Chapter 3
Blaze's POV
I don't own True Blood. I do own Blaze.
A bright blinding light spilled into my ears and I growled furiously at the pain in my eyes. There was a loud creak from the door and the sound of a pair of heels clacking against the floor. I hissed at the noises for waking me up and disturbing my slumber.
"Shut the fuck up! I'm trying to sleep." I seethed at the noise, still refusing to open my eyes.
There was a slight gasp and the heels walked closer to me. Then I felt the sharp point of a nail push into my shoulder. I decided to ignore it in favor of going back to sleep but, then another poke came along with a third and fourth. As anyone who knew me knows, waking me up when I don't want to is the same equivalent to waking up a sleeping bear. You just don't do it. I growled lowly as a warning to the person poking to stop or face the consequences of an angry Blaze. They didn't seem to be listening seeing as now they were shaking me trying to get me up. The second the offender's hands made contact with me again I shot up, pushing the stranger off of me.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" I spat, walking towards the frightened woman on the floor that dared to wake me up.
"W-Who are you? You can't be here!" She screamed, standing up on shaking legs.
I hissed at the sound of her voice and walked straight up to her. I cocked my arm back and swung my fist into the skinny blonde's face with a satisfying crunch as I made contact with her nose. She cursed loudly falling to the ground as blood rushed from her nose. I shook my fist out with a small smirk on my lips as I surveyed the amount of fluid coming out the woman's nose.
"Next time don't try to wake me up. You got that?" I grinned down at her.
"You crazy bitch! I think you broke nose!" she wailed, still clutching her face.
"Apparently I should have knocked all your teeth because your voice is like nails on a chalkboard." I said, rolling my eyes at the girl and grabbed the woman a towel from behind the bar.
"Get that shit cleaned up. You work at a vampire bar, remember?" I chuckled, throwing the girl the towel.
"Well you just wait until Eric gets here. You'll have hell to pay when he sees that you broke into his place." she said, towel stuffed into her nose. I chuckled and rolled my eyes again at her.
"I've already met Eric. He won't do shit to me." I yawned, waving off her bluff and walking towards the bathroom. "Oh," I said, turning around to look at the frightened worker. "If you touch that blond there's a vampire in the back that won't hesitant to rip your face off." I said warningly. She nodded swiftly and continued blotting her nose.
I stretched leisurely as I walked into Fangtasia's bathroom, wishing I could have at least got a few more minutes of sleep. I grimaced slightly at appearance with my uncombed hair and the left over makeup on my face. I cracked my knuckles and went to work fixing myself to look presentable. I combed my fingers threw my hair quickly, making it look slightly better than it did before. As I proceeded to wipe the left over makeup off my face I heard what sounded like a gun shot.
"Oh what the fuck." I growled throwing down the paper towel I was using and ran out into the main room.
I ran into the room with my fist clenched and eyes wild as looked at the scene. I saw a screaming skinny blond with a bit of blood under her nose with a gun in her hand and Lafayette lying on the ground clutching his leg. That wasn't exactly the scene I was picturing but, I was still beyond pissed.
"I didn't know it was loaded!" she screamed when she was me.
"Put the fucking gun down." I hissed. She did instantly and I ran over to Layfayette.
"Get me some towels or something!" I barked at her.
The worker nodded and ran to the back to find what I needed. She came back quickly and I bandaged Layfette's wounds as best I could. I was no neurosurgeon but, I knew how to stop open wounds from bleeding out at least. Thank God for Girl Scouts. Once he was properly cared for I set him in my cot and placed a cold towel on his forehead. The skinny blond was still trembling behind the bar and I sighed going over to her.
"You are shit stupid. You don't touch this," I said, holding up the gun, "unless someone has one pointed at you. Okay?"
She nodded and continued to shake in fear. I didn't really blame her. Fist she got her nose broken and then she shoots a guy in the leg. I would have been a nervous wreck too.
A few hours later Sookie started to stir and wake up. I rushed to her side, smoothing the hair back from her face as she opened her eyes.
"Hey sis." I said gently, grinning at the little smile that came over her face.
"Scarlet, what are you doing here?" Sookie crocked, trying to sit up. I gently pushed her back down, smiling wider when my real name came out of her mouth. My family was the only people that I would ever allow to call me Scarlet and hearing it from my sister, who I had thought was dead, sent a warm tingle through out my body.
