CHAPTER 35
“So I guess it’s safe to say that your sunscreen formula doesn’t work,” Chris said. Stephen had left, and we were still in the gym, leaning up against the rock climbing wall.
“I . . . um . . .” Okay, not the best of starts. I lifted my chin and started over. “I did all the research. It should have worked.”
“Liar.”
Shit. Time to switch gears. “Well, what the hell were you doing putting it on? I told you not to wear the stuff. It was still in an experimental phase.”
“Experimental phase my ass,” Chris said, taking a step toward me. “You were trying to fry Stephen.”
I shook my head vigorously, even as I backed up. “No. No, I wasn’t. That would be stupid. And I’m not stupid, right? I mean, I’m the class valedictorian.”
“Yeah,” he said. “And I used to think that made you totally clueless. But I’m thinking that maybe you’re all right after all.”
I stopped backing up, my head working hard to keep up with the conversation. “Huh?” And, yes, I know that made me sound more clueless than smart, but, honestly, huh?
“I’ll help you,” he said.
Now he was starting to make me nervous. I felt like one of those bad guys in Law & Order: Criminal Intent, certain they were being framed.
I forced a smile, hoping I looked casual about it. “Honest, Chris. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You were hoping Stephen would do exactly what I did,” he said. “Slather the stuff on and walk outside. And then he’d go up in a little puff of smoke, and you’d be free.”
“So what if I was?” I raised my chin, hoping I sounded more defiant than I felt.
“Well, then, like I said. I’m sorry I messed up your plan.” He was wearing cowboy boots—technically forbidden in the gym, but no one much cared at the moment—and now he scuffed his toe across the polished floor. “I had a plan, too. Because that sorry you-know-what pretty much ruined my life.”
I gasped, suddenly understanding. He’d truly thought my formula had worked. And he wasn’t taking it to Stephen, he was keeping it for himself. If he could daywalk he wouldn’t be under Stephen’s thumb anymore.
I’d been trying to get revenge. Chris had, too. He just went about it a little bit differently.
“I was supposed to be quarterback,” he continued. “And I was supposed to go to college on a scholarship. And I had a girlfriend I liked. And now I’m stuck with that bald bimbo.”
I fought back a laugh at his description of Stacy. But I couldn’t laugh about what he was saying. “Elise says you were a jerk to her.”
“Sure, after Stephen changed me. I mean, I couldn’t tell her. And I sure didn’t want her dating a vampire. She’s better than that.”
“Is that why you’re still feeding on her?”
At that, his face flashed with anger. Which was pretty interesting when you consider the fact that he hadn’t even gotten angry over the fact that I had (inadvertently, at least) almost killed him.
“What are you talking about?”
“Don’t give me that. The marks on her neck. And I know she still likes you. So what are you doing? You’re using her by pulling that glamour crap on her and feeding! And, man, that is so totally not right!”
I think I was crossing some line here, because even without vampire powers, Chris could pretty much tie me up like a pretzel. But I didn’t care. I was pissed. About everything. About me and Elise and the whole damn thing. And it was about time I yelled at someone about it.
Except that yelling at Chris wasn’t nearly as satisfying as I thought it would be, mostly because he was staring at me like I’d gone mental.
“I swear I’m not feeding on her. I haven’t fed on a person since the beginning.”
I frowned at him. “What are you talking about?”
“I didn’t know any better,” he said. “And Stephen was right there when I clawed my way out of the dirt. With Stacy. And he made me—” He cut himself off and shook his head. “Doesn’t matter. But I’ve been feeding on hospital blood ever since.”
“Your dad’s a doctor,” I said, remembering.
“So’s yours.”
I nodded. “Yeah. That’s all I’ve had. Bagged blood.”
His shoulders slumped. “Guess you’re luckier than I am. You still have a chance.”
“Yeah,” I said. “I hope I do.”
“I really do want to help you,” he said. “I’ll do just about anything to see Stephen taken out.”
I thought about what he was saying. There was a chance he was lying—that it was all a trap. But I didn’t really believe it. And the truth was, I really did need all the help I could get.
“Okay,” I finally said. “Tonight at nine. Meet me at the Home Depot. And bring some cash.”