by M. K. ROZE
she didn’t want to keep talking.
I fell back onto my pillow. “I know. I feel like crap.”
“Sounds good.”
When Kaylee left, I turned on my phone to see if
Constin texted me, but he didn’t. I put the sheet over my
eyes and fell back asleep.
I opened my eyes and looked at the time. “Oh no.”
I rushed into Kaylee’s room. She wasn’t there, so I ran
into the living room where she was watching The Vampire
Diaries again.
She turned it off. “Hey.”
“I can’t believe you didn’t wake me up.”
“I didn’t want to disturb you.”
“I have a date in two hours with Constin.”
⁓
⁓
She covered her mouth. “I completely forgot. I’m so
sorry.”
“Forgiven. Will you please, please, please do my
makeup?”
“I will after you eat something and take a shower.”
“Deal.” I ran into the kitchen, wolfed down a ham
sandwich with some chips, and took a shower.
After I finished, I went back out to the living room, and
again she paused The Vampire Diaries.
“You don’t have to keep pausing the show every time I
enter the room.”
“I don’t want you getting another headache again and
seeing stuff that’s not there.”
“It was because I didn’t take my pill, not because of a
TV show, silly.”
“Come on.” She grabbed my hand and pulled me into
her room.
When she finished with my makeup, I looked in the
vanity mirror. “I love it! Thank you!”
She hugged me. “You look gorgeous. Go get him,
tiger.”
I kissed her cheek and rushed into my room.
“Wait,” she called out.
“What?”
“Is Constin coming here to get you?”
“No way. I don’t know him that well. I told him to meet
me at my job.”
“Smart girl.”
I smirked, walked into my closet, tried on several outfits,
but I didn’t like any of them. They were too dressy, so I ran
over to my dresser and got out a pair of jeans and a pink top.
⁓
⁓
Twirling around in the mirror, I gave myself a thumbs up
and left to meet Constin at the restaurant.
When I didn’t see him, I got out of my car and looked
around. He was nowhere in sight. As I waited, I heard a
galloping horse. That was normal where I lived because of
all the carriage rides, so I didn’t pay it any mind. I returned
to my car and sat there for a few more minutes, leaning my
head back on the headrest.
As I was about to leave, someone knocked on my
window. I flinched and turned to see Constin.
He opened the door. “Are you ready?”
I sighed. “I’ve been ready for quite some time.”
“Please forgive me. I ran into some people who
wouldn’t stop talking.” He reached for my hand and helped
me out of the car. Still holding my hand, he raised it and
kissed it gently.
I blushed. “So where are we going?”
“Over here.” He walked me around the corner to a
white carriage, drawn by two gorgeous white horses. Unable
to believe my eyes, I came to a stop, thinking about the
dream with Bain.
“Are you serious?” I gasped, running my fingers along
the metal carriage.
“Yes, hop in.” He boosted me up into the front of it.
“Who’s going to drive it?” I looked around for the
driver.
“I am. Hold on tight.”
“You’re full of surprises, aren’t you?”
He turned to me and smiled.
“Did you rent this carriage?”
“Yes.”
⁓
⁓
“Oh.” I readjusted myself and waved at a few young
children with their families as we passed by. I felt like
Cinderella, minus the dress.
We visited all the local historical sites, looking at the
gorgeous lights that twinkled in the trees. He gave me a
running commentary on each place we passed by. He knew
a lot, considering he wasn’t from around here.
“Do you like this better than a car?” he asked.
“It’s different, but I could get used to it.”
He scooted closer to me. “Here, take the reins.”
“No way,” I protested. “I’ll get us killed.”
He placed his hands on mine, and before I knew it, I
was steering the carriage with his help. I could see him from
the corner of my eye, staring at me, while I was desperately
trying not to get in an accident.
I glanced over at him and chills moved down my spine.
“Pull the carriage over,” he asked softly.
“I—I can’t. You have to help me.”
He took the reins out of my hands, pulled over, and
jumped out.
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll see.” He ran to my side and reached for my
hand.
As I got out, he grabbed me by the waist and spun me
around.
I giggled. “Thank you.”
He treated me like a queen, and I loved it. Especially
when compared to how Clay treated me. We walked around
until we found a bench that faced the main road with a view
of the ocean. Constin went silent, staring at a couple kissing
off to our right.
⁓
⁓
“Are you planning on staying here, or are you going
back to Miami now that you’re not in school anymore?”
He turned to me and lifted my chin. “I can’t leave you
now,” he said, softly.