"I was in the neighborhood and decided to drop by. I joked. "I'm glad you're alright, Sook." I sighed seriously. She smiled slightly and took my hand in hers. We stared at each other, communicating our deepest thoughts without the need for words.
"You're kind of bare-chested right now Sookie so, I guess I'll find you something to wear before this gets awkward." I laughed, breaking the moment. Sookie laughed weakly in return and shook her head a little.
"You're right. I'm not like you who runs around with nothing on but a party hat." Sookie laughed. I mock glared at her.
"That was New Years. Everyone gets a little crazy on New Years." I laughed in my defense.
I quickly ran to the back; remember the shirts that I had spied while I was searching for the cot that I was sleeping on last night. I grabbed a red one and quickly came back to Sookie. Once the shirt was properly on her frame she sat up and gasped in shock upon seeing Lafayette on the cot beside her.
"Scarlet, what happened?" she said, immediately going over to the injuried man.
"Hell if I know. When I ran out here that waitress had a gun in her hand and Lafayette had a bullet in his leg." I said, raising my hands in defense. Lafayette groaned slightly and turned to Sookie.
"That son of a bitch vampire had me locked in the basement. I finally got out and I get shot. Damn I have the worst luck." He chuckled weakly.
"Eric." Sookie and I growled together.
Sookie stood up and paced angrily obviously thinking of ways to chop Eric into little pieces for what he had done to our friend.
Bill stormed out from the back and instantly rushed over to Sookie when he saw that she was awake. I walked away from them, giving them their space as I tended to Lafayette. I turned to see Sookie and Bill embrace tightly and a tinge of jealousy flared inside me. I was jealousy that Sookie had been able to find someone that loved her some fully and completely so quickly and I was still stuck in train wreck relationships that didn't ever go anywhere. I huffed quietly and turned back to Lafayette.
"I imagine she's referring to the human in my basement. He traded sexual services with a vampire in order it sell his blood, which, you know, is a grave offense." Eric said, strolling into the room.
I growled running up to him, full ready to give him a piece of my mind. That was before Sookie slapped him which made me want to slap her a little in his defense. I wasn't sure what meant exactly but, the feeling only made me angrier.
"And may I add that color suits you very well." I heard Eric say as I came upon the scene. I clenched my teeth in angry and pushed past Sookie in order to glare at Eric properly.
"You go to hell, you arrogant asshole." I spat, jabbing my finger into his chest.
"Blaze, Sookie enough." Bill said, trying to control the situation. The angry that Sookie and I felt couldn't not be controlled quite so easily however.
"Oh, it's not nearly enough." I growled.
"Right, they've tortured him, bitten him-" Sookie ranted before I cut in.
"And shot him!" I intersected.
"-And kept him down there in his own filth for weeks!" Sookie finished. Eric stared at us we glared back angrily at him.
"Is that true?" Bill asked quietly.
"There are others who would have done far worse and you know it." Eric replied, indifferently with his eyes boring into mine.
"You are going to let him go right now Eric." I growled at him, balling my fists up ready to punch him if he refused. I had already broken someone's nose today; I could at least try to break Eric's.
"Or we're going to the police." Sookie added. I knew that it was the worst possible thing she could say ever before Eric's fangs came out threatening aimed at Sookie.
"I do not respond well to threats." he said, staring down at Sookie. Sookie stared back difiantly, which was better than I had done when I was in that situation, and Eric more away from her with a small grin on his face.
"But perhaps we can come to some sort arrangement." He smirked. "Please." He finished, gesturing towards his office.
We all filed down, Sookie leading the way and I ended up in the back with Eric.
"You're looking beautiful as always this morning. I'm pleased to see that you are even more radiant without makeup." Eric hummed, brushing his hand along my cheek. I hissed as if I had been burned by his touch and pushed away from him, stomping towards the direction of his office.
Once inside his office Bill and Sookie occupied the only two open chairs, which was fine with me seeing as I was so mad I wouldn't have been able to sit anyway. Eric brushed past me slowly and purposely on the way to his desk, his hand lightly trailing across my lower back. I flinched away from the offending hand, glaring daggers and the smirking blond vampire. Whatever made Eric think he could come onto me and then my sister and then me again was beyond me. All I wanted to do is beat him senseless until he let Lafayette go and figure which Stackhouse he wanted. I didn't when people played games with me. I definitely wasn't about to let Eric be the exception.
