Chapter 25

CHAPTER 25

Amber

T he next day, Amber had agreed to meet Reuben for a little more private date. “I’ll be there in about fifteen minutes, okay? Make sure you bring a jacket in case it gets cold.”

She laughed and closed the bedroom door behind her with her toes, her phone on speaker with Reuben in one hand and a pair of pants in the other. “You sound like an old mother hen, Benji. It’s barely the end of summer and there’s not a single cloud predicted tonight. I don’t need a jacket. I’m headed out the door now and I’ll meet you at Tres Leches in fifteen.”

“Fine, but don’t come complaining to me when you’re a freezing chicky and I can’t do anything to warm you up. I’ll see you soon.”

The evening air was pleasant as Amber took a deep breath and walked across the parking lot to the bus stop. Yes, she could have saved a fare by letting Reuben pick her up at her apartment. But even though the comments on all the articles about yesterday’s barbeque had been positive, she still hadn’t quite shaken the fear of her address getting out. So, an evening rendezvous it was. She raised her hand to shade her eyes from the setting sun and, seeing the bus trundling down the road, picked up her pace.

She made it onto the bus without issue and upon arrival, spotted Reuben’s shiny black car sitting in the empty lot across the street from the cafe. It reflected the setting sun, turning it into a glittering array of reds and oranges. Amber hopped out of the bus and ran across the street with a wide grin on her face. “Benji!” she exclaimed, waving as she went.

The door swung open and Reuben stepped out with an equally big smile, arms extended for a hug. Amber barreled right into his chest and wrapped her arms around him. Her nose buried in his shirt, she drank in the scent of vanilla and sandalwood. He towered over her and she felt like the rest of the world had been blocked out by his form.

“You ready for our adventure?” Reuben asked as he walked Amber to the passenger side door and opened it for her. “We have a bit of a drive, first, but I think you’ll like our destination when we get there.”

Amber climbed into the car and buckled the seatbelt. “That’s fine. I’m excited to see this mysterious place, though. Are you sure you can’t give me any clues?” She batted her eyelashes at Reuben, but he remained strong and settled into the driver’s seat. Amber pouted, but reached across the center console and grabbed Reuben’s hand. “You’re such a brat.”

“I’ll take it,” Reuben teased. He eased the car onto the road and headed south, away from city center and toward the countryside. As they drove, Reuben stroked Amber’s hand with his thumb and hummed along to the radio.

Amber leaned back in her seat and watched the buildings go by. Streetlights blurred in the corner of her eye, but grew farther and farther apart. “We’re going out to the middle of nowhere?”

“You can’t see the stars properly in the city,” Reuben replied with a glitter in his eye. “They’ll be much more impressive where we’re going. Don’t worry. I wouldn’t take you anywhere dangerous.”

“I know.” And she did. Amber yawned and her eyes closed; soon she had drifted away. Next she knew, the sound of gravel under their tires and the bumpiness of the road woke her back up. It was completely dark, now; all she could see was the space illuminated by their headlights.

Reuben looked over as Amber stirred and brushed the hair out of her face. “Good morning, Sleeping Beauty. I hope your nap means you won’t fall asleep on me while we’re trying to be romantic.”

Amber opened her mouth to protest that she always slept in cars, but just then Reuben slowed and stopped beneath a tree. She looked around curiously, blinking in an attempt to get her eyes to adjust faster to the darkness.

“Want to help me get the stuff out of the back?” Reuben pressed the button on his key fob that opened the hatch back, opened Amber’s door for her, and then followed her around the car. He picked up the picnic basket and handed her the blanket. Amber took it and tucked it under her arm, then grabbed Reuben’s hand.

He led her away from the gravel parking area, past a small grove of trees, and onto a field of soft grass. The pair walked about fifty yards away from the car before Reuben stopped and set down the basket. “I think this will be a good spot.”

Amber nodded and shook open the blanket. “Help me get it flat?” she asked, less because she needed assistance and more because it meant Reuben had to take a few steps closer to her. She watched the way his muscles rippled under his tight-fitting polo as they spread the blanket and sat down next to each other.

“I’ve never been out this far,” she said, looking around at the waving grass and dark shadows of trees in the distance. The full moon actually made it quite bright now that her eyes were adjusting. She could at least see all the important things: the stars, and Reuben’s face. “Where are we, anyway?”

“Buena Park.” Reuben flipped open the picnic basket and handed Amber a neatly-wrapped package of fancy chocolates. “I used to come here all the time when I was a kid. It used to have a playground and ball field back in the eighties, but about fifteen years ago it was all torn down. Hardly anyone comes out here anymore, so we’re perfectly safe.”

It suddenly struck Amber that she had no idea how old Reuben actually was. She opened her mouth to ask, only to suddenly wonder if that was a rude question to ask a vampire. Even ruder than asking a woman, she’d assume? And they were already just regaining their footing together. Instead she unwrapped one of the chocolates and occupied her mouth with that.

