Part 20 (1/2)
”We're friends. I thought we needed to catch up. In a public place.” I sighed. ”Remember how hung up on him I was?”
”The Israel Caine shrine. No kidding. For a long time it was all fantasy. But then you two finally hooked up before you left here. Did you tell Blade about that?”
”Not yet. But I will.” I grabbed Rafe's arm. ”Don't you dare mention it.”
”It's your secret, not mine. But I can tell you from experience, these things tend to leak out. Don't stall, Glory. If Blade hears it from somebody else first, he'll think it meant more to you than it obviously does if this meet is a kiss-off.” Rafe rubbed my shoulder. ”And that's what it looks like to me.”
”Yeah, that's it. Better go. You know he saw me come in.” I ran up the stairs, quite a trick in high heels.
”Glory girl, sit down.” Ray jumped to his feet. He had two gla.s.ses in front of him. ”Have a drink. You'll be happy to know I'm off the sauce. Have even been going to some meetings. AA. Nate insisted. We've started work on a new alb.u.m and the record company wouldn't ink the deal until they knew I was sober.” He settled me into a chair.
”I'm glad, Ray. Not that they were playing hardball with you, but that you wised up and sobered up.” I grabbed my drink. ”To your next hit record. And another Grammy.”
”I'll drink to that.” He took a swallow. ”Blade won, I saw that.”
”It wasn't a contest.” I set down the gla.s.s. ”But we're together. I'm sorry if that bothers you.”
”Of course it bothers me. I love you, Glory. You knew that when you left here.” He picked up my hand. ”s.h.i.+t, babe, I laid it all out for you. I don't do that for any woman.”
”I know.” Tears filled my eyes. ”And it was wonderful. Our time together. Rafe called it. He said you were my fantasy.”
”Yeah, yeah. I get it. But my reality isn't such hot stuff, is it? I drink, drug, can be an a.s.shole when I'm under the influence, which has been most of the time you've known me. Not the steady soldier Blade is.”
”And I'm not the kind of woman you're used to, Ray. I introduced you to our world. You think you love me, but mixed up in that is a whole lot of grat.i.tude, reliance, whatever you want to call it, because I helped you figure out how to be a vampire.” I leaned forward to whisper that last word, aware that Israel Caine, rock star, was always being watched when he was in a public place. The mortals at the next table had been trying to get a good angle with their cell phone cameras the whole time we'd sat here, probably video too.
”Don't sell yourself short, Glory. You're more than a mentor to me. Always have been. And the women I'd always hung out with before, used me. You never did.” He drained his gla.s.s then frowned at it. ”s.h.i.+t. Being sober bites. I really want to get out of here. Notice the yahoos behind us? What do you bet they sell those pics to the tabloids and we are either back together or having a baby this time next week?” He grinned when I dropped his hand which I'd been holding across the table to try to make my words more palatable.
”I could take those phones and flush them down the N-V toilets. Then wipe their memories so that they had no idea Israel Caine even existed.” I glared at the people and they quickly hid their phones.
”Relax, babe. You and I know it's all bull and free publicity. You look killer in that dress. Smile for the cameras and stand up like you could care less who takes your picture.” He slid his arm around my waist as soon as I was on my feet. ”Did I tell you I've got a new Harley? How about a ride in the hills? I gotta get a rush from somewhere.” I gave him a look when his hand slid down toward my b.u.t.t. ”Okay, I won't try any funny stuff. Let's just have a little fun. Blow off some steam.”
I glanced down at my dress. ”What the h.e.l.l? If I'm having your baby, the least I can do is enjoy a little more time with you first.” I grinned and waved at the idiots clicking away. ”Let me go change clothes and I'm game.”
”That's my girl.” Ray threw some bills on the table and followed me down the stairs. At the bottom he was surrounded by fans who wanted his autograph. He grinned and signed everything from c.o.c.ktail napkins to full b.r.e.a.s.t.s clad in tight T-s.h.i.+rts. ”Go ahead, Glory. I'll meet you in front of your place.”
