Into Every Stranger Generation

Chapter 11

****Warning: Smut ahead 

 "You sure you don't want me to hang out?" Steve asked as they pulled onto the road that led to Reefer Rick's house and he stopped the car. He drummed his hands on the wheel, glancing up at her from under the locks of hair that fell over his forehead. "I know you can handle yourself, but if you're uncomfortable, I don't mind hanging too. I mean, you barely know him and he's not exactly..."

"What?" Becca questioned. She was waiting for Steve to say he wasn't human and she was ready to argue that fact just like she had with Jax.

"Eddie scared people even before he was a vampire. I'm not saying he should have. I don't buy into all the satan bullshit or anything. He just could be a bit extreme," Steve explained. "And now...well, he's gotten very angry and dark since it happened. He used to be over the top but in a cocky way. Now, it's a rageful way. I just don't want to leave you here and have him be awful to you and then you're stranded here."

"No, I'll be good. Trust me, he won't be the first grouchy vampire I have ever dealt with," Becca assured him, touched by his concern.

"How's your wound?" he asked, his eyes roaming over the deep scratches that were angry and red, the skin still raw when it should have started healing already.

"It will be fine," she said, though it was stinging like a bitch. Something about those monsters' claws was causing her wound to take longer to heal, but it already felt a little better than it had when they first got in the car. It would get there. "Thanks for the ride."

"Yeah, no problem" Steve trailed off, but as she was opening the door, he said, "I know it's probably none of my business but is there something going on with you and Eddie? I mean, last night, I was getting a vibe that maybe you two were interested in a bit more than board games."

"No," she answered, shaking her head. "I mean, I don't know. It seemed like something was maybe going to happen, but we stopped it. We both decided it was a bad idea so, no. He's a vampire, I'm the slayer...it's like against ancient laws or something. I don't think a relationship between us is going to end well in any possible way."

"He's a good guy," Steve mumbled. "I mean, I know he's not technically just a guy anymore but he deserves something good in his life. He's been through hell. His life has been a nightmare for the last six weeks. Hell, I think his life has been a nightmare for most of his life. He's had a shit string of bad luck. I don't know. I know he can be dark and moody right now, but there's a fun guy buried in there. I just, if you think you like him, don't let this bullshit stop you. Trust me, things don't always work out and you don't want to regret what you didn't say or do. We could be in for the fight of our life and all of us might not make it out. I've learned you don't want to have any regrets."

Becca could see that he was speaking from the heart, perhaps even speaking more about himself than he was about her. There was somebody in his life that he had regrets about, someone he was worried he might not get to fix things with before it all ended. She couldn't help but be a bit curious who that might be. She would have to try to get the details about it from Robin.

"You know, whoever you're thinking about," she said, leaning down into the car with a smile, "maybe you should follow your own advice. You're right. If I've learned anything doing the job I do, we never know how much time we have and what you guys are facing, it's terrifying. So, I will think about what you said, but promise me you will too."

Steve smiled with a small nod, "Okay. Just be gentle with him and if you need anything, there's a walkie in there. It goes to Dustin but he can get a hold of me."

Becca headed up to the house and once again, the door opened before she'd even reached it. The sight of him took her breath away every single time. How could one man be so goddamn irresistible? He rested an arm on the doorframe, offering her the one thing that made her heart feel like it could burst, that stunning smile.