“I’m not chatty. I’m inquisitive.”
“Excuse me, Miss Thesaurus.”
“You come over here just to make fun of me?”
“No, I promise you,” he said as his smile faded and his face turned harder to read. “I wanted you to know I won’t be there at the fundraiser.”
My head jolted forward like a giraffe grabbing a leaf from a tree to eat. “What? Are you crazy? Why wouldn’t you be there?”
“That kind of stuff isn’t my thing,” he responded with a shrug.
“But dying is?”
He laughed at me. “I’m not dying.”
“But you’re putting yourself in danger. I was attacked not two minutes from your house, meaning that wherever these things come from, they’re very close to where you live. And if these things are going to be overpowered and rabid this weekend, your place will be the first thing they see if they decide to come crawling into town.”
“You don’t know that for sure.”
“Exactly. Meaning none of us know what’s going to happen.”
“You’re the one that was freaked out about being at the hall with all the music and lights, and now you want me there?”
“Yes. Because you changed my mind about it. I realized that we were probably all better off in a giant pack. They can’t kill us all.”
“As endearing as your worry is for me, I’m going to sit this one out.”
Even when he wasn’t trying, he still managed to make my cheeks flush. I wasn’t trying to sound overly worried. “I’m concerned about all of us,” I said to give myself some kind of dignity, and not act like the overly scared girlfriend in the horror movie.
“Yeah, I noticed the boarded up windows.”
“You can never be too safe.”
“You don’t think that’s taking it a bit too far?”
“Better to be safe than sorry. I got a grandma to worry about while I’m off making a fool of myself at the party. All this craziness and I never even thought about my fear of being bid on.”
“Maybe you’ll get a date with a werewolf.”
“Don’t even joke,” I said sourly. “I know we don’t know each other all that well, but it would kind of suck if you died.”
Max looked almost flattered and smirked. “I’ll be fine.”
“If, on Sunday morning, I find out that they ate you, I’ll personally find your body and kick your ass.”
“Is that a promise?”
“It’s a promise.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
I slipped on my dark blue dress that came down to the thighs, pinned one side of my hair back with a red rose clip, put on the deepest red lipstick I owned (Priscilla would be so proud), slid on a pair of black nylons, and sprayed myself with perfume that threw Grandma into a coughing fit.
Tonight was the night. I thought I was going to hurl.
Grandma approached from behind me as I gussied myself up in the mirror. “Don’t you look pretty,” she observed, and then coughed.
I swung around to face her. “You’ll remember to stay inside until I come home, right? You won’t go out for anything, even if someone knocks on the door.” I was going into overdrive with worry, hoping that her staying inside would be good enough to keep her safe.
“Yes, dear. I don’t know why you’re so worried. I’m sure that animal that chased after you won’t be back.”
If only she knew. “I wish you were coming to the party. It’s not too late to change your mind. They’ll have dancing, drinks, music. I remember you at Melanie’s wedding, and how you busted a move on the dance floor. You had fun.”
“Almost busted my hip, is what I did.”
“Well, it looked funny, at least,” I replied with a shrug.
“Go on and have fun. I got a Law and Order marathon. It’s the good season.”
“All right,” I said, regretfully, and then leaned in and planted a kiss on her cheek. I left a red outline of my lips on her skin. “I love you,” I said, and wiped off the smudge with my fingers. I didn’t know what was going to happen tonight and I wanted to make sure she knew.
“Love you, too, dear,” she replied, but I could tell she was weirded out by my eager attentiveness. I loved my grandma with all my heart, but she wasn’t the best at dealing with sappiness. A definite trait on my father’s side that I, unfortunately, didn’t inherit.
I got in my car and sat with my hands on the steering wheel for five minutes, going back and forth on whether I wanted to go to the party. Could I leave Grandma behind like that? Would she be all right if I did? Deep down, I knew she was actually probably safer with all the boarded up windows and lack of general noise and light. After some internal confliction, I started up my vehicle and headed out.
