Vampires Rule // Colby Brock

|~18~|

Lydia Drake
It feels like it's been forever. In a way, it has been. The first time I walked into the Trap House was just over month ago and the last time was weeks ago. I've refused to go ever since I got mad at Colby for trying to kiss me again. My . . . pull to him hasn't gone, but I'm hoping the longer I stay away, the easier it'll be.

My theory hasn't been right yet but I mean, I can only hope.

I'm currently at work, but not in the way I usually am. Kirsten's not doing so good right now with her throat and Alex has decided to do some solos. I said it's fine and now I'm working behind the bar for a little while. It's not too bad of a job because there aren't many creeps around this area but I have got my ass grabbed . . . twice, I think. What can you do?

"What can I get you?" I ask without looking at the person that's walked in. It's become a bad habit that I really need to break, especially when I hear the most unexpected voice speak.

"Five minutes with the bartender." My eyes flick up and see him. The slightly tanned skin, piercing blue eyes, and brown hair. He's dressed in his normal attire of all black and chains everywhere. But there's something different about him.

"What are you doing here?" I spit at him before he gets chance to say another word.

"I want to talk. Five minutes." He says, staring at me. When I don't reply, he sighs and leans forward on the bar. "Please?"

"Okay, have I died?" I ask as I check my pulse. Nope, there's one there. So why the hell did Colby, the biggest asshole I've met yet, ask—almost plead—to speak to me?

"Lydia." He says more sternly. That tone I definitely don't like and he must see that because he quickly changes back. "Just five minutes. Is that so much to ask?"

"I'm working." I state. He doesn't budge and neither do his eyes. That tension is back with a new flame to it that wasn't there before. Maybe it's just because he isn't being an ass like usual . . .

Regardless, I sigh and nod to the side of the bar. He follows me to the little gap where I slip through and move to a side where no one can hear us. I look up at him expectantly. Whatever he has to say better be important.

"Listen, I would like . . . I'd like to apologise."

"What?!"

"I want to apologise for my behaviour towards you. You don't deserve it." I feel like I've just been slapped in the face. I have to be dead or asleep because this'd never happen in a million years if it was real life.

The moment I convince myself that it's real, though, I become confused and slightly angry. But mostly confused for now. He's shown no interest whatsoever towards me in being nice or the kind of guy to apologise full stop. I wonder if he's hit his head. "Why the sudden change?"

"You won't understand." He says slowly. I roll my eyes and am about to walk away when he gently grabs my wrist and keeps my in place. The spot where his fingers are grows cold with his touch, but the skin flushes a pink and warms up anyway. Butterflies are flying around in my stomach as he just looks down at me for a second. "Trust me when I say, Lydia, that I wouldn't be apologising unless it was for a good reason. Though I can not tell you that reason, I want you to know that it exists."

I frown straight to his face. The hell does he mean by that? Why can't he tell me? I swear, first Tara tells me there's something a little off about the guys, then Katrina tells me there's something dangerous about them—which is still in my head at this very moment—and now Colby, of all people, is telling me that there's a reason I can't know about behind his apology?!

"I want to be friends... at least." He says to me. "And I know that being an ass isn't the way to go about it but that's just how I've been for a long time now. It'll be hard to change."

"Why would you change for a girl you barely know?" I ask slowly. I have to admit, his words have captured my attention completely. I've forgotten about other people around us already.

"Because there's more to you than even you know." I frown again. "You told me that I couldn't just pick and chose when I'm nice to you, right? That I can't push you around. That I can't be bipolar around you. So, if you let me, I'll do my absolute best not to be." Without realising it, he's stepped closer. While one hand is still on my wrist, another is on my shoulder and we're stood almost touching toes.

"What do you want, Colby?" I ask breathlessly. Being this close to him has somehow knocked the wind out of me. I can't explain it but I also see no need to. This is just how it is.

"To be more specific than just wanting to be 'at least friends'?" He asks and I nod to the best of my ability. He lifts the hand on my shoulder to the side of my face, his thumb just below my cheekbone. "I want you."

"You don't . . . you don't know me."

"I don't care. There's time to get to know you." He rubs his thumb over my cheeks, which are slowly heating up. "If you let me, that is." When the full force of my blush hits my cheek, he takes a step back and lets go of me. I almost whimper at the loss of contact but he doesn't come back, just stares at me.

"Are you proposing that we start, like . . . are you- " I'm goddamn knocked speechless and I don't like it all that much. At least I don't like it until tingles spread through my fingers as his hand takes mine.

"I'm asking for us to become an item. I know you won't just jump into an actual relationship, so I'm willing to hold back and wait for you to be ready." My mouth opens but nothing comes out. Except for a sarcastic remark that I don't have control over.

"Did you get hit on the head recently?" I get the dirtiest look ever as he drops my hand. That moment is all I need to realise that I like his idea more than I thought I would. But it's strange to me. I mean, I do barely know him and I don't ever get close to guys. I've always thought that I will eventually, but not so soon. And not to someone like Colby either.

"Lydia, say no and I'll leave for good. Say yes and I'll come back after your shift and we can . . . hang out. So what is it?" I look at him, then my phone. The picture on the lock screen is of me and Tara and damn have I missed the girl. Since she spends so much time at the house with Jake and I've refused to go, I haven't seen her nearly as much as I should be seeing her.

Then I feel that pull towards Colby that I can't deny. It's been a little while without him and it hasn't gone. Maybe it's time to address it, even act on it. We've kissed once and that thing was filled with fireworks and other feelings that I can't explain. So maybe it'll be worth trying this out.

"Okay." I finally say. "But the moment you're an ass to me, I'm dropping you so hard." I warn him. What's more unexpected than him turning up at my work is when my statement makes his lips twist upwards and he smiles at me. Wow. Okay. Never seen that before.

"What time does your shift end?"

"In just about an hour." He nods and goes to walk away but I reach out and grab his jacket arm. He stops and turns to me looking confused.

"Colby . . . " oh shoot what do I say? Why did I stop him from leaving? I'm flustered now. Well done me. When nothing comes out, his eyebrows raise. I clear my throat and the first thing that comes to mind is spoken. "Smile more." That seems to be enough to make him smile a tiny bit as he nods and walks away.

Okay . . . what just happened? Surely, I'll wake up anytime now. Right? Anytime. Anytime . . .right now! Nope . . . anytime . . .

Holy shit. That was real.