Page 33 of Love Bleeds Red
“Uhh,” Damon cuts in. “You and Falin should stay here. Take care of the cats, do more research on the shit Leon’s found so far.”
I hold back a chuckle because I can just picture the death glares he’s receiving. And three… two… one… an argument breaks out. I can barely hear who’s saying what.
“Hey.” I try to make myself heard to no avail. “Hello!”
“How dare you?”
“Why wouldn’t we go?”
“It’s not safe.”
“Oh my fucking God, that shit again!”
“You’re the one who’s gotten shot twice!”
“Hey, I didn’t say anything!”
I groan, and try one more time. “FUCK’S SAKE!”
Quiet, finally.
“I’m hanging up now. Whatever you decide, just let me know. As much as Mum would love to have you all, we’d be like a tin of sardines in here. I’d need to find somewhere else for us to stay.”
“Don’t worry,” Blake seethes. “When Fal and I get our way, we’ll book a place big enough. You have enough on your plate.”
“And pet friendly,” Falin says.
“Text us regular updates,” Damon demands. “And if anything feels off?—”
“Yeah, don’t worry, I’ll be fine.”
We say our goodbyes, but they go back to bickering before I can hit end. Some things I do not miss.
I open up my text thread with Bailey, reading it over until my eyes droop. I’ve got a few days to prepare, and I need to make them count.
BAILEY - JUNE 10TH
Poor Leon. He’s officially been initiated into the family. Mom made her famous buffalo wings for Dad’s birthday dinner tonight. Leon was being so polite, kept thanking her and taking these huge bites while Jasper and Damon (who know better) were loading up on milk and bread.
Mom’s wings are basically weapons of mass destruction. I can only get through one of two before I know I’ll pay for it all night. She adds ghost peppers, habaneros, the works. Dad’s the only one who can actually handle them.
Leon made it through about three wings before he was taking weird breaths and sweat started pouring down his forehead. He excused himself to the bathroom, and we all knew… those wings hit him hard and fast.
Jasper and Damon were laughing like a bunch of jerks and Mom was all, “Poor thing, I should have warned him.” Dad smirked and said, “He’s fully initiated now.”
After ten minutes, I got up to ask if he was okay through the bathroom door.
“Leon? You alright in there?”
He groaned. “Please pretend this never happened.”
“That bad, huh?”
“Your mum’s trying to kill me, isn’t she? This is some kind of test.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Welcome to the family. We’ve all been there.”
“Even you?”
