A/N: This was my second attempt at vampwich. My undying gratitude to Malanna, for keeping me on the path. As always, I don't own any of these characters, Charlaine Harris does. I just like to play in her sandbox. Spoilers for all books.
It was two days before Halloween and I was still trying to decide what costume to wear. Sam was throwing a party at Merlotte's and, even though we'd agreed it shouldn't be a "candy" type party, Sam got into it a bit more than I expected. Not only did he carve those darling pumpkins, but he decided it would be a costume party. So, here I was at Wal-Mart, sifting through the remainders of the costumes. Unfortunately, a large majority of them were vampire costumes or, witch costumes. Given my associations, I just thought that would be bad form.
I finally settled on a rather naughty Red Riding Hood costume. It was a bit risque for my taste, but I was getting desperate and, well it's Halloween. We're not supposed to look like ourselves right? At least I wasn't going to be around any vamps on Halloween. I'd gotten an invitation to Fangtasia's annual Halloween bash, but since I'd already told Sam I'd work his party, I had to decline.
When I'd called to thank Eric for the invitation, but to tell him I couldn't come (hey, Gran always insisted on being gracious), Pam answered the phone.
"Fangtasia, the bar with a bite," Pam drawled.
"Hi Pam, it's Sookie."
"Sookie, my friend, how are you?"
"I'm doing great thanks. Listen, is Eric there?"
"No," Pam replied, "the king has called him and Bill to Las Vegas for a meeting. He'll be back on Halloween. Are you coming to the party?"
"That's why I called. I can't come, I'm working that night. Sam is having a party too, and well I agreed to work that night before I even got your invitation." Of course, I didn't add that even if I had gotten Fangtasia's invitation first, I would have begged Sam to let me work that day. I wasn't ready to face Eric just yet. We still hadn't had our "talk" and I didn't think I could deal with watching him and all the fangbangers that would be there. Plus, knowing Eric he would decide that the middle of the party would be a great time to have our "little talk" and I just wasn't ready for that either.
"Oh," Pam replied. "This is going to be interesting." She sounded almost gleeful.
"Pam?" She was making me nervous. "Pam, what's going to be interesting?"
"Telling him that you're choosing to be with your shifter boss instead of being with your blood-bonded on Halloween." She really did enjoy teasing him far too much
"Pam," I began.
"Yes Sookie?" she said sweetly.
"Oh never mind. Have fun at your party."
"Oh, I will." I could hear the leer in her voice!
And I hung up. I checked the bond with Eric and, immediately hated myself for it. He was a bundle of slowly simmer anger and frustration. I was suddenly very glad I hadn't been called to Las Vegas for this meeting.