LIPSTICK AND LIES AND DEADLY GOODBYES

by Jodi Vaughn

  “But you are,” he said softly.

  I jerked my head up. “What? What do you mean?”

  “Animal blood is weaker than human. It won’t strengthen you like a human’s, and you’ll have to consume it more often. You can only take blood from an animal once. More than that, and they will die. Animals are incapable of replenishing their blood like humans.”

  “The raccoon? Is he okay?” I searched Khalan’s face for an answer.

  “He was trying to cross the road and wasn’t moving fast enough. He was hit by a car and killed.” His accusing eyes landed on me.

  “Oh, God.” My knees buckled, and I sat on the bed. “I’m so sorry.”

  “If you had come with me when I told you to, I would have taught you everything you needed to know about being a vampire. You would have known that you can’t weaken an animal and leave them helpless. But, in your selfishness, you refused to leave your life of comfort, fancy clothes, and fake friendships. You’re so afraid of what people think that you would rather pretend to be human instead of the monster you really are,” he spat out.

  His words hit their mark and made my chest ache.

  “Khalan, I…”

  He turned and headed out of the bedroom and into the hallway. “Why are you sleeping in that bed anyway?” He tossed the question over his shoulder as he stormed away.

  “It’s my bedroom.”

  “It’s the bedroom where your cheating husband sleeps.” He turned and smirked. “Let me guess. You decided to stay with him despite his inability to be faithful because you refuse to give up your lifestyle.”

  “I have two children who love their father…”

  “You have two children that need someone to protect them from the evil that is so rampant in the world. You have children that need an example.” He turned and shoved open the French doors leading into the backyard.

  “Wait.” I grabbed his shoulder. I caught a familiar scent. It was the raccoon who’d given me his blood. Khalan must have found him on the road.

  If I hadn’t felt like dirt before, I definitely felt like a worm now.

  “What?” he growled.

  “How are you able to walk around in the sun at this time of day?” I squinted and stepped out of the beam of sun shining on the hardwood floor. “I go out for a few hours, and I’m exhausted.

  “I’m older than you. By a lot of years. And, I had a snack before coming over here.”

  “Anyone I know?” A chill ran down my back.

  “You know what they say, an eye for an eye.” He gave me a sinister grin and strode out into the backyard. I watched him as he disappeared into the woods before I shut and locked the door.

  Shit. Had he hurt someone I knew? Someone I was close to?

  I stumbled into the kitchen and sent a quick text to both of my girls to ask if they were okay. Arianna texted right back with a one-word confirmation. I swear that girl could spend paragraphs texting her friends, but all I ever got was one word. Sometimes, I only got a letter.

  I strummed my fingers on the countertop, waiting. My cell dinged. It was Gabby’s phone, but it was her teacher texting me a reply back. Apparently, she’d forgotten to turn her cell phone off in class, and the teacher had confiscated it. I was thankful that she took the time to send me a reply.

  I was really tired. More exhausted than I’d been in my entire life. I looked at the time. Only ten a.m. I needed to sleep so I could pick the girls up after school. I stumbled back to the master bedroom and crawled into bed.

  * * *

  I barely made it to the carpool line before the bell rang. I’d overslept and didn’t have time for a shower. I’d slipped on a long-sleeve shirt and jeans, along with my oversized sunglasses—now my go to eyewear—before heading out to get the girls.

  I saw Veronica standing by Stephanie’s car window, chatting her up. Veronica cast a glance at me and then strode over to her own car with a smirk. My stomach tightened. She hadn’t tried to come over and gossip. But after our run-in this morning, I was sure she would try to chat me up.

  Knowing her and her MO, it felt like she had all the dirt on my family and me and was just waiting to use it against me any time she chose. Veronica was in charge, and she knew it.

  Why couldn’t Khalan have drained that bitch dry? Maybe I should give him the heads-up next time and slip her address into his pocket. I still felt plenty guilty about that poor little raccoon. The little guy had given me his blood, and now he was dead.

  I finally saw Gabby skipping over to the car. She had something that looked like a sword made out of paper in her hand, and she was wielding it like a knight.

