by Rose Pressey
“Ugh, I know. I try to forget, so please don’t remind me. ’Cause then I’ll have to, well, remember.”
“What about when Danny, you know, bites you?” She'd described the biting during sex thing, but I guess I didn't quite understand. I'd never experienced it. She said I was missing out...I guess I'd have to take her word for it. Maybe I was missing out.
“That’s different. I don’t actually see the blood. It’s fun.” Her cheeks blushed.
Why are you wearing a cross?” Kitty asked.
I rubbed the pendant between my fingers. “It’s a fashion statement.”
She crossed her arms in front of her chest. “Since when?”
“Since now.”
Kitty glanced down at my purse and sniffed. “Do you have garlic in your purse? ’Cause you know that doesn’t work, right?”
“I know,” I said.
“Again…you watch too many movies.”
“So Frank doesn’t sleep in a coffin?” I smirked.
“Oh, no, I’m pretty sure he sleeps in a coffin. But I doubt it’s because of the vampire thing.”
I felt eyes on me. Namely, Buzz. He studied me, but I looked away. I stood and walked over to the edge of the deck. After a few seconds, I felt a presence behind me. I turned around.
Buzz leaned against the large deck pillar and folded his arms across his chest. He wore his usual outfit of jeans and a t-shirt, a white one this time. “Sittin’ out here on a summer evening, sipping lemonade, watching the birds and listening to the neighbors mow their lawns. It doesn’t get much better than that.” He gazed out into the distance. He must have liked my mama’s lemonade as much as I did.
Buzz’s sexy drawl made the vision lifelike. I pictured sitting on a rocker in my favorite yellow flowered sundress and Buzz beside me wearing a white summertime shirt and dress slacks. His skin tan from working in the summer sun—what kind of work I didn’t know, but it was my fantasy so who cares. Both of us would be drinking out of my favorite fancy glasses, the ones reserved for special occasions. The sour from the lemonade almost made my lips pucker and I heard the chirp of the bluebirds. The lawn mowing I could do without, although I do love the smell of a fresh-cut lawn. Maybe Buzz had gotten his tan from mowing with his shirt off? Yeah, I could handle that kind of vision.
“Do you want more lemonade?” He stretched his muscular arm toward me with the pitcher in hand and startled me out of my reverie.
“Sure.” I held my glass out for him to pour, but my thoughts wandered to what it would feel like to touch his tanned, toned arm.
“Thank you,” I said, looking down. I blushed after realizing my thoughts were getting carried away.
“You’re welcome. Your mother makes great lemonade.”
Mom stood and paced across the deck, breaking our moment.
“Well, I just hope the police can figure this out.” Mom was fidgeting with her hands yet again.
My dad had slipped off into the house. He reemerged with something in his hand. “Here.” He held out the little black object.
“What’s this?”
“Pepper spray. I bought it this morning after you called me. I don’t want you to leave home without it. Your mother and I have done a protection spell, but it can only help so much if we don’t know what supernatural powers we’re dealing with. I’d get you a gun, but I know you don’t like the things. Besides, you'd probably shoot yourself.”
“Can we not talk about guns, please?” It had been a year since my brother was killed while trying to do his job, and it never got any easier. My mother looked away. Silence hung in the air. After a minute, she got up from the wicker chair and disappeared inside. I knew she just needed a minute to herself. She never liked to show her emotions in front of strangers.
My dad nudged the pepper spray at me again. “Here, take it.”
I grabbed the black object and shoved it in my purse. I shook my head at Kitty.
“You never know when you may need it,” she said.
“Thanks for reminding me.” I gave her another evil glare to remind her not to mention the break-in. Kitty batted her lashes and gazed at me with innocent eyes.
Now if Buzz would keep his mouth shut, I’d be good. I didn’t know if he’d say anything or not.
“Especially since your apartment was broken into.”
My father stopped the spatula mid-air. I didn’t look at Buzz. After all, I hadn’t warned him not to say anything.
“What!” My father barked. “When were you going to tell me about this?”
