The Game of Hearts

12. Baggage Pt. 2

Baggage Chapter in Rowan's POV

What was so wrong with stopping by and saying hi? Nervousness overcame me as I made my way there. I'd never done that before; surprising someone or randomly going into their work for a quick chat. Possibly go into the bathroom in the back for a "quick chat". I walked into the Starbucks and my nerves tensed when I saw her. With a guy.

Another guy.

Aria turned, making quick eye contact with me until her eyes widened. My stomach dropped, and I'm sure if my heart worked it would be racing. I glared at her, then at the son of a bitch. She said something to him before standing and making her way over to me. I wasn't even paying attention. Everything was red.

"What are you doing here?" She mumbled. When I didn't respond she waved her hand in front of my face.

Growling, I responded. "I came to say hi, but it looks like someone beat me to it," something I'd never felt before squeezed into my chest and burned.

Her eyebrows furrowed. "Don't be mean," she huffed.

Then he approached. I stared at him, feeling the urge to tear him apart. "Hi, I'm sorry if I caused any trouble," he said. "Liam Foley," he put his hand out. I took it quickly, my fingers wrapped tightly around his grip. He winced, trying to pull away. I knew that trick. He was as trying to get under my skin. I wasn't that young. A pop sounded and made me shudder in pleasure at his pain. I felt Aria touch my arm, my head snapping in her direction. Then I let go of his hand with a grunt.

"Oh?" I smirked realizing who he was soon after letting him go. "As in John Foley? Didn't he die last year? How tragic," I saw his face contort, emotions stuffing those cheeks.

"Yes, that was my father," was all he said. Yeah, I knew that.

I felt a tap on my arm. "Rowan, cut it out. Don't be a dick," her voice rang in my ears, my stomach dropping again at the way she spoke to me. I cringed. "This is my work. You want to come here and cause drama then you can forget about our deal," she murmured. My head snapped to her again, my face becoming worried and hectic.

"Aria, I just wanted to surprise you. It's not my fault you were flirting with the local Vampire Hunter," I watched her look at Liam, suddenly very confused and concurred.

"Hunter, huh? Interesting..." she said slowly before looking back up at me. She was angry, I could tell. I looked back at Liam, ready to pummel him for ruining everything, for finding an interest in what's mine. "Listen, we can talk more later, okay?" She asked but I barely listened. All I could think about what him. "Okay?" Aria repeated, more stern than before. I just nodded and stormed out of the shop, not looking back for any reason.

Fuck that.

I walked all the way to the bar, bursting through the doors to find my friends playing pool. They knew something was up by my demeanor. "There's another Foley in town kids," I grinned. "Who's ready to hunt down a Vampire Hunter?"

They looked so confused. Rodney, another blonde vampire with glowing blue eyes, spoke up first. "Didn't we get rid of one last year?" He asked, his voice a deep rumble.

I nodded and shrugged. "Yeah, but his son moved to town. Shocking," my tone was sarcastic. Sitting down on one of the pool tables, I cleared my throat. "He just introduced himself to me. You know what that means," I hesitated before continuing. "Plus, he was making moves on Aria."

The guys woofed and howled at me. "So that's why you're so eager! You usually wait for the hunters to make the first move," said Jason, a vampire with dark, straight black hair pulled back into a bun. "You must like her a lot..." he grinned.

My response was an instant growl, pushing Jason away when he began to poke at me. "Fuck off. It's just a lay," was it though? I just grew angrier as they taunted me. "Get over yourselves. This one is fresh and ready to take on the world. We will get him first and that's that!"