CHAPTER TEN
LUNA
Maybe going out on a date with Casper was a mistake.
And yet, it was the only way to know for sure how I felt about him.
Without my head being clouded by what happened at the haunted house or what I knew about the Graveyard Kings.
I didn’t want to see him as just another King.
A criminal. I needed to find out for myself who he really was beyond that.
I was looking forward to the rock show he invited me to attend. I loved all kinds of music. Although I was partial to classic rock like Fleetwood Mac, I enjoyed bands from every era.
Right after I returned to the dorm the day of the show, I showered and changed into a cute lilac dress that fell to mid-thigh with flowing bell sleeves.
The V cut top showed off a teasing hint of cleavage without making my C cup breasts spill out all over the place.
I didn’t have many footwear options in my room since I didn’t have the space, so I went with my favorite black ankle boots.
My colorful hair fell in waves halfway down my back. Sparkly silver shadow adorned my eyes, my lips tinted with a touch of pink lipstick. Once I secured a rose quartz pendant in the shape of an angel wing around my neck, I sat down at my desk and opened my laptop.
I had almost an hour before Casper would arrive to pick me up. After doing a little searching, I found myself on YouTube looking at beginner sign language videos. Since it seemed easy enough, I started off by learning the alphabet. After going through it a few times, I felt confident enough.
After that, I moved on to basic phrases. The time quickly flew past. I was surprised when my phone went off with a message from Casper letting me know he was downstairs. I buzzed him into the building, even though something told me he would find a way in regardless.
Knowing that he was on his way up set nervous butterflies loose in my stomach.
I needed to forget about Halloween night.
Tonight was a fresh start. Closing my laptop, I ran my fingers through my hair.
Needing to busy myself so I didn’t start sweating profusely, I gathered my things, stuffing them into my fuzzy pink purse.
Even though I expected it, the knock at the door made me jump. Wiping my palms on my dress first, I sucked in a deep breath and opened the door. I was surprised to find Casper standing there holding a small bouquet of pink and purple flowers. My heart may have melted into a puddle of mush.
With a dazzling smile that lit up his deep green eyes, Casper held the flowers out to me.
Even though he was casually dressed in faded blue jeans and a black hoodie, he still managed to be crazy hot.
Maybe it was the black wing inked on the side of his neck peeking out from his hoodie.
Or perhaps the devil-may-care way his blue streaked black hair had been styled as if he’d haphazardly shoved his hands through it.
“Thank you.” I took the flowers, pausing to smell their sweet aroma. “They’re beautiful, Casper.”
He automatically started to sign before stopping himself. Pulling out his phone, he typed his response instead. Not as beautiful as you. Sorry, that was cheesy. Every time I look at you, I think of flowers. You’re so colorful, and you smell fucking amazing.
I was glad he liked my lavender perfume. It was one of my favorite scents. Hopefully it didn’t take me long to pick up some of this sign language stuff. I hated that he couldn’t use it freely with me like he could with his friends.
Maybe that right there was my first indication that I was more drawn to him than I wanted to admit. Why else would I have spent the last hour doing a beginner lesson?
I took another moment to enjoy the flowers before setting them on my desk. I would have to find a way to stick them in water when I got home later.
“I’m ready when you are,” I said, holding up my purse.
He held out a hand, making a sweeping motion toward the door. We left my room, exiting the building together. He escorted me to a bright orange Dodge Challenger that sat in the small pick-up and drop off zone. Opening the passenger door for me, he waited until I was inside to close it.
Not once in all my years of dating had a guy opened my car door. I thought that kind of thing was only done on TV in old sitcoms and romantic comedies.
Casper got in on the driver’s side. He fiddled with the heat settings for a moment before turning to me, his expression clearly a question.
“It’s warm enough,” I assured him, hoping I was reading his face properly. Everything Casper was thinking seemed to show in his eyes.
He gave me a thumbs up before putting the car in gear and pulling away from the curb. Now that the car was moving, I realized I would have to fill the silence by doing all the talking. He couldn’t very well type on his phone or sign while driving.
“I really appreciate the flowers,” I said. “That was a kind gesture. Would you believe that nobody has ever given me flowers before?”
