by Mary Abshire
Kyle grabbed my other arm and, together, he and Lester tugged me from the rank hole. I couldn't begin to vocalize my appreciation.
"Thanks," I said as I sat on the ground. "If I spent another minute down there, I was going to leave my lunch behind."
"Why did you jump down there?" Kyle asked.
I brushed the dirt away from my chest and stomach. "It was a spur of the moment decision." Which was true, in a way. My way.
Dani moved closer with the camera pointed at me. "What did you see down there?"
I rose to my feet. "I saw nothing but darkness," I lied with a straight face into the camera.
"Did you feel anything?" she asked, creeping toward me.
"I felt the urge to vomit every time I took a breath." I smiled.
The red light disappeared, then Dani lowered the camera. "That's not what I meant."
The sour tone in her voice was popping up more often during our paranormal investigations. She knew I had something like a sixth sense and questioned me every time we conducted an investigation. For the sake of keeping my true nature hidden, I denied acknowledging I found spiritual presences unless they actually noticed a change in me, such as an outbreak of sweat or turning pale. If they knew what I really was, a half-demon soul catcher, I feared they would interrogate me for the rest of my life. I wouldn't even be surprised if Dani would try to put me on YouTube.
"I didn't feel anything other than the usual creep factor. Sorry, Dani. There wasn't anything down there." I hated lying to her. She was my best friend, co-worker, and roommate. I loved her like a sister, and I didn't want anything to change between us.
A warm smile spread across her face. "You'd tell me if there was, right?"
The guilt weighed heavy on my heart and mind, but I couldn't tell her the truth.
"I'd tell you." I swallowed my guilt. Lying to my best friend and deceiving her was yet another reason why I was going to Hell.
"If you two are done, I think we should get out of here," Lester said, standing shirtless next to us. He removed his glasses and wiped his face with his badly wrinkled shirt. His manly tits and large gut prompted me to look away.
"He's right. There isn't anything more to see," I said.
Kyle drew nearer. "I think we should head back." He held his shirt at his side. He had a much leaner body compared to Lester. Neither men had much hair on their chests.
"It's hot. Let's go back to our place. We can clean up, then visit Bruce's later," I said, knowing Dani couldn't resist the opportunity to go to our favorite bar so she could drink and drool over Nick, Bruce's assistant.
Her smile brightened. "You're driving."
****
I steered the vehicle onto the exit ramp from the interstate with tears rolling down my face. My cheeks hurt from laughing so much, but I couldn't stop. Dani sat in the passenger seat, gasping for air between laughs. In the back seat, Kyle and Lester exchanged tales about past women in their lives. The last hour and a half had been nothing but pure comedy.
"I can't believe that girl ran naked through your dorm," I said, wiping the happy tears from my face.
"She was so drunk," Lester explained. "The girl was u-g-l-y, but that didn't stop my frat brothers from teasing her."
"And you were dating her?" Kyle asked, chuckling.
"Hey, she gave good blows. So what if she didn't look pretty?"
And with that, Dani and I burst into laughter all over again. My cheeks were going to be sore for the rest of the evening.
By the time I turned into the apartment complex, the comedy had calmed. The sun had dipped past the horizon, leaving half an hour before darkness would blanket the sky. My plan was to shower and change before heading out to Bruce's bar.
As I drew near the apartment Dani and I shared, I noticed a robust man sitting on the hood of a shiny black SUV. Dark shades covered his eyes. He leaned forward and seemed to be staring at something in his hand.
"Who is that?" Dani asked, peering through the window.
I shook my head. "I don't…" It took me a few seconds before I realized who it was. My happy attitude quickly u-turned. "Oh, crap."
"What?" Dani asked.
I parked the car on the opposite side of the parking lot, facing away from our apartment building.
"Who is it?" She twisted to look out the back window. Lester and Kyle followed her gaze.
"It's just someone I met in Chicago," I replied, lacking enthusiasm.
"He's hot," Dani said with a devilish smile spreading across her face. Yeah, he was hot. Literally.
