Page 88 of Heartbeat Girl

JAYNE

Liam avoided me all night. While he bellowed out his haunting melodies, putting the crowd into a trance, I thought about what happened. Or should I say, didn’t happen?

He rarely spoke to me and kept a distance. Only time he showed any sort of emotion was when Pete accidentally bumped my shoulder while we worked on a new puzzle together. He yanked me away from Pete and that was that. Liam didn’t even allow Steve to get close at all. Liam didn’t speak it out loud, but the obvious way he eyeballed the other vampire every time he moved spoke enough.

When I finally fell asleep at five that morning, Liam hadn’t followed me to the room. At that point, I was too mad to ask him to join me. Nonetheless, his weird behavior made my heart feel hollow. I didn’t like him barely speaking to me. Maybe it was because I trusted Liam. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have let him have his way with me. But his gravitating away from me hurt. I didn’t think I was alone in the suffering. There was a tremor in Liam’s body I couldn’t miss. He always looked a breath away from lunging at me, but never did. That said everything about his restraint.

I was over it.

Could a person dissolve into a puddle if a vampire stopped giving her attention?

When I woke the next morning, I remembered something important. Liam didn’t give me back my memories like he said he would. I frowned and lowered my arms. I didn’t blame him for forgetting. With how tired I’d been, I did too, but I wanted to know how we met. I wanted to see how he looked when he saw me for the first time. I’d face any fear just to know what he looked like throughmymemory.

And the day went like the previous one. Liam avoided me, but stayed close enough to keep his hawk eyes on me until he went on stage. Even as he smiled and walked around the podium as sang the last song, my skin warmed. Every few seconds, Liam looked toward my little corner. A spot I stood, so he’d find me.

Until he wanted to explain why he was suddenly being so weird. Why should I seek his attention?

With a sigh, I turned away from him and froze. My eyes locked on the woman several feet in front of me.It’s her.The one from the motel. Four seriously big dudes flanked the breathtaking brunette. One of them smiled at me. Pretty sure he flashed me his fangson purpose.My pulse jumped as the woman grinned and started walking my way. The men moved with her. One wore a permanent scowl.

When I took a step back, I bumped into someone. Whirling around, I noticed afifthdude with her.

“Oh, hi,” I squeaked out as my heart hammered against my ribcage.

“Cute,” he murmured as he stared down at me, then gently pushed me toward the brunette.

“Don’t shove her, Jude.” The brunette scolded the man as she stopped in front of me. When she saw me staring, she smiled gently. “Hi, Jayne.”

“Do I know you?” I didn’t, but what else was I supposed to say to a group of vampires?

“No, but I think you might want to.” She beamed at me.

It made me nervous because she didn’t look or sound mean. Her mouth was upturned, welcoming, andthatwas what made her suspicious. If all female vampires were like that, how could I tell friend from foe?

“Is that so?” I asked cautiously.

“Your boys have been searching for help.” Brunette spread her arms wide. “Well, I’m here.” The grumpy looking vampire shook his and scoffed.

Help? Wait…Could this be about Liam’s sire?

“You were at the motel the other day,” I said.

“I had to see what kind of vampires yours are.” She tilted her head toward the stage. “Oh, dear…”

Air rushed from my mouth. I nearly tipped forward with how strong a body slammed into me. I would have thought someone threw something at me until a hand wrapped around my stomach, jerking me off the ground and squeezing me against a chest. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw Liam’s fangs bared at the other vampires. Steve and Pete moved in on either side.

“Who are you?” Liam snarled.

“Put your fangs away. People are staring,” the brunette said, with a sigh before looking at me. “Jayne, tell them to relax. Does it look like I want to hurt you?”

I patted Liam’s arm. “She said she can help you.”

“Jayne, she’s a sire,” Liam said.

With the way her guys watched and protected her, that should have been obvious.

“Isn’t that exactly what you need foryourproblem? A sire?” The brunette cocked her head. “Want to take this conversation somewhere else with fewer eyes?”

“Why did you approach Jayne?” Liam asked.