Blood of the Son (Book #1 in the Skye Morrison Vampire Series) (Skye Morrison Series) (28 page)

I sighed and shook my head before resuming my silent CCR song.  I had a sneaking suspicion that this was just another one of his attempts at hearing my thoughts.  “There’s nothing to talk about.”

He took a deep breath and let it out slowly.  “Well, can I ask you about something that you mentioned earlier?”  I nodded my head and he continued speaking.  “You said that you spent the entire weekend thinking about what we discussed Thursday night.  I wanted to know what conclusion you came to.”

I held my breath and looked away.  I couldn’t tell him the truth.  Not after I saw him playing tonsil hockey with Aoife.  I knew he must not have been attracted to me, just to my blood, and I wasn’t going to admit I had feelings for him and make a damn fool of myself. 

I steadied myself, blew out the breath I was holding, and turned to him.  “I did like you said and gave it a lot of thought.”  My body started trembling slightly and I silently cursed myself.  Another tear escaped my eye and I quickly wiped it away, sat up straighter and took my hand out of Archer’s. 

I took a deep breath, steadying my nerves, and continued.  “I gave it a lot of thought.  And, you know, it’s kind of funny…  Once you’re gone, I don’t nearly think about you as much as I tend to when you’re around.”  I shrugged my shoulders.   “Must be those damn pheromones after all,” I said with a stiff fake laugh.  I cringed inwardly.  I sucked at lying.  I just hoped he bought it.

I saw him look down at his hands and chuckle dryly.  “I know what you mean,” he said after a short pause.  I cringed inwardly again. 
Ouch. 
It felt like he’d just twisted the figurative knife that he’d earlier stuck in my heart.
 
He stood up and went to sit behind his desk.  His face was perfectly blank of all emotions and I couldn’t get a read on what he was thinking or feeling.  I shifted uncomfortably in my seat.

Archer started digging through paperwork on his desk.  He suddenly looked very distracted.  “It has indeed been a long day.  I’ll see you tomorrow, Miss Morrison,” he said plainly, dismissing me.

I looked at him for a few confused seconds and then quickly stood up from my chair and walked to the office door.  I glanced back at him over my shoulder to see him still rummaging around in his paperwork before I walked out the door.  I took the stairs down to the second floor slowly, letting my conversation with Archer sink in. 

He confirmed it.  He really is only interested in my blood.  He doesn’t want me.
  It’s my own fault that his revelation was hurting me so bad.  I knew when I met him that Archer was out of my league.  I set myself up for disappointment.  I allowed myself to entertain the ridiculous idea that he wanted me for me.  I alone allowed myself to get swept up in some ridiculous fantasy world of emotions. 

All of this was my fault.  All of the pain, the tears, and the heartache could have easily been avoided if I had just taken my own advice and never let my heart get away from me.  Why would a gorgeous, rich, immortal man want a 23 year old plain looking human barmaid anyway?  I laughed bitterly at the absurdity as I walked through the door and down the steps to the first floor.

Jameson quickly closed his phone and got up from the barstool.  “Nice to see you’re still alive,” he said, amused. “Are you okay?”

“Just peachy,” I said sarcastically as I went to the bar and made myself a small glass of diet cola.  My mouth was incredibly dry after my nerve-wracking visit with Archer.

Jameson lost his smile and sat back down on the barstool.  “Want to talk about it?”

I shook my head.  “I’d rather have a root canal.”

He quietly looked at me for a few seconds.  “It was that bad?”

I looked at Jameson’s concerned face for a few moments.  There was worry etched all over it.  He seemed genuinely concerned about me.  I was suddenly overcome with the urge to cry.  Not just cry, but bawl.  I wanted nothing more than to run over to him and have him tell me that everything was going to be okay.  I wanted him to hold me in his arms like he did that night on my couch.  I had felt safe then…cared about…wanted.  I had too much on my mind.  There were way too many feelings going on inside of me at the moment, and the majority of them were terribly painful. 