His tone seemed sincere. I did, however, feel a little
foolish because I didn’t know his age. “How old are you?”
He chuckled. “Older than you.”
I bumped him with my shoulder. “Come on. Tell me.”
“Nineteen. I was held back one year.”
Usually, I would run from someone older than me, but
with Constin, it didn’t bother me at all. I placed my hand on
his. “It’s okay. I turn eighteen in a few weeks.”
He grinned and rubbed my leg.
After we spoke about school, he turned to me.
“Would you like something to eat?”
“No thank you. I had something before I came.”
I was way too nervous to eat in front of him.
“Would you like to get together again tomorrow?”
“Sure.”
“Sounds good. Where would you like to meet?”
I thought about it. “Do you want to come over to our
new house and hang out?”
He was hesitant. “Sure, I’ll stop by.”
“Good, because I feel bad for Kaylee. She always sits
home by herself watching a vampire show every night.”
“A vampire show, huh?”
“Yeah, she’s obsessed with it.”
“Do you like vampires?”
“No, I’ll stick with people who don’t feed on humans.”
A cool breeze came out of nowhere and blew my hair
wildly in his face.
⁓
⁓
I pulled it away from him. “Sorry. Where did that come
&nb
sp; from?”
Constin got up quickly and tilted his head back. “Come
on. Let’s go before it rains.”
“What are you looking at?”
His worried eyes met mine. “Lightning.” He took my
hand.
I followed behind him. “I didn’t see any.”
He peered over his shoulder. “That’s because you were
looking down.” Constin walked me back to my car, and we
shared the warmest of embraces.
“Goodnight.” He kissed my forehead.
I stood frozen, wanting him to kiss my lips. I’m sure I
looked desperate.
“Are you okay?”
My eyes opened. “Yes, I’m fine,” I whispered. I reached
for the door handle.
He removed my hand and opened the door for me.
“Thank you.”
He winked and helped me in.
“Have a great night,” I said, not wanting to leave.
“You as well.” He didn’t look like he wanted to leave
either.
“You speak more mature since you left school.”
He smirked. “My father’s company will do that to you.”
“I like it.”
“Good. Drive safe.”
“I will. Night.”
He waved at me as I backed out. I drove down the
street, watching him grow smaller in the rearview mirror. It
was only a minute without him, and I missed him already.
⁓
⁓
When I got home, Kaylee was still watching The Vampire
Diaries with a pizza half-eaten on the coffee table.
I closed the door. “You’re obsessed with that show.”
She turned around. “Damon compelled me to watch all
the episodes.”
I laughed and sat next to her.
She paused it. “Tell me all about your date.”
I took a slice of pizza and told her everything.
“Did you kiss him?”
“No, but he kissed me on my forehead. What does that
mean?”
“Maybe he can tell that you’re still a virgin, and he’s
taking it slow.”
I pushed her. “Thanks, now press play.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I just took my pill. I’m good, but I’m only
watching it for a little while. I don’t want to wake up with
another nasty headache in the morning.”
“Do you want me to tell you what happened with
Elena?”
“No, I can figure it out.”
We ended up watching back to back episodes and
passed out on the couch. My phone went off, waking me up.
I silenced it and opened my eyes.
“Kaylee.” I pushed her arm away from me.
“What?” she moaned.
I glanced at the time and rushed up. “Oh my God! It’s
4:00 in the afternoon. Get up!”
“That’s okay. We didn’t go to bed until after five in the
morning.”
⁓
⁓
“That’s not okay, now get up! Constin is going to be
here in a couple of hours.”
“I’m still tired.”
“We have to clean the house.”
When Kaylee didn’t move, I cleaned up, took a shower,
and got dressed before he arrived.
I walked back out to the living room. “Kaylee, he’s
going to be here in a few minutes. Get off the couch.”
“Alright.” She got up.
I stood on the front porch, and a rebuilt black Model T
pulled up out front. I tried to see who was in it, but it was
too dark. Constin stepped out.
“Lovely car, old man,” I teased. “My grandfather had
the same one but newer. I think.”
“Did he?”
I nodded.
“This is my father’s as well.” He patted the hood of the
car with his hand. “Did you just wake up?”
I widened my eyes. “Nope.”
He leaned against the passenger door, watching my
every move.
“I pictured you in a BMW or something. Not a classic.”
Constin walked over to me. “Nothing is better than
driving an old car.”
I chuckled. “First a horse and now a classic. Hmmm. You
are one mysterious individual.”
