Forever Yours (#2) (5 page)

“What is wrong with you?” He says as he presses his lips into
a hard line.

“I’m not sure I know what you are getting at?” I say
sarcastically. He smirks and raises a dark eyebrow at me. Oh, the
sight of him has me powerless. I try to compose myself as I want to
maintain my cool.

“You seem, nervous. Have I done something to unsettle you?” I
shake my head at him as I reassure him that I am fine and that he
hasn’t upset me.

“No, it’s just everything, you know.”

“I don’t know, explain.” He commands.

“The whole Rachel and Nicholas thing, it has me worried, I
guess.” Dalton nods his head, running his fingers through his hair
in a sexy, alluring move.

“You should be worried,” my heart pounds at his
words.

“Saying things like that, isn’t going to make me feel any
better?”

“I’m not here to make you feel better.” I scowl at him –he is
so annoying.

“Then why are you here, huh?” I say in a voice that is a
little too loud for a Sunday afternoon. The families and other
couples, who are dining, turn to look at us, shaking their heads in
annoyance. Their gaping eyes and annoyed faces don’t bother me; I
am too focused on Dalton and his reply. I want him to tell me
exactly why he is here. Why does he hang around me, is it just
because he sees me as an easy feed? I have held back in asking him
this question as I feared his answer and losing him. But now with
my heart pounding and his eyes staring into mine, I am glad that I
have asked. I have hated all the uncertainty around us and I have
wanted to him to open up to me about how he really feels –is now
when he finally does?

“Don’t raise your voice like that. Do you know how hard it is
for me to sit in here with these people?” I feel bad; Dalton
doesn’t usually hang out in diners, he just doing it for
me.

“I’m sorry, but I need to know how your feeling.” Dalton
exhales at my words and I can tell that he is annoyed with
me.

“That’s the thing, I don’t feel anything. I’m empty; I don’t
give a rat’s ass about anyone or anything. I’m a hollow shell with
no heart.”

“That’s not true; I know that you feel something for me. You
wouldn’t be here if you didn’t.” Dalton clasps the bridge of his
nose in annoyance.

“You’re like a broken record! Why must you torture me like
this?”

Four

Dalton drove me to AL’s garage –in silence. He didn’t utter a
word, just huffed and puffed as he speeded around the streets of
Portland. My anger level was through the roof at his silent
treatment and when he dropped me off –without even so much as a
goodbye, I felt like slamming my fist into the nearest wall. I
don’t get why he has to be so cruel. If he didn’t care about me,
then why won’t he spare me the pain of being around him? He should
just leave and let me get on with my boring life. But I know if he
did that, then I would have no life at all. When I look to my
future, it’s him that I see. I know that’s crazy because he is an
ageless vampire, and I am growing older every day, but it’s how I
feel. I have never felt this way about anyone and my heart has
shattered into a million pieces at his rejection. I have never had
a broken heart before, but now it’s all that I have. My days are
spent thinking about him, wishing that he would just admit that he
cares. I lie awake every night, imagining how amazing it would feel
to be with him –properly. To wake up every morning knowing that he
was mine, to feel his cold hands on my cheek, to hear his
captivating voice as he tells me that he loves me. A gentle tear
falls from my eye at that crippling thought –I know that it will
never happen. I will never have him, he will move on and live for
another century or ten, where as I will, grow old, die and never
have the happiness of true love. I don’t want to love –if it’s not
Dalton then there is no point. No one could ever live up to him,
not Ryan or any other guy who might come along. Dalton is who I
love, he is what I want and I can’t just give up on him. I will
fight with every fibre of my being to be in his life.

My mind is rushing as I get ready for my night out –with Ryan
and the gang. I have showered, styled my hair to the best of my
ability and now I am rummaging through my closet, trying to salvage
a suitable outfit. My floor is scattered with jeans, tank tops and
sweaters, none of which is appropriate for a night out. As I look
through my clothes –or my rags as Rachel sees them, my mind
suddenly reminds me that I need to talk to her about Nicholas. With
that thought, I jump from the floor and I make my way over to my
door. I smile when I see pebbles lying sweetly on the tiered, brown
carpet. I push open my door and I head in the direction of Rachel’s
room. I take a deep breath as I knock and I jump when she pulls
open the door. Her smile fades when she sees me, and she attempts
to slam the door in my face, but I catch it and I push my way into
her room. She slams the door and crosses her arms as she looks at
me –waiting for me to explain. I nervously push my glasses further
up my nose as I pick up the courage to speak.

