Blood and Guitars (20 page)

The vampire in me could point out with ease
all of the logical reasons why I should never see Trey again. He
was only human, after all. What did he really have to offer me? The
answer to that was simple, if I looked deep enough.

Freedom.

Trey was all of the things I liked to pretend
I was, but could never be again. Admittedly I was getting good at
going through the motions of being free spirited and adventurous
but in my moonlit reality I felt trapped. A spirit like Trey’s was
something I’d admired as a human, envied even. I’d tried to live
like that myself, never quite managing to do it. Aden had been the
free spirited one. I’d loved that about him, too. As an immortal
creature, I’d hoped to finally grasp the independence I’d always
strived for. I’d made the age-old mistake many of my kind make,
assuming that being free from age and free of death would give me
freedom in life. I’d since learned that things didn’t exactly work
out that way.

The only taste of that freedom I experienced
was with Trey. It was as if his innate ability to live so carefree
was contagious and rubbed off on me more and more with each second
we spent together. It was a powerful feeling, and not one I was
ready to give up.

The blood-laced drinks Mark and I consumed
had curbed my appetite but only temporarily. I’d gone out tonight
and managed to feed from someone who in no way resembled Trey, or
anyone else I know for that matter. One thing was certain; I
seriously needed to get a grip.

Trey set his guitar down on the ground and
gave an exaggerated old man groan as he got to his feet, stretching
his limbs. With a few tiny strokes of a brush I finished adding the
metallic paint to the likeness of Trey’s guitar on my canvas. I
stepped back to admire my work as Trey sauntered over and stood
next to me. I watched his face out of the corner of my eye, anxious
to see his reaction.

“Wow,” he said in astonishment. “This is
incredible. I didn’t realize what you were – that I was the
subject.”

“It was your idea,” I responded.

He stared, open-mouthed at the painting.
“Yeah, but I had no idea you would come up with something like
this. You even used the metallic paints. It’s insane!”

“I’m glad you like it,” I said.

“Like it? I can’t wait to show it to the
guys,” he professed. “Do you have any others, you know, from the
studio?”

I gestured with a hand to my giant sketchpad.
Trey picked it up and flipped through the first few pages, taking a
few seconds to admire the random drawings I’d done there, including
the sketch I’d done of him and O’Shea playing their guitars in the
studio. I might have started to worry that he didn’t like it, but
the lopsided grin on his face when he glanced up at me was answer
enough.

“Let’s show the rest of the guys tomorrow,”
he suggested. “Then if they’re on board we can get Wes to take your
sketches to the label.”

“If you say so.” I smiled back at him.

“Definitely,” he added. “Then, I’ll help you
sell this on eBay so it doesn’t waste space in here,” he joked.

“And deprive some loyal, pubescent fan of the
joy that would come from winning this through your fan club?” I
said incredulously. “I don’t think so.”

He gave me a smile that reached his eyes and
set my sketchbook down without looking away from me. He took a step
forward and smiled again, that half-smile that was so full of
boyish charm and sincerity. With all my inhuman advantages, I was
still powerless against it. His calloused fingers gently gripped my
hand as he pulled my palm to his chest where I felt every beat of
his heart. It was a bold move on Trey’s part in ways he couldn’t
even understand. I recognized the gesture as one of openness
without needing to search his mind. Even though I was aware of the
delicious blood pumping through his veins, my mouth didn’t so much
as water. I gazed back at him, his blue eyes blazing, and I had to
resist the intense urge not to look away for the ridiculous fear
that he’d see right through me. See the wolf in sheep’s
clothing.

Then his lips were on mine and I lost myself,
overwhelmed by the surge of Trey’s emotions as they flooded through
me. I kissed him back wanting to forget my fear of being
discovered, of putting him in danger, and focus only on how good it
felt to be in his arms. After all, relinquishing some control was a
sacrifice worth making if it meant I could continue to live in this
fantasy with Trey. But the dreaded tingling in my teeth started up
again and I reluctantly pulled away. Trey closed his eyes and let
out a slow breath, resting his forehead against mine. It was
obvious he was trying to be patient with me.

