Page 37 of This Blood That Binds Us
“Oh, you’re the guy that got thrown in the pool.” I smiled and held out my hand to shake his, hoping he would get the joke.
He squinted his eyes with a mischievous smile before shaking my hand. “Oh, you saw that, huh?”
He pulled up a chair, closing an awkward circle around the couch, leaving me on the outer edge.
“We all saw it,” Zach said.
“Well, Kimberly, we’re happy to have you. Is there anything we can do to help? Aaron told us about what happened to you last night. We’d be happy to accompany you to the police station if you need help.”
Zach leaned over the couch’s arm. “Or better yet, we could track them down for you and beat them up?”
“Again, he’s kidding,” Aaron blurted nervously.
But something in Zach’s eyes didn’t convince me. His posture was rigid, his shoulders back. He looked on edge, but his apathetic look told me he was good at hiding it.
“No, he isn’t.” Presley laughed, and Zach kicked his chair.
The wood splintered, causing Presley to crash to the floor. Their group shared a collective look. Aaron and I stole a glance at each other, while a strange silence sat between us all.
“Wow, these chairs . . . must be cheap.” Zach scoffed.
Presley picked himself up, dusting off his shirt. “That or Zach’s legs are freakishly strong...you know, because.. .of the martial arts thing?”
They definitely weren’t great at blending in. I decided to hand them a way out.
“I think I’m okay. Thanks, though. I probably need to get going and figure out my life.” I turned to Aaron, shrugging my shoulders.
“Yeah, hold on. I’ll go get your stuff!”
“Maybe you can come over again sometime?” Zach was still leaning over the couch’s arm. “Luke and I want to see some more of those martial arts skills you have.”
I chuckled. “Yeah, I don’t have that much skill in it. I just take a self defense course every month. It’s free on the first Monday of every month at the W. I take it you guys are pretty involved?”
“Yeah, we used to compete.” Luke smiled proudly and crossed his huge arms across his chest.
“We miss it sometimes,” Zach said.
I silently wondered if their martial arts had anything to do with The Family. Martial arts could be a useful skill, but I was pretty sure gangs didn’t learn hand-to-hand combat. But a vampire cult might.
“Did you guys ever win any trophies or awards?”
“Zach did! He was the best in class,” Luke said.
I concealed my surprise. Due to the sheer size of Luke, I’d thought he’d be the better fighter.
I turned my attention to Presley, who was sitting casually on the couch. “What about you? Did you and Aaron ever...?”
“Oh, no. Definitely not. We did a lot more dormant activities growing up. Usually including staying home and playing video games until three a.m.” Presley leaned back to talk to Aaron, who was coming down the stairs. “Isn’t that right?”
Aaron sighed, a plastic grocery bag in his hand. “What are you telling her about me? I bet it’s embarrassing.”
“Just solidifying your laziness and love of video games...you know, to let her know what she’s signing up for.” Presley smiled just before Aaron elbowed him in the ribs.
I grabbed the bag from Aaron, waving to the group. “It was good meeting you guys. See you later.”
“Likewise,” the twins said simultaneously.
“Looking forward to it.” Presley winked.