I stared at him from the rearview mirror. I didn't want to talk to him in front of my friends. But if I stayed in the car, he'd come over and introduce himself. And I really didn't want him to get acquainted with my friends, especially Dani, since she thought he was so hot. He was definitely not the type of man that was good for her. He was far from good.
I tightened my ponytail. "You guys go ahead. I'll be there in a few minutes."
Dani frowned. "Why don't you introduce us?"
"Don't you want to clean up so we can go out in a little bit?" I asked, hoping to convince her to go on without me. "Besides, I need to talk to him first."
"Come on, Dani, let's go," Lester cajoled as he opened up his door.
Dani sighed. "All right." She pushed open her door first.
I stared in the mirror as my friends exited the car. Kyle walked slowly behind Dani and Lester. My curious friends nodded at my visitor as they passed him. Relief filled me when they'd disappeared quietly inside the building. My guest hadn't moved from sitting on his car.
I shook my head and cursed. Visiting my home was never part the deal we’d made in Chicago. I deeply regretted giving my address to him. Too late now, and since he'd shown up, I'd have to talk to him. Needless to say, I was not happy.
I shoved the door open and left the cool confines of the car. I'd find out what he wanted and then tell him leave. He didn't belong here. I slammed the door shut, then headed toward him. The demon had better have a damn good excuse for showing up on my doorstep.
Chapter Two
The air smelled of hot tar from the newly paved street. At least the odor wasn't as foul and disgusting as the stench in the barn I'd visited earlier. I strolled across the parking lot with my hands balled at my sides. Rays from the sun beat upon me and I felt as if I'd stepped into a sauna. It wouldn't take long for me to start sweating. Damn summer heat.
Jeremy hopped off his vehicle as I approached him. He tucked the object he had been holding in the back pocket of his khaki shorts. The hockey player and well-known fight instigator for his team also wore a tight Blackhawks t-shirt. His bulky frame and large muscles probably helped him keep his job.
"Well, well, well. If it isn't the love of my life," he said with a wide smile that troubled me. He opened his arms as if he were going to hug me.
I stopped at a safe distance from him. Surely he'd notice I did not welcome his embrace. "What are you doing here?"
He stepped closer to me and lowered his arms. His hair appeared more blond than brown under the bright sun. "I was in the neighborhood—"
"Bullshit," I snapped, cutting his words short.
"I came to visit my favorite demon."
"Try again," I said, surly. "I visited you three weeks ago, and at least once a month on the phone. What are you doing here?"
About seven weeks ago, I'd made a deal with Jeremy. I was on a job to claim the soul of an evil vampire, Alexander, who was preying upon children in Chicago, and I needed help finding him. I bumped into Jeremy at a club and he agreed to help—for a small price. Nothing came free with demons. After Alexander abducted another child, the price for Jeremy's help increased to two weeks' worth of dates, five hockey games, and my home address. I'd been paying him back, meeting him in Chicago for dates, but it'd been a major chore for me, since the demon couldn't keep his hands to himself.
"All right. All right." He stopped a few feet from me. Too close for my comfort. "Truth i
s, I was with a woman last night, and I thought about you while she was giving me head."
I crossed my arms and glared at him. "I appreciate that you thought of me while you were getting your dick sucked, but you didn't have to drive three hours to tell me. Why. Are. You. Here?"
"I can think of several reasons. One—I haven't seen you in three weeks. Two— my training camp doesn't start for another month. Three—your suck-ass boyfriend is still out of town. Oops"—he lifted his hands in the air—"I correct myself, he's out of the country," he said with a devious smile I wanted to slap off his face. "And I'd also like to cash in on some of those dates that you owe me."
My heart sank a notch. He didn't need to remind me that Drake was still away in Europe.
"Just because Drake isn't around doesn't mean I'm available."
I missed Drake so much that the thought of him depressed me. He'd left six weeks ago for Europe to inform the members of VETOV, Vampires for the Ethical Treatment of Other Vampires, that he'd destroyed Alexander. Drake was keeping me out of his report. He didn't want them to know I'd claimed Alexander's soul. He'd told me he'd be gone a couple of weeks at the most. The last time we spoke had been nearly two weeks ago. As time passed, I couldn't help but think something was wrong.
