Page 11 of Fiends and Familiars
Actually that was a lie. I wanted someone to stick around. I wanted more than just a booty call. But like Sylvie had said, I was nervous about opening my heart up to someone who would turn out to be a total asshole. No, being alone was better. I had Drake and the squirrels for company. And if I found some hot dude in a bar, then I’d kick my animal companions out of the bedroom for one night. Then go back to my life in the morning.
“Well, I think that was some seriously hot dream,” Babylon told me.
“It was, until I was rudely awakened by squirrels,” I lamented.
My younger sister chuckled and shook her head. “You seriously need to get laid, Addy. I meanreallylaid, not dream-dude laid.”
I snorted. “You’re sounding more and more like Sylvie. I work a lot and I don’t exactly meet a lot of guys when I’m getting rid of an ant infestation or removing a pissed-off raccoon from someone’s garage. Plus I’ve got a vulture and four squirrels now living in my bedroom. Kinda kills the mood.”
“Kick them out for the night,” she said. “Or get a hotel room, or go to his house, or do it in the truck. I mean it, Addy. You need to get out more.”
She was right, but somehow after I was done working, the idea of showering, putting on decent clothing and makeup, and going out seemed beyond me. It was all I could do to get clean and put on pajamas most nights.
“Okay, social director. What’s going on this week? I promise I’ll make it out one night.”
One night. Baby steps, right? It was so darned sad. When I’d lived in Accident I’d had a heck of a commute and still managed to get out now and then—at least twice or three times a week. But here I pretty much knew everyone. Outside the wards, I didn’t. And there was something that felt strange throwing back a few cold ones with a room full of humans instead of a room full of minotaurs, werewolves, dragons, and trolls.
“Monday is Karaoke night at the bar. Then there’s Taco Tuesday with Salsa dancing lessons. Wednesday is wine tasting, and Thursday is craft beer night. Friday and Saturday are kind of hectic, but the bands are always good.”
The idea of sitting alone in a packed bar with music blaring didn’t sound all that appealing. Actually the idea of sitting alone didn’t sound appealing. I wasn’t exactly shy, but it was hard to start up a conversation with strangers.
“When are you off work?” I asked Babylon. “Maybe we can go somewhere together and you can introduce me to a few people?”
“Rita and Ralph are hosting a fall party on their farm. Bonfire. Beer. Corn maze. They’ve got pygmy goats.”
“You totally had me at pygmy goats,” I told her. “I hate to crash a party, though. I don’t know Rita and Ralph at all.”
“Silly, you’ll be my guest.” Babylon reached out and playfully slugged my shoulder. “There’s going to be around thirty people there, but I’ll probably only know three or four. It’s a perfect opportunity for both of us to meet people and connect.”
“Thanks.” I smiled.
“That’s what sisters are for,” she said. “And maybe you’ll meet someone to boink in the corn—someone more real than a dream demon.”
Maybe. But I wasn’t counting on it.