“I didn’t want to worry you,” I said while looking at my very interesting paper plate. “These things are a lot thicker and sturdier than they used to make them,” I said to Kitty.
She rolled her eyes.
The souped-up engine of Frank’s truck rang out. His presence made known long before he actually arrived. For once, Frank’s presence was welcome. Now we could get down to business and away from the third degree. I hoped he’d brought Craig with him. I was more than ready to get away from the current topic.
“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me.” He waved the burger-flipper through the air. “Did you think I wouldn’t find out? You can’t hide things from me.” I had hidden plenty from him from the age of thirteen on.
The loud roar of Frank’s truck kept me from answering. Or at least I used it as my excuse. My father loomed over me, waiting for some kind of answer. The engine cut off and silence filled the air again.
“I was going to tell you, I just didn’t want to worry you guys.”
“We want to know. I’d rather not be in the dark about these things, okay?”
“All right.” I nodded.
“Did they steal anything?” he asked.
Only the book Grandma Annie made me swear not to lose. Nope. I couldn’t tell him that. I’d at least give the police a chance to find it first. Maybe I’d misplaced it. No need to alarm everyone yet. Oh hell, whom was I kidding? That book had been taken from my apartment and I knew it.
“Not that I'm aware of.”
“What did the police say? I'm calling Bob.” He set the spatula down.
“Who's Bob?” Buzz asked as my father walked away.
“My dad’s best friend is on the police force. I guess he thinks he can find out from him all the details that I won’t tell him.”
Buzz nodded in understanding. “Gotcha.”
“What’s up?” Frank asked as he neared the deck.
Thank goodness Craig was behind him. They had no idea of my recent find. I wondered if I could get by without having to discuss it for the rest of forever.
“You ready?” I asked.
“What smells so good?” Craig asked.
My mom reemerged from inside. “Have a seat. You young men need to eat before you practice. You'll need your strength.” She called them young men, yet they were older than her. My mom didn’t remember that vamps got their nutrition from blood, not food. She walked the perimeter of the deck. She always kept her distance around them; she was being nice for me.
Why did I feel as if I was in high school all over again? As my mother piled food high on their plates—something that made her extremely happy—I looked at Kitty.
“So is this the only reason you wanted to come by? To tell my parents about what's going on?” I whispered.
“Hey, don’t look at me. He’s the one who told them about your apartment break-in.” She pointed.
I focused my attention on Buzz.
“Was I not supposed to do that?” he asked.
I shook my head. “No, you didn’t know. It’s okay. Don’t let it happen again, though.” I chuckled.
“Do you have to talk to the police again?” Kitty set her plate down.
“No doubt.” I hesitated. My pause probably let her know I was hiding something. “I’m surprised I’m not in cuffs right now.”
Kitty didn't know the half of my troubles—how would I explain the visions? Maybe I should call Grandma Annie. She was the best
advice-giver I knew. Although, I’d have to tell her about the book, but then, I knew that conversation was inevitable, anyway. Kitty eyed me. If she knew about the strange person in the park and the car with the skull, she’d freak. Something was definitely wrong and I needed to figure out what, as soon as possible…before I met the same fate as Johnny and Janey. It was too late for them, but not for me. Not yet, anyway.
She raised an eyebrow. “Something tells me you're not being truthful with me.”
Kitty folded her arms in front of her chest. Her cotton sundress made the green in her eyes greener. They turned as bright as a lake when she was angry, sad, or emotional.
“Sorry, I don’t know what to tell you.” Too bad I drove, because I wished I could drink the whole case of beer in front of me. Maybe then I could forget the awful events of the past twenty-four hours.
“I gotta say, Kitty, I think you're right. I think she's hiding something from us.” Buzz gave a sexy lop-sided grin. He was teasing me, I could tell by his tone.
Kitty looked at Buzz. “I knew I liked this guy.”
Yeah, he was all right if you liked that type. Unfortunately, I liked that type.
