Page 42 of Pucking Vamps
By the time the end of the week rolls in, I feel like I’ve been living in a fairytale. Or dreaming the most pleasant dream I’ve ever experienced. Everything is going so well it’s scary. And Leander… he’s become more perfect despite the fact that we haven’t even really fucked since he came back from his trip.
“All right! Good game everyone!” Coach shouts, shooing us off the ice.
Flushed and panting, I race the rest to the lockers. A hot shower later and I’m heading out.
“I’ll see you on Monday, dude. Don’t party too hard,” Nick says, smacking me on the back.
My enthusiasm vanishes, nerves and anxiety replacing the pleasant buzz I’ve been living on. The ball. I’ve been so caught up with how impossibly perfect my life has been over the past week and a half that I forgot it’s about to end tonight.
“Yeah, I won’t,” I say lamely.
“Stop worrying, seriously. Just talk to your hot daddy or don’t. Either way, you’ll know where you stand after tonight. That’s a good thing.”
I know my friend is trying to reassure me, but it’s not really working. Leander’s been fucking amazing lately, and we haven’t even had sex. It’s confusing. I thought it was practice for tonight’s ball at first, but it’s not like he’d be cooking for me there. Or discussing hockey. Or helping me stretch. Or playing that anime song on the piano in-between giving me Guitar lessons so I can wow Mr. Rodrigez just because I was wondering if he could.
He most definitely can, yes. His piano skills are as good as his guitar ones.
“Why did you take the job at college when you are swimming in money?” I’d asked.
“Music is a hobby of mine and Rodrigez is an acquaintance. I thought I could help those who are passionate about music get better by passing on some of my knowledge in a more practical way. It took some effort, but I convinced Rodrigez to agree to the group projects instead of pushing more tests on you.”
“Oh. That was your idea?”
“Indeed. Though it would seem I have inadvertently given you and your group an unfair advantage.”
“C’mon, you know I was going to ace this anyway. Playing the guitar is only second to how good I am at hockey.”
I smile to myself as I bid Nick a pleasant weekend, and head to Leander’s beautiful mansion. Home… It has kind of started to feel like one, especially when we sit down in the lounge and watch hockey games over pizza or whatever gourmet chef stuff Leander has cooked. Obviously, we can’t do that tonight because of the ball, which is a little disappointing. I really enjoy his company and conversation.
“Welcome back, Hayden.”
I jump at the vampire’s voice, my hand shooting for my chest. He’s occupying the swing on the patio, a glass of wine or blood in one hand and a book in the other like he has no care in the world. Which, now that I think about it, isn’t that unlikely. I mean, he’s rich, has awesome friends, is technically immortal unless he’s being very stupid about it, and doesn’t have to worry about botching a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get on the right track for his future.
“Why are you here?” I blurt out, scowling at him.
We have early practice on Fridays, so I’m usually back before five. Leander’s not typically home until eight. It’s true that we have to be at the ball place for nine, but surely he doesn’t need more than an hour to get ready. That being said, I have no idea where the event is being held, other than the fact that it will be some huge mansion called the Veltz Veste. I searched online, but nothing came up, so I am betting my ass it’s some secret vampire resort.
“I finished early,” he says, placing the bookmark with the feather crest between the pages of his space mystery book. As elegantly as ever, he stands up and tilts his head toward the garden. “There is something I’d like to show you. Come.”
In the garden? My curiosity is piqued.
Dropping my bag on the table in front of the swing where his book now sits, I follow Leander. We circle the house and enter a small outbuilding that was most definitely not here this morning. There’s hay inside and it’s sectioned into decently-sized pens and—
“Oh my god!” I rush down to the last one as a black horse pops its head to see who the intruders are and lets out a loud neigh. It’s the most beautiful animal I’ve ever seen in my life, with a shiny black coat and braided black mane that makes it look like it’s come straight out of a fairytale. “You seriously went and got a horse?!”
Leander ambles over, a subtle but obviously smug smile tugging at his lips. “You seemed charmed by Vivian’s. I thought it was as good a time as any to get one myself. I’ve been meaning to, for a while.” He stands next to me, and the horse nudges its head into his hand like a dog. “He’s a Friesian. Very calm and friendly.”
“He’s beautiful.” I drag my fingers down the horse’s forehead, his mouth and nose scrunching as if he’s smiling at me.
Leander lets me pet it, stepping back and leaning against the wall. I can’t believe this. He actually got a horse, just like that. He’s one crazy vampire.
“He’s also dying to go for a run. I almost took him for one but thought I should wait for you since…” Leander trails off.
The pause snatches my attention from the majestic animal. “Since?”
He straight out grins at me, showcasing those white fangs as his eyes glow in their mesmerizing emerald green. “His friend would also like to join us.”
“His friend?” I twist back with my entire body, gaping as my unbelievable vampire leads a second horse out of the pen behind us. This one is just as gorgeous, its coat the same shiny black.