In the Dark by Lila Rose (21 page)

As I held Ty's hand, Caelen led us to a reserved booth in the corner while he continued on to the bar for drinks. I looked around the place. The dance floor was already busy with bodies bumping and grinding, while a male vampire was belting out an Evanescence song. He wasn't doing too bad a job either.

Caelen came back with a tray of five shot glasses filled with the same concoction I'd had the previous night. He also had five other glasses of what smelled like cola and whiskey.

Wincing from the memories of the night before, I downed my first shot.

"I won't be drinking," Xavier said. "Someone has to be the adult here."

"I'll have his," I said, dragging his over to me. Gulping it down, I slammed the shot on the table and took a sip of the cola and whiskey.

"Easy, tiger, we've got all night," Ty said.

"That is true, but you only live once."
And have too many regrets to count along the way.

We sat around and talked, laughed and teased one another. I relaxed enough to enjoy myself and felt a little merry. I wasn't the only one. I looked over to Jezanna to see she was smiling and had gotten up enough courage to place her hand on Caelen's thigh, which he didn't seem to mind at all. He grinned away while leaning back in the booth. Every now and then, he'd glance to Jezanna with something akin to adoration in his eyes.

"Come on, X and T. Let's go dance." I took off my jumper, grabbed both of their hands and pulled them out of the booth. Xavier came reluctantly, Ty more willingly. I wondered what kind of dancer a blind guy could be? I guessed I'd soon find out. Turning back to the table, I gave a sly wink to Jezza and then went off to the dance floor.

We danced through three songs. All self-consciousness washed away, even when I got up close and personal with either of them. Mainly because I knew they didn't think of me in any other way than a friend, like I did with them.

It turned out, Ty could really get his groove on. A couple of times he bumped into people, but once he apologized and explained he was blind, they didn't care. By the time the third song finished, I was thirsty. I sent Xavier back to the booth to find out if the other two wanted a drink as Ty and I made our way to the bar.

Climbing up on a stool, I waited my turn, which gave me a chance to look around, while Ty stood silently beside me listening to the music.

"Miss Leila Morgin and Ty Rivers, what are you two doing here?" I turned my attention to the bar and was very surprised to see Coach Bacon, the phys ed teacher, standing on the other side of the bar, as though she was there to work. "Close your mouth, girl. You never know what may fly in."

Snapping it shut, I gawked and finally asked, "What are
you
doing here?"

She laughed and smiled at me. "My father owns the place." She grinned.

"What? Then he… No, that means, ah… You know?" I signalled with my fingers and eyes that Ty didn't know anything about supernaturals. I could only hope she understood what I was saying and didn't think I was having some kind of attack.

Again, she laughed just as Xavier came to stand beside me.

"Yes, I know, not that Isaac"—a flinch went through my body—"knows I'm related to Big Hardy. I don't come here unless Dad needs help and tonight he did. It's good to see you enjoy yourself, Leila." She leaned in. "Of course, neither of you can tell the other students of my involvement here. They'd want free drinks, and really it's not their sort of place. Anyway, what can I get you?"

"Um-ah." I turned my shocked face to Xavier. "Did they want anything?"

He bent down to my ear and whispered, "I think they are a little busy."

Looking over his shoulder to the table, I found Jezanna kissing Caelen, or was it the other way around? Didn't matter what it was, because it was great to see it finally happen.

"Ty, would you like anything?"

"No, thanks. I'm fine." He smiled.

"Just a whiskey and Coke," I said sweetly.

Coach Bacon raised her brows. "My instincts tell me not to serve you, but I know you'll only drink in moderation, as well as the fact you have very nice people taking care of you." I could feel Xavier nod at my side.

When she left, Ty leaned into me and whispered, "I think I may be missing something important here about this place, but I doubt you'll tell me."

Wish I could, Ty. I really do.

"No, sorry."

Coach Bacon came back with my drink. Thanking her, I paid and promised not to say anything. I wasn't really sure it had sunk in yet. It was laughable really. My phys ed coach just served me alcohol and knew about the creatures of the night.

The three of us sat at the bar while I drank. I'd just sat my glass down after finishing it when Xavier stiffened beside me. He turned his attention to the crowd around us. My heart started racing, thinking it was because he saw
him
here, but as I followed Xavier's stare, I spotted Jensen standing in the corner on his own, leaning against the wall looking like a Greek god. Once he noticed us staring, he made a move our way.

