Page 10 of My Road Trip with a Vampire: Season One
I drop some cold weather essentials in my bag and consider screaming. Maybe screaming will break whatever mind control Dennis is using on Mom. I take a deep breath, but my shriek sticks in my throat.
“I wouldn’t try to argue against what I’ve told your mother,” Dennis says, leaning against my doorframe with his hands in his pockets. “It would only make things more difficult.”
I wonder what will happen if I throw something at him. Probably nothing good. I saw how fast he moved at the cemetery last night, how strong he was.
I stop what I’m doing and give him a searing look. A half-smile dimples his cheek, and he drops his eyes to my hands.
Heat prickles along my chest and neck when I realize I’m holding a lacy hot pink thong. The fact that I fantasized about wearing it for him last night makes it even worse.
“Don’t forget to pack that, lovely,” he says.
“Fuck off,” I tell him, throwing it at his feet. He bends down to pick it up and shoves it in his pocket. My heart gives a weirdthumpin my chest when he steps closer.
“Look,” he says, inches away from me. “I’m sorry we’re off to a rough start. But I know how these things go. You would have refused to come along because of whatever bullshit obligations you think you have, and I need your help.”
“And I’m obligated to help you?” I shoot back.
He gazes down through his thick eyelashes.
“No, but I saw how alive you were in New York. I watched you glow when you banished that poltergeist in Pottstown.”
Goosebumps crawl over my skin.
“You’ve been watching me for that long?”
I hold my breath. I’m not sure what I’m expecting, but he meets my eyes, and I know he’s going to tell me the truth no matter how awful it is.
“I told you. I had to know you could help me. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have bothered.”
I take a few steps back, bumping into my dresser. He gives me a once-over and says, “I meant what I said before; you don’t need much. I’ll buy you clothes. But bring your coat—you’ll need it tonight.”
He starts to turn away from the room, but he looks back over his shoulder and points his chin toward the locked box on my nightstand. “Remember your meds and ghost-hunting supplies.”
I don’t bother telling him that box holds my sex toys. I pack my vibrator before pulling out my actual ghost-hunting stash from under my bed. I wrap my warmest coat tight around me and follow after him.
I peck my mom on the cheek and hope it’s not the last time. I don’t let the plaster of my fake smile crack on the way out. If I’ve got to go through with this thing, then I don’t want her worrying about me.
I need her to think I’m safe. I have to come home safe.
Mom stands on the porch and waves to us. Dennis wraps an arm around my waist when I stand next to his motorcycle.
“No, lovely. Don’t you remember? We’re leaving this here until we get back. Mom will take good care of it for us.”
He flashes her a smile and dangles his keys. A horn honks down the street where a Range Rover Sport is parked and waiting for us.
How bougie.
I roll my eyes at him, but he holds me tight and takes my bag. He opens the passenger door for me and helps me in. I snap my fingers, calling Darling to climb up in my lap. I dare him to tell me I can’t bring my ghost dog.
“Bye, call you soon,” he says, waving at my mom as we pull away.
I have to take several slow breaths through my nose to keep myself from crying. I’ve obviously left home before, but those were just little trips here and there. I’ve made up lies to get away and investigate ghostly matters, but I’ve never done anything like this before.
“It’ll be ok, lovely,” he says as we hit the turnpike.
“You really shouldn’t call me that,” I tell him. “We’re not engaged, and this is borderline kidnapping.”
He chuckles and lifts a few fingers from the steering wheel.
