Page 5 of Blood Lust
“He’s been irritable and restless when he’s at home. He’s always on his phone, and when I ask him what he’s doing, he’s evasive. We got a notice in the mail that the electric bill hadn’t been paid. When I asked him about it, he got all defensive and shit. I haven’t actually seen or caught him, but it’s just something I feel in my guts. You know?” I paid the rent on our apartment, and he was supposed to pay the utilities. I wouldn’t tell Merin, but I almost cancelled this trip because I had a bad feeling about leaving him home alone.
“Oh honey, I’m sorry.” She’d been my friend since college, and she’d been through the rollercoaster ride that was my life with my dad several times.
Crazy thing was, I didn’t even know him until I was thirteen. Mom died in a convenience store robbery gone wrong, andI went into foster care until they found my dad. Though he could’ve refused to care for me, he didn’t.
That didn’t mean he was prepared for a teenage girl, and I wasn’t receptive to his attempts to get to know me. I mean, my mom had just died unexpectedly, and the guy hadn’t bothered with me until he was forced to—that pissed me off. Then I found out he hadn’t even known about me. It took us a couple of years and we worked through our growing pains. Not to say it was smooth sailing after that, but it was better. And now I loved him more than words could say.
Despite his addiction.
According to my mom’s journals, she hadn’t told him about me because she couldn’t get him to quit gambling, and she was afraid of the people he was hanging around with. He did admit once that Mom had likely been smart to cut him out of our lives. He told me she had been completely on the mark, because he’d been getting into a lot of financial trouble.
He relapsed into his old gambling habits routinely, but each time there was more of a gap between. This time I really thought he’d kicked it.
“It is what it is. But on top of that, my dad’s boss keeps hitting on me.”
“You’re kidding,” she deadpanned.
“Not even a little bit. It’s so weird.”
“Oh my God. How old is he?” she asked as she glanced my way before returning her attention to the road.
“Way older than me. I bet he’s at least ten years older, if not more.”
“Age gap romance is a big thing.” She waggled her brows at me.
My lip curled in distaste.
“Is he hot at least?” She wrinkled her nose.
“I mean, he’s not too bad. He’s also loaded, but he’s totally not my type, and I get weird vibes off him. Especially since my dad keeps hinting that I should have dinner or a drink with him. I get that my dad wants to see me married and giving him grandkids, but there are no…sparkswith Mario.” I sighed. Unfortunately, I was a hopeless romantic.
My dad was an industrial salesman, and he worked “in the field”, so he didn’t really have an office. He was out and about most days and some nights, depending on the business he was working with. I had no idea exactly what they sold, but he’d been with the company as long as I could remember. Mario had taken over as his supervisor right before I graduated from college. I’d met him at a small Christmas get-together, and he’d flirted with me, but I hadn’t thought he was serious.
“Well, that sucks.”
“But enough of that. Didn’t you say something about leaving my troubles in Chicago?” I gave her a bright smile and shoved all my worries to the farthest corner of my mind.
“Hell yes.”
“Oh my God. This is huge,” I told Merin, my mouth gaping and my eyes wide after they took the group picture. Never in a million years would I have imagined this many authors in one place. And the sheer number of readers that had been lined up outside the room was astronomical.
Merin chuckled. “That it is.”
“I had no idea this was what it was like.” I was in awe.
A woman with bright red ombre hair was setting up next to Merin, and she paused. She looked familiar, but I couldn’t place her. Then again, people always looked so different than they did online. Grinning at Merin, she asked, “Can I borrow your Sharpie?”
They both laughed and I stared at them in confusion. Merin motioned toward the other woman. “This is Kristine Allen, and that’s an inside joke that originated at another signing. Kristine, this is my friend and editor, Lia. She came with me to be my PA for the signing. Then we’re gonna enjoy a few girls’ days.”
My mouth fell open. I’d told Merin I wanted to meet her, but I didn’t realize we’d be right next to her.
Kristine walked over and shook my hand. “Sounds like fun. It’s nice to meet you, Lia.”
“You too,” I murmured as I gawked. I had been reading her books for years. Though I’d read everything she wrote, meeting her was over the top. In my head, I squealed. I wanted to tell her if she ever needed a backup editor, I’d be game, but I was too nervous.
Crazy, considering I edited for several of the authors in the room, but I’d never actually met them in person. Not only that, but we were colleagues, some I was even friendly with, so the fact that they were famous didn’t truly register. It was such a different perspective actually being at a signing.
This is so cool!