Page 55 of This Blood That Binds Us
“Do you mind if I ask why?” I shifted my stance closer to her, letting our shoulders touch as we watched the door.
“I-I just...I don’t know what my tolerance is, and I’ve never had anyone I trusted enough to drink with. You know, in case I got so drunk I couldn’t drive home or something. Is that stupid?” She bit the inside of her lip.
“Definitely not stupid. You know...you do have someone you can trust now, though. I’d take good care of the drunk you. I’ll even hold your hair if you throw up.” I nudged her.
“Maybe when we aren’t on an important mission.” She looked up to me, her blue eyes sparkling in the twinkle lights ahead.
I wanted to drown in them, but I had to focus. I reminded myself of not only the task at hand, but the fact that the girl in front of me had been attacked twice in the last month, one being by me. That made thinking of her as anything other than a friend off-limits. She needed me to help keep her safe, not have feelings for her.
Her attention shifted back to the door, and her face dropped. “There he is. You’re going to stay close, right?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll be right here.” I winked at her before William intruded our circle.
“Good evening.” He smiled in his crisp black blazer. Everything about him was well-put together. He pulled a red rose from behind his back, handing it to Kimberly with a short bow. “You look breathtaking.”
Her voice caught in her throat, and her heart sped up. “Uh, thank you.”
I wasn’t prepared for the heat that rose from my chest into my face. Loosening my balled-up fist, I swallowed the lump in my throat.
Wipe that smirk off his face.
The voice was back with a vengeance, and I had a feeling it was here to stay. It only came up sometimes, and usually, I could push it away, but despite my resolve, the heat traveled up my throat.
“She likes peonies, by the way.” I tried my best to force a wide, toothy smile. “Don’t worry. You’ll get it next time.”
William chuckled, the whites of his teeth taunting. “Noted. Thanks for keepingmydatecompany. Much appreciated. Say...where’s your date...Coleman?”
It took me a second to realize he was using my fake last name.
Kimberly looked up to me, chewing the inside of her cheek, and I gave her a reassuring wink.
“Didn’t bring one. Thanks for the reminder.”
The events of the night would have been much more fun if Kimberly was my date. I imagined twirling her around on the dance floor, dancing like maniacs, and maybe even...slow dancing. Maybe in another life that would have been possible, but in the one where vampires existed, I was doomed to go stag.
William placed his hand on the small of Kimberly’s back. “You ready?”
The proximity of his skin next to her felt wrong. Not just because he was potentially a brainwashing vampire, but something else made me want to snatch her away from him.
She nodded, and they made their way into the crowd. The music was loud, making it hard to hear where they were. I’d have to keep her in sight while not making it obvious. They slowly moved toward the bar.
As people piled into the building, the volume in my ears kicked up a notch. The smothering conversations everywhere were a dull roar. Announcements were just about to start, and I was already feeling sensory overload.
“Whatcha doing?” Presley appeared next to me, holding a Jack and Coke. His favorite. I diverted my attention to my shoes, but Presley caught my line of sight. “W-What’s she doing with that guy?”
“That’s her date,” I said.
“I thought you guys were going together...that sucks. You must be mad jealous, huh?” Presley laughed before sipping his drink.
“No, we’re just friends.”
They were still standing next to the bar, due to the crowd, and William had Kimberly pressed up to a wooden pillar. His arm was placed casually over her. He’d lean in closer to her every time someone passed behind him. I coughed a little, diverting my attention before the voice started up again.
Presley smiled. “Whatever you say . . . you look jealous, though.”
“I’m not. And, no, I don’t,” I snapped.
It couldn’t be jealousy. If I were jealous, that would mean I liked Kimberly more than a friend, and I couldn’t do that to her. Not after everything she went through. We couldn’t be together. So, it was settled. I didn’t like her.
