“Wow,” she said before Willy knocked her feet out from under her, sending her backwards onto the elevator floor. “He’s well!”
“Magic!” I said. “Tom did it.” I heard Bianca’s voice on the intercom. “Get up you goose! I have to let her in.” Dee hauled her butt out of the elevator with some effort as Willy wouldn’t stop dancing and licking her face long enough for her to stand. When she was safely out of the way, giggling wildly as she protected her makeup from Willy slobbers, I slid the card. Before I could react, the door closed and within seconds reopened with Bianca inside, the huge tote hanging from her shoulder.
“Hi,” she said as she exited the elevator grinning as she surveyed the scene on the floor. Willy hadn’t let up on Dee who was now flat on her stomach as he tried to reach her face. She was laughing so hard she couldn’t ask for help if her life depended on it.
“Willy! Stop that this instant! Stop!” I yelled to be heard over Dee’s laughter and Willy’s noise.
I finally picked him up so Dee could drag herself off the floor. Most of her makeup remained intact with the exception of her mascara. A touch up would be required. Bianca offered her a hand. The two stood toe-to-toe frowning at one another.
CHAPTER 13
“Why do I get the impression introductions aren’t necessary?” Even Willy stopped fidgeting to stare. Neither woman responded, although Dee looked like she wanted to wipe her hand on her shorts.
“Deidre,” Bianca said at last.
“BettyJo,” Dee ground out. “Oh wait, it’s Bianca now.”
If looks could kill, Dee had just sent Bianca straight to Hell. No one except Dee’s mom ever used her full given name and then only when she was mad. Dee was just Dee. I knew her real name of course and thought it pretty. She didn’t share my opinion.
“So how do y’all know each other?” I thought I knew all of Dee’s friends. Maybe I did. They didn’t seem at all friendly.
Bianca raised a brow. “We belong to the same coven.”
I swiveled to face her. “Say what?”
Her other brow rose to meet its sister. “Deidre is in my coven. You didn’t know?”
I pivoted back to Dee. “That little tidbit slipped your mind for the past ten years? Does Jimmy know?” My world tilted, not because she was a witch but because she hadn’t trusted me enough to share her secret. What else hadn’t I been told?
“You don’t have to know every single thing about a person to be their friend, Connie.” She studied the butterfly on her sandals. “I didn’t think you’d understand.” She slowly raised her head. “I’m sorry, Connie. The truth is I was scared.”
“Dee, you’ve been my best friend since high school. You know all my weirdness. What made you think I’d judge you?” My eyes welled. Dee was the only person I’d ever fully confided in. She knew every sordid detail of my existence. I blew little puffs of air up into my eyelashes to stop the tears from falling. I would be the last person on earth to sit in judgment. I glanced at Bianca. Something was going on behind her eyes, but I didn’t take time to dwell on it.
“It’s not that. When we met I was trying real hard to fit in, to be like everybody else. I was in denial. And you, well, you had enough going on. You sure didn’t need me adding my garbage to yours. Helping you, listening to you, showed me I wasn’t as bad off as I thought.” She grimaced. “That didn’t come out right.”
“I get what you’re saying, but did you ever think maybe if you had told me your problem I might not have felt like such a freak? Friends share.”
“You know how self-centered I can be. I’m a real bitch! I was totally fixated on not making the cheer squad.”
Dee ended up on the drill team because some girl outshone her at cheer tryouts. She had been furious about it.
“I wanted to tell you, but by then the system had you. What was I supposed to say, ‘oh by the way, I forgot to tell I’m a witch?’ Besides, people weren’t as accepting then. The government still thought they needed to protect us from ourselves.”
Bianca smirked. Dee glared at her.
“You cheated and you know it, Bitch!” Dee growled at her.
“I used my inherent talents. That’s not cheating. I didn’t be-spell the judges.”
“You’re the one who beat her out of the squad?” My eyes bugged. Dee had told this story so often I almost felt it happened to me. Dee claimed the girl moved like a cat. Her leaps had been higher, her flexibility amazing. Shit. She was a cat. “Does she know?” I asked Bianca.