“Trey, I…” I wanted to apologize but what
could I say? I’m sorry but I’m afraid my fangs might freak you out.
Oh, and by the way, my eyes sort of glow in the dark when I get
excited. I hope you’re cool with that?

“It’s okay,” he breathed, resting his hand on
mine over his heart. I wondered how long he would put up with me
pulling away like this. It was selfish of me and dangerous for us
both, but I wasn’t willing to give him up. I didn’t want to lose
him, or the effect he had on my spirit.

I had just finished playing “Mirage” (the
song I’d written at The Waking Moon) for O’Shea when I looked up
and saw Aurora standing in the doorway of the sound room.

“Hey,” I said, getting to my feet.

“I think that song sounds even better today
than it did last night,” she said with a smile. “If that’s even
possible.”

“Probably all the paint fumes I was breathing
in,” I teased.

“So that’s your secret,” O’Shea joked.

I punched his shoulder lightly and turned my
attention back to Aurora. “Well, what are we waiting for? Why don’t
we all head into the lounge so we can show the guys your amazing
work,” I said.

She nodded, letting me take the large black
art portfolio she was carrying out of her hands. O’Shea followed us
to the lounge where Jonas and Chase were having a lighthearted
disagreement over who had won the most medals playing Halo the
night before. I managed to get their attention by clearing my
throat.

“We have a matter of business to take care of
here, fellas.” I pulled the painting Aurora had done of me with my
guitar out of the cardboard folder. “I’m thinking ahead about the
art for the new album cover and booklet.” I turned the painting
around in my hands to present it to them. They eyed it
thoughtfully.

“Where did this come from?” Chase raised his
eyes from the painting to me.

I put my arm around Aurora’s shoulders and
pulled her toward me, forcing her to step forward. She smiled and I
thought I glimpsed some hesitation in her eyes. Jonas was the next
to speak.

“You did this,” he stated, rather than asked.
“Impressive.”

Aurora nodded. “That’s not all I have,” she
added. I held up the portfolio for her and she reached into it,
pulling out her sketch book. She opened it to the drawing she’d
done of me and O’Shea in the studio.

“I didn’t even know you were doing this.”
O’Shea took the sketch from her to look at it more closely. “That’s
insanely accurate,” he observed.

“Look at this.” Jonas pointed at the larger
painting I was still holding in front of me. “You even nailed the
way Trey bites his lip when he plays.”

I grinned at Aurora and saw a smile stretch
across her lips. “I told you they’d love your work.”

“They haven’t said they love it,” she
muttered, still smiling.

“We do,” O’Shea stated. “We love it, right
guys?” He jabbed Chase lightly in the ribs, causing the drummer to
nod his head quickly in agreement.

“It’s actually pretty cool the way you used
the metal paints and stuff,” Jonas added. “Could you do more of
these for the album booklet then?”

“I don’t see why not,” Aurora said agreeably.
“I was thinking individual pieces of all of you and a few group
ones.”

“What about the cover?” Chase questioned.

“I’ll have to think about that a while but I
know I can come up with something to suit your style. The more
music I hear you guys doing from the album, the easier it will be
for me to paint something representative of it for the cover.”

“Having the artist actually hear the record
while they work?” Jonas scratched his chin. “Who’d have
thought?”

“Sounds good to me,” O’Shea said. “So, how do
we go about this?”

“Let me worry about that.” I was just
satisfied that we were all in agreement. “I’ll talk to Wes.” I
winked at Aurora and she smiled, nodding her head slightly. I
helped Aurora put the painting back into her portfolio and we set
it safely aside. I set up a chair in the live room for Aurora to
sit on while the guys, Ken, and I worked out the new song. She sat,
sketchbook in her lap, and continued to draw for the next two hours
while we improved on the song I’d written in her loft just the
night before.

A cool breeze was blowing outside when Aurora
and I walked out of the studio into Karatz’s picture-perfect
backyard. She followed me to my car where I put the art portfolio,
containing the pieces we’d shown the guys earlier, and two new
sketches she’d done tonight.

“What are you going to say to Wes?” she
asked.

