Glinda chattered non-stop all the way to La Push, which was a blessing. I was so nervous. Each time I looked in the rearview mirror, Vincent was looking right at me with an unreadable expression on his face. I was half-tempted to flip up my mirror so he couldn’t see me any longer but I didn’t want him to know it bothered me.
The wipers squeaked, flipping back and forth, spraying the heavy downpour of rain off the windshield. I pulled into the resort parking lot. Putting the car into park, I turned off the engine and killed the lights. “So what now?” I asked, turning in the seat.
“I think everyone is meeting inside,” Glinda said, turning the mirror and checking her makeup. She reapplied her lip-gloss.
“It doesn’t look like many people are here,” I said. The parking lot only had a few cars in it.
“Maybe everyone bailed because of the rain.” Vincent said, sounding hopeful. Sitting forward, he crossed his arms over the seat. His hand skimmed my shoulder and my stomach swirled.
“I don’t care,” Glinda said. “I still want to go.”
“What if the tour is cancelled?” I asked.
“We will have to make our own,” said Vincent, quirking his brow at me.
“What are we going to do, walk around in the rain?”
I asked, skeptically.
“I’m sure I can think of something to do other than walk around in the rain.”
“No way, Vincent.” Glinda gave him a warning glare and shoved her lip gloss back in her purse. “I am sure some of the Quileute boys are around. They will have something to do.”
“Joy!” Vincent made a face. “Not!” He shook his head. “You go and glom onto those boys if you want.” He glared back at her. “Me and Amber can check out the beach.” He pulled out a flask out and shook it in the air. “I brought drinks.” He waggled his brows.
“I’m driving, so, I won’t be having any,” I said.
“Neither am I,” Glinda said. “Who knows what you put in there?”
“Jesus, Glinda,” he exhaled, irritated. “It’s just some whiskey.”
“No.” She widened her eyes at him like they were talking in some kind of secret code. She crossed her arms defiantly.
“Fine.” He put the flask back in his suit jacket. “Fun- Sucker!” he muttered.
“At least I don’t suck other things.” She made a face at him.
“Keep it up, Glinda.” He glared at her with menace in his eyes.
“I was only kidding, Vincent.” If possible, her face paled even more.
“Yeah, you better be.” He broke eye contact with her and glanced at me.
I looked between them, not sure what was going on.
“Let‘s get out of here.” He raked his hand through his hair.
“Okay.” I grabbed the keys, put them in my clutch and opened the door. Lifting my jacket, I held it over my head waiting for Vincent to climb out of the back.
Glinda jumped out and slammed the door. “I’ll meet you inside,” she called.
When I looked over to her side of the car, she was already gone.
Vincent climbed out of the back and pressed in closely to me, ducking under my coat. “Mind if I share with you?”
“Not at all,” I said, shutting the door and lifting my jacket higher. He put his hand on the small of my back ushering me forward. I could feel the heat seeping through.
“So, what was that about?”
“She doesn’t know when to keep her mouth shut.”
“Oh.” I wasn’t sure what that meant and I didn’t press it either. Maybe Glinda would tell me later. Even as I thought it, I realized I wasn’t sure I even wanted to know. “So, what did you do today?”
He stopped and gave me a look of disbelief.
Swallowing hard, I looked up at him. I felt very small in comparison. I shrunk back, still holding my coat up in the air.
“I was watching you.” His expression was strangely emotionless.
“What?” A shiver of unease spread through me
“Kidding,” he said. His lips lifted into a slow grin.
“You better be.” I bumped him, laughing it off.
Once we were under the tall eaves of the resort I lowered my jacket He stepped away and I shivered, finally feeling the cold. I slid my arms into my jacket and shoved my hands into the pockets. Music wafted out of the one of the doors that stood slightly ajar.
“Amber,” he said, stepping closer.
“Yeah,” I said, turning fully.
“I’m sorry I left you last night.”
“Oh, it’s okay.” I had been wondering if he would say something.
“I had to go, and well…I’m just sorry.”
“It’s all right,” I told him. “My tire magically inflated itself anyway.”
His lips twitched.
“It was you.” I pushed against his chest. His muscles bunched reflexively underneath.
“I don’t know what you are talking about.” He gave me a look of innocence.
“Sure you don’t.” I cut him a knowing look.
“Are you mad?”
“No, but you better not do that again,” I said in a reprimanding voice and pushed him again.
He grabbed hold of my cold fingers, wrapping them into his warm ones. “I’m glad you moved here,” he said suddenly.
“You are?” I couldn’t keep the unexpected pleasure from my voice.
“Yeah,” he breathed. “I am.”
I looked up into his eyes, my heart picking up pace. “Me too, Vincent,” I said and was surprised I meant it.
“Do you hear that?” He looked at some spot behind me.
“Hear what?” My brow furrowed.