It wasn’t quite dark out yet, but the hall at which the party was being thrown was lit up like a Christmas tree. Cars were packed all over the parking lot, streamers hung from the opened doors and bright flashing lights and music pounded through. The DJ had obviously arrived and got things started. I saw a couple cop cars parked on the edge of the streets and few officers hanging around the entrance, standing in a circle, engaging in conversation. Seeing that many of them made me feel a little better. I’ve always been anti-gun, but it was good to have backup.
I grabbed my purse from the seat that had my camera in it and then jogged up to the main porch where the officers were. I recognized Deputy Wilson right away, still in his police uniform, but hair slicked to the side for the occasion.
He removed his hat and bowed at me once with a simple, “Cora.”
“Deputy, good to see you,” I replied. “Will you be joining in on the festivities?”
“Unfortunately, no. I’m on duty full time tonight.”
"I see," I said, trying my best not to come off so blatantly overjoyed that he was in protection mode that night. I merely smiled and nodded my head, hoping he caught my subtle appreciative gesture. I felt safer already.
Boobzilla Veronica came strutting up to the door with a line of men following her. She, of course, looked gorgeous and boob-centric, sporting a slinky black dress that hugged every curve, and made me look like a high schooler going to prom in comparison.
She honed in on Deputy Wilson like a death missile, daintily extending her hand out for him to take. “Hi there, I’m Veronica.” Being the gentleman that he was, he took it. “You’re going to want to remember me.”
“I’m just on patrol, ma’am. I won't be taking part in the fun.”
She yanked her hand away with a disgusted look on her face when she realized he wouldn’t be spending a dime on her. Veronica then strutted like a cat into the building.
“Future ex-Mrs.Wilson?” I joked to him, and he grinned.
I waited a couple seconds after the train of men following Veronica had cleared, and then I went inside.
The hall was decked out like a typical gymnasium prom, with white and blue streamers and balloons hanging from every crevice and ceiling. The auction had barely begun and already the white balloons were falling onto the ground and people were kicking them around like soccer balls. Every table was draped with white table cloth and fastened to the legs of the table using blue string tied neatly into cute bows. It matched the white curtains to the huge windows taking up an entire wall, floor to ceiling. The table centerpieces were lit candles placed in rocks, and aside from the disco balls on the ceiling, proved to be the only real light in the entire room. The glow bounced off the perfectly polished wood tiles to the floor, giving this warm and carefree vibe. Given the situation of the night, it was needed.
I had to give it to Molly, she may be borderline psycho when it came to details, but the place looked amazing. I imagine she’d be both the best and worst party planner you’d ever come into contact with. The kind you’d hate during the process, but then love when it was over. I actually felt compelled to find her and congratulate her on how well things turned out. Instead, I found Owen, hovering by the buffet table and gingerly snacking on a carrot.<
br />
“Hola,” I told him and waved.
He looked like he was a million miles away and nearly choked on his food when he saw me. “Oh, hey there.”
“Don’t you look dapper in your suit.”
Owen checked himself out like he had no clue he was dressed in a black suit and tie. He looked almost ashamed. “Molly made me wear this. She said I’d embarrass her if I showed up in jeans and a t-shirt.”
“Women.”
“I told her I didn’t even know if I wanted to come.”
“Get out of here. You’re the sole reason I’m here. You better not bail on me.” Max was one thing, but there was no way in hell I’d enjoy myself without Owen.
He smiled, yet somehow, it still looked like a frown. “I’m not good with dressing up and going to events. Reminds me too much of funerals.” I hadn’t made the connection, but I suppose if you hadn’t been out and about in a suit since your parents died, it would be a painful reminder.
“At least you have it out of the way now,” I said and gently socked him in the arm. “Now you get to have a whole new set of terrible memories in this suit.”
He chortled. “Gee, thanks.”