“You like those? I wasn’t sure what kind of chocolates are your favorite, so I asked my coworkers and bought the most popular ones.”

Amber nodded, her chest feeling like her heart had expanded to overfill the space. “That’s the sweetest thing a guy has ever done for me. Whoever actually gets your heart is going to be a lucky person.” She re-tied the bag and placed it on the blanket next to her, leaning back and supporting herself with her hands. “And it’s super cute that you brought me somewhere from your childhood. It’s like you’re fulfilling every romance trope.”

“I am supposed to be giving you material for your book,” Reuben replied. “And I did warn you that cheesy romances were my only point of reference as far as being a good boyfriend.” He lay back completely and folded his arms behind his head, his eyes taking in the vastness of the stars.

Amber scooted closer to him with laughter on her lips. “I suppose you did tell me that. I just seemed to forget somewhere along the way.” There are a lot of things I seemed to forget along the way…like the fact that I wasn’t supposed to actually fall in love with you.

* * *

Reuben

R euben leaned back and watched a small cloud as it drifted across the north star. Despite how happy he felt to be spending more time with his now-favorite person, anxiety gnawed on his stomach and burned in his throat. He knew the conversation he had planned for tonight would not be easy, even if he took her to the first place he had ever felt truly safe.

But things were getting out of hand, and there were a few things Amber needed to know before they went any further. “Amber, I-” Reuben went to run a hand through his hair, forgot he had a hat on, and adjusted the cap instead.

He stole a glance at his gorgeous date in the moonlight. Amber looked like a tempting mirage, which was fitting in his situation. Something that looked so real, but would disappear the second he got too close. She tilted her head and wrapped her arm around his, encouraging him to continue.

Reuben took another breath to calm himself and said, “I feel like I need to be more honest with you. I can’t help noticing that you keep making these romantic gestures that feel entirely real. I don’t mind; in fact, I actually rather like it. But I want you to know more about me before we slip past the point of no return.”

Reuben watched Amber’s face for a reaction, expecting to get a dose of fear. Instead, Amber’s eyes softened and she wrapped both hands around Reuben’s. “I would love to know more about you, Reuben. You can tell me anything, I promise.”

Everything about her response was so genuine that Reuben felt the ice encasing his heart give a distinct crack.

“If you’re sure, then. I’ll spare you the grisly early details, but about ten years ago I found myself slumped against a brick wall at the entrance to an alleyway in the outer city limits. I hadn’t eaten in nearly six weeks because the homes of vampires I usually robbed in the suburbs had gotten better security systems. My mind was gone with starvation, Amber. I couldn’t think in full sentences anymore.

“I had made a vow back when I was turned that I would never attack a human being no matter the circumstances, but as I sat there, I was so close. So close to breaking that vow. I would have rather died, but vampires can’t starve to death.” Reuben’s tone grew bitter and he clenched his teeth as the memory enveloped him like a cold fog.

Amber tightened her grip; Reuben took a breath and continued. “The only thing that saved me was a werewolf named Bryce. He happened by at the last possible moment and carried me to his house. He fed me, clothed me, and introduced me to HOME.”

Amber scooted a little closer and tucked her arm under Reuben’s before again taking his hand. The pair sat silently for a few moments while Reuben gathered his thoughts and Amber stroked his palm. “Go on,” she coaxed, voice soft as dandelion down.

“HOME changed my life,” Reuben whispered. “Thanks to them, I have a house. I have food. I have safety. After thirty years of surviving on the streets, I have stability. And Amber? I would do anything to keep that stability.

“But HOME is at a critical juncture. We are doing what we can to keep our brothers and sisters safe, but we don’t have the funds to keep this up if we have to start paying lawyers to fight for us. We would have to lower the food bank budget which keeps vampires sane, or lower the production of shifter medication which allows werewolves to live normal lives.”

“Which would only result in more attacks, more lawsuits, and more money being reallocated,” Amber said with a sigh. The picture was becoming incredibly clear, and it wasn’t a pretty one. It was a vicious cycle with little control to be had.

Reuben nodded sadly and looked back up at the heavens. “I’m afraid, Amber. When you strip away the title and suit, I’m a vampire who has seen how frail my existence is. If HOME fails, who knows how long I could keep my vow? I feel terrible dragging you into this, but I am so glad I met you. Even though you should be running as fast as you can in the opposite direction.”

“Rubbish!” Amber shouted, her sudden outburst causing Reuben to jump. “You have me now, and I would not let you fall. And I can’t be the only human on this planet who can see past the end of my own nose! Just keep doing what you’re doing and I have no doubt that you’ll be able to impact generations to come.”

She turned those fiery eyes on Reuben and continued a little more softly. “Your image is spotless. We’ll get you elected. Then you can be the hope others like you are searching for.”

