all Jared has to say and Logan sighs with understanding. All eyes are back on me, waiting expectantly for an answer.
“He’s not coming, actually.” I force the words through my lips.
“Why? Did something happen at the fights?” Mia’s eyes widen with concern.
“No. Yes. It’s complicated.” I shake my head and now all three of them are looking at me as if my cat died.Well, as if a cat I loved died. Rick’s still an asshole.Their concern only makes me uncomfortable and I reach for the closest half-truth that will get them off my case. I don’t want to be the downer of this party. “One of his fighters went to the hospital.”
“Oh, my God! Is he okay?” Rae gasps.
“I think so. They think he has a concussion. But his other two fighters won. One was the last fight, too. He won a shiny belt and everything.”
“I’m sorry, Mia.” Jared reaches over to squeeze my arm. “We were really looking forward to him coming.”
“Me, too.” I nod and manage to hold a smile. Tipping back my beer bottle I finish it off and meet my friends’ stares. “Anyone want another? I need to catch up!” They all decline, their drinks still full, and I turn to walk toward the cooler. Relieved their prying eyes aren’t on me, I drop my front for a moment and pull out my phone. Maybe I’m reading too much into this. Maybe Matt has business to take care of with the gym or he’s going to see how Ricky is. Either way, we need to talk. I don’t know anything about Matt’s life prior to meeting him at Zig’s.
