Waiting

by Kiahana

  Two days past until I finally got a text message from him saying they hadn’t found anything, but he’d call me when he got back into town. I didn’t reply, too afraid I’d announce my undying love for him. Instead I kept reading the message again and again throughout the day to remind me he was real and coming back to me.

  On Monday morning I was elated, expecting Parker to show back up at any moment. The night came and went, without me sleeping much, before Tuesday morning came and I decided I’d waited long enough and sent him a text.

  U ok?

  That seemed harmless enough. What I wasn’t expecting was how the conversation turned out.

  Y?

  I waited a few minutes but he didn’t say anything else. I was hoping it was some sort of joke at first, but that clearly wasn’t the case.

  Its Tuesday

  I went to our mandatory meeting and when I came back thirty minutes later my heart almost stopped at the words written across my phone screen.

  And....

  And? And??? And he told me he’d be back Monday at the latest. As a last resort I double checked the phone number I was sending the texts to. It was correct.

  Not giving up hope that this was some sort of a joke that was not even close to being funny, I dialed his number then hung up when it went to voicemail. I dialed Francis’ number then hung up when it again went to voicemail. Those jerks!

  And nothing

  Julie came in and took a seat across from me, frowning once she saw the look on my face.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.” I was pissed off and didn’t want to talk about it, let alone take it out on her, so I grabbed my purse and told her I was taking an early lunch.

  “Want me to go with you?” Her sad eyes only made the situation worse.

  My phone beeped and I dug it out of my purse only to read more infuriating words.

  Good

  That asshole! I blew out an exasperated breath and stormed out of the office, barely making it out of the building before I started crying. I hailed a cab and made it home in ten minutes, shutting myself away from the world and locking myself in my room.

  We’d had the most amazing night ever, then he just up and leaves. Of course. He must’ve known how unhealthy of a crush I had on him and used that to his advantage. Everything was just a big setup to get into my pants willingly. He must not like to force himself on women, but instead needle his way into their lives until he gets what he wants.

  That stupid blood oath meant nothing. Did nothing. He said he wouldn’t lie to me and obviously he did.

  Stupid. I should’ve learned by now.

  I didn’t go back to work until Wednesday, looking like hell since I didn’t bother with any makeup and threw on the same clothes I’d worn yesterday. Julie was early and attentive to all my requests, holding her tongue even though I knew she wanted to talk about what was going on, but respected my privacy.

  On Thursday I’d gotten a little better, at least changing outfits and showering before heading to work. At noon I got an unexpected visitor, Brian, who let himself into my office while I was finishing up a deal over the phone. When I finally hung up I forced a smile on my face to greet him.

  “Hey, Brian, what’s up?” I really wasn’t in the mood for this fake politeness, but somehow mustered up the strength to put on a good show.

  “Not much. I was in the area and was wondering if you’d like to have lunch with me.” He flashed me his boyish grin, continuing before I could respond or come up with some lame excuse not to. “Just down the block to the Subway, nothing fancy.”

  I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help but smile. His persistence bothered me before, but now I thought it was kind of cute.

  “That sounds wonderful.”

  My tone was too cheery and he caught on that something was wrong, but didn’t comment as he escorted me to lunch. When we got close to the corner I decided to change our plans.

  “How about we go somewhere we can get some drinks instead? It’s been one of those weeks, ya know?”

  He smiled back at me and boldly took my hand while we crossed the street and headed to the closest pub.

  I normally would’ve shunned his touch, but with the hurt still coursing through my body, I actually welcomed it, hoping Parker was secretly just watching me and being jealous as hell. The bastard deserved far worse.

  We had a quick lunch and drink then he walked me back to my office where we made plans to meet up tomorrow after work. He kissed my cheek before he left, guaranteeing Julie came in right after him, shutting my door to finally confront me about what's been going on.

  "Where's Parker? And I thought you weren't interested in Brian?"

  "Good question. And I'm not. I already told him how I feel and he says he'll just keep trying. I told him not to, but he says he still wants to hang out with me."

  She looked impressed.

  "Nice. He's probably going to try until he dies though. You know that, right?"

  "Yeah, but at least I told him upfront. Guys do it all the time to girls, it kind of makes me feel powerful. Though I do wish he could just be happy with being friends. He's actually really fun to hang out with."

  I knew I was setting myself up to lose a friend but I just didn't care at this moment. I needed an escape and he was offering me one. Sure I could go out with Julie, but she couldn't drink and I didn't want her to have to sit and watch me, then peel me off my seat when it was time to go home. Nope. I wanted to get drunk with someone.

  **********

  By the time four o'clock rolled around on Friday, I'd lost all my will power to go over Ted's newest proposal and found myself playing FreeCell on my computer when the main receptionist knocked on my door carrying a vase of beautiful bloomed tulips.

  She placed them on the corner of my desk while I pretended to be wrapping up an assignment, then quickly grabbed the card out of the bouquet and sat down to read it, still secretly hoping for a miracle to happen and Parker to jump out of the shadows.

  Looking forward to getting our drunk on! See you soon.

