53
EDWIN
Edwin:Sis, you around?
Baxter:Sup, lil bruv? Your dick fallen off yet?
Edwin:Don’t be crude. And obvs not.
Baxter:Mate, you’re king of crude. So what’s wrong? Do I need to hurt someone? Please say I do!
Edwin:No! Ffs calm your tits. I wanted to ask if you’d check up on Bluebell & Trace’s place. He said I can tell you where his spare key is. Also, pls let Terrance know we’re staying away longer than planned.
Baxter:Terrance I can do. He’s been here for the past 24 hours. Tapped on the kitchen window, said he was bored. I’ll bike over tonight. I take it the lurve fest is continuing?
Edwin:*happy sigh*
Baxter:
Edwin:So cynical. Long-haired lover boy with the puppy dog eyes not working out?
Baxter:Who told you what he looks like???
Edwin: Lucky guess til now. You have a type.
Baxter:Fuck you, Eddie.
Edwin:In your dreams, Princess.
Baxter:Jeez, stop. Just no. We’ll catch up when you’re home.
Edwin:We will. Bax? I’m actually in love. I have a boyfriend. TWO boyfriends! We discuss shit & make compromises etc. Proper adulting.
Baxter:*ruffles your hair*. Aww, the baby of the family’s all growed up. #ProudSister
Edwin:I resent that! Gethin is the baby.
Baxter:Oh you sweet summer child. Gethin was probably born an adult. Plus he could knock you flat on your arse at 20 paces by lifting one eyebrow.
Edwin:I should have emailed. I hate you.
Baxter:Sure you do.
Edwin:I don’t really.
Baxter:Jesus, Eddie! Stop harassing me with nonsense when you could be getting railed. I love you, you overgrown blond himbo. See you when you’re home.
Edwin:
I threwthe phone down on the bed cover and sighed up at the ceiling. Trace and James had gone exploring in the town, but it was late afternoon and the sun lingered persistently above the horizon, so I was stuck indoors. I didn’t resent them heading off in the daytime, but it made me realise how much I’d got used to it being the three of us. Before James had arrived bedraggled and beaten on Sorley’s doorstep and my instincts to protect him had gone into overdrive, I’d been content with my lot, working hard, usually in Baxter’s basement, and playing even harder, trawling pubs, bars, and clubs for blood and hook-ups. That life seemed empty to me now, which I was self-aware enough to realise was me and not anything wrong with that life per se, buta shudder ran through me at the thought of losing everything I now held dear.
Part of me secretly wanted James to agree to being turned. He’d be so much less vulnerable as a vampire. But, I had to admit I would seriously miss his delicious blood if he agreed, and he showed no wavering from his vow never to give up his humanity, especially as I knew how much he loved the sun. I admired that about James. He knew who he was, even if apparently he wasn’t as human as he’d thought, and he was happy with himself. Or as happy as any of us were. I wondered if he would attempt to track down his father. My fingers itched to message Saffi to get the ball rolling, but it wasn’t my business.
I shoved the phone in the drawer, rolled off the bed, and headed to the living room, where I carted all the furniture into a huddle, then put my body through a series of stretches, followed by a hundred sit-ups and the same number of push-ups. I didn’t need to, but the gentle buzz it gave me made it worthwhile when I could be arsed.
Still no boyfriends. I pulled out a sketch pad and pencils and clamped headphones over my ears, playing old swing tunes while I calmed my impatient nature by drawing. As usual with art, I lost myself so thoroughly, I was shocked to hear the click in the lock as my lovers returned.
Trace bent down to kiss me. “I’ll get the shopping away then make some dinner. We’re starving. Did you have fun?” He indicated the pile of sketches on the floor next to me.