  I searched the crowd of kids until my gaze landed on Arianna. She was walking with her head down like she was studying the ground. She held her books tightly to her chest as she hurried toward the car.

  Elizabeth Grace was walking past her. She shoved Arianna, causing her to fall to the ground. Elizabeth Grace stood over Arianna with her hands on her hips. The girls around them stopped to help Arianna up, but Elizabeth Grace shook her head, forbidding them from helping. Arianna scrambled to pick up her books and loose papers that had slipped out of her hand. Elizabeth Grace put her foot on a piece of paper and wouldn’t let Arianna pick it up.

  “Say the magic words, Arianna,” Elizabeth Grace taunted.

  Apparently, my hearing had improved, too, because I could clearly hear the vile girl’s taunts to my daughter from inside my car.

  I wanted to hurt that little bitch. I’d never felt the intense anger I felt in that moment.

  I snatched open my door and barreled out toward my daughter. Every step I took, I felt my strength leaving me as the sun bore down on me.

  I didn’t care.

  “What’s going on, Elizabeth Grace?” I narrowed my eyes at the girl and tried to keep my anger on a leash.

  The other girls, friends of Arianna, all got wide-eyed when they saw me. I made sure to meet each of their gazes.

  “Hi, Mrs. Jones.” Elizabeth Grace gave me a bright, innocent smile. “You look lovely today,” she cooed.

  By this time, Arianna had gathered up her books and papers. She stood and gave me a horrified look.

  “Let’s go,” Arianna mumbled.

  “No, wait a minute. I want to talk to Elizabeth Grace.” I didn’t take my eyes off the girl.

  All the other girls around her had slowly backed up and were drifting to their cars and getting on buses to head home. It was perfect. I wanted Elizabeth Grace alone.

  I grimaced as more strength seemed to leave my body.

  “Mom, let’s go.” Arianna tugged on my arm.

  “I want to know what’s going on, Elizabeth Grace. I saw you shove Arianna.” I glared at the girl.

  “You must be mistaken, Mrs. Jones. I would never shove Arianna. She’s one of my closest friends.” She gave me a syrupy smile.

  It turned my stomach.

  “Rachel.” Veronica had slunk her way over to us and was standing beside her daughter. She wrapped her arm around her daughter’s shoulder and lifted her chin.

  “Is there a problem here?” Veronica asked.

  “Yes. Elizabeth Grace shoved Arianna.”

  Veronica shook her head and laughed. “I’m sure it was an accident. Friends wouldn’t do that to each other.”

  “You are exactly right. Friends wouldn’t.” I gritted my teeth.

  Arianna let go of my sleeve and hurried to the car. I turned and frowned at her quick retreat.

  “You know, Rachel. I would be very careful about accusing someone. Who knows what retribution you might bring on yourself and Arianna.” Veronica’s voice was low.

  In that moment, I saw who the woman truly was. She was a vile monster without a conscience or a heart. She was willing to hurt a young girl just because she could. And she enjoyed it. Veronica didn’t give me a chance to retort. She turned and hurried to her car with her daughter.

  I wanted to go after them. To hurt them both for what they’d done to my daugh
ter. But the sun and my anger were draining me in a way I’d never experienced before. Instead, I headed to my car.

  I got in and slammed the door, turning around instantly to look at Arianna in the backseat.

  “I can’t believe you did that!” Arianna screeched. Tears streamed down her cheeks, and she buried her face in her hands.

  “Did what? I was just trying to help.”

  “You just made everything worse. I stood up to her today, and now she’s never going to stop.”

  Gabby reached over and patted her sister on the shoulder. “If I had a real sword, I would chop her head right off her body for you, Arianna.” She scowled.

  “Gabby. No, you would not. That’s murder.” I gave her a stern look.

  “So? It’s not like anyone would miss her,” Gabby retorted. She crossed her arms over her chest and pouted. “Maybe her mom. But she’s just as nasty. So, I’d chop her head off, too.” She made a slash with her paper sword.