  -Brian

  I couldn't help but smile. I'd told him yesterday that I needed to get my drunk on and if he wanted to join then that would be fun. Of course that was after he'd asked me out on a date and I politely turned him down, laying out my true feelings. He didn't act any differently. Unable to deter him, I decided to just have fun. He can't get mad at me for not putting out when I told him it was never going to happen.

  After playing two or three more games, I finally shut down the office and made my way to the bar we'd agreed on, after sprucing myself up in the bathroom.

  Brian was there, outside my building waiting for me, making me roll my eyes and smile. We took a cab the twelve blocks, I paid, then we got out and he opened the door for me, but didn't try to take my hand like he'd done before. I'm glad he was at least obeying the rules for now.

  We grabbed a booth near the back, staking our claim for the night. He watched my purse while I grabbed us some drinks, then ordered appetizers when a waitress made her way to our table.

  On our third drink we started playing sugar football with the packets at our disposal. I'd scored twice, but he flicked it too hard, landing it on the table behind us. I laughed and apologized to the big burly men to ensure a fight never broke out, then suggested we switch sides. His hand grazed my hip when we switched, making it awkward for a moment before I put it behind me, not wanting to ruin a good night.

  I started slowing down on my fifth drink, not wanting to be plastered while in public, not to mention incredibly emotional. We finished off a plate of onion rings and a basket of mozzarella sticks, laughing about some story Bruce had told him, when I decided the next drink he bought would be my last.

  Almost every thought drifted back to Parker, there was just no getting around it. I wanted to hate him, but only ended up hating myself. Though I had no idea where Parker lived, I'm sure I could find my way to Francis' and see if they were there. Yell
ing at either one of them would make me feel better. I think.

  "One more and then I'll get you a cab home." His smile always made me smile.

  "Sounds good."

  We cheers’d then dropped the shot into the cup and started chugging when it began bubbling. He finished well before me, but I did it without stopping to take a breath, making me proud of myself. I slammed the glass down on the sticky table and took a big gasp before I hiccupped, making him laugh.

  "We sure know how to waste time, don't we?"

  I glanced down at my phone and saw it was past ten already. Holy cow.

  "Good thing we don't have to work tomorrow."

  I stood and grabbed my purse, telling him we could leave once I was done in the bathroom.

  There wasn't a huge line but it still took me about five minutes before I was making my way back out toward him, smiling once he looked up and grabbed his coat. Throwing a few bills on the table, he escorted me out, this time keeping his hand on my lower back through the crowd of people.

  "Thanks for putting up with me tonight. I had fun." He hailed a cab and opened the door for me before I changed my mind. "You take it. I'll walk. It's only a few blocks from here."

  He rolled his eyes and shut the door, telling the cab driver to go ahead before turning back to me and putting his arm over my shoulder.

  "Like I'd let you walk home alone in the dark. Who knows what’s out there?" He laughed but it just made my breath hitch, knowing perfectly well what was out there.

  "Well, thanks."

  We walked for a bit in silence before he spoke up.

  "So what is it exactly that I'm lacking? I know you told me you weren't interested..." He removed his hand and crossed his arms over his chest. "I'm just curious if it's me, or if you really aren't interested in a relationship with anybody."

  Ughh. I don't like these kinds of conversations. My buzz was making me lean against him, probably giving him mixed signals.

  "You're great, Brian. Honestly. I'm having personal issues and I just can't get close to anyone right now."

  I peered up at him to catch the end of his reaction, but he remained straight faced, then winked at me when he found me watching, wrapping his arm around me again.

  We passed an alley and I felt myself release a breath of relief when nothing jumped out at us.

  "I don't want to pressure you, so for now I'll settle for being your drinking buddy."

  I laughed and pressed a kiss to his clothed shoulder, then stopped walking when I saw something move in the shadows ahead of us. He stopped next to me, looking from me to the shadows in confusion.

  "What is it?" He stepped forward as if to throw himself in front of whatever danger lurked nearby.

  Seconds passed and nothing jumped out at us so he turned back to me while placing both hands over my shoulders.

  "What is it? Is someone following you?"

  Why that was his first thought was beyond me, but it sparked an idea in my head. In case it was some Pulpas I whispered, "Francis has first rights", then pressed Brian up against the building and leaned up to kiss him, no doubt freaking him out at my abrupt mood changes.

  If Parker was watching me then he could watch this, see me acting happy with someone else, since apparently he was done with me. If it wasn't Parker, then we didn't have to worry about being bitten or taken since I'd let my fair hearing friends know that we were already taken. But what if that was a lie too?

  Brian instantly got into it, wrapping his arms around my waist and slipping his tongue into my mouth with an urgency that told me he'd wanted to do this for a while.

  The kiss was good, but wasn't right. I kissed him back, playing a part for anyone watching, then instantly backed off when I realized how unfair it was to Brian after I'd told him so many times I wasn't interested. He looked down at me with confusion before pressing his lips to mine once more.

  This time when the kiss ended it was because someone grabbed my jacket collar and was holding me up, my feet dangling a foot in the air and Brian was pressed up against the hard brick wall with a hand enclosed over his throat.