“They’re playing our song,” he said, his eyes glittered and locked with mine. “May I have this dance?” his breath whispered over me.
My breath hitched. “Su—uure,” I flustered.
“Shall we?” He held out his arms
I smiled. “Yes, I would like that.” I stepped up to him. He slid one of his hands around my back, pulling me into his arms and placed his chin on the top of my head, swaying in time to the lilting music.
His hand skimmed down my back and then he loosened his hold on me, but not entirely. He dipped his head down and looked me in the eye. His look was so intense, his face inches from my own. “You and me…we…”
I swallowed hard. Feeling like I had just wandered into a dream.
He leaned closer…
I pressed up on my toes…my eyes drifting shut…
A loud bang sounded, followed by a gust of hot air.
“Amber!” Glinda shouted.
“I am going to kill her,” Vincent growled.
eleven
It was as if someone had turned off a switch. It was that fast. I felt like I should have whiplash. Vincent did a one eighty and I was still whirling from it.
After Glinda made her impromptu appearance, of which I was starting to think was a bit more calculated then I had given her credit for, he kept his distance.
To an outsider it would look like we didn’t even know each other, let alone, almost kissed.
At least I think we were going to kiss. Maybe I was delusional. Maybe I conjured it from some misguided notion I had in my head for the perfect evening. It had seemed perfect too. Like a dream, I had wandered into.
Now, however, I felt like I had walked into my worst nightmare. Lights flashed on the dance floor in time to the music pulsing throughout the room. The musky smell of sweat and too sweet punch resonated in the air.
I lifted my glass of warm punch and took another sip. It tasted terrible but it gave me something to do while I stood on the sidelines and watched Glinda and Vincent dance with each other. I mean really dance. Like bump and grind dancing. It was uncomfortable to watch. But I did anyway. I guess I was a glutton for punishment.
“You don’t like to dance?” a deep voice sounded at my side. I turned and stared into the blackest eyes I had ever seen.
&nb
sp; “Not really,” I lied. Actually, I loved dancing, mostly in my room when no one was watching. Still, I wouldn’t have minded dancing tonight too, that is, if someone would have asked me.
“Yeah, me neither,” he said, his deep voice, low. He stuck out his hand. “Hi there…” He smiled warmly down at me. “I’m your resident wallflower.”
My lips twitched. I shook his hand. “Nice to meet you…”
“Resident wallflower,” he supplied, his eyes gleaming with amusement and holding my hand for a lot longer than necessary.
It became uncomfortably warm, suddenly. His long glossy dark hair fell down to the middle of his back and he was wearing a pair of dark jeans and one of those glow in the dark t-shirts, like Ravers wear.
“Right,” I said smiling.
His brow furrowed and he released my hand. Staring out into the crowd, he shoved his hands into his pockets and exhaled. His muscles bulged from his shirtsleeves.
“You didn’t feel like dressing up,” I asked, making small talk.
He lifted his brow. “It’s not my prom.”
I laughed. “It’s not mine either.” I tugged on the hem of my thrift shop dress. “Obviously,” I muttered. I was the only one wearing something that didn’t reach the floor and still had on my high-top converse. I probably looked like an eighties reject.
“I like your dress,” he said. “It’s cool.”
“Thanks.” Color bloomed to my cheeks. I smoothed my hand over the full skirt.
“So, you here from out of town?” he asked.
“Nah, I live here.”
“Really?” He quirked a brow. “I haven’t seen you before.”
“I just moved here,” I said.
“Oh, I get it.” He made a face.
My ire rose. “What was that for?”
“What was what for?”
“The face, you just made.”
He shrugged. “It’s a free country.”
“Donkeyhole,” I muttered under my breath, so low he couldn’t possibly hear.
He did a double take and then he laughed—like really laughed. “You’re trippy.”
“Gee thanks,” I deadpanned and turned toward the dance floor, ignoring him. I took another sip of my drink and almost spit it back out. It was really bad. I set the glass down on the table behind me.
He leaned down. “So, why are you here?”
“It’s a free country.” I shrugged, giving him some payback.
“Funny.”
“I wasn’t trying to be.” I kept my eyes averted away from his face. He had a really cute face.
“Let me guess…you’re here to meet a Werewolf?” he prodded.
“How do you know I’m not here to meet a Vampire?” I snipped.
His brows furrowed. “I hate to tell you this, but if that’s what you’re into, you’re in the wrong place.”
“Why’s that?” I asked smartly.
“You know where you’re at, don’t you?” He eyes filled with indignation.
“This is La Push…right?”
“Right,” he said slowly, giving me a bemused look.
“Listen,” I began, feeling like a b. “I don’t even know what you are talking about.”
He rocked back. “Wow.” The crease between his brows grew deeper.
“What?” I gaped at him.
The music switched to a slow song. Somehow hoping Vincent would come to find me, I turned and looked out into the crowd. That thought was squelched. Instead, he grabbed hold of Glinda and twirled her around. I turned away, feeling like a loser for even hoping.