"There is a vampire in Texas that has gone missing." Eric began.
"So?" I said, impatiently. Eric tilted his head and smiled, showing the tip of his fangs, and winked at me. I gritted my teeth, balling my hands into fists again.
"I would like both the Stackhouse women to accompany me to Dallas." Eric grinned, raising his eyebrow at me expecting another comment.
"Why do you want both of us?" Sookie asked calmly.
"You both possess talents that would beneficial as to finding this vampire." Eric explained.
"Scarlet doesn't. I'm the only one with powers in my family." Sookie lied. Shit. I thought. Eric raised his eyebrows at my real name and his grin widened.
"Hmm. It seems that the sisters don't tell each other everything." He chuckled, walking over to where I stood. I stiffened, biting my lip as Sookie shot me a questioning look.
"Scarlet broke into my establishment last night. When I asked how she was about to break the lock she showed me a very interesting talent." Eric grinned, grabbing my hands and playing with my fingers thoughtfully.
"Scar. You didn't." Sookie said a hurt look upon her face. I turned my face away, unable to look at her expression. I had promised I would never tell anyone what I could do. Being the baby of the family wanted to protect me at all cost, even making it obvious to others what she could do so that it downplay what I could do.
"Why don't you show me again, Scarlet?" Eric hummed in my ear.
"I can't." I whispered in a small voice, my eyes still downcast.
"Why?" He asked, seeming to pout in my ear. I bit my lip harder in order to suppress the shiver that was about to run down my spine.
"I used all of my energy last night. I can't use it all the time. If I just too much of my power it just gets drained out and it takes me days to get all the energy I need back fully." I explained.
Eric hummed and nodded, still playing thoughtfully with my fingers.
"See. She's no good. So she's not going." Sookie said, firmly.
"There were other reasons I would have liked for her to come besides her telekinetic powers." Eric grinned wickedly, kissing each one of my fingers, his eyes trained on me. I had to lock my knees firmly to keep from falling over. My mind was too fuzzy from lack of sleep to deal with Eric's sexual advance today. I was in deep trouble.
"No." Sookie and Bill said together, sounding oddly like parents telling me that I would not be able to go somewhere.
"So, if I go to Dallas to help you find this missing vampire you'll leave Scarlett and let Lafayette go?" Sookie asked.
"No, you nearly died last night.." Bill droned on as Sookie bickered with him.
I loved that those two were together but, they always had to fight about something. Eric seemed to echo my thoughts as he turned his eyes to stare at me in an expression that clearly said 'are you kidding me?' I grinned in spite of myself and he smiled back.
"I will pay all of your expenses, of course. And yes, I will release your friend, but I'm afraid I must insist that your sister is to come with us as Sookie's escort." Eric said.
"I want$5,000 dollars and Scar stays." Sookie stated, hands planted on her hips. Bill and I both threw her a look at the mention of money.
"I've missed a lot of work and I need a driveway." Sookie reasoned. I rolled my eyes at her making Eric chuckle, dropping my hands in favor to hold my waist instead. I blushed in spite of myself and looked away from him. He seemed to know how low my will power was and was doing everything he could to keep it that way.
"Your human is getting cocky Bill." Eric stated, squeezing my waist slightly. I blushed more and threw him a glare before looking away.
"She will take ten thousand and I will escort her in Blaze's place." Bill said. I smirked at that thinking that the kind of 'escorting' Eric wanted me to do was definitely not something he wanted Bill to do.
"I don't think so. No." Eric said quickly.
"Yes. Ten thousand and Bill comes in Scar's place or it's a deal breaker." Sookie stated, staring Eric down. Their glared at each other for several tense moments before Eric grinned.
"Why don't we let Scarlet decide if she wishes to stay or go?" Eric smirked. Sookie looked confused for a second and shot me a look which I shrugged. I didn't know what Eric was getting at either; it was obvious that I would choose to stay at home.
"Fine." Sookie shrugged.
"But, you must let me plead my case to her in private." Eric grinned devilishly. Shit. I thought again.
"Alright, but if you so much as flick her I will not hesitant to end your miserable life." Sookie spat angrily.
"Understood. No harm will come to her. Now if you will let me plead my case to your sister." Eric said.