  TWELVE

  "What in blazes do you think you're doing?" Francis continued dangling me above the ground until I turned a glare on him that made him chuckle. "Now what could I have possibly done to deserve such a nasty look?"

  "Let him go! You're hurting him." He let go of Brian's neck immediately after remembering he was even there. "Why are you here?"

  Brian gasped in air before trying to move me behind him. I just pushed him aside again.

  I had such mixed feelings about seeing him. Both happy to know they were still alive and I wasn't being a bitch, and pissed to know they were alive and he really did just use me.

  "Get away from her!" Brian pushed his way in front of me again before a man appeared next to Francis, entrancing him into being quiet while taking a seat on the brick window ledge next to us.

  "That's better. Thank you, Gunner." Gunner? There were really vampires watching me this whole time? "Now, before I explain what I'm doing here, why don't you start by telling me what exactly you were doing messing around behind my brother's back."

  All my feelings of abandonment came rushing back at his accusing tone.

  "Your brother? I want nothing to do with him!" I was sneering but felt rather entitled considering what had gone down. "I never want to see him again. The nerve of you even showing up for him is mind-blowing and useless. Leave."

  He waited for my huffing and puffing to be done, looking at me with sad eyes before responding.

  "He told you, didn't he? I told him not to." He shook his head in disbelief. "I assure you it was an accident. He never harms people. Never. Not on purpose." His serious tone and the severe change in subject had me cocking my head to the side in confusion.

  "What did he do?"

  Francis swallowed then looked around before ending back at me.

  "Nothing. I was messing with you." He chuckled nervously. "So, now why are you swearing off Parker for this Wanker?" He gestured to Brian who sat motionless with his eyes straight ahead. Poor guy.

  "Why do you think? You played a good wing man so he could get into my pants, then he took off. When he didn't show up I text him and asked where he was. He pretty much told me to get lost." I started ranting again. "Of course I'm still naive and thought maybe I'd gotten his number wrong, then called him and sure enough got his voicemail, then called yours and got the same. I'm surprised you even showed back up in my life. Did he not get everything he wanted yet?"

  "Whoa! Calm down." He was smirking and trying not to laugh at me, what with me being half his size and not even a quarter of his strength, yet I had the balls to yell in his face. "Parker's phone was stolen at a club we went to where Sam worked while we were forced to stay in a cage until Sam appeared, freeing us, where I took off in this direction and Parker took Sam in the opposite, hoping to lose their tail since she's injured." He looked at me with sincere eyes when he spoke the next part. "My brother in no way abandoned or used you. Whoever sent you texts wasn't him, unless it was before Sunday night."

  My mouth dropped open in surprise at both hearing those words and hoping to God that they were true.

  "Haven't you noticed the bond that's started, after you were intimate?" I narrowed my eyes at him, waiting for an explanation at what he meant. "Did he bite you? That would start it."

  "Yes, he bit me. But start what? What are you talking about?"

  He rolled his eyes again.

  "Where did he bite you? Did he tell you nothing?"

  Apparently not.

  "On my neck."

  "Have you looked at your neck then?" He quickly picked up my hair and pulled away my clothes enough to get a good look at my skin while I patted his hands away, trying to get him to stop, continuing to contemplate what he was telling me. "There. Let me take you home so you can look in the mirror."

  I grabbed my collar and removed the clothing to try and get a look at whatever it was he was
seeing, but had no luck.

  "Fine." More politely I added a request. "Please make sure Brian doesn't remember kissing me. I only did it because I thought maybe Parker was watching."

  He chuckled then nodded at Gunner, apparently excusing him for now, letting him take Brian with him.

  "I figured you knew someone was watching when I heard you say 'Francis has first rights'. That was brilliant by the way. If I had been a bad guy, it would’ve deterred me. At least a little.” He winked. “Though it won’t stop everyone. Keep that in mind.”

  My lips twitched at his praise before he abruptly wrapped an arm around me as I blinked, then we were standing in front of my building, making the rest of the trip inside at human speed.

  "He's just taking him home and altering his memory, right?" I wanted to make sure, not wanting anyone to get hurt on my account.

  "He'll be fine. Maybe a bit low on blood, but no one will be the wiser." He smiled down at me as if that was reassurance.

  We reached my apartment door and I let him in, but kept in mind I could make him leave with just a few spoken words.

  "So where is he? You said his phone was stolen, but what about yours? And couldn't you get new phones?" Was I just falling for more lines given to me?

  "You really are put out with him aren't you?"

  Duh.

  "Pretty much. I'm not sure what's true and what isn't. He told me he slept with Sam before, and now you're telling me that they're off somewhere together, where he's unreachable and hasn't contacted you because there's just no other way to do so then by his cell that was conveniently stolen before you were captured, then released by the same woman you'd gone looking for in the first place?"

  "Blimey, calm down woman! You're thinking way too much into this, though I can see how you'd be thinking some of those things." He laughed while plopping himself on my couch. "Go check out your neck so I can explain some more things. Parker should call within the next few hours. I sent some friends to help them in case they ran into trouble."