“They friends of yours,” he asked inclining his head toward the dance floor.
“Yeah… I guess.”
He lifted his brow. “You don’t know?”
“What is with you?” I snapped.
“It was just a question.”
“Well, maybe I don’t feel like answering it.”
“Testy, aren’t you.”
“No.” I lifted my chin a notch.
He stood there, not saying anything. I could feel his eyes on me.
Finally, I couldn’t take it. “What are you looking at?”
“That is a loaded question.”
“How so?” I asked.
“Trust me.” His eyes glittered strangely. “You don’t want to know.”
“Come on,” I urged. “Try me?”
“All right.” He stepped up to me, blocking my view of the dance floor. “You want to know why you can’t find Vampires here. Come next Saturday, I’ll be giving a tour and I can fill you in.”
I wasn’t sure if he was hitting on me or not. My internal antenna was obviously malfunctioning. “I don’t think so.” I shook my head.
“Why, you scared?”
“No.”
“Then why not come and find out?”
“I hate to break it to you but Vampires don’t even exist.”
His lips twitched. “Yeah, I hear you.”
My brows creased. “They don’t.” I was adamant.
“If you say so,” he said his tone placating. “Come on back next Saturday…you’ll see.”
“Yeah, don’t hold your breath.”
“You’re afraid,” he taunted.
“I wouldn’t say afraid…but rather, not interested.” Pulling out my phone, I looked at the time. It was eleven forty five. I shoved it back in my bag. “It’s been an enlightening conversation, but I gotta go.”
“What about your friends?”
“What about them?”
“Didn’t you come together?”
“We did but…”
“But they are ignoring you,” he answered insightfully.
I didn’t bother answering.
“So what are you going to do? Leave them here, without a ride?” he pushed.
Actually, I was going to leave but he was right. That would be messed up. “I doubt they want to leave.”
“Well, you won’t know unless you ask.” His face turned serious. “Don’t worry, I got your back.”
“Gee, thanks.” I gathered my nerve and walked onto the dance floor. I tapped on Glinda’s shoulder.
She turned. “There you are!” she burst, wrapping her arm around me.
I shrugged her off. “I gotta go,” I said. “You guys coming with me?”
She looked toward Vincent. “Well, I kind of want to stay.”
If I was having as much fun as her, I would want to stay too. I mean, come on, Vincent was pretty dang hot. Too bad he was so freaking fickle.
“Okay.” I turned to walk away.
She grabbed my arm. “What’s that matter?”
I winced. She was squeezing my arm, really hard. “Nothing,” I lied.
She made a face. “You look mad.”
“I’m not.” I dumped out another lie, “I have a headache.”
“Oh.” This seemed to assuage her guilt. That is… if she even felt any. “Well, I hope you feel better.”
To my surprise, Vincent walked over to us.
“What’s going on?” he asked. His hair was damp and falling over his brow. I had a sudden urge to push it back.
“Amber wants to go home,” she said, and then rushed to add, “She has a headache.”
A crease formed between his brows. Was he disappointed I was leaving? Sudden hope surged in my chest...
“Hope you feel better.”
…and, KaBoom!—it spontaneously combusted. “Thanks, I’ll try.” I stood there stupidly for a moment, waffling on whether to leave. I mean he did come after me… The DJ spun another record and Glinda widened her eyes at me. Could she be more obvious?
“See you guys.” Whirling around, I pushed my way through the crowd. My eyes burned –stupid tears.
“Amber…” Vincent grabbed my arm.
I quickly wiped my eyes and turned.
“I…” He frowned. “Are you okay to drive?” His breath smelled like liquor.
“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?”
>
He raked his hand through his hair. It stuck in awkward angles from his head –somehow it made him look even cuter. “Just wanted to make sure,” he said. He held onto my arm, not releasing me and narrowed his eyes. “Are you crying?”
“Puh—lease.” I rolled my eyes. “It’s stuffy in here.”
I pulled my arm from his grasp. “I gotta go.”
“We good?” he asked.
“Why wouldn’t we be?” I said, trying my best to sound indifferent.
“I don’t know.” He shrugged.
Seriously? He didn’t even know. No ifs ands or buts about it, I decided right then and there, that boys were freaking clueless. Donkeyhole!
Glinda materialized at his side. “Come on Vincent,” She tugged on his arm. “Amber?” Her eyes flashed, angrily. “I thought you left?” A gust of her breath hit me in the face. She smelled like whiskey—so much for her not drinking.
“I am.” I didn’t bother mentioning I was trying to, until Vincent stopped me.
“I’ll call you,” she tittered.
“Great!” I said with as much fake enthusiasm as I could muster.
Vincent gave me a halfhearted wave and followed her back on the dance floor.
“I won’t hold my breath,” I muttered.