Jeremy stepped forward until he was an arm's length from me. "However you see it, I don't care. You owe me over a week and half’s worth of dates. Now, do I get a kiss?"
Fucking asshole. I hated that I had made a deal with him to find Alexander. At the time, it seemed worth it. And I suppose I could say that, without his help, I may not have been able to claim Alexander's soul. Who knows, Drake and I might have found Alexander on our own, but time was of the essence after Alexander kidnapped another child. Since Jeremy helped save the child, maybe he deserved a little respect. Maybe. But he was crazy to think he'd get any kiss or affection from me. How many times did I have tell him and push his hands off me? Countless.
"You can forget the kiss," I reminded him. "If you want a date, fine—I'll give you a date. But I'm sweaty and hot, and I'd like to clean up first."
"Sweaty and hot never bothers me."
I pressed my lips together to stop myself from telling him where to go.
The door to my apartment building opened. Dani strolled out with a flirtatious smile that bothered me. Jeremy noticed my distraction and pivoted to face her. Shit! I didn't want her around him.
Jeremy's lips pulled into a wily smile. "Introduce me."
"Jeremy," I said, gathering his attention. I shot him an evil glare. "Behave."
"Hello." Dani smiled at Jeremy, then tossed her long hair over her shoulder. Yeah, she was flirting. She met my gaze. "We were thinking of ordering pizza and wondered if you wanted any?"
I rolled my eyes. After living and working with Dani for three years, I knew she hadn’t come out there for a pizza order. She’d come out because she wanted to meet Jeremy.
"Jessie, is this your roommate?" Jeremy asked. His innocent tone made me want to punch him. He knew the answer.
"Dani, this is Jeremy—Jeremy, don't touch Dani."
A girlish laugh sprang from Dani's lips as she held out her hand. "I've heard Jessie talk on the phone with you. It's nice to meet you."
"A pleasure to meet you." Jeremy shook Dani's hand. His wicked smile spelled trouble.
I glowered at him.
"Would you like to join us?" Dani asked.
"No—" I blurted out.
"I'd love to," he said just as quickly.
Why did I have a feeling the two of them would get along splendidly? Both were aggressive, witty, and extremely bold. Oh, God, help me. I could not let them be alone together.
"Great. When you two are ready, just let me know," Dani said.
"I'll be there in a minute," I said.
Dani pivoted and headed back to the apartment. Jeremy looked at me and my anger flamed. Fist clenched, I swung at his arm. The impact of my hand on his solid shoulder sent a jolt of pain through me, but I didn't care. His blissful expression vanished in an instant. Before I had to hear another word from him, I stormed off toward my apartment. The demon was getting on my last nerve. I wanted my deal with him done so he would leave me alone.
I paused at the entrance and grabbed the handle. Before I could open the door, I felt a slap on my ass. A sharp sting quickly followed. Stunned, I spun around to face him.
"What the fuck, Jeremy!" I shouted, my voice thick with anger.
"If you want to play rough, I'll be more than happy to play rough." He had a fire in his eyes that might have frightened me had I not been so enraged.
"Go to fucking Hell!"
He laughed. "Darling, you know that's where we're going. Why do you still fight it? Your blood-sucking boyfriend can't save you."
"You're wrong," I said gruffly, then stormed into the building.
I entered my apartment and strode through the living room, passing up Kyle and Lester on the sofa. My heart pounded fiercely. By the time I reached my bedroom, I wanted to scream. My overheated body wanted to explode into a ball of flame. Hands on my temples, I counted to ten, and then twenty, trying to calm myself.
"Jessie?" Kyle spoke softly. "Is everything okay?"
"Yeah," I said, keeping my back to him. I didn't want him to see how furious I was. "I just need a few minutes."
After I heard the sound of his receding footsteps, I sat on my bed and cursed Jeremy for riling me. The full-blooded demon loved pushing my buttons. Oh, how I hated being around him. And to think he was in my home. My freaking home! I pounded my fists on my knees. I had to get rid of him.