  “Arianna, let me help…”

  “You can’t help. You’re just making things worse. I’ve gone from being talked about behind my back to her now threatening to tell everyone at school that my dad has a girlfriend.”

  “What?” My mouth had turned to ash. I barely got the question out of my mouth.

  “She says her mom knows that Dad has a girlfriend. She said if I stop being her friend and doing what she says, then she’s going to tell everyone,” Arianna sobbed.

  Gabby looked at me. “It’s not true, is it, Mom?”

  “Of course, not.” I clenched my teeth so hard I thought they would crack.

  “Arianna, I have to tell you something else,” I said.

  “Well, can we just please leave? I just want to go home.” Arianna sobbed uncontrollably.

  “Of course.” I turned around and started the car. I sped out of the car line and merged onto the street. I needed to get home where it was safe for my babies and me.

  How the hell had Veronica found out about Miles and Nikki? And why the fuck was that batshit crazy woman so interested in my life?

  As soon as I pulled into the garage, Arianna ran into the house.

  Gabby climbed out of the car and looked up at me. “Bet you’re now wishing I had that sword.”

  I watched as she entered the house

  “You have no idea.”

  Chapter 26

  I waited for about fifteen minutes before heading into Arianna’s room. I wanted to give her some space, and I needed to gather my thoughts as well as tighten my control over my anger. I knocked on her door.

  “Go away,” she said.

  “You know I can’t do that, sweetie.” I opened the door and peered inside. She was lying on her side in the middle of her bed, curled up and clutching her pillow. Her cheeks were wet with tears. My heart broke into a million shards and scraped down my chest wall. I shut the door behind me and sat on her bed.

  “You told me if I stood up to Elizabeth Grace then she would leave me alone. But all it did was get worse.”

  I swallowed. I would have to tread carefully with my next words.

  “How long has this been going on?”

  Arianna looked at me and shook her head.

  “Honey, please talk to me.” I brushed her long hair from her forehead.

  “I don’t know? Forever it seems.”

  “So why do the other girls go along with what Elizabeth Grace does?”

  “Because they know what she’ll do to them if they don’t.” Arianna sniffled and sat up in bed. She clutched the pillow under her chin and looked down. “Monica said something to her last month about her being a bit—er, I mean brat. Now, she’s been shunned by the rest of our friend group and eats by herself at lunchtime.”

  “I bet Elizabeth Grace threatens you with horrible things,” I said quietly.

  “You have no idea,” Arianna replied softly.

  “Oh, I do.”

  She looked up at me.

  “I ran into Veronica today at Tara’s. I was there to get a gown for Daddy’s party this weekend. She had the nerve to tell me that you were caught…” I bit my lip. I couldn’t bear to say the words to my sweet, innocent little girl.

  “Let me guess. She said that I was sexting a boy.” Arianna’s eyes widened.

  “Yes. I told her it wasn’t true.” I looked at my eldest and held my breath. “I mean, you don’t even have a boyfriend yet.”

  She looked away.

  “Arianna. You don’t have a boyfriend, do you?”

  “Not a boyfriend. There is someone I like.”

  “What’s his name?” My stomach twisted. I wasn’t ready for this to be happening.

  “Brice Carlson. He just moved here from North Carolina. But it’s nothing like what Veronica said.” She narrowed her eyes. “And it doesn’t matter anyway. After what Elizabeth Grace did, I’m sure he wants nothing to do with me.”

  “What did she do?” I glossed over the fact that my daughter had just admitted liking a boy. I had bigger fish to fry.

  “She took a picture of herself naked and sent it from my phone to him. I had no idea she’d taken my cell until I found it missing from my backpack. When I got it back, I tried to text him and tell him it wasn’t me. That it was Elizabeth Grace. He didn’t respond.”

  “So, Elizabeth Grace was sexting. I knew Veronica was a liar.”

  “Mom.” Arianna cocked her head “She said Dad has a girlfriend. That he’s cheating on you. She said she’s going to make sure it gets all over town.”

  I swallowed hard.