The couple filed out quietly. Bill was the last to leave, throwing a hard glare at Eric's smirking face. As the door closed Eric turned his head to me, pulling my hips closer.
"Scarlet. Mmm. I love it." Eric sighed against my neck. I tried to squirm out of his vise like grip to no avail, which only made him laugh more against my neck.
"Nobody calls me Scarlet, except Sookie and Jason. You are no exception." I said, trying to put as much venom in my voice as possible and ignore his breath against my skin.
"Jason?" He hummed. "Boyfriend?" he asked, pressing a kiss into the side of my neck.
"Uhh...no.. brother." I panted, pushing against chest, trying desperately to control my hormones.
"Good. I don't like to share." Eric grinned, pulling me closer, wrapping both arms tightly around my waist.
"That's nice but, can you..just...stop." I said, trying to hide my neck in my shoulder, which only make Eric press kissing onto my cheek and jaw line.
"Do you want me to stop?" He chuckled, pressing his forehead to mine as our panting breaths mingled together.
I bit my lip, finally about to regain some control when he wasn't pressing kisses into my skin. I watched how Eric's eyes darkened when my teeth chewed on my lower lip and I immediately stopped. Eric chuckled and squeezed me closer in responds. I could feel ever single hard inch of his body and it definitely was not helping mecontrol my raging hormones. I really needed to get laid by the next time I saw Eric Northman.
"Oh yeah." I answered.
"Your body says otherwise." Eric stated with a small grin.
"Well, it's been a while since I've been laid. Anything with a male anatomy at this point is going to get my turned out." I said honestly.
"Would you like me to fix that for you?" he purred, voice dropping into a deep, seductive timbre.
"No, no I can manage." I said, pushing on his chest again. He let me go finally and I walked quickly to the other side of the room, far away from the man my hormones were raging over.
"Scarlet." Eric purred as if tasting my in front of me all over again.
"I told you not to call me that. My name is Blaze to you." I said stubbornly, place my hands on my hips.
"You are my human and you will come to Dallas with me. Do you understand?" he demanded.
My teeth ground together and my hands clenched. Eric was a complete asshole. I couldn't ever believe I had let him within ten feet of me.
"I am not your anything, Eric. I will do what I want and what I want is to stay in Bon Temps." I stated, glowering at him.
"You will come with me." I growled.
"No I won't." I spat back.
We stared at each other for what seemed like forever before Eric broke the silence.
"Fine. You may stay, on one condition." I said. I waited for the condition.
"You must be my date tonight. You will stay here until closing." he grinned.
"What does being your date entail exactly?" I questioned.
"You must do as I say and be by my side at all times. Also our date will start once you agree." Eric smirked.
I thought about the condition and decided it was reasonable enough. All I had to do is be nice to Eric for one night and then I would never see him again.
"Okay." I relented. Eric grinned in success, pulling me close to his side and calling for Bill and Sookie to return.
"We have reached an agreement. Bill will accompany Sookie and Scarlet will stay behind." Eric said once Bill and Sookie were in the room.
Sookie raised an eyebrow at my sullen face and Eric hand wrapped tightly around my waist. I, in turn, rolled my eyes and pointed with my eyes to Eric, trying to convey that he was the one behind my actions. She seemed to understand and glared quietly at the blond vampire. Eric used his free hand to reach over to the phone and said something in a language I didn't quite understand.
"You Stackhouses surprise me. That is a rare quality in breathers." Eric said.
"You disgust us." I growled.
"Perhaps I'll grow on you." Eric winked at me.
"We'd prefer cancer." Sookie spat. Bill chuckled slightly and Eric pulled me closer.
"You both must leave immediately." Eric said to Bill.
"I will make the travel arrangements but I will need your credit card number." Bill said with a smirk.
"And Scarlet." Sookie added.
The door flew up and Lafayette was tossed in. Sookie ran to help him as I pulled at Eric's grip on my waist.
"Such a shame. I was hoping Eric would let me keep this one." The blond woman that had tossed Lafayette in sighed.
"No you already have enough pets." Eric said, pulling me back towards him. Lafayette groaned something I didn't understand.
"Can I kick him?" She asked.
"You can try." Bill answered.
"If you want a broken leg you can try." I spat angrily, trying to get out Eric's hold.
