“Yeah, freaking me out and making me think you’re in danger is a good way to get my attention.”
“You’re something else. It’s not me hiding under a rock.”
“I’m doing no such thing. If you wanted to talk, you could call like a normal person.”
“Why should I be the one to reach out? You’re the one who ran off.”
“Wow, you guys sound like an old married couple,” Peter said, looking between the two of us.
My mouth clicked shut. We did. We always had. Our friendship was as much about sniping and fighting with each other as it was about supporting one another. When we were younger, my mom had called us sisters of the soul. We fought like sisters too. Or we used to before I decided to leave for the Army and she took exception to my decision.
When someone attacked one of us, the other was quick to retaliate against that person. We might fight between ourselves but give us an external threat, and we united into a terrifying team with few boundaries.
The cracks in our relationship were probably mostly my fault. She shared some of the blame, but I was the one who refused to make amends. After college, she knew exactly what she wanted to do and went about achieving her goals.
Me, I was as lost as ever, with no clue what came next. I figured the Army would help. And it did. At least until I became a vampire.
What I had a hard time getting past was the crap she’d said to me when I informed her of my decision. Everything from how irresponsible and thoughtless to how selfish and cowardly I was. Not really the reaction I thought I’d get. I’d expected her support, as I’d given her mine in every harebrained scheme she proposed over the years. It’s probably why I was still angry with her. When the dust cleared, I was on my way to basic and we were no longer speaking. I didn’t contact her again until last fall when I needed her help with research.
We both turned to look at Peter, no doubt thinking the same thing– that we had forgotten he was there.
“He looks older than the last time I saw him,” Caroline noted. “Is that a beard?”
“I think it’s his attempt at one.”
She snorted. “It’s pretty scraggly.”
“There’s nothing wrong with my beard. It’s the first time I’ve grown one. The hair just needs to learn how to grow.”
“More like it’s decided to grow in patches,” Caroline said.
My lips quirked and I reached over to tug on a patch. Peter ducked and batted my hand away.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
“Ah, come on. What’s the good of a beard if you can’t tug on it?” I teased.
He flushed and put more space between us. “Talk to your friend,” he ordered.
I wasn’t sure, but I thought I heard him mutter under his breath, “Impossible vampire.”
Caroline watched us. She didn’t look happy. A part of me regretted that. As mad as she had made me, I didn’t wish for her unhappiness.
“I’m sorry to hear about Mrs. Jackson,” I said. “I know the two of you were close.”
It would sting knowing she was gone.
“Thank you,” Caroline said. Her tone made it clear the thank you was a grudging one.
I nodded. There was an awkward silence.
“Ok, if that’s all, we’ll be heading out.” I tugged on Peter’s arm. This was getting into deep emotional waters. I wanted to keep things simple, especially with all of the other craziness taking place.
“Wait, Aileen. Come on. Don’t be like that.” Caroline looked fragile, her normally assertive demeanor showing a glimpse of vulnerability. “We were best friends. Can’t we get some of that back again?”
Despite my resolve to stay distant, to protect the people I used to care about from the craziness in my life, I found myself questioning that decision. I would have to have a heart of stone to crap all over her, especially with the loss of Mrs. Jackson weighing on her.
So I did something I had a feeling I’d eventually regret. I was going to offer an olive branch. Damn it.