“That he doesn’t need to bother finding
someone to do the art work. We’ve got it covered.” I gave her my
best confident smile; after all, I was pretty sure Wes would go for
it. “I’ll call him and let you know how it goes. I’m sure he’ll
want to meet you right away.” Aurora nodded and I bit my bottom
lip, trying to measure my level of courage. “There’s something I
want to ask you,” I blurted out before I lost my nerve.

She pursed her lips together and gazed at me
thoughtfully. “What is it?” she asked.

It was too late to turn back now. I dug the
toe of my shoe into the pavement and shoved my hands in my pockets.
“Well, it’s like this. The MTV Video Music Awards are coming up
soon and our video for “Filtered Ache” was nominated for Best Rock
Video. I hate to bore you with all the rock star stuff, but I’m
hoping you’ll come with me to the awards show.” There. I’d said it.
Her green eyes widened and she looked shocked. For a second I
thought she was going to laugh in my face. I wouldn’t have blamed
her. “I know it’s just a bunch of stuffy celebrities, but-”

“You’re asking me to go to the VMA’s with
you?” There was something hesitantly optimistic in her tone. I
realized I had completely misinterpreted her surprise.

I smiled. “Why not?”

“You mean red carpets and stuff?”

“It’s just one night,” I added. “And the
photogs aren’t that bad when there’s a velvet rope and security to
keep them at bay.”

“You’re serious, aren’t you,” she stated
rather than asked.

“Of course I am. I think we even get to
present an award. It’s usually a good time, and if its not, it’ll
be more bearable with you by my side.” I took her hands in mine.
“Just say you’ll come.”

She cocked her head a little to the side and
gazed up at me, her piercing eyes locking with mine. She squeezed
my hands gently and a soft smile spread across her perfect
lips.

“I wouldn’t do this for just anybody, you
know,” she teased, and I knew that I had her.

“I’ll owe you one,” I said, grinning.

“I hope I don’t regret this.” She gave me a
sarcastic smile.

“Regret spending an evening with me?” I
feigned shock. “Never going to happen.”

She laughed softly and I felt my heart skip a
beat at the sound. I walked her to her car and opened the driver’s
side door for her. She turned around, gazing up at me with
questioning eyes. I bent low and brushed her lips with mine. She
smiled against me and I wrapped my arms around her, not wanting to
let her go just yet.

She kissed me for a moment longer than I
expected, and then in her usual fashion, she pulled back. There was
no mistaking that she liked it when I kissed her, but for some
reason she always pulled away from me. Best I could guess was that
someone had hurt her pretty bad, but she never talked about any
past relationships to clue me in to what might have happened. The
only plan I had was to be patient and let her learn to trust me,
hoping it would all work itself out in time.

“I’ll call you,” I finally said.

She nodded and I watched as she climbed into
the driver’s seat. She smiled at me as she put the car in reverse
and backed out of the parking space. I waved and waited until she
was out of sight before I walked back inside to confirm plans with
the rest of the guys for tomorrow night’s recording session.

I called Wes on my way home. He answered on
the fourth ring.

“Hey Wes, tell me you don’t have plans in the
morning,” I said.

“I had my heart set on eating pancakes in my
underwear but …”

I laughed. “Not a mental image I needed.”

“You’re the one who asked.”

“Actually, there’s this girl I want you to
meet.”

“Trey, I have a girlfriend,” he said,
sounding almost bored.

I laughed again. “No, it’s not that.
Actually, I’m hoping she’s into me.”

“And why are we meeting?” he asked
curiously.

“It’s a business proposition,” I said. “She’s
an artist, and she’s absolutely amazing. The guys and I want her to
the do the work for the album.”

“Let me guess. You want me to pitch it to the
label?”

I grinned. “This is why we hired you, Wes.
You can practically read minds.”

Wes sighed but I could hear the smile in his
voice when he spoke again. “What time?”

“She has an art studio on Cleveland called
The Waking Moon. Bring Lisa around eight and I’ll bring coffee and
pastries. We’ll make it a double date.”

“Yeah. Okay.”

“See you tomorrow.” I ended the call and
dialed Aurora’s number next.