He stopped just in front of me. "Leila, isn't it?" He made it sound like a question, but he already knew my name and it wasn't like he really cared. His eyes stayed on Xavier.

"Jackal, isn't it." I smiled.

He laughed. "Xavier, good to see you."

Xavier did his usual nod and… wait, was that—holy shit, it was—a blush on his cheeks.

"And who do we have here?" He turned his gaze quickly to Ty, but then back to Xavier.

"No one you need to know about." I smiled. "What are you doing here?"
Please don't say she's here.

"It is my night off. I came to see what the talk is all about," he said, looking at X.

Thank eff she wasn't there.
Oh, crap.
Now I wished she were, because that meant she was back at the house with
him.
Maybe in a position I didn't even want to think about.

Jensen finally graced me with his gaze.
Damn it, why is there pity in his eyes?
"They're coming tonight. I thought you would like to know."

That's why. Crap a duck.

My stomach pivoted.
"Yeah. Thanks," I uttered. Only Jensen's eyes were back on Xavier; however, X was looking down to the floor, his eyes flicking to Jensen every few seconds.
What was the go with all the heat between those two?

Unless. No way, I would have noticed. X would have told me, right? Then again, probably not. He really hated talking about himself.

Wow. Xavier wanted him, likewise for Jensen. Still, I knew neither of them would make the first move.

The distraction eased my stomach and calmed my heart a little. "Let's just have some fun until they turn up to ruin it. Care to dance, Jensen?"

His shocked gaze fell on me. "I… sure, thank you."

"Come on, Xavier, Ty." Grabbing their hands, I led them to the dance floor with Jensen following behind. I wove my way through the crowd until we were fully in the middle. Turning, I faced Ty and placed my hands on his waist as he did on mine. Pulling him in close, I swayed with him. It didn't take long for Xavier to join us. He came up nice and close behind me. It was as if the three of us were joined at the hips. Xavier placed his own hands at my sides. Jensen stood back watching the three of us move.

"You should go and dance with him, Xavier," Ty whispered. Xavier growled. Was the tension that obvious even a blind guy felt the heat from the two of them?

"I can't," Xavier muttered. Despite his reluctance, it didn't change Jensen's train of thought. He came over to us and moved in closely behind Xavier. Xavier jumped from the contact, but he didn't move away. I rested my head down on Ty's shoulder, trying to give the two at my back as much privacy as I could. We stayed that way for two songs until Jensen swore and I knew it was time to leave.

Eyes were on us. I knew it was
him
.

Pulling away from the group, I said, "We have to go."

I turned away as Jensen gave Xavier a quick kiss on the cheek and whispered something in his ear. Xavier's whole body sagged. He looked up to Jensen and I saw the loss, the pain. Both of them mirrored each other's feelings.

"Jensen, maybe on your next day off you can come to my house for a while?"

He smiled. "I would love it." He turned to Xavier. "If that's okay with you?" Xavier nodded.

Jensen stepped closer to me and whispered out of Ty's hearing range. "Thank you, Leila. If my mistress had seen or heard about this, about the way I am, then she would kill me."

My eyes widened, appalled by the thought and with how blunt he was about it. How could she take away the chance for Jensen to be who he was meant to be? To love who he wanted. We were in the twenty-first century, for God's sake. It was time someone told her that.

I wished I could be the one to do it, but it was impossible. I knew once I started, I wouldn't be able to hold back.

Jensen disappeared. I went to ask Xavier something, but he shook his head. "Not here."

"All right," I said and cleared my throat. "Thank you, guys. You two are the best dance partners so far."

"You won't find anyone better." Ty smiled.

"I guess only time will tell. Now, let's try and get those other two lovebirds away from here. It's time to go."

And hopefully we'll escape without seeing them.

We moved through the crowded floor back to our booth where Jezanna and Caelen were still seated.

Shit a stick.

The booth was also occupied with
him
and her.

My head fell back, my eyes to the ceiling
. Couldn't I get a break, just once, please?