It took several deep breaths and minutes for my pulse to calm. At the same time, I considered how to make him leave. He had to have come for a reason. So what was it? My best option was to let him stay and find out why. Fighting him was only delaying his departure, and I didn't want that anymore. I knew what I had to do.
I headed into the living room. Jeremy stood near the sofa with a beer bottle in his hand, staring at the television. Dani stood a few feet from him, near the dining room table, with her cell phone pressed to her ear.
"Jeremy, could I see you for a moment, please?" I asked politely, with a fake half-smile plastered on my face.
Beer in hand, he followed me into my room. I shut the door behind him so the others wouldn't hear our conversation. Otherwise, I would've kept the door open.
He sat on my bed. "Does this mean you want to make up?"
"Here's the deal." I folded my arms. "You can come with us to a bar tonight, but I don't want you hanging out with my friends, especially Dani. And next weekend, I'll drive up to see you for two dates." God, I hoped I wasn't making a bad decision by inviting him with us.
"Can I stay here for the night?"
"Sofa city is yours," I said, thinking this deal was working out better than I expected.
His grin widened. "Okay."
His acceptance seemed too easy. Why did I have a feeling I would regret this?
"I need time to clean up and change. Can I trust you with them for a little while?" I asked.
"Sure." He rose, then walked toward me. "By the way, I meant what I said earlier."
Biting my tongue, I opened the door for him.
He stopped in front of me and dropped his gaze to my chest. "About playing rough."
"Get out," I said from behind clenched teeth. He grinned as he walked out of my room.
I considered slamming my door, but I didn't want to alert the others to any problem I had with Jeremy. Fueled with frustration, I rushed around grabbing fresh clothes. I didn't trust Jeremy and wasn't about to let him stay around my friends for long without me. The demon always had an agenda. Clothes in hand, I ran into the bathroom, then locked the door behind me.
****
After a ten-minute shower and two hours of eating pizza and playing video games, we loaded into two vehicles. Dani and I left in Jeremy's car while Lester took off with Kyle. I sat in the front of Jeremy's SUV, holding my hand over
one of the vents and enjoying the cool blast of air. Dani sat in the back. Her silence seemed unusual. She was always chatty.
I peered around my seat. "I told Jeremy he could crash on the sofa tonight."
"Oh, sure, no problem," she said with a wave of her hand.
"Thanks for letting me stay the night. I won't get in your way." The gentleman quality in his tone was so phony I had to bite my tongue to stop myself from laughing.
"Thanks for driving and coming with us," Dani said. "This is the first time Jessie's been out since Drake left."
I turned toward the window and closed my eyes. The mere mention of his name brought me sadness. She knew this.
"The guy really knows how to suck the life out of fun," Jeremy said.
I opened my eyes and twisted to face him.
"Oh, he's not that bad. Have you met Drake?" Dani asked.
"I've run into him a few times," he said, glancing in the rearview mirror. "What do you think of him, Dani?"
She leaned between the seats. "He seems nice and…well, I only met him a few times."
"I don't think he's right for Jessie. I think she needs someone who can show her just how talented she is."
"And you're just the one to show me?" I glared at him.
"I am, if you would give me the chance."
I snorted and rolled my eyes.
"Did I miss something?" Dani asked, sounding nosy yet protective.
"We'll talk later," I said.
My love for Dani was strong, even when she embarrassed me for shits and giggles. We shared everything, well, almost everything. I had not problems talking to her about my love life. But discussing my sex life or boyfriend status around Jeremy was not going to happen, ever.
Following a short drive, we were in downtown Indianapolis at our favorite bar. Dani strolled inside first. Jeremy was at my heels as I entered. The aroma of beer and popcorn circulated in the air while laughter and chatter filled the room. A television above the crowded bar showed world news, but no one was watching.
Lester came toward us wearing a giddy smile. "We're going to shoot pool in the back. Kyle's got a table."
"I'm coming. I want to play," Dani said, then turned to me.