  “I told her it was a lie. And that my daddy would never do that. And if he did do that, then you would throw him out of the house.” Arianna looked at me.

  My heart broke for her.

  “I want to change schools. Or do homeschool. I don’t ever want to go to that school again. Please, Mom, can I be homeschooled?” she pleaded.

  “How about this. Since tomorrow is Thursday, why don’t you take a personal day? And if you still feel bad, then take Friday off, too. But Monday morning, no matter what happens, you go back to school. Okay?”

  “A personal day? Really?” Hope shone in her eyes.

  “Yeah.” I shrugged. “We all need personal days.”

  “Thank you, Mom.” She threw her arms around me and hugged me tightly.

  When she pulled back, she looked at me, and sadness settled in her eyes.

  “You know taking two days off won’t solve anything. Elizabeth Grace will still be at school on Monday, and she’ll be meaner than ever.”

  “Who knows? Maybe she’ll have a change of heart.” I caressed Arianna’s cheek and then stood. “Everything will be okay, I promise.”

  She gave me a look like she didn’t really believe me.

  “Mom, you didn’t say anything about what she said about Dad. In fact, you’re being pretty calm about it.” She cocked her head.

  “I guess I’m just too damn old to care what other people say about me.”

  “Since when?” She snorted.

  I let the comment slide as the reality of her words settled in. I needed to make some decisions and make them quickly. For some odd reason, I wished Khalan was there to talk to. But he was probably still mad at me.

  I was in this whole thing alone now. I had to figure out a solution.

  * * *

  Friday night arrived. It was the night of the black-tie party. I had been dreading what to do about blood, but I’d finally come up with a solution. Wednesday night, after the family had gone to bed, I’d driven to the twenty-four-hour grocery store. I needed blood, and I was scared to take it from someone I knew. I had a sinking feeling that Veronica was spying on me to gather some dirt. And I still felt too guilty to take it from an animal again.

  I decided to get a bunch of steaks at the grocery and then suck the blood out of them. I got home and settled down at the kitchen island. I went through thirteen steaks, and the blood was watered down and cold. After I’d managed to drain them all, I got brain freeze.
<
br />   In the end, it did its job and gave me the energy I needed. I went back the next night, and when the butcher gave me a weird look, I told him I had family coming in and needed steaks for the weekend.

  He shrugged and wrapped up my order.

  It was now Friday, and I had already snuck out to the garage to finish off the steaks while Miles got ready. Afterwards, I headed into the bathroom to get ready for the party.

  “Rachel, are you ready?” Miles called out from the bedroom.

  “Almost. I need you to zip me up.” I slipped my feet into my favorite silver Louboutin’s and put on my diamond earrings. The plunging neckline of the gown drew attention to my diamond necklace and my cleavage.

  I took a final look at my hair and studied my makeup. I looked amazing.

  I stepped into the bedroom and gave Miles my back before he could see the front of the dress. He zipped me up, and I slowly turned around.

  “Wow. Rachel, you look beautiful.” His gaze drifted down my body as he took in my dress.

  “Thank you. You look very handsome yourself.” I smiled and patted the front of his tux.

  “Thanks.” He grinned.

  “I’m ready to go,” I said.

  “Great.” He took my hand in his and looked into my eyes. “Let’s make this night one to remember. Just you and me.”

  His eyes seemed to plead with me, and something twanged in my stomach. But I shoved aside the weird feeling and nodded.

  “Just you and me,” I said quietly.

  “This event is very important to me, and I don’t want you to…rock the boat.”

  “Miles, I…”

  “Look, I know you were hurt. And I said I’m sorry. I want to move on. Just forget the rest.”

  “I know.” I licked my lips. I felt guilty that I wasn’t as good at forgetting and moving on as Miles apparently was.

  He smiled and stuck out his elbow. “Shall we?”

  I hooked my elbow in his and walked out of the house and into the garage. He went around the passenger’s side of his Tesla and opened the door for me.

  I smiled and eased into the car. I placed my black satin clutch in my lap and watched him, dressed in his tuxedo, skirt around to his door.