Page 40 of Worse Fates

I’ve never been in a relationship, but I’m pretty certain that’s not how they’re supposed to start. Not that we’ve even reached that stage. But denying the pull urging me towards Lucero? It’s as effective as trying to zip up my jeans after Kai’s sunday roast—it just ain’t happening, kid.

And asking myself if my needs are real has gotten me nowhere, because…

“If it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck…”

“It’s definitely a duck.” Kai finishes, flopping onto his back so we’re shoulder to shoulder.

“You always say you’ve got a one true love, Kai,” I ask. “But what even is love?”

I feel him shrug. “Baby don’t hurt me?”

Turning to face him, in unison we sing, “No more.”

Laughing with him lifts the weight off my chest, and a groan escapes from the relief of it. I roll my head back to stare at the ceiling, hands slapping over my face I ask Kai—or maybe the Universe—, “Dude, what the fuck am I even doing?”

“I dunno, mate,” Kai replies with a levity I need, but doesn’t match my situation. “Falling in love with a tall, sexy vampire?”

Huffing out a breath, I say, “He is pretty sexy…”

“Ramy’s sexy, too.” Kai points out.

“Got a thing for Ramy, have you?”

He waves me off. “Nah, Ramy’s not my type. I know my true love is more of the rugged type.”

I bounce my head up and down. “I bet there’s a vampire manual somewhere that says all vampires must be hot.”

Kai snickers. “Comes with additional sex appeal and blood lust. However, may cause an aversion towards garlic.”

“The garlic thing isn’t true, I asked.”

“We better edit our manual, then.”

My mind, as usual since I met the vampire, circles back to Lucero. “Since forever you’ve been telling anyone who has ears you’ve got a one true love.”

“And I write it down for the earless.”

I face him, wrinkle between my brow. “How do you even know he’s real?”

Kai shrugs. “Just do.”

“Dude, you’re so unhelpful.”

Kai’s hand takes mine and, like last night, squeezes. “Golden, I don’t know what you and Lucero are. This shit, as I stated, is crazy as hell. Whatever your feelings for him seem big, though, which is scaring you, right?”

“Yeah…” I mutter. “I feel out of control. What if… I trusted Jace, too. Look how well that turned out.”

Kai sits up and pushes his face into my eyeline. “I’ve tried to protect you since we were kids. That ain’t changing now we’re grown.” And he leaves no room for argument. “Maybe give the big sexy vampire a try, or run for the hills. It’s your choice, but I’ve got your back either way.

“But love is scary, Golden. It’s one big leap of ‘I’m trusting you to catch me’ and hoping they do; but all the time. And ya know, you have to return that for him. So, do you think you’re ready to catch Lucero?”

I chew my bottom lip. I know the answer, but I’m scared to admit it.

“Golden, all I want is for you to be happy, but I’ve never seen you look at anyone the way you look at him. To be honest, I thought you were asexual.”

Surprised, a laugh bursts from my chest and I sit up, brushing my fluffy, bedhead curls out my face. “You thought I was asexual?”

“I mean, yeah. You’re hot.” Kai shrugs.