Chapter 39
I clapped my hands together. “So let's go guys,” I said jumping up. “I'm tired already and we haven't even started. Let's get this done so I can get some rest. I want to be at the bar early in the morning to set up and run through our songs once more before the show.”
I hurried down the steps and Kitty followed. I felt Buzz's presence behind us—like an electric current. Maybe it was his musky sexy scent that I smelled.
Frank and Craig set their plates down. Look at me, I took charge, and they were following me just like Kitty got her boyfriend to do! Maybe I needed to take control more often.
“Thanks for the food,” Craig said, smiling at my mother. She stared at his fangs. She knew they were vampires, but she still stared.
“You're welcome, anytime,” Mom muttered.
In spite of not wanting to talk about what had happened at the old farmhouse, I knew I’d have to tell Frank and Craig. Word spread quickly in the vampire community and they’d know sooner rather than later.
“Frank.” I pulled his arm and led him around to the side of the house.
“Oh, baby. At your parents’ house? You are kinky.”
I glared at him. “Shut up. If you knew what just happened to me, you wouldn’t kid around.”
“Who’s kidding?”
I shoved him. Yeah, he could drain the blood out of me, but the adrenaline hadn’t subsided, and I wasn’t in the mood for his lame advances. “I wish there was some magic spell to ward off your come ons. I’d use it right now.”
“It wouldn’t work anyway. You suck at being a witch.”
“Yeah, well, you suck at…sucking.”
He rolled his eyes. “Ouch. Good one, you really got me.”
“I found another vampire.”
“What the fuck? I’m beginning to think I shouldn’t be near you.” He looked over his shoulder. “Where?”
“Ugh. At some old farmhouse.” I gestured in the general direction. “This old car is chasing me—has been for a few days—and I pulled in there to hide out. Next thing I know, I’m stumbling over another pile of ashes.” I looked over my shoulder to see if anyone was listening. “I had another vision, too. I don’t even know why I’m telling you.”
“Because I’m so easy to talk to.”
“Yeah, no, that’s not it. Anyway, the vampire in the vision was Janey Smith of The Mudpuppies. You know her? I think she was the vampire. No, I take that back, I’m sure of it. I think these visions are trying to tell me that I’m next.”
“Just calm down. You don’t know what it means. You’re not next. You’re not even a vampire.”
“Yeah, well, at this point, I’m thinking it doesn’t matter. It has to do with being in a band obviously. Both vamps I’ve found have been in a band. A rockabilly band, for that matter. Does someone really hate rockabilly, or what?”
“Hey, what’s the secret over here?” My dad popped out from the side of the house.
“Just talking about songs. You ready, Frank?”
He nodded. “Um, yeah.”
I leaned closer to Frank. “Listen, tell Craig about what happened, will you? All vampires need to know to watch their back,” I whispered as we walked around the house.
“Yeah, sure, I’ll tell him.”
I hoped my parents didn’t want to watch us rehearse. Fat chance of that, though. After all, we were at their house, having them not be our audience was too much to ask, I guessed. I was surprised they hadn’t invited the whole neighborhood. Before I finished my thought, Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton from across the street were walking down my parents’ driveway with lawn chairs in hand. Looked as if we’d be putting on a show tonight whether I wanted to or not. Saying no and hurting my parents’ feelings wasn’t an option.
“I hope you don’t mind that we invited the Hamiltons, dear?”
“Um, no, not at all.” I flashed a smile. I think I did a good job of hiding my disdain.
After unloading the equipment, we were ready.
“What are we doing first?” Frank asked. He’d been surprisingly quiet ever since he’d arrived. Except for the little quip a second ago. It was very unlike him. Maybe he wasn’t feeling well.
“You okay?” I asked.
“I’m fine.” He scowled. “Why?”
“Just checking.” I felt like saying because you haven’t been an ass since you got here, but I kept my mouth shut. “It wasn’t my mom’s cooking, was it?” I laughed. “She’s been known to take out a crowd before.”
Mom huffed. “I’ll have you know your father is responsible for that entire meal, young lady.”