Reuben rolled over and tucked his face into his arms as shame threatened to overcome him. How could he get Amber to understand that he wasn’t some saint? That the least of his sins was dragging this angel of a human into a facade that could end up hurting her deeply?

And how could he tell her about the very real danger he was in? That she could be in, by extension?

Amber lifted Reuben’s chin gently and stared into his eyes. “Benji. Just because bad things happened to you in the past doesn’t mean that you were tainted by them. Look at all of the amazing things you have accomplished since then! Think of all the supernaturals whose lives are better because of you. My life is better because of you.”

A single tear leaked from the corner of Reuben’s eye and Amber gently brushed it away. “I mean it, Benji. I already tried running away, and it was the worst week of my life. I don’t care what almost happened a decade ago. I care what is happening right now. ”

This human! Reuben shouted inside his skull. She was reckless and she was naive. But she was also kind and loving and beautiful. With his heart threatening to cut off his windpipe, Reuben rolled to his side and pulled Amber against his body. He wrapped his arms around her torso and his legs around hers like an octopus as he buried his face in her hair. Her back felt hot against his chest and her heartbeat pounded in his ears.

He couldn't help feeling guilty about opening up. He didn’t want Amber to feel bad for him. That wasn’t the plan! He’d never wanted to burden anyone else with his problems, much less the person who had started to thaw his unbeating heart. But it also felt so freeing to admit his darkest moment and still have her by his side.

And he didn’t want this to end. Laying in the fragrant grass, staring at the stars and holding Amber felt right . He was glad this wasn’t some dream that disappeared the second he opened his eyes. She was in front of him. She was real. There was a woman on this earth that could look past Reuben’s unfortunate situation and see more than a pair of fangs.

“I need to tell you one more thing.” Reuben sat up and wrapped his arms around his knees. His voice betrayed his fear and Amber reached out to take his hand. “And I don’t want you to freak out, promise?”

“I don’t like the sound of that, Benji.”

Reuben clenched his eyes and gave Amber’s hand a squeeze. “I…haven’t just been dodging the paparazzi. Remember how I mentioned dodging the protestors too that day I was late to the cafe? Well, it’s because some of the more radical protestors have decided ‘peaceful’ isn’t enough.”

He paused, the words unwilling to unstick themselves from his throat. Amber stared at him with worry dotting her eyes like stars. “There have been attempts on my life,” he finally managed. “But it’s okay! I’ve been extra careful and nobody has even come close to succeeding.”

“Attempts on your life? Like… recent assassination attempts?”

Reuben nodded and Amber’s worry tinted black with anger. “Why didn’t you tell me?” she shouted. “Why haven’t I seen anything on the news? Have they been caught? What happened? Weren’t we in danger yesterday, spending all day out in public?!”

“Hey, hey. Take a breath.” Reuben stroked Amber’s cheek until her taut muscles somewhat relaxed. “Some of them have been caught, yes. But due to the circumstances, it seems like there’s someone higher up directing them. And the police haven’t caught that person yet. So far the details haven’t been leaked to the media, thankfully. That’s why you didn’t know. And there was so much security following us yesterday that nothing could have actually happened. They were just undercover.”

Amber sat in silence for so long that Reuben began to worry that she was about to dump him again. But she finally wrapped her arms around his chest and buried her face in his back. “You are going to be safe though, right? These people can’t actually hurt you?”

As guilty as he felt about it, Reuben lied. “You are right. I’ll be perfectly fine.”

Reuben tilted his head up and kissed the bottom of Amber’s chin, desperate to change the topic before she started asking any more questions. “You know, it’s getting pretty late.” His hands traveled up her t-shirt and snaked farther around Amber’s body. “A rideshare will be a little more expensive than usual.” He placed another kiss on Amber’s chin, a little closer to her throat this time. “It’s not safe for such a pretty woman to be out at night by herself.”

He was using every excuse in the book, working himself up to making Amber a risky offer. “You could spend the night at my house. Plus, I could drive us to our favorite coffee shop in the morning.”

“I’m not worried about any of that,” she murmured, wrapping her arms around Reuben and tangling her fingers in his hair. “I’m happy to share another cup of something hot with you. Though...I didn’t bring anything to change into. I don’t know how well I’ll sleep in jeans.”

Reuben was ready to come up with an excuse for anything Amber replied with. Clothing was an easy one. “It’s okay. If you need a set of clothes, I’m sure I could find something in my closet for you to wear.” The idea of Amber wearing his clothing gave Reuben good shivers, but his foggy brain didn’t linger on it.

Amber poked Reuben teasingly and closed her eyes. “I think I’ll stay, then. It’s probably going to be unpleasant outside soon or something. Maybe it will start to snow. Insert your own excuse here.” She yawned widely and allowed her neck to relax, dropping her head onto Reuben’s chest.