Chapter Three
Sherese
It takes me a long time to go back to my room.
Several times, I almost left. One time, I even walked outside.
I don’t even know why exactly, except that I can’t get Hunter’s words out of my mind about having an actual plan.
That’s the only reason I’m still here instead of back in the middle of nowhere, West Virginia.
It takes me hours to fall asleep, so I hear when Hunter gets back for the night from his run.
I hear the shower turn on and roll over for the hundredth time and try to sleep.
I check the phone next to my bed to see what time it is, the phone I finally caved and started using.
“Knock, knock.”
I open my eyes, shocked that I actually slept. I take in the small human standing in my door. “Is there a reason you’re in my room at this ungodly time in the morning?” I manage to get out as I push my hair out of my face.
Ava strolls inside, not bothering to shut the door behind her. “First of all, it’s like eleven. It’s not late, and that comes from somebody who loves her sleep. Second, you crashed my night last night; it’s only fair that I ruin your morning.”
I scowl at her. “Mission accomplished. Now get out.” She doesn’t. Instead, she walks over to the dresser and pulls out the first drawer and the next. She pulls out another one. “Is there something you’re looking for, or are you just being nosy?”
“Where are all your clothes?” she asks, opening the last drawer.
“All you have are some of Hunter’s shirts and pants.
” I don’t even bother answering her. I settle against my pillows, feeling warm and comfortable and not really in the mood to get up.
She turns to me with an expectant look on her face. “Well?”
“I’m not really sure why we’re having this conversation. You know all I wear is Hunter black.” I’ve made a joke about it many times; I’m not sure why it’s a problem now.
She shoves the last drawer in and turns to me. “I just thought you did it to annoy him.”
I concede. “Well, there is that.”
She scowls at me. “I didn’t realize it’s because you don’t have any clothes. How do you not have any clothes?”
I stare at her, because she’s lost it. “You mean go shopping? When I’m a vampire, stuck in a wolf pack? Or is it when I shop online with my nonexistent credit card and bank account?”
Ava does not look amused. “Okay. I get it.” She stands to her feet. “All right. Let’s go.”
“Let’s go?”
“Yes. Let’s go. Get up and do something to yourself so we can go.”
I push my covers off and stand. “Are you feeling okay?”
She gives me a sharp look. “Yes. Why?”
I study her for a moment. “Why so defensive this morning?”
She crosses her arms over her chest. “I’m not defensive. You are. Now, get a shower, so we can go. I’ve got Bryce’s car, so we’re good to go. And I’ve been practicing, now that I have my license.”
“When did you have time to do all that?”
She waves a dismissive hand. “Somewhere in between our trips to the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Bryce Canyon, and all the other places we went.” She narrows her eyes at me.
“You know, all those trips we invited you on, but you declined.”
“Uh, yeah, it was basically your honeymoon. Pretty sure you didn’t need a third wheel for that, and believe me, I didn’t want to be there for it. Bryce can barely keep his hands off you here; I can’t imagine what he’d be like on a trip like that.”
Ava’s eyes light up, and a wicked smile takes over. I’m regretting saying anything. “Oh, Bryce is a very hands-on man. It was and is wonderful.”
I give her a hard look. “I think I just threw up in my mouth.”
“Everybody always says that, but is that even a thing? I mean, who throws up inside their own mouth? That’s physically impossible.”
I shake my head. “You’re nuts.”
“Oh, definitely. Anyway, get your backside in the shower and get ready so we can leave.”
“What are you talking about?”
She jingles her keys. “We’re going shopping for clothes for you.” I laugh, and she narrows her eyes. “What’s so funny?”
“You.”
“Am I? Because I don’t remember saying anything remotely funny.”
“Ava, I can’t go shopping.”
She doesn’t bat an eye. “Why not?”
“I’m a vampire!”
She shrugs. “So?”
She’s lost her mind. It must have been the mating with the alpha. “Ava, I’m a vampire. I can’t go out in the sun during the day, and I’m a terrifying creature to humans. If all that weren’t enough, I’m not allowed to leave pack land. Shoot, I’m not even really allowed to leave Hunter’s house.”
Ava raises an eyebrow. “As if that hasn’t stopped you before.”
Okay, she has a point. I kind of do my own thing. “Okay, but still. Besides, Bryce won’t let you go anywhere by yourself. You know him.”
“Uh, that’s why you’re there. Hellooo. Vampire.” She waves her hand up and down. “Who’s going to threaten us?” She has a point there. “And we will be careful to stay out of the sun. As for the scary part, just don’t...you know...flash any fangs or anything. We’ll be fine.”
“Don’t flash any fangs?” I repeat.
She waves her hand again. “Come on. Stop being dramatic and let’s go.”
I stare at her, because I really can’t believe we’re having this conversation. “You’re serious.”
“Yes, I’m serious. Now get your backside in the shower, or you’ll have to go like that.”
“Ava,” I start, but don’t get to finish.
“Would you move already? Let’s go!”
She leaves a moment later, leaving me staring after her.
Since I need to take a shower anyway, I head into the bathroom.
A little while later, I’m dressed in Hunter’s shirt and pants, feeling more awake after my shower.