“Where is your sister? The place looks awesome and I thought she’d appreciate a little ego stroking.”
“She’s around here somewhere,” he said and popped a carrot in his mouth.
I heard a loud clanking like one of the containers with food in it was being torn apart. I should have figured it was Henry, destroying the buffet table before dinner officially began. He was cramming chicken legs, and chips and dip in his mouth like there wasn't enough to go around, despite the mountains of food on the table. When Owen and I spotted him, he stared up at us like a stray animal caught inside a garbage can.
“Uh... hey,” he mumbled.
“Excited for the bidding?” I asked him.
“I don’t think that’s what he’s excited about,” Owen whispered to me, and chuckled.
Henry wiped the fresh coat of chicken grease from this lips. “I brought my money, I’m all ready. I even had the bank give me single dollar bills.”
“Dollar bills? Henry, this isn’t a strip joint. Twenties would have been fine," I informed him.
“Yeah, but it makes my wallet stacked,” he said and then whipped it out. It looked like he was storing a rock in the folds. I just laughed.
“I’m gonna go find Molly,” I said and then patted Owen on the shoulder. “You and Henry probably have loads to talk about.” Owen eyeballed me like I left him with an explosive device.
I, eventually, found Molly surrounded by several men and women, all with their hands on her shoulder in a congratulatory gesture, undoubtedly telling her how sensational the party was and how fabulous she looked in her puffy purple dress with a big, pink bow on the back.
“There she is,” I heard Molly say and then come charging toward me, abandoning her admirers. “I was wondering when you’d show up,” she continued on with a big, pink lipstick smile. I wasn’t sure if her happiness to see me was all for show or a weird ass mood swing.
“You were waiting for me?” I asked.
“Yes. You’re taking the pictures of the couples, right?”
Made sense now. “Yeah, I brought my camera. It’d be terrible for something like a wedding, but it’s great if you’re just wanting some nice pictures.”
“We’re not rich, so it’s not like we need crazy quality. After the auction, we’ll get all the pairings together and pose them up against that wall with all nice backdrop and you snap the shots, okay?”
“Sounds like a plan.”
“Wonderful. Doesn’t hurt to earn a little extra cash by selling these.”
“By the way, I just wanted to say how nice the place looks.”
She held her breath in and stuck her nose up, like she wasn’t prepared for me to compliment her. “Thank you,” she replied, as though it were a difficult task just to take my praise.
“This music sucks,” a voice said from the crowd, completely killing our conversation. Sure enough, Priscilla slithered in, all confrontational and smirking at Molly in her blood red dress. “Sounds like shit people listen to at an old folk’s home. Haven’t you thought about stepping into this century?”
Molly put on her signature fake grin. “Sorry, we haven’t been able to transport music in from Transylvania yet.”
“Have you figured out how to transport that stick out of your ass?”
“And I thought you two wouldn’t get along,” I joked to break the tension.
“You’re going to regret that,” Molly hissed and then stormed off.
“What do you think she meant?” I asked, eyeing Priscilla, who continued to watch Molly as she walked away. “You don’t think she’s going to knife you in your sleep or something, do you?”
“I’d like to see her try.”
“Technically, you’d be asleep, so you wouldn’t be seeing anything.” Priscilla glared at me. “You know, that’s not important. Point is, you girls need to bury the hatchet and not in each other’s skulls. You should do that tonight. Have a drink or two and then do some karaoke.”
“Does this look like a rom-com to you? Bitches don’t reform. They just become older and uglier, which makes them even bigger bitches. And judging from the ass she’s already got going, she’ll be a real big bitch by the time she’s forty.”
“You were checking out her ass?”
Priscilla glared at me again. “This date thing better start up soon before I fall asleep.” There she goes no selling my comments again. “There’s only so much of Molly parading around the party with her invisible crown on that I can handle.”
“You think she was ever prom queen?”
“Oh, you know she was. Where’s the pig’s blood when you need it?”