“That I’m a shifter? Yeah, she knows. She just thinks it gave me an unfair advantage.”
“Dee, be fair. It’s just a natural thing to her. She moves like a cat because she-is-a-cat. It’s not like she can help it. She didn’t use her magic. That would have been cheating.” I didn’t like the look on Dee’s face. “Dee, what did you do? Dee?”
“She’s really mad because she tried to be-spell the judges — and it didn’t work,” Bianca said calmly. “She screwed up, just like now. You have to practice the craft Deidre!”
“What do you mean, like now?” I asked.
“Ask your buddy who put the spell on you?”
“Dee!”
“I only wanted to help!” She glared at Bianca. “You don’t know her. She takes care of everyone but herself. I just wanted her to let go of some of the baggage.” She turned to me. “Connie you have the biggest heart of anyone I ever met, yet you have no love life. I know you over think everything and I understand why. You say you want what Jimmy and I have? Well — you were never going to find it the way you were going.”
“So you did what?”
“I just lowered your inhibitions so you could act on what you felt without thinking it to death — before or after.”
I looked to Bianca for confirmation. She shrugged.
“I told you the spell was amateurish. Deidre won’t practice her craft, she’s still in denial.” She shot Dee an exasperated look. “But that’s basically what she did. You aren’t doing anything you don’t want to do, with anyone you wouldn’t normally be interested in. Your issues just aren’t getting in the way now. She went way round the block to get the job done, but it worked.”
Bianca was being kind speaking of my issues, but knowing she had gone to the same high school told me she knew more about those issues than she let on. I was the talk of Central High for the three years I attended. From my sophomore year my reputation was shot, thanks in no small part to my brother. Many guys tried to find out if the hype was true and most claimed it was, even when I didn’t put out.
The stories persisted. No one expects someone’s own brother to be a pervert. For some reason, my brother got off by spreading rumors about me. Then Jimmy got hold of him. That stopped him — but rumors never die.
Mom skipped out on us. One day we came home to an empty house. Our clothes, furniture, my retainer — and Mom, were gone. After a few weeks hiding out with friends — me, at Jimmy’s and my brother God knows where — we found a little house Dad’s support check would cover. I learned to forge Mom’s name, and the landlady didn’t ask questions when I handed her the cash each month. I kept a low profile and never missed a day of school.
Early in my junior year, my brother killed my boyfriend. The tragedy brought us to the attention of the authorities and I was put into foster care. It didn’t go well so I ran. Life on the street wasn’t easy and left me little energy to combat the lies … so I gave in to them. Senior year I was a slut with a capitol S. Instead of ‘Debbie Does Dallas,’ picture ‘Connie Claims Central’. Easy, who me? I had nothing left to lose, so why fight? By the grace of God, I hadn’t ended up pregnant or diseased.
Willy whimpered.
“Connie?” Dee touched my shoulder, waking me to the fact I was squeezing Willy a little too tightly.
I let him loose and he ran to his bed and began gnawing his chew stick. “So I’m a slut again?”
“I wouldn’t do that to you, honey.”
“I told you the
incubus doesn’t count,” Bianca offered.
“In a week I’ve had sex with two men. Both strangers.”
“Two?” In chorus.
I glared at them, nosy witches. “How do we undo this?”
“Are you sure that’s what you really want?” Bianca asked. “The incubus would have seduced you no matter what. It’s what they do. You might have worried about it more, but the end result would have been the same.”
“Are you saying you can’t undo this — this?”
“No. What I’m saying is you’ve been given a second chance most people would kill for. She didn’t remove your memories. Those memories, events, make you who you are. Deidre just removed their ability to block you from finding happiness. Years of therapy in one simple spell!” Admiration she’d never admit to, shown in her eyes. “So, who was bachelor number two?”
“Tom?” Dee grinned like a lunatic.
My face heated.
“Yum!” Bianca moaned.
I stared her down.
“Hey. Don’t give me that look. I never said I didn’t try, only that I didn’t succeed.” She raised her brows, “Obviously I didn’t have what he was looking for, and you did.”
