Page 44 of Road Trip with a Vampire
Peter was watching me expectantly, waiting for my reaction to what he’d just implied about the effect feeding had on him. He likely had no idea the million different directions my mind had just gone. I cleared my throat and refocused my attention, forcing myself to think through practicalities.
“Will you be able to find something to eat?” I asked. “We’re in the middle of nowhere.”
He nodded, looking relieved for the slight subject change. “I’ve thought about that. The woman at the front desk.”
I shook my head. “Too conspicuous. What if someone walks into the lobby in the middle of everything? It could turn into a real headache.” I thought for a moment. “One of the other motel guests, maybe?”
“That won’t work if their doors are locked,” he said. “Breaking down a door in the middle of the night would be even more conspicuous.”
I hadn’t thought of that. “Good point,” I said.
“I’ll figure it out,” he said distractedly. He began fidgeting with his key card, clearly anxious to leave. “I better go.”
“Just…” I began, then trailed off, my thoughts scattering as I tried to form words. “Just don’t hurt anyone. Okay?”
He stopped fidgeting. His eyes flicked to mine. “Of course,” he said, sounding mildly affronted. “Before I go, can I ask you a question?”
I shrugged. “Sure.”
“What do you have against vampires?”
His tone wasn’t accusatory, simply curious. I felt like I was under a spotlight all the same. “What makes you think I have something against vampires?” I hedged.
“Every conversation we’ve had since you found out what I was.”
I bristled. “That’s not fair. Or true.”
“Maybe noteveryconversation,” he conceded. “But you’ve been clear about your distrust of people like me from the beginning. I’d like to know why.”
I hesitated. I could lie and say I didn’t know what he was talkingabout, but he’d see through that immediately. This man, I was learning, missed nothing.
A lot of vampires I’d known had been real assholes that I’d have been better off without, but that wasn’t the real reason. The truth was I simply resented vampires for who I’d become when I was around them. It was probably unfair of me, but I was too exhausted to unpack any of it right now.
“Obviously vampirism is a lot for most people to accept,” Peter continued when I didn’t say anything. “But you’re not most people. Just the opposite, in fact.” He swallowed, looked away. “Your attitude towards vampires is…unexpected.”
I didn’t think I was imagining the hurt that had crept into his voice.
“It’s not you, Peter,” I said. I cringed at how lame that sounded, even though it was the truth. “I promise.”
“Then what is it?”
A car door out in the parking lot slammed shut, the noise of it so loud it was like this shitty motel room didn’t have walls at all. When I answered Peter, I pitched my voice low, on the remote chance someone out there might be able to overhear us.
“It’s me,” I said, not quite able to meet his eye. “It’s entirely me.”
After Peter left, I curledup on the bed with one of the books I’d brought on this trip. It was good enough, but I couldn’t seem to lose myself in it the way I wanted to.
It didn’t help that the love interest in this one was tall, dark-haired, and a bit surly. Every time I found myself getting sucked in, I’d imagine Peter and have to read the whole passage over again.
By one in the morning, I gave up trying.
I had work to do anyway. That wind spell near Donner Pass had worked well earlier in the day, but the tips of my fingers were tingling again, and I was as jittery as if I’d just downed a gallon of coffee. If that had been a significant enough use of magic, I wouldn’t be feeling the way I was now so soon.
Another, larger spell was clearly in order.
Peter still hadn’t come back. Either he was still out feeding somewhere, or he’d meant it when he’d said he’d sleep in my car. I felt a pang of guilt, thinking of him cramming himself into my little convertible. What if our strained conversation about my vampire baggage made him feel like he had to stay away?
I told myself to put it out of my mind. I’d made it clear he was welcome to share the bed. If he was out in my car anyway, it was his choice.
