Chapter 30
“Ididn’t really take much notice of the place last time I was here,” Adrian said, getting out of the car.
“I’m not surprised,” Ivan said. “I’m glad you came with us today.”
Adrian smiled. “I need to get out and have more fun.”
“Well, you made a good start at that asylum,” Jamie commented.
“I did indeed.”
Ivan looked at Gavin. “You okay, little brother?”
Gavin smiled and nodded.
Jamie linked his arm with Gavin. “Stick with us, we’ll keep you occupied until Hunter arrives,” he said, leading Gavin into the pub.
It wasn’t too busy inside, mainly because it was still early.
“Hey, guys,” Matt called from behind the bar. “Do you need me to push some tables together?”
“Hey Matt, we can do that. Hunter and the others are joining us in a bit,” Ivan said. “This is my Jamie and Adrian.”
Adrian gave a low hiss and dropped his eyes.
“I’ll order some drinks,” Ivan said quickly, hoping to cover up the fact that Adrian’s eyes had swirled red and the fact that he hissed.
Matt gave Adrian a strange look before looking at Ivan.
Gavin touched Adrian’s arm. “You okay?” he mouthed.
Adrian nodded and smiled. He leant in and whispered, “It seems Matt is my mate.”
Gavin grinned at him.
“What can I get you, Adrian?” Ivan asked.
Adrian smiled at him and then at Matt. “A beer, please, whatever you have on tap is fine, thanks.”
“No problem. Go sit down, and I’ll bring the drinks over.”
“Thanks, Matt,” they all said, walking off to the side and shifting some tables around.
Jamie looked around the pub. It looked like a typical old-fashioned pub. One corner had a couple of pool tables and a dartboard. Tables were dotted around with booths by the windows.
Jamie could see this place being really popular. He also noticed there were no menus or chalkboard menus. He wondered if the only food they served here came in packets.
Just as they sat down, the door opened and AJ and Owen walked in.
“Hey Matt,” AJ called out in greeting.
“Hi, AJ, Owen, what can I get you both?”
“A pint of Bishop’s Finger, please,” AJ replied. “Owen?”
“The same, please, Matt. Taha, Hunter, Shelby and Luke are on their way.”
Matt nodded. “I’ll bring their drinks over as well. Go join your friends.”
“Thanks, Matt.”
AJ and Owen walked over and sat down with the others. Matt kept looking over at Adrian, who caught his eye each time and smiled the barkeeper’s way.
“See something you like?” Owen asked Adrian quietly.
Adrian nodded. “The fates have been good to me. I was too exhausted to take much notice of anything the last time I was here. If I had known he was my mate, I would have come back sooner.”
“Congratulations,” AJ said. “I take it, Matt doesn’t know yet?”
Adrian shook his head. “No, not yet.”
Matt carried the tray of drinks over and started handing them out. “These four are for the others when they arrive,” he said, looking at Adrian. “Forgive me for saying, but you look better than you did the last time you were here.”
Adrian smiled at him. “I am, thank you and thank you for your help.”
Matt blushed a little. “I didn’t do much.”
“Can you join us, Matt?” AJ asked.
“Unfortunately, I need to go and change a barrel and bring up another crate of booze.”
“Do you need any help?” Adrian asks him.
Matt touched his shoulder. “I’ve got this. Enjoy your drink.”
“Adrian,” he said.
Matt smiled. “Adrian.” And with what looked like reluctance, Matt walked back towards the bar, glancing over his shoulder, blushing and walking through a door.
Adrian watched his every move until Matt disappeared through the door.
“Go and say something to him,” Jamie urged him.
Adrian sighed. “I’m away a lot, it wouldn’t be fair to him. Plus, how do I explain I’m a vampiric witch doctor?”
“How about, ‘Hey Matt, the fates thought we’d make the perfect couple, by the way, I’m a vampire and a witch doctor’?” Owen suggested.
There were chuckles around the table, and Adrian gave a small laugh. He was saved from answering when the pub door opened, and Taha and Shelby walked in, followed by Luke and Hunter.
Gavin sprang up and walked over to Hunter as Taha spotted Owen and made his way over to him.
“Jamie, Adrian, this is Shelby and Luke, they work with Hunter and Taha,” AJ introduced.
Shelby plonked himself down in front of them both. “Are you both, you know whats?”
“I am a vampire, yes,” Adrian replied.
“Plus, you know a witch doctor,” Jamie put in.
“For real?” Luke asked, sitting next to Shelby.
“Yep.”
They looked at Jamie.
“I’m just a pesky human that can apparently see ghosts,” Jamie told them. “Mind you, I’ve only seen one, and that was at a lunatic asylum.”
“Seriously?” Luke asked. “We need to come on some adventures.”
“Wouldn’t really recommend the asylum, though,” Adrian said.
“Yeah, maybe not there,” Shelby agreed.
“Don’t forget your shopping trip with Gabe when he comes back,” Hunter reminded him, sitting at the table, pulling Gavin down next to him.
Shelby looked around the table, shaking his head. “I should take all of you shopping.”
“I don’t think these guys know there are other colours out there,” AJ said, looking at the vampire’s black clothes.
“My shoes have colour,” Owen pointed out.
“They are also stupidly expensive, but I must admit they look good,” Taha said, nudging his shoulder.
There was general chatting when Adrian’s phone rang, calling him away.
“I drove you, I can drive you home so you can collect your things,” Ivan offered.
“Thanks, Ivan.”
“I’ll come as well,” Jamie said, downing the rest of his drink. “Adrian, what about Matt?”
“Matt?” Hunter queried, looking at the vampire.
“He’s my mate.”
Hunter grinned. “Congratulations. Does he know?”
Adrian shook his head as he stood up. “No, and I don’t have time to tell him now.”
“I’ll give him your number,” Owen told him.
Adrian smiled. “Thanks.”
Ivan and Jamie both stood. “See you all later.”
The three of them left, just as Matt walked back behind the bar, carrying a box.
Hunter watched as Matt looked towards their table and frowned when he didn’t see Adrian.
“Owen, can you send me Adrian’s number and I’ll go and give it to Matt?” Hunter asked.
Owen pulled his phone out and sent it. “Done.”
As soon as Hunter heard his phone beep, he got up and walked to the bar.
“What’s up, Hunter? Adrian had to leave?” Matt asked, taking bottles out of the box and putting them on the bar.
“Yeah, he’s a doctor and got called away.”
“A doctor?” Matt asked, surprised. “That makes sense. When he came in that time, he said he was helping some car crash victims,” he paused and lowered his voice. “Hunt, he looks like my dream man.”
Hunter smiled. “He feels the same way, which is why I can give you his mobile number.”
Matt grinned. “Really?”
“Oh yeah,” he replied, attaching the number to a message which he sent. “And now you have it.”
“Thanks, Hunt.”