Chapter 13
Geoff
Edan was jolted awake by the ringing phone in his pocket. He tore it out and answered before he woke anybody up.
"Hello?"
"Edan! It's Geoff. Where you been, man? I haven't seen you in days."
"Sorry, I've been busy."
"Sure you have…you sound kind of sleepy. Where you at? I bet you're at Kaily's gettin' busy, eh?"
"No. Actually, I'm over at her friend Dominic's."
"Oh, I didn't know that was your preference…"
"Huh?" Edan finally caught on, "Oh, bull shit! You know what I fucking meant!"
Geoff laughed, "So, I was calling to see if you'd like to hang out some time. It's been boring as hell lately."
"Y'know what? As soon as I finish taking a shower, we'll do something. I need a break after all the crap I've been through these past couple of days."
"Awesome. Call me when you're ready, dude."
"Sure thing." Beep.
Edan got up and looked around for Kaily, but she was gone. The blinds were drawn over the windows and it was dark in the room. He walked over to the sliding door and looked outside to find that the sun had almost completely set over the horizon. It had to be about 7 or 8 in the evening now. He walked into Dominic's room and found him sitting up in bed watching TV.
"Ah, you're up. How's your ankle?" Dominic asked.
"Doing pretty good. I won't even notice it in a couple of days."
"Yeah, I'm sorry about that. When a vampire's that close to death, the only think he can think about is how to survive."
"It's alright, man, I forgive you. Have you seen Kaily around?"
"She went out with Ken to get a new window. You need something?"
"Nah, I was just gonna tell her that I'm going to go home and hang out with my friend Geoff."
"Alright," Dominic nodded, " I'll make sure she gets the message. Take care, man."
"You too."
Edan got home and jumped into the shower, letting the hot water run over his head and trickle down his shoulders. It penetrated into his muscles and released all the stress and knots that had built up over the past week. He took a deep breath and let the steam rise back up and clear his sinuses, closing his eyes and propping himself up against the side of the shower. Boy, what had he gotten himself into? Was he really ready for all this? Everything had pulled through okay so far, but things won't stay that way forever. Dom or Kaily will most likely get hurt again and there won't be any blood around. Edan didn't think he could risk offering his own blood again. He let the shower wash away all his anxiety, then dried off and got dressed. As soon as he was ready, he called Geoff.
"Yo."
"Hey Geoff. Ready when you are."
"Alright man. You're place or mine?"
"Eh, I'll meet you at your place," Edan said, " Haven't been over there in a while."
"Sounds cool. Give me a call when you get here." Beep.
Edan took the elevator down to the lobby and walked down the few blocks to Geoff's apartment. For over fifteen years, Edan and Geoff had never lived more than a handful of blocks away from each other. Growing up, they were constantly mistaken for brothers and, in a sense, they were. At first glance, you wouldn't be able to comprehend how they could ever get along, but in all reality you couldn't find two people who understood each other quite like Edan and Geoff. He knocked on the door and Geoff answered with two long necks in hand.
"What's up, dude?" Geoff asked as he tossed Edan a bottle.
Edan twisted off the cap, "Not much, just taking it easy. Been a long day."
"We can take care of that. Just kick it back and enjoy a few cold ones."
"Just what I need."
Geoff saw Edan limping over to the couch," You okay, man? What happened?"
"Just fell on it wrong, that's all"
"Uh huh…" Geoff said sarcastically, "I'll take your word for it."
"What, you don't believe me?"
"Well, the hand marks all over your neck tell me otherwise."
Edan put a hand up to his throat, remembering the scuffle with Dominic from earlier that day.
"You get into a fight?" Edan didn't answer. "You can tell me, man, I got your back. Nobody messes with my bro."
"Nah, it's alright. It was Dominic; he got a little drunk and we got into a fight. We're cool though."
Geoff took another sip of beer, "You look like that's been the least of your problems. Wanna talk about it?"
"What you talking about? Things are fine."
"Bullshit," Geoff said as he walked over to the sliding door. He opened it up and beckoned to Edan, "C'mon out here."
Edan stepped outside and rested against the railing. Geoff took out a pack of cigarettes and offered one to him.
"Nah, I'm good."
"Suit yourself," Geoff said as he lit one, "So, what's on your mind?"
"Psh. Everything, man. I feel like I've stumbled upon something I shouldn't have and now I'm in over my head."
"I hear you, man. It's not like we ask for this stuff. Shit just happens."
"I know, right? But why is it always me? Why can't I find a normal girl for once?"
"Oh, so it's Kaily, eh?"
"What? Oh, no I didn't mean—"
"Oh, yes, you did. You know you did. Don't try to cover it up."
"Alright," Edan gave in," so maybe things with Kaily are kind of complicated."
"Complicated in what way?"
"I don't know…she has this…history. There's just so much more to her than meets the eye and I don't know if I'm able to handle that kind of stuff. You just don't go out looking for girls like her."
"Well," Geoff said as he leaned over the railing and looked over at Edan, "Maybe this girl IS the one you're looking for."
"What do you mean?"
"Edan? How long have we known each other?"
"I dunno… since middle school?"
"Damn straight. I know you, which means I know when to call bullshit with you. I'm calling it right now."
"Bullshit on what?"
"Everything you've said so far. I can see all over your face that you don't believe a word of what you've been saying. All the shit you've been through so far because of her….you'd do it again if it came down to it. "
"Well, maybe so far, but it's all gonna build up on me pretty soon and I'm going to buckle under the pressure."
"I can't tell you what to do, man. I'm just saying, girls like that come with a price. You've got to figure it out for yourself whether she's worth it or not."
They both stood there drinking their beers looking out onto the city below, watching the cop lights flash in the distance and the random assortment of lights riddling the office buildings. Something was on both their minds; something they both wanted to talk about, but could not convey with words…so they didn't. Just being there was enough to get the idea across. It didn't matter what it was, they both still respected each other for it and left it at that.
"So enough about your shit," Geoff interrupted, "What about me?"
"What about you?"
"Don't you want to know how my day's gone?"
"No. Not really, but go ahead if it makes you feel better," Edan joked.
"Fine. I think I will, douche. That girl from the club? Kicked her to the curb."
"How come?"
"She was robbing me for all I was worth, man. That girl was high maintenance."
"Ah, so what you mean by 'kicking her to the curb' is she sucked you dry then broke up with you."
"That bitch had it comin'," Geoff said as he finished off his beer.
"So how you gonna pay for the rent this month?"
"I dunno, man. I'll find a way. Always do."
Edan took out his wallet and pulled out a few hundreds.
"What're you doing?" Geoff asked.
"I'm helping you out."
"No, dude. Put it back. I'm not taking it. I don't need your money."
"I beg to differ," Edan insisted, "It's on me. I don't want to see you on the streets."
"We're friends, man. I'm not going to leech off of you."
"You're not. Just take the money."
Geoff sighed and snatched the money out of his hands, pointing a warning finger, "Alright, but I'm paying you back as soon as I can. I don't like owing money."
"I trust you."
Edan and Geoff walked back in and slumped on the couch. Geoff grabbed the remote and turned on the TV only to find that it was ten and the local news was on. He turned to Edan.
"So when you going to introduce me to Kaily?"
"I don't think I should. You might give her ideas."
"Pfft, ideas. Man, as soon as I'm done with her, you won't be able to stand her. Now tell me, for real this time."
"Alright, if you really want to see her, we could all go do something tomorrow night."
"That's all I'm asking for, man."
They continued watching T.V. for a few more moments, but then Edan let out a yawn, "I think I better be heading on home."
"Stay safe, bro."
Edan took heed and made sure to stay alert the whole way home.