“I see you settled on the red dress,” I commented, scanning Priscilla up and down. Her dress was one dark shade of red, but she sported black fishnet stockings underneath.
“Yes, someone informed me the black was too boring,” she responded. I was flattered she took my opinion into consideration. “Besides, red attracts men better.” Undoubtedly, it was something she read in one of the dozens of magazines she reads every day.
“You may have to be careful for what kind of man you attract.”
“He’s not here, is he?”
“Last I saw, he was assaulting the buffet table.”
“Classic Henry.”
“Yeah, well, he was waving stripper money around that I’m pretty sure is just for you. I think you’re going to have to prepare for a Henry date.”
“I could always hang myself first,” Priscilla suggested.
“Molly would probably still try to sell you. You may be more cooperative, if I’m being honest.”
“You’re so funny, Cora. You could be a comedian,” she said with this over-the-top voice while rolling her big, black smudged eyes.
“Somehow, I don’t think you’re being serious.”
Molly clicked her high heels all the way across the wood tiling just to get back to us. She seemed civil toward me, but very cold toward Priscilla. “It’s starting. You may want to go backstage and get in line.”
Immediately, I got knots in my stomach. I had been so focused on the full moon and my grandma that I had forgotten how terrifying it was going to be to stand up there and have people stare at me. It wasn’t even like I was giving a speech, I was merely selling my attractiveness. God knows, I was never able to do that growing up.
Priscilla, suddenly, had this can of hairspray and sprayed her entire head until her hair looked as solid as a mountain. “Let’s do this,” she proclaimed and then trotted off.
Before I went backstage, I did a quick review of everyone in the room. It was pretty packed and with a lot of faces I recognized, minus one; Max. I have to say that deep down I was thinking, hoping, that he’d make an appearance just for the heck of it. But no, he had to be stubborn and act like he could deal with this full moon on h
is own. Men.
I quickly peeked out the window and saw there was no moon yet. I breathed a sigh of relief, although I knew its appearance was inevitable.
Of course, when the auction began, they started the whole thing off with probably the hottest looking girl in the whole building, Veronica. The neck line to her dress was so low she was practically spilling out of her outfit. It took me five minutes before I could pry my eyes away from her cleavage to see how nice and shiny her blonde hair looked. She was on another level than every girl here, and it was girls like this that made my awkward years even more unbearable.
Every man in that place had their hand raised with dollar bills between their fingers, waving the cash around like flags. They all looked like a bunch of animals in heat ready to mate. Veronica soaked it up, swaying her hips and fluttering her eyelashes at them, which only made the men bid higher. Her price was already through the roof. The girl was amazing. Heck, she almost convinced me that I needed to bid on her as well.
I’m not sure if Molly was being intentionally cruel or what, but she made me go right on after Veronica. Talk about your night and day scenario.
When I got up there, I couldn’t help but feel like a kid playing dress up. Here, this bombshell was just in front of them with her airbrushed beauty, and I stood before them awkwardly wobbling back and forth in nylons that I was sure had a faint run going down the back thigh. I’m pretty sure I was also doing that I-gotta-pee stance I was afraid of doing. It was terrifying, knowing that every pair of eyes in the room was on me, scoping me out, critiquing my stance and uncomfortable smile. I spotted every weird expression on someone's face and conversation between two people that was suddenly hushed by my presence. I was convinced these were all negative thoughts about me. How strange I was, how out of my depth I was, how comical it was that I actually thought someone would bid on me. I was up there for five seconds, I swear, and already I felt like I was sweating bullets.
Molly took the mic and introduced me. “This is Cora Nash. She’s twenty-six years old and an aspiring photographer visiting from Detroit. She’s a vegetarian, handy with a hammer, loves rock concerts and...” She completely stopped and when I caught her in the corner of my eye, I could see she was clearly annoyed, but continued anyway. “...and her favorite cartoon characters are Phil and Lil Deville from The Rugrats.”
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