But what would running to Jameson solve?  Nothing.  It would just put me back in the same situation that I had been in with Archer
.   I needed to stick to my earlier decisions and not get closer than was necessary to the brothers.  It was only going to lead me down the road to heartache and I think I’ve had just about enough of that lately between Jesse and now Archer.  I was sick and tired of being hurt by men. 
Am I becoming as jaded with men as my mother? 
I hoped not.  I still secretly carried around the childhood fantasy that I would meet that perfect someone one day and grow old with them.  I didn’t want to be alone forever, despite my recent feelings.

I quickly threw back my drink and set the glass back down.  I stared absentmindedly at the glistening ice cubes in the lowball glass for a few seconds before remembering that Jameson had asked me a question.  I looked up at him and sighed.  “Would you mind taking me home now, Jameson?”

His brow furrowed with worry as he quietly studied my face for a few seconds.  “If that’s what you want, Sky.”

I nodded my head and walked out from behind the bar.  “I’m going to run to the employee lounge and get my bag.  I’ll meet you outside by the car.” 

He nodded slowly and I turned and walked away.  Once in the lounge I grabbed my bag and sat down on one of the black leather sofas.  I slipped off my DIY pumps and threw on my black Converse Chucks.  I stuffed the pumps back in my bag and made my way out to the back door.  Jameson was already outside and he had his car pulled up to the exit.  I got in and slouched down in the seat.  I was exhausted, both emotionally and physically.  What is it about a really bad day, emotional speaking?  It just seems to always zap me physically; like, I’d rather do nothing more than crawl into bed and sleep for weeks. 

Jameson said nothing as he pulled out of the parking lot and drove me home.  He kept glancing over at me, but I refused to look at him.  I didn’t want to drag him into my inner turmoil.  It wouldn’t be fair to him and even if I did, I don’t think he’d like what I have to say.  He would probably be upset with me for carrying a torch for his brother. 
Well, maybe not. 
After he caught me with Archer, he hadn’t made a move romantically on me again.  He never even mentioned the date we had planned for that Saturday.  Needless to say, the date never happened. 
I wouldn’t want to be with someone again if they had kissed MY sibling
, I thought silently.

When we pulled into my driveway, Jameson quickly got out, flashed to my side of the door and opened it for me.  I smiled tiredly up at him and thanked him before getting out.  He went to the trunk and retrieved my flowers and card from Drop Kick Dan’s before following me to the front door. 

I unlocked the door then turned to him and took the flowers and card from him.  “Thanks for the ride, Jameson.  Sorry if I put you out.”

He shook his head and slightly crinkled his forehead.  “You’re never a bother, love.  Never think that again.”

I swallowed thickly as I looked up at him.  “You’re too nice to me, Jameson.  I don’t deserve it after what I did to you with Archer,” I said honestly.

A pained look quickly flitted across his eyes before he looked away.  “It’s no big deal, Sky.  Shit happens,” he said as he stuck his hands in his pant pockets.  He looked back at me after a few seconds had passed.  “Do you want some help inside with those?”

I smiled slightly and shook my head.  “No, no.  That’s okay.  You should go meet up with your friends at that bar they went to,” I said as I turned around and opened my door.  “I’m good.”

“Sky…” Jameson stepped forward and started before I cut him off.

“Wow.  I’m…exhausted,” I said with a deep breath as I ran my hand through my hair and stepped inside.  I set my bag and card on the floor inside the door and the flowers on the small entryway table.  “So, I’ll see you tomorrow.” I smiled, turning back to him, and putting on my best cheery voice.  “Thanks again for the ride, Jameson.  I totally owe you one.”  I felt like I was giving myself whiplash with all of these crazy back-and-forth emotions running through me. 
What about poor Jameson? 
I chuckled aloud at the thought.

Jameson raised an eyebrow at me.  “Are you okay?” he slowly asked.

I laughed at the ridiculousness of the question. 
No, Jameson.  I’m so frickin’ FAR from okay.  If you only knew…,
I silently thought as I nodded my head.  “Yeah.  No, I’m good, I’m…good.  I’m just going to go inside now and…take a shower,” I said with a fake smile, putting my hand on the door knob
. 
“So, yeah.  Have a good night.  Big, big day tomorrow, so I’ll see you then, okay?”

