Page 47 of House of Pawns
But I don’t.
The sun feels too bright, even though it’s overcast. Theair is too crisp and fresh after staying inside for what feels like so long. The spaces are too large and open.
But I drive into town by myself.
The construction site is impressive. In a little over a month, the crews have gotten all the houses framed and dried in. They’re inside working on all the innards. Lillian has been handling the applications for whom they will eventually go to when they’re finished.
I stand at the edge of the property, watching, when a stout man in a hardhat comes wandering over to me.
“I’m sorry miss,” he huffs. “But this is a busy build zone. I’m gonna’ have to ask you to leave.”
“I was just checking on my latest project,” I say. I’m tired. I’m not as polite and kind as I should be. But that’s where I’m at right now. I really want to bite his head off, truth be told.
“Your…” the man says, trying to make sense of what I’ve just said. “You’re Alivia Conrath.”
I reach out a hand and after a moment of debate, he accepts it and shakes it. I make sure to squeeze hard. “It’s Ryan actually. Alivia Ryan.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Jeffrey,” he says with a little nod when I let go of his hand. He shakes it just slightly. “It sure is a nice thing you’re doing here. The town really needs it. And I heard about the playground you put in at the school.”
“I’m just trying to give back to the community,” I offer. I don’t really want to continue this conversation. I just want to be me for a minute. “Thanks for your hard work. The places look great. I’m sure you’re busy, so I’ll let you go.”
I’ve taken him aback, dismissing him like that. But he offers a smile and says goodbye before walking back to the jobsite.
I turn from the site, hop in my car, and head back intotown. I park in the familiar parking lot atFred’sand climb out. The little bell rings when I walk inside and the scent of heaven floods my senses.
A new girl I don’t recognize is working the counter. I smile at her and order a poppy seed muffin and a hot chocolate.
“Is that Miss Ryan?” Fred’s deep voice booms from the back. He comes tottling out, a smile on his face.
“Hey, Fred,” I offer him a genuine smile as I take my drink from Tina. “It’s good to see you.”
“Wasn’t sure if I’d ever see you…like this, again,” he looks around to make sure no one is paying attention.
I know exactly what he’s meaning—me human.
“Haven’t seen you out and about in daylight in a while,” he says quietly as he follows me to a table. “I had started to wonder.”
Internally, I sigh. All I want right now is a few hours of non-vampire related normalcy, but this is my life now. In this town, it’s all I’m ever going to be a part of. There’s no escaping it.
“Not yet,” I tell him. “But it will be very soon.”
He grunts ahmmas he leans back in his chair and folds his arms over his wide girth. The bell dings and we both look up to see Luke walk in.
He doesn’t exactly smile when he looks at me. More just a tip of the head and his eyes fill with tiredness. But he walks up and greets us. He’s wearing jeans and a blue t-shirt under a black leather jacket. It’s strange seeing him out of uniform. I realize then how handsome of a man Luke really is.
“You was right,” Fred says to Luke. “She’s still a day walker.”
“Told you it wouldn’t be until the very last second,” Luke says as he sinks into his seat.
“The usual, Luke?” Tina calls to him from the counter.
“Yes, ma’am,” he confirms, flashing her a polite smile.
“What, you two had a bet running on how soon I’d…change?” I look around to see who might be listening. There’s a couple sitting in the far corner, looking at something on a laptop. They look like they might be tourists, even though it’s winter and the off-season.
“I wouldn’t exactly call it a bet,” Luke says, cocking a smile. “But I have two weeks from tomorrow pegged.”
I shake my head as Fred and Luke both laugh. “Thanks,” I say. “Nice to know my impending death is so entertaining.”