“
I’m sorry about earlier, but we really need to talk.” Rachel
presses her lips together and then she lets her hands fall to her
sides. She doesn’t look happy, but not completely mad at me either.
I feel that she might see reason, if I approach this the right way.
I can’t fully come out and tell her that Nicholas is a homicidal
vampire, but maybe I can scare her off, with a few home truths
about him. I take a seat onto her perfect pink bed and I cross my
legs as I inhale another gulp of air. Rachel wanders over and sits
down at her, shabby chic dressing table. She raises her eyebrows as
she encourages me to start the conversation.

“
You said you wanted to talk, so talk.” I nod at her and then I
begin.

“
I know that you’re mad at me and that you think I’m trying to
ruin your life, but I only asked you stay away from Nicholas
because I care about you. Dalton has told me about things that he
has done, evil things that would scare the hell outta you. I don’t
want you to get hurt, so I’m asking you to please stay away from
him.” Rachel narrows her eyes as she drums her fingers onto the
glass surface of the dresser. I can tell that she is considering my
words, but I also know that she will find flaws with what I am
asking her to do. Rachel can be very inquisitive and pushy; I know
that she won’t back down easily.

“
I don’t get it, what has he done, anyways?” Here it is –her
questions. I take another deep breath –think Rose.

“
A long time ago, he forced Dalton into doing something that
would change his life, forever.”

“
If it was long time ago, then why doesn’t Dalton just get over
it?” I sigh –I am fighting a losing battle.

“
I guess some things are just too hard to get over. But, you
have to trust me, Nicholas is bad news.” Rachel pouts her lips and
she exhales. Her eyes soften –has she seen the light?

“
Fine, I’ll stay away from him, he’s far too old anyways.” I
sigh in relief –thank god she agreed to stay away from him, its
paralyzing to think what could have happened if she
hadn’t.

“
Thanks, now can I borrow an outfit?” I ask as I flash a
massive smile at her. Rachel presses her eyebrows together in a
line and she scowls as she takes in my plain appearance. She lunges
from the seat and she rushes over to her closet. She pulls open the
doors and her hands gently graze her hips as she scans her clothes.
Rachel pulls out a pink dress, that’s short and far too low cut.
She holds it up to me and I shake my head as I decline her choice.
Rachel rolls her eyes and she hangs the dress back onto the
railing. She rummages for another few moments and then she pulls
out a soft lavender mini dress. She walks over and hands me the
dress.

“
This isn’t my kind of thing,” I say as I gently stroke the
silky fabric.

“
Rose, just put the dress on!” Rachel exclaims.

“
Fine!” I shout back at her. Rachel laughs at me as I head over
to the door. I smile back her and then I make my way back towards
my room. I burst into the room and I instantly rush over to my
dresser –my phone is ringing. My heart starts to pound, but it
slows when I see that it’s Ryan who is calling me.

“
Hey Ryan,” I say as I hold the phone to my ear –undressing as
I talk.

“
Hey girl, I was checking that you’re stilling coming tonight,
you are still coming, right?” I laugh at Ryan’s words and then I
reassure him that I will be there tonight.

“
Yes I’m still coming; I wouldn’t miss Charlene’s
birthday.”

“
Good, now we’re meeting in the usual place, Tony’s at seven,
okay?” I roll my eyes as the silky fabric collides with my skin and
then I turn my attention back to Ryan.

“
Okay, see you soon,”

“
Bye babes,”

I toss my phone onto my bed and I smooth out my borrowed
dress. I apply a little coat of lip gloss and I pull my hair around
both sides of my neck, shielding my wounds from view. I take a look
at myself in the mirror, I press my lips together and then I grab
my shoulder bag from my bed as I march over to the door.

“
Bye Pebbles,” I say as gently stroke the top of my cats head.
She briefly meows and I smile and close the door on my way out. I
glide down the stairs, being extra careful as I don’t want to trip
in my borrowed heels. I reach the living room and I pop my head
around the corner, smiling at my Uncle as I do.

