I wave my hand dismissively. “No, no. Nothing like that. It just got me thinking about vampire abilities.” I might be digging myself into a hole, but I continue. “When it comes to dating, is it really fair? Like, do they have glamour abilities like everyone thinks?”
Raegan’s eyes light up. “Joanna, did Aidan glamour you?”
“Definitely not,” I say quickly. “It’s just curiosity. I always thought vampires could lure their victims in—sexual or otherwise. If someone hooked up with them or something, how would they know it wasn’t just a mind game.?”
This is it. I’ve blown my cover. There’s no way she isn’t going to put together the very obvious pieces.
“I think that’s just folklore,” Raegan says matter-of-factly, still completely clueless. “Aidan has never influenced anyone against their will, as far as I know. And if he did, I don't think Jamie would be friends with him. That’s fucked up.”
I let out a huge sigh of relief, but she’s not finished. “Any particular reason you’re thinking about all this?”
I grab my glass of water and gulp it down. “Nope. Just me being nosey. You know how fascinated I am with the paranormals. I wanted to join the werewolf pack a few months ago, remember?”
Raegan gives me another once over before she decides to let the subject go. “So what’s the plan after this?” she asks.
“Back to the farm. I can’t leave the animals alone for too long.”
There’s that look of pity again. “You really should try to find some help, even if it’s just volunteers on the weekends or something. You deserve a break.”
I stack my plates and silverware neatly in front of me. “I’m fine. My mom’s coming back next week. Besides, no one knowsthat place like I do. Anyone else would run it into the ground. I’ve got animals depending on me.”
In reality, that farm is all I have. If I didn’t spend every waking minute there, what else would I do?
“I think if you took the time to teach someone,” Raegan suggests slowly, like she’s approaching a wild animal, “along with a little trust, you might be proven wrong.”
I hate that her words sting, but they do. They sit awkwardly in my chest as I try to digest them. I’m perfectly capable of asking for help if I really needed it. Things aren’t that bad. Sure, I might be a little stressed, but who isn’t when it comes to their job? Mine might be a little different than others, but that also comes with benefits. I get to hang out with cool animals all day who each have their own fun personalities.
“Just think about it, okay?” she suggests.
I nod my head, not wanting her to think there’s any reason to worry. It’s a gesture I’ve grown accustomed to, even when it’s a lie. Especially when it’s a lie.
Chapter Eight
AIDAN
Over the past year, Jamie has slowly been encouraging me to spend more time with him outside of Double Double, grabbing beers at Bones or playing disk golf. I still have no idea what the latter is, and beer is not my drink, but the more I keep denying his invites, the more the corner of his mouth dips in disappointment.
I could very easily sit alone in my house like the depressing creature I am, or I could venture out into the modern world and enjoy its attributes. So, I finally agreed. It wouldn’t be that difficult. Even if all I did was show up at the bar, at least I could say I put in the effort. It took over a decade of being a vampire before I finally stopped mourning the loss of my old life and started a new one. It was an old friend, actually, who introduced me to a new way of life, and he never judged me for my worst mistakes.
It’s only because of him that I’m now able to sit at a table with a werewolf and human while eating peanuts and watching an American football game.
Neither Jamie’s nor Layton’s favorite teams made it to the semi-finals, but they both want the players in the red jerseys tolose. I don’t have an interest in sports, but I have come to enjoy the camaraderie that attending these ‘watch parties’ provides me. I’ve even developed a fondness for Layton, but mostly because he brings the food.
I really enjoy the appetizers eaten at a football game: pizza, nachos, mixed nuts, and little sausages wrapped in pastry. I’m not sure what they’re called, but they are delicious when dipped in mustard.
The game goes by quickly while Jamie and Layton share stories about what’s been going on in their lives. From my extended time around humans, I’ve learned that men gossip just as much as women. No matter the conversation, I tend to be the one listening more so than being a participant.
It’s halftime when Layton gets to his feet and stretches his long arms to the ceiling. “Gonna take a lap around the block.” Jamie recently informed me that Layton gave up cigarettes, and while the little patch on his arm helps with cravings, he still needs something to do to fill the time spent when he’d normally be smoking.
As I watch Layton maneuver through the empty tables at Bones, I realize I haven’t contributed much to the conversation. I want to show I’m more than just a wallflower in the group, so I glance back at Jamie and try to come up with a conversation starter. The last time Layton and I spoke, he told me that Jamie hired his niece as the new day manager at Double Double, so I start there.
“How is Simone acclimating to her new job?” I ask Jamie as he takes a long swig from his glass.
“I think she really likes it,” he says. “I haven’t heard any complaints.”
I lift my own drink to my lips, needing something to do. I desperately try to think of something else I can ask as a followup, and another employee comes to mind. “Does Casey like working with her?”
Jamie’s mouth curves upward into a knowing smile. “I think they like working with her very much.”
