mean, I knew you were supposed to get some enjoyment out of it, obviously. But I didn’t think you could laugh and talk in the middle of everything and not feel awkward about it.”
“Well, it hasn’t happened for me very often,” he conceded. “I’m glad it happened for us, though. I don’t know what I would do if we didn’t laugh together. It’s one of things I like most about you.”
“Same,” I said, yawning.
I guess it should have surprised me when I drifted off to sleep. It only felt like a few second later when I sat up, gasping for breath. Panicking, I searched the bedside table for the clock and saw that it was after four. My parents were probably still awake, waiting for me. And I could only imagine what sort of rage was going to be waiting for me when I got home.
For the first time, I considered not going back. I had somewhere else I could go now. In fact, I had several other places. Even if I didn’t want to stay right here in bed with Alex, I could go to Jolene’s, or Dick’s, or even Jane’s. But it felt wrong to just not go back without a word. Somehow, I felt like I owed the pack an explanation before I left.
Alex was dozing next to me, which seemed sort of weird for a vampire at night, but I liked to think I had worn him out. I slid out of bed and padded out to the couch, where I’d left my backpack. I dressed in my backup clothes and searched the kitchen counter for a pen and paper so I could leave him a note.
“Do you want to know what you smell like to me?”
I turned to find him standing behind me at the counter, a contented grin on his face.
“Not right now!” I laughed. “I’m covered in dried sex sweat and I don’t have time for a shower!”
“All right then,” he sighed. “Do you want me to drive you home?”
“Definitely not.”
“But it’s late and dark outside,” he objected.
“And I’m a werewolf,” I reminded him as I kissed him soundly.
“Is this because of your family?” he asked. “I don’t think they would sense me close to the compound if they’re all asleep. I don’t like you putting yourself in danger just to avoid trouble with them.”
“No, it’s because this is faster,” I lied.
“I don’t like it!” he called. “But I like you!”
“You, too!” I called, dashing out of the house. I sprinted back to the compound on two feet, my head full of romance and moonlight and sorts of general foolishness. I had done something for myself, for no other reason than because it felt good. I felt absolutely decadent. I’d sort of skipped this silly teenage romance phase, where I dreamed of dark, handsome strangers and happy ever afters. It felt good to indulge now.
I snuck back into the house before dawn. My parents were propped against each other on the couch, sleeping, with the TV blaring informercials in the background. I tiptoed past them, praying that their sensitive ears wouldn’t pick up my footsteps. I turned on the shower and triple-washed with the most perfumed soap I owned. I listened at the bathroom door, but all I could hear was the enthusiastic voice hocking some sort of ‘nutritious’ food blender.
I glided down the hallway to my room and pulled the covers over my head, hoping that in the morning, my parents would have moved onto to something besides cutting my date with Donnie short. Maybe, for once, they would just pretend it didn’t happen and we could ignore it?
8
“Whereas in your time, you might have focused on impressing your paramour’s family, modern relationships are keyed in on friendships. If you don’t have the support of your partner’s friends, they will quietly and efficiently undermine your relationship. Probably by text. Probably while you’re in the room.”
—A Gentleman in Any Era: An Ancient Vampire’s Guide to Modern Relationships
* * *
I woke up to the sensation of my blankets being ripped off.
Again.
But this time I was smart enough not to shift and confront the blanket snatcher. My parents stood over me, with my aunts behind them, all looking absolutely furious.
“What were you thinking?” Aunt Lurlene demanded.
I blinked up at my father. “What was I thinking?”
“You just walked out on your date with Donnie. Not a word,” Daddy thundered. “Your mama didn’t know where the hell you were. And then you don’t come home until God