And spill I do. I leave out the parts about Kip being a vampire, being locked in a vampire prison, and everything else supernatural related. I give them the base details, and tried to make my story believable by saying I was at a club to watch the dude I’m dating to make sure he wasn’t up to anything funny. Which my friends actually bought, seeing as I have a difficult time trusting people, so they believe the recon on a potential partner is something I would totally do. Which says a lot about who I am and how others view me, and maybe not in a good way. I swear I don’t try to be distrustful, I just am.
“So, you must be actually serious about seeing this dude if you went to all that trouble.” Tommy waggles his brows and tongue suggestively.
“Eww, dude.” Lukas pretends to gag.
“Yeah, I mean, I do really like him.” My cheeks heat.
“Oh my god, he’s blushing!” squeals Fae. “Our little boy is in lurrrvvee!”
“Ughhh…” I bury my face in my hands, hiding my now blistering hot cheeks. “Stop it, I am not. I hardly know him!”
“Mhhmm. That’s why your voice was all high pitched and crackly when you said that?” Lukas teases.
“Listen, Char, I’ve been in love before, and in fact, I currently am in love.” I peek out from under my arms to see Tommy shoot heart eyes atFae. “I know what it looks like. And you, my friend, look like you’re in love.”
“He’s right, Charlie.” Fae looks at Tommy like he’s the best thing she’s ever seen. “You give off an aura. It’s very pink and lovey, unlike its usual darkness.”
“I thought you said earlier that I was moodier and broodier than usual?” I mumble into my arms.
“You were, until you started talking about your soul mate.” I hear Fae scoot her chair closer before feeling her hand land on my arm. “When you know, you know, Charlie. It’s nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed about. Love is a beautiful thing.”
“I don’t love him.” I mutter. I don’t care what they think my ‘aura’ looks like, or what they think they see on my face. I do not love Kip. Not at all. Not one bit.
I’m exhausted, and slightly tipsy, when my Uber drops me off at my apartment building. After my friends finally let the subject of Kip drop, we drank ciders and played board games.
I’ll admit, it was sort of nice to have some normalcy again. Everything since Kip has been far from normal. I felt kind of like the old me again, sitting around with the only three people I can stand. Okay, I guess that number has been bumped up to four.
When I walk up the flight of stairs and down the hall to my apartment, I see a tall figure standing outside my door.
Tyson leans against the wall next to my front door, arms crossed in front of him, scrolling through his phone.
“You finally showed up.” He huffs, glaring at me.
Wow, the audacity. “My bad, I didn’t know I had a curfew, you know, seeing as I’m a fucking adult with my own apartment.”
Tyson’s nostrils flare, and his eyes look like they’re trying to sear a hole through my skull. “I came here to talk about Kip. Do you want the info or not? I didn’t have to wait here all night for you, but I did. So you should be a little more grateful.”
“There are things called phones, you could’ve texted. Ever heard of that?”
“You’re such a fucking little brat.” Tyson snarls. “You should be more careful. I could snap your neck so fast you wouldn’t even know what happened.”
“Go ahead, then. I’m sure that’ll win Kip right on over to your side again.”
“Kip is already on my side. He always has been. He’smine, not yours.” Tyson’s fangs click out.
“Woah there, big guy, keep it in your pants, alright?” I try to contain my flinch, not wanting to give Tyson any power over me. “You’re acting more like a jealous lover than a concerned friend.”
Tyson leans into my space. “We’re not lovers, but he is mine. And now you’re in the way of that. Clearly you don’t believe me when I tell you he wants nothing to do with you. He’s too nice for his own good, and doesn’t want to hurt your feelings. That’s all this is. You are nothing to him. This is your last chance. Get out of my way, and get out of Kip’s life, or I’ll make you.”
“Back the fuck up, Tyson.” I spit his name. “You need a new hobby, and maybe more friends. This is just sad. Is Kip really all you have? Even I have more friends than you if that’s the case, and I’m a notorious weirdo and loner. Find a life of your own, and stay out of mine and Kip’s.”
I step around him, sliding my key into the lock of my front door. I’m about to twist it open when Tyson steps into my body, pushing me harshly against the wood, and trapping my hands between myself and the door.
“You will let Kip go, or you’ll regret it.” He hisses in my ear, shoving me harder against the door.
“You sound like a bad eighties movie villain.” I mumble.
Tyson shoves off of me, stepping back. “Just fucking try me, Charles Benson. I fucking dare you.”