"Enough. Have Chow fetch their car." Eric said, his voice ringing with finality. The blond woman left with a glare in my direction.
"What about-" Sookie started.
"Scarlet will be staying with me tonight." Eric said.
"Oh no she won't! She's-" Sookie started, heading towards Eric again.
"Sook. It's fine. Don't worry." I said, trying to reason with her.
"My human is right. She is in very..capable hands." Eric grinned, pulling me tight against his chest. I shot Sookie a pleading look to just go along with what Eric said.
"You're disgusting." Sookie spat at Eric, going back to attend to Lafayette.
Eric rested his chin on my shoulder has he watched Bill carry a groaning Lafayette out of the club. Sookie glared furiously at Eric for several heartbeats before making her departure. Once they were gone Eric turned me so that my chest was flush up against his. I sucked in a breath as I trying to calm my emotions.
"Your sister is very protective over you." Eric noted, playing with a piece of my hair.
"We're sisters. What do you expect?" I replied. He hummed in response and stared down at me. I stared defiantly back into his eyes.
"Come. We must make our appearances to the crowd." Eric said, tangling our fingers together and pulling me out the door. I rolled my eyes but, followed him out none the less.
When we walked into the main room everyone immediately stared, first Eric and then me. I felt slightly self-conscious seeing as I didn't have a bit of makeup on and my hair was a mess. I kept my eyes glued to the floor as we made our way to the platform with two sets of chairs. Eric deposited me in one and took the other, more throne like chair.
"You know, you could have at least got me a change of clothes or some makeup." I said, looking down at my appearance which consisted of a white tank top and grey plaid shorts.
"I quite like this look on you." Eric grinned, running his hand along my thigh. I pushed his hand away with a roll of my eyes.
"I will remember to tell Pam that you will need a change clothes for the next time you come by Fangtasia." Eric smiled.
"Like I'll ever come back here." I laughed.
"I think you may." Eric replied, twirling a piece of hair between his fingers.
As we sat in silence I saw that people were starting to line up as if they were waiting for Eric to grant them permission to speak with him. I raised my eyebrow at this and shook my head with a grin.
"Does something amuse you?" Eric asked.
"Yeah. These people. They're standing there like you're some Disney character and they want your autograph." I grinned.
"Most of they do want my autograph, or for me to drink from them." Eric stated with small smile. I gaped open mouth at him, wondering if he was serious while he chuckled at my expression.
"Are you serious?" I asked in disbelief. He nodded and shook my head. "Talk about desperate." I grinned, standing up. As I started to walk off the platform I was caught by a pair of strong arms and pulled into the owner's lap.
"Where do you think you're going?" Eric teased in my ear. I blushed at the fact I was now sitting in Eric's lap as everyone in the club stared at us.
"To get something to drink." I huffed, trying to wiggle out of his grip.
"Did you forget the terms of our agreement already?" Eric chuckled, turning me so I was in a more comfortable position in his lap. Though I appreciate the gesture I was still in his lap and wanted up desperately.
"I'm thirsty. What do you want me to do?" I sighed, already regretting this agreement.
"Ask." He smirked.
"So, you're telling me that I have to ask you if I want something to drink." I said incredulously. He smirked and nodded. I gritted my teeth and glared at his stupid smirking face.
"May I please get a drink? I'm going to need some sort of alcoholic refreshment if I have to stand another minute with you." I growled.
Eric chuckled and kissed my cheek gently before standing up. My teeth clenched together harder as the tingling in the spot where Eric had kissed did not resend. He pissed me off and turned me on all at the same time. I wanted to smack him and kiss him at the same time, but neither would be the best option right now. Eric entwined our hands again and pulled me to the bar. The crowd parted like sea and we quickly made of way to the bartender.
"Scarlet, you're drink of choice?" Eric asked.
"Gin and tonic." I told the bartender. He nodded and while we waited laid his head on my shoulder again. His arms came around to wrap complete around my middle and I unconsciously leaned back against him. My drink came and I sipped it until I saw Eric frown out of the corner of my eye.
"What's wrong?" I asked, turning my head slightly to see his expression. He said nothing but, removed his arms from around my waist only to be replaced by his hand feeling around my stomach.
"Hey! What are you doing?" I cried as his hand crept a bit too high for my liking.
"You're pierced." Eric chuckled lightly.
