“Yeah, sounds like a plan.” He heard the smile in her voice. Then she yawned, and so did Ian. “You still okay to meet me tonight, or...?”
He had hoped to meet Jesse at the bar again for a repeat performance, but that wasn’t going to happen now. It hurt, if he was honest, more than he wanted it to. “’Course,” he answered, forcing thoughts of Jesse to the back of his mind. “Might be a bit later though, nearer the end of your shift if that’s all right?”
“That’ll be perfect.” She paused, breath hitching. “I know I’m overreacting and being a drama queen, but thank you for not mentioning it and indulging me. I love you.”
“Hey.” Ian wished she were there with him so he could give her a hug. “I love you too, but I don’t think you’re anything of the sort, and it’s no trouble. Honest.”
“Thanks, Ian. I’ll see you later.”
They hung up, and Ian closed his eyes, phone on the bed beside him. As knackered as he was, he could do with a few more hours’ sleep, but now all he could think about was vampires. Where did they live? In the city itself or the outskirts? Did they work? Could you spot them in a crowd? Were they all super attractive, or did they look the same as they had in life?
When he and Blake had first discovered this at age sixteen, none of those questions had occurred to them. The main things they’d wanted to know back then were, did they really drink blood, could you stake them anywhere, and did they smell funny because they were essentially dead? Still valid questions in Ian’s mind, but now he had so many more.
In the light of day, far from being alarmed at the prospect of the undead walking amongst the people of Bristol, Ian couldn’t wait for Blake to get home so he could bombard him with questions. Clearly vampires weren’t new to the area, and he’d been safe for the last fifteen years, the task force must be doing something right. Mind now buzzing with all the things he wanted to talk to Blake about, he got up and headed for the kitchen.
It was going to be a long nine days.
FINALLY FIVE-THIRTY rolled around and Ian powered off his laptop with a groan. Blake was due round at his flat later, and as his excitement grew, the day had dragged on and on. Thank God he hadn’t had to visit any of the other sites, his mind was all over the place, he wouldn’t be safe out on the motorways. He scooped up his keys, texting Cate on his way out.
What time are you coming round tonight?
Her reply came as he was unlocking his car.
Blake offered to pick me up at seven.Be there about twenty past, depending on the traffic around town.
What take-away do you fancy?Normally Ian would cook, any excuse to use his kitchen for something other than a meal for one. But he was both knackered and far too excited to see Blake to concentrate on cooking tonight.
Pizza. I need some greasy carbs in my life.
Ok. See you later x
Can’t wait.
No, neither could Ian.
The ride home wasn’t too bad. He worked in North Bristol. Well that was where he was based. His job took him all over the South West, but today he’d been in his own office. Even so, by the time he got home, showered, and ordered pizza, it was already ten to seven.
Cate texted to let him know they’d arrived and were on their way up. Thankfully she’d used her key this time, because he really couldn’t be arsed to move from his spot on the sofa.
“Ian?” Cate called as she opened his front door. The smell of garlic and cheese wafted through the flat towards him.
“In here.”
Cate appeared at the living room door, pizza boxes in hand. She lifted them up a bit. “We met the delivery guy at the door downstairs.”
“Where’s Blake?”
“Here.” He came up behind Cate, grin in place and looking as good as he always did.
Seeing him still caused a little ache in Ian’s chest, but not the heart-wrenching want it would’ve done a couple of weeks ago. Maybe if he fucked a few more people, it’d go away entirely. The thought wasn’t as appealing as Ian thought it should’ve been and he pushed it aside. “Come on in, sit down.” He gestured to the empty seats beside him. “Me and Cate can eat while you tell us everything you did on your training.”
Cate nodded enthusiastically while Blake laughed and gave him the finger. “Yeah, and you can fuck off. I’m starving.” He sat down on the chair and grabbed one of the pizza boxes.
Ian grabbed the other and flipped the lid, offering Cate the first piece, as she sat down next to him. They managed to eat two slices each before Ian couldn’t wait any longer. He set the box down and sat forward. “So...”
Blake laughed at him and half choked on the bite of pizza he’d taken. “Fine. Go get me a beer and I’ll answer your bloody questions.”
Ian was up like a shot.
