Page 63 of My Road Trip with a Vampire: Season One
My phone buzzes when we’re all done and the crowd is clumping together with sweaty hugs.
Dennis: Everything good there? I’ve got your suitcase.
Me: All good here. I heard a few interesting details, but I’m not sensing anything. Will you be back soon?
I snap a quick selfie to show him my ghostly makeover and send it to him with the message:Getting into trouble.Three dots appear and stop abruptly in his message box. That burning sense climbs up my throat.
Thirst. Hunger. Desire.
I heave out a breath to clear the feeling.
Courtney touches my wrist.
“Is that the friend who ditched you?” she asks, leaning into me.
His message comes through.
Dennis: I have to eat.
She touches my phone, gently pushing it down.
“There are a few parties tonight, but if you want to call it early and come back with me…I’m not looking for anything serious.”
I look at her with her warm brown eyes and ringlets haloing in the humid night. She’s exactly the type of person pre-road trip Beatrice would love to hook up with. I bite my lip and read Dennis’ last message one more time. If he’s going to eat and have fun, why shouldn’t I? If there aren’t any ghosts here, we can pack it up tomorrow night and move on. No strings attached.
Me: Cool. I’m going back to my new friend’s place. Don’t wait up.
I shove it back in my pocket and kiss Courtney, feeling mildly shocked when her lips are hot and her pulse beats wildly. I realize I’m expecting cool stillness where she’s soft and warm. I’m thinking of Dennis’ shoulders and how his hands feel against my back when I sense his hunger flaring up again. It dies down in a lukewarm current of satisfaction.
He’s eating.
We’re breathless when we make it back to her small room. She walks me to her twin-sized bed, and I glance at the one across the room.
“My roommate is out partying,” she laughs, slipping the strap of my tank top down. “Don’t worry.”
She straddles me, pulling her top over her head. I suck in my breath as my body finally starts responding. I try to block out all thoughts of Dennis.Stupid blood bond.
She leans forward, and white-hot emotion burns through my head.Jealousy.It’s quickly dampened by a dull sense of guilt that opens into a deep pit of loneliness that makes me clutch at my chest.
Fuck.
“Are you ok?” Courtney asks, pulling back.
“Um. I’m sorry. I just need a second.”
She moves off me, her brow furrowed with concern as I step to the bathroom.
I splash cold water on my face.
I’m totally going to yell at him when I see him. It’s not fair for him to have such a jealous moment after he just got done sucking someone else’s blood.
“How long is this blood bond going to last?” I whisper softly, closing my eyes to compose myself.
Something red flashes, lighting up the black behind my eyelids. Cold races up my spine. I open my eyes to the bathroom glowing red. Scarlet streaks the air. My hands shake where they grip the ledge of the sink when I see the figure standing behind me in my reflection.
A woman dressed in red twirls a parasol over her shoulder as she smiles behind me. My heart lurches in my chest when she leans down to whisper in my ear.
“Are you looking for Martha?”