Not wanting to make a scene, I stopped where I was with Xavier behind me and Ty at my side, my hand in his. As we stood on the edge of the dance floor, I opened my shields and reached my mind out to Caelen's.

What I wasn't prepared for was Isaac's face to snap straight to me. He must have felt my power. Mary-fungus-Jane kept talking to Jezanna and Caelen, unaware her man's attention had wavered to someone else.

I couldn't keep standing there looking at him, seeing the pain in his eyes, as I was sure my own reflected a different pain. Only what did he have to be hurt about? Nothing. It was his choice to rip my heart from my chest, throw it to the ground and stomp on it.

Damn him. Why did he have to look so bloody wonderful in black slacks and a long-sleeved white shirt? His hair was loose and it flowed down around his shoulders. My eyes drifted to his shoulder and then followed his arm down. That was when I saw he had his hand placed gently on her fucking fat thigh. Cringing at the sight, he pulled his hand away quickly. Only that made her look to find out why. She saw me straight away. Her stare turned into a fierce glare.

Ignoring her, I turned to Jezanna and nodded to the side; she knew what I was saying. She rose from the table, as did Caelen, and followed me, all while I dragged the unaware Ty out of Boozers,
with Xavier following quietly behind us.

Walking straight to the car, I bent over trying to catch my breath. It seemed I couldn't get enough air in and it was hurting.

"Leila, what's wrong? I-is Isaac here? Did you s-see something? Fuck him, Leila. He's an arse anyway."

Jezanna came rushing up to my side, rubbing her hand up and down my back. Goddamn, I wanted to cry again.

They look like the perfect couple, nothing like what we were.

Clenching my fists, I gave myself a good shake and stood tall. Jezanna held out my jumper and I threw it on.

"Ty, would—"

He held up his hand. "I'm going to c-catch the taxi home that Xavier has flagged down. I-I know you just want to get home. Don't worry about it, o-okay? I understand. But, listen, you c-can trust me, you know. About anything at all."

My arms went around him. I hugged him hard and nodded into his shoulder.

The car was quiet on the drive back home, everyone in their own thoughts. I spent the time trying not to think about someone. I was sure the other three were thinking of the ones who took their breaths away,
and I was happy for them.

Even if my own life was so fucking messed up, at least they could bring some normalcy to it. Well, sort of.

I left Jezanna to say goodnight to Caelen alone and went off to my room. Xavier followed behind me. I closed the door and flopped down on my bed, hiding my face with my arm. I felt the bed sink next to me and peeked out to see Xavier watching me.

"Are you all right?" he asked.

"Yeah, I will be. Though, I'd be better if you took my mind off things and answered some questions."

"I'd be glad to."

Sitting up, I scooted back to lean against the headboard, patting the spot next to me. Xavier took off his shoes and jacket, unarmed himself and sat next to me. I needed some type of comfort, so I put my arm through his and laid my head on his shoulder.

"Is it easier to touch me now you know I'm gay?"

I thought about it. "Yeah, in a way, I guess it is. At least I know you won't get the wrong idea from it."

He smirked down at me. "That's true. It also gives me the chance to have someone touch me and not be repulsed. I have gone without having someone show me they care for so long. All we need is a little comfort every now and then. No matter who we like."

Yawning, I said lightly, "I don't think Jensen was repulsed at all."

His rumble of laughter ran through the ear I had rested on him.

"Yes, well, I have you to thank for that."

"No way, it was all your godly doing." I laughed. "Does, you know, does I-Isaac know?"

"Yes, he does. He was the one who saved me from my previous sire. Someone I long to forget, but have the scars that won't let me. You see, being gay is very much looked down upon with a lot of the older vampires. Though, it's not only from the vampire society, but also still with the humans. Only, it's worse with vampires, because"—he shuddered—"we're beaten, usually to death. I'm guessing something similar has happened to Jensen and that's why his new mistress knows nothing about him. I was lucky enough Isaac stumbled upon me one night after being beaten. He gave me his blood, which broke the bond of the person who made me a vampire and Isaac became my master. He chose to save me knowing who I was and then faced the wrath of my previous sire." He stopped and took my hand in his. "I don't like what he's doing in your situation. However, he has his reasons and he's hoping one day, as well as I and many more, you will understand and forgive him. He's a noble, strong man, but we all have our faults."