I quickly shut the door before I had to lie to him again.  I couldn’t take having to pretend I was fine anymore.  Keeping up with the fake smiles was absolutely exhausting.  I leaned heavily against the door and put my forehead to the cold, smooth finish. 
Fuck my life…,
I silently thought and chuckled again. 
It’s your own damn fault, Skye.  You keep putting yourself in these situations. 
I sighed and told my inner self to shut up hell up. 

I turned around, trudged into my living room, and whistled for Styvi Nix.  She came bounding through the doggy door and I put on my best happy voice to greet her.  “How’s my little super star?” I said, leaning down and petting her.  “I sure did miss you today.”  She jumped up and down in excitement and I picked her up into my arms.  I buried my face in her warm, short fur and nuzzled her.  She licked all over my head and I chuckled sadly.  “At least you still love me, Styvi Nix.  I don’t know what I’d do without you.” I felt tears sting my eyes and threaten to fall.  I blinked quickly and set her down.  “Come on, girl.  Let’s get you a treat.”  I followed her into the kitchen and got a treat out of her treat jar on the counter.  She promptly sat down in front of me and I handed her the treat.  She playfully tossed it around a few times before she grabbed it and took off outside with it.  I smiled at how cute she was.  I cut off the kitchen light, made my way back through the living room to my messenger bag, and trudged up the stairs to my room. 

I set my bag down on the bed and went into the bathroom to run myself a hot bath.  I lit a couple of scented candles and added some soothing lavender bath salt to the water.  I slowly peeled off my clothes and threw them in the clothes hamper before grabbing a washcloth and stepping in.  The hot water felt good on my cold skin and I enjoyed the slight sting it brought.  I leaned back against the tub, got my washcloth wet, closed my eyes, and slowly laid it over my face.  The feel of the hot cloth mixed with the soothing scent of lavender was calming.  I took a deep breath and sighed.  I focused on relaxing my entire body starting with my toes and working my way to my shoulders.  By the time I had made it there, I was completely relaxed.  For once today I was not thinking about anything. 

I stayed in the bath for a good forty-five minutes before it turned unbearably cold and I was forced to stand.  I drained the tub and took a long steaming shower, taking my time washing my hair and body.  I was enjoying the simplicity of the moment and I didn’t want it to end.  I didn’t want to step out of my bath and go back to the real world.  My shower was my sanctuary.  Alas, my hot water ran out after a while and I was forced out.  I slowly dried off and wrapped my towel around my body.  I shaved my legs, plucked my eyebrows, and blew my hair dry. 

After my renewal ritual, I felt a little better.  I hung up my towel, threw on some zebra print boy shorts and a black tank top, and climbed into bed.  I called out for Styvi Nix and snuggled down into the covers with her when she finally arrived.  I was so exhausted and couldn’t wait to fall asleep.  This had been one of the worst days that I’d had since I broke up with Jesse, and I couldn’t wait for it to be over.

Sleep finally descended on me, but it didn’t last long.  I had bad dreams most of the night and kept waking up every hour.  In my dreams I was running down a long, dark hall.  It was like I was stuck, with no way out, so I kept running in hopes of seeing the end.  I ran endlessly, for what seemed like hours, and never found the end of the hall.  Each time I awoke from my dream, it got harder and harder to fall back asleep. 

By six o’clock in the morning, I had had enough.  I threw back the bedcovers in frustration and went downstairs to put the kettle on.  I poured myself a hot cup of water, added an Earl Grey tea bag, a splash of fat free milk, and took my steaming mug into the living room to watch the early morning news. 

I was shocked and saddened by what was on the broadcast.  Something huge had happened last night in the sleepy town of Landry, just east of Austin.  Someone had decapitated and mutilated the bodies of a man and his wife.  The anchorman on TV said that police believe the brazen killer was psychologically disturbed and anyone with information should immediately contact police.  They cut to a shot of policemen and crime scene technicians walking in and out of the ranch style house.  The look on the faces of the workers as they exited was haunting.  You could tell that the crime scene must have been immensely brutal.  I shook my head and said a silent prayer for the victim’s families. 
What is this world coming to?