Chapter 464) Girl, Gone

“To love is to choose.”

– Philibert Joseph Roux

Newcrest
Dark Mirrors Bar

After playing his gig at a humble but popular bar/lounge in his old hometown of Newcrest, Noah was packing up when he felt watched, in a reflex he looked up and there she was, standing there, looking nervous and guilty like a little schoolgirl who was caught with her hand in the cookie jar. By now the place had mostly cleared out as it was nearing closing time, only a few drunk stragglers left at the bar, nursing their last drink before being shooed out into the street to find their way home, so it was obvious she was here to see him.

With a sigh, Noah closed his eyes for a moment, then resumed his task, but of course she had noticed him looking and took that as an invite to approach now.

“Noah?” she said carefully.

He froze in his tracks for a moment, then raised up, turning to her, making sure she would see his annoyance.

“I told you what would happen if you came back.” he said harshly, casually hopping off the small stage after finishing putting his guitar in its carrying case, now standing there, towering over her, hoping it would scare her away. He didn’t want to talk. Not to her. Not tonight. Not ever again. But she stayed.

“Not to argue technicalities here, but you said that about your apartment. This is a public place. And I know it was an empty threat. You would never just turn me against my will. You’re not like that.” Emilee told him with conviction.

“Are you so sure? Remember, I am this scary and nasty vampire monster. Boo!” he mocked.

“Yes, Noah, I am sure. I know you. And I never thought that of you. It’s the concept and the consequences what you are would ultimately have for me. I never thought of you as any of those things.” Emilee explained patiently, ignoring his clear rejection.

“Could’ve fooled me. Funny how that works anyway, cos I thought I knew you too. Look what that got me. Got my ass cancelled, straight to riding the relationship bench. So, what do you want? I am trying to go home and you are NOT coming with me!”

“I understand, and I wasn’t trying to. Can we talk for a moment?” Emilee assured him.

“If we must. Just get it off your chest and leave me be. All ears, but make it quick.” Noah grumbled.

“Okay fine. For starters, I want to apologize. The way I told you about how I felt and about my decision was insensitive. I should have handled that better. But you are always so straightforward, the no-BS approach, and I thought that might be best. Guess it came across a bit … brash. I never meant to hurt you, Noah. Just being honest with myself and with you.” Emilee said.

“A little brash? Ya think?! Well, if it gets this over with, apology accepted. Fare thee well then.” Noah said and tried to turn away, but the lightest touch of her hand on his forearm stopped him.

“Noah, please! I don’t want us to end like this. I don’t want bad blood between us. We used to be so close.” Emilee pressed.

“Operative term ‘used to be’. This shit situation wasn’t my idea. That was all you, from beginning to end. Emilee, look. I do not know nor do I care what happened for you to suddenly show up trying to make nice after you stuck me in the heart with a knife and twisted it a couple of times, followed by total radio silence for many weeks, and then you pop up like a squirrel at the nut factory. If this means your Mr. Wonderful already gave you the pass and you want me back now, forget it. I have more self-respect than that.” all the hurt, the anger, the desperation were clearly noticeable in his words and facial expression.

“No. Quite the contrary. I am here to say goodbye in a way. I quit my job yesterday, I am finishing out the week, then I am using my remaining vacation days, so I can move. I didn’t want to just be gone and you to find out through the grapevine what happened. Part of me likes to believe you still care, at least a little bit.” Emilee’s tone was soft and careful.

Noah fidgeted uncomfortable, inhaling air sharply, which since vampires didn’t breathe, was always a sign of discomfort.

“He knocked you up, didn’t he? That was fast, but not really surprising. Told ya he’s looking to breed more of his type to continue the family tree.”

“No. We barely even have gone there. He is a real gentleman. The first few nights when I visited him, I had my own room and he would walk me to my door, kiss me goodnight and that was it.”

“So, your new main character’s got a limp dick. My condolences. That’ll be many long and boring nights, best stock up on batteries if you want to stay with Mr. Erectile Dysfunction then.”

“Noah! No, Ezio doesn’t have problems with his downstairs, he was just being respectful. I said we BARELY have gone there, but we have, a few times, and I attest that he functions as he should, as a matter of fact, he is an amazing lover, so sensual and thoughtful. My God, he’s only 22, not 82, a man in his prime. Of course, he can perform.”

“Why are you telling me that? Were you still not done twisting that knife? Good for you. Found yourself a dude from those cheap sappy romance novels, loaded AF, he probably doesn’t have a shirt on half the time and gets around on a white horse, and from the sounds of it, choirs of angels sound when he takes his pants off. Whoopdeedoo. Congrats! Thrilled to hear you found your Tartosian Christian Grey, now leave me here to simmer in my shortcomings and bask in my inadequacies as a man in general and boyfriend in particular.” Noah’s words oozed sarcasm.

“Noah … While I was still visiting with him in Tartosa, Ezio asked me to move in with him and after much thought, and a 3-way-long-distance-phone-call with my parents and grandpa we all decided that’s what I want and should do, so I said yes. When I was leaving, he came with me, since it was his private jet anyway, and after delivering me back home, he secretly asked my dad for my hand. Dad wasn’t supposed to tell me, but he accidentally let it slip. Mom and dad are happy for me. It will be hard for them, but they see this is good for me, it’s what I want and what I need. I was hoping you could too. I still wish so much we could be friends.”

The quick glance Noah shot her was telltale, but he caught himself and just grimaced, before slipping the strap of his guitar case over his head, then turning to Emilee to tell her in a snarky tone.

“Well, as my grandpa Blaine would tell ya, you can wish in one hand and shit in the other and see which fills up first. I am done with this, Emilee.”

“What do you mean? Done with this conversation or with me?”

“YES!” was his tight-lipped response.

With that, Noah turned and with long strides headed for the door, leaving her standing there.