Vampire Girlfriend: Tatiana 2 (special preview)

The boys had been heckling me ever since I returned to the garage that night. It was all good fun, of course. But this was really a first for any of us. Me, Henry, Jimmy, and Reggie had all been brought up in the same house. A house our maker would never allow women to set foot into, not even to feed off them. Faulk and Jones were the only two who had any sort of interaction, and even they admitted it was brief.

“You’ve only ever been with guys,” Jimmy jabbed at me. “How are you gonna even know what to do with a lady? Let alone the tall drink you’re chasing.”

“She’s just like anybody,” I scoffed at him. I was covered in dirt and grime from cleaning under the hood of her car. I was getting it ready for when the part came in. “I’ll treat her like I would anyone else.”

“Yeah, but aren’t women vamps supposed to be...you know?” Henry kind of trailed off on his own thoughts, hoping someone else would finish him.

“What are we supposed to know?” Reggie threw back.

Henry grimmaced. As the youngest of any of us, he had the least experience with anything to do with the real world. Our maker changed him when he was fifteen, which had prompted me leaving the house, taking him, Jimmy, and Reggie with me.

“You know like, extra mean?” Henry looked so embarrassed.

I wiped my hands clean then patted his back. “That’s what the maker wanted you to think. Lady vamps are just like us.”

Reggie had a look on his face like he wanted to agree. “But don’t they grow teeth...down there when they get changed?”

“Seriously?” Usually silent Faulk spoke up. “You’re a grown ass man even if you don’t look it. Be ashamed of yourself.”

Reggie bristled and became defensive. “Hey! I never met no lady vamp before. I barely met any lady aside from my mom. And I wasn’t exactly interested in that area of her!”

“Boys,” I hushed them all. “She’s a woman, that’s it. No difference, nothing.”

“You still haven’t answered me,” Jimmy said with a shit eating grin. “How do you know what you’re doing with this one? You’ve only ever been with us and men. I didn’t even know you swung that way, Boss.”

“I swing lots of ways,” I laughed. “Sometimes I like to get pushed on the swing. I don’t care who swings me.”

There was some laughing and hawing around the room while we went about cleaning up the garage for the day boys in the morning. I caught Henry on the side, looking distracted by the door of Tatiana’s car.

“What’s the matter, kid?” I asked him. “You’re supposed to be sweeping.”

Henry shook his head. “Just thinking.” He looked shyly at me then back into the car. Poor kid was a waif, had been favored by our maker for looking so helpless. It made me realize how the maker had preyed upon young boys, and they only seemed to be getting younger. I had to get Henry out, but I was too late. The maker had changed him, and it had changed me forever. I had to get those kids out of there. To me, Henry was more son than brother.

“Just thinking about what?” I leaned against the car with him. “Not worried about no girls, are you?”

Henry laughed. “I don’t think that’ll ever be an issue with me, Boss. But-” He hesitated to speak. “What if this lady vamp wants you to like...I dunno, go with her or something.”

“You think I’d leave you guys unattended?” I ruffled his hair. “No way! I’d be far too worried.”

Henry smiled, but he still seemed anxious. I placed my hand upon his shoulder and looked into his eyes. “Listen to me, kid. We’re family. The six of us. I ain’t leaving my family, no matter who comes into our lives. Even if she asked me, I don’t think I could leave you guys behind. So don’t worry about that.”

Henry’s smile grew a tad and he nodded. “Okay.”

“Okay!” I gave him a shove. “We’re done for the night. Go get cleaned up and we’ll head down to the bar.” I went into the back bathroom to wash my hands, and when I came out, Tatiana was standing at the garage door.

“Hey there,” I murmured with surprise. “I thought you had a show tonight.”

Tatiana smiled as I approached. She was wearing pink pants and a red gingham shirt. “A local church group is picketing at the gate, no one can get in, so I thought I’d find you.”

I was excited to see her, especially in the outfit she had on. She looked amazing, and it really showed off her legs. “I was getting ready to take the boys out.”

Tatiana walked into the garage. “I’m sorry, I can go back if you’re busy.”

“You can join us. Might do them some good to be around you,” I chuckled. “We’re going down to Old Murphy’s. It’s a bar. They like the pinball machine there.” I cleared my throat and slicked my hair back again. “There’s also the bowling alley, or the roller rink too. But it’s easier for us to find a meal at the bar.” I felt like I was rambling on and on mindlessly, but she still smiled and listened.