”Right. Ten minutes.” I left, glad to see him happy. If a motorcycle ride would help us smooth things out, I could humor him. I hurried down the sidewalk and up to my apartment. In minutes I was in jeans and a s.h.i.+rt, a jacket over it.
When I heard the deep roar of a motorcycle engine, I ran down the stairs. The bike was a thing of beauty, all chrome and s.h.i.+ny black. It reminded me of the one Richard, Flo's husband, rode when he was in a certain mood. Of course Ray being Ray, he hadn't bothered with a helmet so I just climbed on the back, grabbed his waist and we were off.
He seemed to revel in the power of the engine and the way it took curves. We went up and down steep hills. It reminded me of a roller coaster, something I'd never been too fond of. You'd think a vampire who could fly like a bird would be okay with a little danger but I'm not a fan. Ray laughed like a maniac when he made me squeal and clutch at his waist at a particularly crazy plunge.
Finally he pulled into a hilltop overlook and killed the engine. He slid off the seat and helped me climb down. I admit my legs were rubbery, and he hugged me, laughing again at my complaints about his crazy driving.
”Check it out. This is why I love Austin.” He threw his arms wide. It was a beautiful view of the twinkling lights of the city. ”It's quiet too.”
”I'm glad you're happy here, Ray.” He'd come to Austin to be near me. Luckily it also had a great music scene that suited him. Now that he realized we weren't going to be together I wondered if he'd soon move on.
”I'm staying.” He looked at me, his bright blue eyes reflecting the moonlight. ”I know you say we're done and I believe you mean that. I'm moving on with my life. Sienna's coming and we're going to make another record together.”
”A duet. The last one was your Grammy winner.” He and Sienna Star made beautiful music together. I thought about telling him I had my song back but figured this wasn't the time.
”Exactly. So we're trying for a repeat.” He smiled, that wicked upturn I knew so well. ”And not just with our music. She's a little young for me, but we've always had chemistry and hooked up before. Nothing much came of it then.” He stared out at the city. ”I'm going to see what happens this time if I put in a little effort.”
”Good. That's good.” I laid my hand on his arm. ”But she's a mortal, Ray. Be careful. You've already let one mortal in on our secret. It's not good practice to reveal it to too many people.”
”Nate handled it well. Which I knew he would.” Ray sat down on the dry gra.s.s. You'd never know there had been a rainstorm the night before. Maybe it hadn't rained at all up here, only near Ian's house. Typical Storm G.o.d maneuver.
”I think 'well' is a slight exaggeration. Nate did freak out at first. The idea that vampires do exist threw him for a loop. Then we asked him to donate blood once too. Luckily Nate's levelheaded and is now pretty cool with our whole paranormal world.” I liked Ray's manager and best friend. They'd grown up together. Ray had insisted he tell Nathan the truth right after he'd been turned. I'd been Ray's mentor and discouraged it, but Ray always did what he wanted to do, so Nate got the news.
”Yeah, I couldn't ask for a better friend.” Ray looked at me. ”Except for you, Glory.”
”Yep. Friend.” I changed the subject, telling him all about my trip, Jerry's amnesia, even my mother. I wound up with an account of Aggie and her relations.h.i.+p with Ian.
”You're s.h.i.+ttin' me. I heard you say she was now a mortal but it didn't register. That little b.i.t.c.h gave up her Siren gig for Ian?” Ray laughed so hard he fell over. ”And what do you bet Ian never does turn her vampire? Oh, G.o.d, but it would serve her right. You remember how she tortured us? Dragged you through Lake Travis until you were spitting fish and seaweed?”
”I'll never forget it.” I lay back next to him and stared up at the stars. It was beautiful. I was glad to be lying here with a friend. Jerry took things so seriously, always wanting to fix everything. And you couldn't mention a MacDonald without Jerry pulling out a knife, ready to go to war. Ray knew how to laugh. He kept talking, telling another story about Ian, and we both cracked up. I rolled over and pounded the ground we got so hysterical.