“A willing body?”
“Oh honey, you couldn’t get more willing than me. I did everything except wear a French maid’s outfit. He just wasn’t interested. Besides — I saw the way he looks at you.” She rummaged around in her tote and brought out some typed pages, candles and other paraphernalia. “I can leave these with you. It’s your decision but think it through. Since your friend took the long way round the block, the reversal is more complicated. If you decide to go through with it and need help — call me. You have my cell.”
I glanced over the pages. It seemed to be a matter of lighting incense, specifically colored candles placed in a certain pattern, repeating an incantation and then blowing out the candles. The dehexification must be started on a Tuesday at midnight and repeated for nine nights. It didn’t seem complicated, just boring. I expected pentagrams and blood offerings; instead it was — well — words and candles.
I scowled at Dee.
“Connie, I know you’re mad at me but I hope you’ll think before you do anything hasty. You really aren’t going to screw everything that walks.” She grinned and then sighed. “I didn’t tell you about being a witch ’cause I know you think I’m perfect and I’m so not. BettyJo is right. I don’t practice and the few times I’ve used magic went against our beliefs.”
“Perfect? Hardly.” I glared, but she seems so pitiful and earnest I couldn’t maintain it for long. “Dee I love you and all, but you are far from perfect in anyone’s eyes, except possibly Jimmy’s. I think even he has your number. Being a friend means caring for someone in spite of his or her imperfections. You were my friend when everyone else thought I was something they needed to scrape off their shoe. Do you honestly think being a witch would send me running for the hills? You being a bitch never did.”
Bianca sniggered and received a glare from both of us. It didn’t seem to phase her much. She shut up, but the grin remained.
Dee shook her head and sighed, “I guess deep down I knew you would accept this easier than I have. Why can’t you forgive yourself as easily? Maybe we both need therapy?”
A raised eyebrow told her what I thought of therapy.
“Hon, the spell was for your own good. You were so afraid if you fell off the celibacy wagon you’d lose control. If you weren’t in control, you wouldn’t have been able to go without in the first place. You need a little less control. Go with this.” She placed her hand on my heart — for which I was thankful — I’d thought she’d aim lower. “And give this a rest.” She moved her hand to the back of my head for a quick slap.
“I’ll think about it.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of. Now dish about the boss. How was he?”
Smiling broadly, I crooked my finger to draw them closer. When they were within whispering range I said, “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
“Bitch!” They said in unison.
“Is that nice?” A voice from the stairs asked. Raf stood in black silk jammy bottoms, barefooted and tousled headed.
“Yum,” Dee moaned. Raf grinned.
“Dee, this, is Raf. Raf — my friend Dee.”
“He’s gay? Oh, I think I may cry,” Dee said with huge eyes.
“Married, remember?”
In Dee’s defense, Raf is adorable. The fact he looked like my all-time favorite actor, a young Tony Curtis, dark curly hair, dreamy eyes — channeling Richard Simmons, especially when he wore his gold lamé short shorts, made me wanted to eat him with a spoon. And here he was all bare-chested and snugly looking in his jammies. Yum indeed.
“I tried to tell you.”
“I thought you were exaggerating. But Da-a-mn,” Dee wailed. “How come he’s up?”
Raf made it to our floor and sashayed over to put his arm around me, take my face in his hands and kiss me right smack on the mouth. I thought Dee was going to faint. What I wouldn’t give for a camera. Bianca, Raf, and I dissolved into laughter.
“I’m special,” was Raf’s ambiguous answer.
“I want one!” Dee implored.
“Get your own,” I teased as I went to the refrigerator for Raf’s breakfast. “Flavor?”
“Something fruity and cold, I think.”
“Strawberry is the flavor du jour,” I told him as I retrieved a RR bottle with a basket of strawberries sticker on the front. I shook it vigorously, to distribute the flavor throughout, before setting it and a wine glass on the bar in front of Raf.
“Thank you, thank you very much!” Raf quipped, a la Elvis. It wasn’t until he began to pour that Dee tore her gaze away from his butt.