Casper glanced over, shaking his head. He made a face like he thought that was ridiculous.
I couldn’t help but think back to my time dating Jace. The only thing he’d ever given me was something he picked up from one of the many girls he cheated on me with. Thankfully, a prescription from the doctor cleared that up. I’d never made the mistake of trusting someone that much again.
“Codie says you guys are having a lot of fun since she moved in,” I continued, not knowing what the hell to talk about but fumbling my way along. “She thought it would suck to live with so many guys. Sounds like she’s enjoying it though.”
A smile spread across Casper’s face as he nodded.
I couldn’t help but be a little jealous of my best friend for living in the same house as this man.
Even though she was head over heels for Stray, I envied her.
She got to see Casper in his downtime. When he wasn’t being one of the Kings but just a regular guy.
Hanging out watching TV. Shooting the shit with his friends.
“Classes have been a real drag this week. I haven’t been sleeping well.
It’s making things a bit difficult.” I wasn’t sure why I said that.
I didn’t want to drag Halloween night into this date.
Moving on, I changed the subject, talking about why I chose the Arts program and how much I’d been enjoying it.
Casper listened attentively. Every so often he glanced over to make eye contact, making sure I felt heard. Nodding along as I spoke. Even though he never said a word, I knew that I had his full attention.
We arrived at the venue, waiting in line to get inside. The opening band was already on stage. The building wasn’t all that large. Probably holding around a thousand. Taking my hand, Casper led me to the bar. He motioned for me to tell the bartender what I wanted.
“I’ll just have a beer,” I said, not wanting anything too strong.
Casper held up two fingers for the bartender. The guy slid two beers across the counter toward us. Casper used his card to pay, and then we disappeared into the crowd.
I took a sip, enjoying the way the cold bubbles fizzled down my throat. In the loud environment, there was no pressure to talk. I think that helped put us both at ease. We were able to simply enjoy the music and being there together.
People continued to pack into the place until it was a mass of bodies. We hung back, keeping our distance from the stage. Everyone close to the front was jumping around, creating a mosh pit. Too rough for me.
I was having a good time. Being with Casper in a low-key environment felt nice. Different than being on campus or at one of the graveyard parties. Nothing like the haunted house. I was able to unleash some of the tension that had been holding my spine stiff. Relaxing in the moment.
As the night went on people drank more, their antics growing more chaotic. Neither of us had more than the one beer. I liked that we both stayed sober. Unfortunately, most of the people around us were drunk as hell.
A few guys shoving through jostled me, almost knocking me to the floor. Casper grabbed my arm, keeping me upright. He silently snarled at the guys, but they were gone already, totally oblivious.
Sliding his hand down my arm to my hand, Casper threaded his fingers through mine. Excitement zapped through me. Something about the way he firmly but gently held my much smaller hand in his made me feel warm and tingly inside.
I smiled up at him. Our eyes locked, and for a moment, we didn’t need words at all.
Since my time with Jace, I’d learned to trust my gut. To listen when it warned me. I hadn’t listened to it back then. I’d been young and na?ve, wanting to believe he was my forever. Now I knew better.
Now my gut told me that Casper was worth a chance. One chance. Somehow Storm and Codie had found love with a Graveyard King. That didn’t guarantee me anything, but I knew neither of them would have settled for less than what they deserved.
“Love the dress.” A guy with a buzzed head and several piercings shouted over the music. He looked me up and down with a lecherous grin. “I bet it looks even better on the floor.”
I felt Casper tense beside me. He squeezed my hand tighter.
When it became clear the guy wasn’t going to simply move on, I said, “Okay, well, I’m here with someone.”
The guy’s gaze flicked to Casper, his expression unimpressed. “This guy? So what? He can have you back after I’m done.”
Casper didn’t hesitate. His fist was a blur as he slammed it into the jerk’s face. The guy stumbled back a few feet, clearly dazed. A second punch knocked him out cold. He went down hard on the floor, crashing into people on his way.
Pulling away from me, Casper didn’t stop there. He followed up with a brutal kick to the guy’s ribs. I wondered if he would have beaten the unconscious jerk to death if security hadn’t stopped him.
I guess I would never know.