“
You off out, bugs?” I laugh at my uncle’s silly nickname, I
can’t remember how I got the name bugs, but it has seemed too
stick. Everyone at AL’s garage calls me bugs and it can be a little
annoying, especially when the younger guys who work there call me
it as well.

“
Yeah, I might be late, is that okay?” I ask as I pull my hair
across my neck. My uncle nods and then he smiles at me –agreeing
with my question.

“
It’s fine, but be careful,” I nod, and then I rush out of the
front door and into my beat up truck. I switch on the ignition and
the engine lets out a tired roar. I push my foot down onto the gas
pedal and my truck slowly pulls away.

I reach the parking lot of the bar and I grab the gift bag and
birthday card from the seat. I take a deep breath and I step out
into the cold evening of Portland. I glide into the bar; Charlene,
Elliot and Ryan are already here, so I walk over to their table.
Charlene rushes to her feet when she sees me and I wrap my arms
around her neck, wishing her a happy birthday. Charlene is dressed
in a black dress, her jet black hair is flowing down her back and
her dark eyes are sparkling. She pulls back from me –taking in my
feminine appearance.

“
Don’t you look good,” she says as she twirls me around. I
blush and then I take a seat at the small round table. Elliot is
dressed smartly in light blue jeans and a white and blue stripped
shirt, his light brown hair is flicked in an Elvis like quiff and
his grey eyes are glossed over –I think he is drunk already. Ryan
is more causal in his appearance, he is dressed in a simple black
shirt and dark blue jeans, his black shaggy hair is messy and his
lips quirk up at the sides as he locks his eyes on mine.

“
You want a drink? I’m going to the bar?”

“
Yes, please,” I say, flashing him my awkward smile as she
rises from his seat. Elliot reaches out and playfully kisses
Charlene on the cheek, I smile at their affection and then my heart
breaks –again. I wish that I had that type of relationship with
Dalton; I wish that we could hold hands and playfully kiss each
other. I wish that he would just snap out of his delusion and tell
me that he cares. I shake my head –I must not think about him, it’s
too hard. I make a pact with myself, for the rest of the night I
will not let Dalton enter my head. Oh crap how am I going to do
that when he is all that I think about? Alcohol –that’s what I
need. Ryan walks back over to the table, carrying a tray of beers
and tequila shots. He places the tray down onto the table and I
instantly grab a shot, I tilt my head back and the liquor pours
down my throat. Ryan laughs at my actions and Elliot has a smart
comment.

“
Look who’s suddenly fun!” Charlene playfully slaps Elliot and
then I grab the beer, downing it in one massive sip. The taste is
bitter, but I want more, I want to numb the pain of my broken
heart.

Two hours and nine beers later, I am drunk and dancing wildly.
The music is loud and I can’t stay still at the beat. My hips are
shaking with the music and everyone is flashing, green, blue and
pink. The disco lights are bright and my head is beginning to pound
from the noise, but I ignore it as Ryan grabs me by the waist. He
spins me around and flops me low against the floor, leaning in and
trying to kiss me in the process. I pull back and push him forward,
pretending that I didn’t notice his attempt. He smiles at me and
then he pulls me close, sliding his hands across my stomach and
then reaching up and running his fingers through my loose and messy
hair. My eyes are blurry and the heat in here is torture, I pull my
hands free from Ryan and I lean in and tell him that I need a
break.

“
I need some air,” Ryan nods and then he pushes me forward as
he begins to walk –he has misunderstood me, I need air, but I need
it alone, away from you. I turn to face him and he looks annoyed
that I have bumped into him. I awkwardly pull back from him,
tripping in the process. I am now lying on the dance floor, my head
is resting against the hard wood and I burst out laughing at my
clumsiness. Ryan kneels down and gives me his hand; I carry on
laughing whilst Ryan picks me up off the floor. He places his hand
onto my back and he quickly ushers me out of the bar. The cool air
hits my face and suddenly my laughing stops. The night is cold,
dark and beautiful. The night sky is dominated by shining stars and
a full moon. I gaze up, wondering and dreaming about Dalton. My
body is bursting with alcohol, but it still isn’t enough to numb
the pain of being apart from him. I miss him and I need him –where
is he?