”G.o.d, Glory.” He put his arm over my shoulders. ”Don't get so hung up on Blade that you give up this, hanging out with me, having a laugh. I'd hate to see you as uptight as he is all the time.”
I smiled. ”Ray, relax. Can't I have friends that I have fun with and a lover who is there for me when things get tough? Life isn't all fun and games, you know.” And hadn't I had plenty of examples of that lately?
”Seems to me, the best thing would be a lover you have fun with who is also your best friend.” He leaned over to kiss me. I saw it coming and rolled away.
”You promised, Ray.” I frowned at him.
”You know me too well to think I don't lie like a rug when I need to.” His grin teased an answering smile out of me. Then he got serious. ”I'll never forget being with you, Glory. I've tried to move on. It's tough. Mortals don't cut it and other vampires...” He shook his head. ”Ignore me. I am inching toward pathetic here. I'll put this into a song. Make people sob into their beers.” He turned away to stare out at the lights of the city again.
”Ray. Part of me will always love you.” I leaned against him, shoulder to shoulder, for a moment. ”But I made my choice and my relations.h.i.+p with Jerry is none of your business. Now I think it's time we headed back to town.” I stood, brus.h.i.+ng the dirt and gra.s.s off my jeans.
He jumped up and grabbed my shoulders. ”Your choice? I can't see it, Glory girl. You with Blade. He's too intense. The brooding Scot. I bet he wears a knife to bed.” He stared, trying to read my mind. Not happening.
He was determined to make me hurt him. ”Ray, I hate to break it to you, but Jerry doesn't wear a d.a.m.ned thing to bed.” I touched his cheek. ”I'm fine. Just be my friend. I would like that.”
He took my hand and pressed it to his lips. Of course he had to sc.r.a.pe his tongue, then a fang against it. Unrepentant, he grinned when I tugged it free. ”You say you're happy, so I'll take your word for it. But I'll always be here when you need to relax and let go. Just don't fool yourself into thinking that Blade is perfect, he's not.”
”Never said he was, Ray. Now, are you taking me back to town or do I wing it?” I knew I sounded defensive, but he was. .h.i.tting a nerve. There was no such thing as a perfect man. Didn't he know that? If he weren't vampire, all he'd have to do was look in a mirror to see how far from perfect he was. If Jerry was too serious, then Ray wasn't serious enough. The rock star had way too many issues, including those addictions he'd listed. Now he was setting himself up for another problem. Hanging out on a nightly basis with a mortal lover. How long would that last before he landed in trouble?
He started the engine with a roar then we headed back to town. He didn't try any tricks this time, though the steep hills were unavoidable. I just held on, a lot on my mind. I wasn't stupid. I loved Jerry, but that didn't mean I was blind to his faults. I just thought his virtues outweighed them. By the time I got back home, I'd decided to surprise him at his house. I needed to see him, rea.s.sure myself that I'd made the right choice. Being around the other two men I loved had shaken me up more than I wanted to admit. So I packed a small bag and jumped in my car.
Most of the lights were on when I arrived twenty minutes later. I parked in front since there were a couple of cars I didn't recognize in the driveway. I walked up the sidewalk and rang the bell. It was three o'clock in the morning but there was still loud music playing inside. It was a wonder the neighbors hadn't called the police. I wasn't surprised no one heard the doorbell. I had a key but tried the k.n.o.b first. It was unlocked.
”h.e.l.lo?” I saw a couple of men in the doorway to the kitchen through a haze of smoke. I knew at the first inhale that it wasn't from regular cigarettes. One of them finally heard me and turned around.
”Oh, hey. It's the girl who was with you at the club, Lily.” He strolled over and hooked an arm around my neck. ”Want a drag? It's good s.h.i.+t.”
I pushed him away. ”Where's Jerry?”
Lily appeared carrying a tray of cheese and crackers. She set it on the coffee table in the living room. ”He's upstairs in his office. Working. What are you doing here?”