I held my hands up in surrender and laughed. “Okay. Okay. I shouldn't have said it.”
“Let’s do My Big Bad Handsome Man,” I said.
My gaze wandered over to Buzz and he winked. What the hell was wrong with me? It was as if my actions were no longer controlled by my brain. Kitty coughed, masking her laugh. Frank started with his guitar and the others joined in. I waited for my cue and started singing. As the lyrics went through my head, images of Johnny and Janey flashed though my mind. I was sad that we had to continue without Johnny, although as far as replacements went, it looked as if we’d gotten the best we could have asked for. And I wasn’t just saying that because of how good he looked, no, it was how great he played that bass. Half-way through the song, I glanced over at Kitty. Pain stabbed through my temple again. The dark figure flashed through my mind. My stomach turned. I blinked and the vision faded. What the hell? Why had it happened out of the blue? And why when I looked at Kitty. I didn’t even want to think about the possibilities.
After an hour and a half, I was exhausted and sensed everyone else felt the same. My audience yawned. Not a good sign. But considering they ate dinner at four and normally went to bed at seven, that wasn’t saying much.
“I think that’s as good as it gets, guys,” I said.
Frank made an hmpff sound.
“Practice tomorrow, and then, whatever happens, happens.” I shrugged.
“You’re good, man,” Craig said to Buzz as he carried one of his drums past.
“Thanks, man. Here let me help.” He grabbed a cymbal and followed Craig down the drive.
Kitty walked up to me. Please let that vision mean nothing. I couldn’t stand it if anything happened to her. She wasn’t in a band though, so it probably meant nothing, unless my visions were taking on a whole new meaning.
“Buzz is good,” she said. “And the chemistry between you two is zinging. What’s his deal? Are you sure he doesn’t have a girlfriend or wife?”
“I don’t know and I don’t care,” I sang, then smiled.
“Sure, whatever you say. So who's following you home?” she asked just as Craig and Buzz returned.
“I can’t, I gotta get home,” Frank said in a hurry.
“I’m sure Veronica will be heartbroken that you can’t,” Kitty snapped.
“Fuck you.” Frank stomped off.
“Oh, go floss your fangs,” she called in his wake.
Danny had barely uttered two words all evening. I knew he didn't want to be here, it was as if rubbing salt into his open wound. But Kitty claimed he didn't mind, so it was none of my business anymore.
“I have to work early,” Danny mumbled. “We really need to go home from here.”
“I don’t need anyone to follow me home. And would you be quiet before my parents hear you? That’s the last thing I need. They’ll insist I stay here or they’ll want to come home with me. I’m not sleeping in that pink bedroom. It was bad enough as a teenager.”
“They do keep that place like a shrine to you,” Kitty said.
I rolled my eyes. “You’re telling me.”
“Look, you’ve discovered two dead vampires in twenty-four hours and your apartment was trashed. I think you need a little assistance. If the police don’t care, we do,” Kitty said.
My parents had walked to the end of the driveway, chatting with Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton. Thank goodness they couldn’t hear the conversation.
“I can follow you home.” Buzz offered. He looked from me to Kitty.
Chapter 40
“Perfect. I’m sure you’ll be in good hands with Buzz. I’ll call you later.” She grabbed Danny’s shirt and nudged him to follow her.
I ran toward her.
She stopped. “What?” she gave a devilish grin.
“Kitty, I’m not sure I should trust this guy. I mean, what do we really know about him?” We turned and looked at Buzz who stood, waiting in the middle of the driveway.
“That he’s gorgeous. Bye.” She hurried away.
Before I could protest again, she was halfway in her car. Craig and Frank carried more equipment. Probably thankful they didn’t have to baby-sit me.
“I’ll help them, and then, if you’re ready, I can follow you home.” His words made the flash of the mysterious car run through my mind. I’d get Kitty for this, but I was thankful for someone following me. The hot rod was probably out there somewhere, waiting to fall in behind me and do heaven knew what. They had to know where I lived. And my routine. No doubt it was the same person who’d broken into my apartment.