He winked. “No, you are. You just don’t know it yet.”
I smiled, wondering what he meant.
Kaylee came out. “Hello, Prince Charming.”
Constin gave her a blank stare. “Why did you call me
that?” He seemed annoyed by her.
⁓
⁓
“I was messing around. Chill out,” she replied.
He turned to me like he was waiting for me to say or do
something. I grabbed his hand, but he stood frozen.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“What’s the rush?”
When I looked over at Kaylee, she covered her mouth,
trying not to laugh.
“Come in already.” I pulled him by his silk shirt.
He followed me inside, and we sat on the love seat next
to each other. Kaylee stood near the kitchen, shaking her
head as Constin continually adjusted himself. After we spoke
for a while, his face became paler than usual, and his eyes
kept twitching.
“Are you okay? You look sick,” I asked, concerned.
He ran his fingers through his hair. “It’s hot in here.”
“Oh, I’ll get you water.”
I started to walk away, but he grabbed my waist. “It’s
not the house.”
“Then what is it? Do you have the flu?”
He ran his hand down my back. “No, it’s nothing to be
concerned about.”
“Are you sure you don’t want some water?” I asked.
“No, thank you.” He took a tissue off the coffee table
and wiped the sweat off his face.
What’s wrong with this guy? He was fine last night. “Do you
want to go to my room and watch a movie?”
“Perhaps another time. I need to leave.”
Even though he was smiling, he made me feel as if I’d
done something wrong.
“Already? You just got here.”
⁓
⁓
Kaylee rolled her eyes behind his back. “See you later.
I’m off to my princess bed.”
Constin got up. “Your sarcasm may bite you back one
day.”
Kaylee cocked her head. “Chill out. I was kidding.”
He smirked. “Me too.”
Kaylee went to say something, then turned around and
walked into her room.
“It’s getting late. I must go.”
I frowned. “Are you sure you don’t want to stay?”
“Perhaps some other time.”
“Alright.”
He helped me up, and I walked him to the door. I gave
him a hug and a kiss on his soft, warm cheek.
“I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“Okay.” I watched him walk quickly down the steps.
As soon as I shut the door, Kaylee emerged from her
room. “What was with him?”
“I have no clue.”
“I can’t believe he said that to me. I thought he was
going to kill me.”
“He was messing with you, just like you were with him.”
Her eyebrows arched. “Why didn’t you tell me he was a
wise-ass.”
“Um, hello. He tossed Clay into a lock
er. You should’ve
known he had a temper.”
She didn’t say anything.
“I’m going to bed.”
“It’s still early.”
“I’m tired.” I walked into my room.
“Sweet dreams,” she called out.
⁓
⁓
I lay there snuggled in bed and thought about Constin.
Maybe he doesn’t like me as much as I like him. And why did he
become so ill within a few hours?
I shrugged it off just like I did everything else, put my
earbuds in, and listened to some love songs. When the songs
ended, I passed out, and again I was woken up by the animals
fighting outside my house. I pulled the earbuds out and ran
into Kaylee’s room. I turned on her light.
“Hey, wake up,” I whispered.
She put her pillow over her head. “Why? What
happened?”
I raced over to the window and peeked out, but I
couldn’t see anything. “Those animals are back. Come on,
get up. I want to go outside and check it out.”
“Are you nuts? They might be the ones killing everyone
around here. And the one with the yellow eyes you said you
saw.”
I jumped on her bed and ripped the pillow away from
her face. “I’m not scared. Stop being a wuss. Come on.”
She moaned, got up, and staggered over to her closet to
put her slippers on.
I ran back to my room, slid on my sliders, and grabbed
my phone.
We met in the hallway and went into the living room. I
stopped and grabbed Kaylee’s arm. “Who the hell is that on
the couch?”
“Oh, crap. I forgot all about him. It’s Liam. He came
over after you went to bed.”
I turned the light on and shook him. “Hey, Liam. Wake
up.”
⁓
⁓
He opened his eyes. “Hi, sexy. Do you want to
snuggle?”
Kaylee laughed.
I pulled on his arm. “Liam, get up.”
He sat up, rubbing his eyes. “What’s up?”
“Those animals are back. Let’s go outside and see what
kind they are.”
“Is she insane?”
Kaylee nodded.
“Fine, I’ll go myself.” I headed toward the front door.
“Viata, stop. I’ll go with you,” Liam said.
“I guess I’ll be stupid and go too,” Kaylee said. She ran