Knowing Hunter’s already gone for the day, I head out to the living room.
It takes all of two seconds to realize Ava’s still here. “Ready?” she asks brightly.
“For what?”
“Seriously? For our shopping trip.”
I walk past her and into the kitchen to the fridge.
I pull out a blood bag and then frown as I count them.
I stare into the fridge for a moment before I close it.
I swear I’m short on blood bags again. I make a mental note to do a better job of keeping track.
I open the bag and throw back the contents without thinking.
I don’t ever let myself dwell on it; it’s dangerous when I do.
I wipe my mouth, throw the bag out, and wash my hands.
“We just have to ask Hunter if he’ll go with us. ”
“Good luck with that.” I start to walk back to my room.
“Where are you going?” she calls out after me. “We need to get going.”
“Hunter’s not going to go with us.”
“You don’t know that,” she returns.
“Yes. I do.”
So, when she knocks on my door a few minutes later and opens it, shaking the keys at me, I’m surprised. “You got him to agree?”
“Of course, I did.”
“What did you threaten him with?”
She grins. “I told him Bryce would have his backside if I was unhappy because of him. He mumbled a bunch of words I can't repeat, but he agreed. He’s on his way here now. So, now we have protection; we can go.”
I shake my head. “It’s not protection for us, Ava. I’m a vampire; I can keep the two of us safe from any threat. It’s protection for you from me. That’s why your mate is making Hunter go.”
“No, it’s not. I don’t need protecting from you. You’re my friend.”
“And you’re mine.”
The front door opens, and Hunter walks in with a scowl on his face, just like the ray of sunshine he always is.
He glances between the two of us with such an insufferable look, I can’t help but grin.
“Hey, Bestie.” I wave at him obnoxiously.
“So, you’re going on a girls’ shopping trip with us? It’s going to be so fun!”
The man doesn’t crack a smile. I love doing this to him. He’s so fun to rile up, and he never cracks. It just makes it so much more fun. “Only because I have to.” His words are dark.
“Yes, well, I’m glad my threats worked,” Ava says, smiling gleefully.
“It wasn’t your threats,” Hunter growls. “You’re not scary. Your mate, however, is. He threatened all sorts of things if I didn’t accompany the two of you, so let’s go.”
Ava grins. “I love that man.”
I give her a little shove towards the door. “Come on. You threatened all of us to make this happen, so let’s do it.” She grins and heads out the front door.
I’m about to follow her, but a hand on my elbow stops me. It quickly drops. Hunter tries to touch me as little as possible; it goes both ways. “Let’s be clear about one thing. This isn’t my idea. I’m completely opposed to it, but Ava wants it. So, you know, Bryce is going to demand it.”
I give him a saccharine sweet smile. “Thanks for sharing your feelings, Wolf.”
He gives me a cold look. “I wasn’t sharing my feelings.”
“That’s exactly what you were doing. Congrats. We’ve moved to another degree in our best friends' status. We now share our feelings with each other.”
I can practically hear him grind his teeth together, and a thrill runs through me.
I love making him crazy. I really don’t have anything else right now to live for other than trying to see how crazy I can make my roommate.
And I'm killing it. “High five, Bestie?” I ask, putting my hand up, knowing full well he’s not going to slap my hand.
When he doesn’t reciprocate, I drop my hand, still grinning. “I’ll see you in the car.”
I head outside and am delighted to see Ava’s in their car, meaning we’re not taking Hunter’s. I grin and head over to the passenger seat door and slide in. “We’re making Hunter sit in the back?” Ava asks. I can’t see her eyes because of her shades, but I know she’s smiling.
“Yeah, we are.” I fiddle with the buttons on my seat to make sure it’s as far back is it can go.
We both sober up when Hunter comes out. He’s wearing Aviators, so I can’t really see the expression on his face.
But he’s not happy; I can tell that by the set of his jaw.
When he stops next to my door, I don’t turn my head to look at him.
I just stare straight ahead. But Ava rolls down my window from the driver’s seat, so I’m forced to confront him.
“What’s up, Bestie?” I ask cheerfully. “Is there a problem?”
He stares down at me, and I can practically feel the coolness of his gaze. He stares a moment longer. “Nope.” Then he steps to the back and opens the door. Ava shoots me a grin when he slides into the backseat.
“Got enough room back there, Bestie?” I ask without looking back.
“Yep.”
That’s his only response, and I don’t look over at Ava.
I haven’t laughed in...Well in at least seven years, but if there were ever a time, I think it would be now.
The idea of Hunter’s tall body being cramped up in the backseat behind me makes me want to laugh.
But I don’t, because I gave up laughing when I gave up my soul.
I turn to look out the window and try to push away the dark feeling that settles over me.
Thankfully, it’s an overcast day, so there’s no danger of being burned by the sun.
Something drops into the middle console.
I pick up the box. “What is this?” I ask Hunter.
“It’s for your window, in case the sun comes out. It’s strong enough to keep all UV rays out.”
“Oh.” I open the box and take out the small piece of plastic. “Uh, thanks.” The corners have a sticky piece to help them stick to the window. I take off the coverings and then attach them to my window, still trying to figure out why he’s being nice. There must be a catch somewhere.