“Eww!” She cried and turned her face away when Raf presented her with his equivalent of a “milk moustache”.
“Mind your manners or leave. What’s your problem?”
Dee cringed. “Sorry. It’s just … I mean I knew, I just … never mind. I really am sorry.”
I nodded, and then turned my attention to Raf. “Well?”
“I think we have another winner,” Raf replied with a red grin.
“What’s the category?” Bianca asked.
“Flavor. Where are my manners? Would y’all like something to drink? I have juice, diet Dr. Pepper, and regular, tea?” I offered.
“I’ll take a Dr. Pepper,” Dee said.
“What do you mean flavor? Like O positive?’ Bianca inquired.
“No, we’re experimenting with something new. I’ve been adding artificial flavors to Razorback Red. You know how some vamps don’t like to watch humans eat?” I waited until Bianca nodded before continuing. “Well at least for some of them, it’s because they miss real food, which totally sucks!”
“So, Connie got this great idea to add flavoring. So far it is working out splendiferously!” Raf interjected.
“I think Raf was a fruit bat in a former life.” I giggled.
“Fruit flavored blood? Gag much?” Dee received three dirty looks.
“Interesting idea.” Bianca seemed impressed. “You like it cold? I thought it was warm or nothing with you guys.”
“It seems to depend on what flavor and personal preference.” I looked to Raf for confirmation.
He nodded. “We did a warm apple cinnamon thing the other day, sort of apple pie-ish.”
“Now Tom, is a more meat and potatoes kind of guy. He got me started with this by saying he missed steak the most.” I sat Dee’s Dr. Pepper on the bar. She had retreated to the sofa. I got the impression she didn’t want to be too close while Raf finished breakfast. Stepping around the bar, I carried her drink over to the sofa and sat it on the coffee table in front of her. “Use a coaster please ma’am.”
“Could I try one?” Bianca asked. “I mean I don’t normally in mixed company, but I keep it at home, sort of my version of an instant breakfast.”
“Whatever melts your butter. Fruit o
r steak?” I am nothing if not hospitable. I glanced at Dee to find her very pale and a little green around her lips. “You okay?”
She gulped. “Fine … fine. Would you like me to take Willy out?” She looked like she needed the fresh air.
“Let me find his leash. We haven’t needed it in so long; I remember seeing it in one of the boxes Cindy packed. Where did I put it?” I began searching drawers.
“I believe it’s hanging on the hook in the hall closet,” Raf said before excusing himself to go bake his lovely body.
Willy did his happy dance when he saw the leash. Auntie Dee snapped it on his collar, I handed her a poopy bag and the keycard. After a quick explanation of card use and a warning about the friendly construction workers, Dee and Willy disappeared into the elevator.
“I’m sorry, your preference?” I asked Bianca again as I stuck my head in the fridge.
“Steak I think, unless you have something fishy?”
I pulled out a steak flavored RR and stuck it in the microwave. “Fish? No, I hadn’t thought of fish. What could we use? Omega fish oil? Cod liver oil? Hmm … ” The microwave dinged and I shook the bottle gently this time, got a glass and sat both in front of Bianca.
“Um, cod sounds good. Thanks.” She popped the top and sniffed. “Smells like a steak.” She filled her glass and took a sip. “Salt and pepper?” She dosed the glass liberally with both and used the offered iced tea spoon to stir the seasonings in before taking another sip. Her smile grew as she swirled the beverage around her mouth before swallowing. “Almost as good a rare steak! Where was this when I had my root canal?” Dainty little canines showed as she grinned.
“I thought you guys didn’t get cavities?”
“We don’t. I broke a tooth on a piece of buckshot last Thanksgiving. It would have healed itself if I shifted. My brother had his girlfriend over so that was a no go. It hurt too damn bad to wait. Have you ever tried to find an emergency dentist on a holiday?”
“I can imagine.” I winced, just thinking about it.
“That’s the last time I eat anything my brother shoots.” She paused to drink more of her RR before continuing in a different vein. “So, you and Deidre have been friends a long time huh?”
Midnight Sun, Inc. (Crimson Romance) Page 11