"Huh?" I asked, not understanding what he was talking about. He laughed lightly and poked at my navel ring with a smirk.
"What you've never seen a girl with a belly button ring before?" I asked.
"Of course I have. I prefer them actually. It's pleasing to see that you have your navel pierced." He smiled.
"Oh, goody." I said sarcastically. He laughed again, and tugged me to the dance floor, leaving my drink abandoned at the bar.
"What are we doing?" I asked.
"Dancing of course." Eric smirked, grabbing my hips and moving us to the beat.
I sighed and began to find the beat of the music. I always did love to dance. I had attended different styles of dance classes from five years old all the way up until I had graduated high school. Dancing was one of the only things that came natural to me. Before I knew it the song changed and a slower song came on. I immediately moved to Eric. He held tight to my waist as we swayed to the tempo of the music. Song after song came and when but, we kept going. I could feel myself sweat and Eric cool hands only seemed to fuel the heat of my body. My white tank top clung to my body and I could feel the hungry eyes of ours on my body. The only eyes I cared about at the moment were right in front of me. Eric had me pressed into his chest and his face was in my neck breathing hot against my over heated skin. His tongue slipped out to lap up a bead of sweat that had trickled down my neck and I shivered. I needed to get out. I needed to go somewhere that far away from Eric.
"Eric." I said, panting slightly. He hummed against my neck in response.
"It's really hot can we sit." I panted. Instead of nodding and pulling me to a booth, he wordlessly slipped his cold hands up the back of my tank top. He pressing it hands against my bare back and I bit my lip almost to the point of bleeding.
"Better?" He grinned against my neck. No, no it is not better. It is anything but better. I thought frantically. My body was going into overdrive at the skin to skin contact I was getting and I was near the breaking point of begging Eric to kiss me.
"Um..yeah." I gasped.
Soon the crowd began to diminish and I was able to excuse myself from Eric, claiming I had to use the restroom. In the bathroom I wipe the sweat off my body and splashed cold water on my face trying to dispel any thought of Eric. I didn't want to risk another encounter with Eric at the moment so I slipped into his back office and sat heavily on his couch. I leaned my head back resting it against the back of the couch while I closed my eyes. I really wished that I had gotten more sleep. I thought idling.
"I thought this would be where you're hiding." Eric said. I opened my eyes and sat up, raising an eyebrow at him.
"Sorry. I didn't feel like dance anymore." I smiled. Eric shrugged and sat on the couch with me, pulling me into his arms.
"You seem tired." He mused, tracing the faint purple bruises under my ears.
"I am. Your waitress woke me up." I pouted. Eric chuckled and began running his fingers through my still slightly damp hair. I closed my eyes again and leaning into his gently touch.
"She will be punished appropriately then." Eric replied.
"I already did." I smiled at the memory. I could almost hear Eric raise a questioning brow at the statement.
"I broke her nose." I laughed.
"Hmm. You're vicious. I like it." Eric smirked, kissing along my neck.
"Eric." I said. He didn't respond but, instead kissed my neck rougher wrapped his arm tighter around me.
"Eric." I tried again. He remained unresponsive and started to finger the hem of my shirt.
"Eric!" I growled angrily, pushing his hand out of my shirt and his face away from my neck. He looked at me curiously and I glared at him.
"I don't know what you thought we were going to do on this date but, I am out of here." I seethed.
Sure, I wanted to get laid by Eric, no doubt about it, but I was not some first date fuck. Eric had to understand that I wasn't the type to get into bed with the first person that says pretty words to me. You had to work up to getting in my pants.
"Scarlet, wait." He said, grabbing my arm.
"It's Blaze. My name is Blaze. Get it straight Northman." I growled, ripping my arm out of his grip.
Of course it was never that easy to get rid of Eric. When I got to my car he was there, leaning against it, probably scratching the paint job.
"What do you want Eric?" I frowned. I just wanted to go home and forget all about Eric Northman.
"You." He answered simply.
"That's cool. Now move." I said, dismissively.
"Here." Eric smirked, handing me a sleek black phone and moving away from the door. Upon further inspected I saw that it was in fact my phone.
"How did you get my phone?" I asked.
"I've taken the liberty of adding my number and yours into mine. I expect you to call me as soon as you arrive home." Eric said, ignoring my question.
"Don't count on it." I huffed climbing into my car and driving away without a second glance.