Call me your Master

Falling Fast

"Andy is that you?"

I felt Andy's arm around my shoulders tense slightly as he gave the woman sitting at the kitchen island a tight smile.

"Hello Starla, long time no see."

Several of us looked between the two of them, who seemed to be having their own silent conversation. To say I wasn't a little jealous at the way her eyes looked at him was an understatement. She had a darker complexion, with her curly hair pulled back in a pony tail and small figure. Her crop top barely covered her large chest and her shorts hugged every inch of her hips just right. 

"Hey everyone the food is almost ready if you want to head out on the deck out back." My mother broke the silence, trying to usher everyone out of the house for some reason. Luke had a beer in his hand and stood by her, whispering something in her ear that made her scowl. Something was up.

Everyone slowly made their way outside where I was surprised to see the decorated outdoors. When i'd been here last it was plain, my mother wasn't one for decorating, only supplying the place for the parties. There were gorgeous string lights that went from the house to the fence, with a small fire pit and chairs in the center of the lawn. The deck had a sturdy live edge wood table with chairs, and everyone gathered a place to sit. Starla, to my annoyance, sat across from Andy. He pulled my chair out for me and slid his hand in mine once we were both seated.

"Starla, this is Layla. Layla, Starla." I smiled as best I could, feeling Andy squeeze trying to comfort me. I squeezed it back, but just as he took some of the worry away, she opened her mouth and made it worse.

"Layla, it's nice to see Andy's dating again. I thought I was the last girl he'd ever be with." Her poisonous smile shot towards me. "It seems he did a decent enough job with finding someone pretty for his arm." 

"Starla, that's enough." Andy growled, and I noticed everyone finding the topic of the weather suddenly very interesting. 

"Last time I checked Andy, I wasn't yours to use or boss around anymore." She put her arm around the man next to her. "I found myself a real man who doesn't need to feel in control of everything."

Before anyone could say anything else my mother and Luke came out, carrying plates of various food. Burgers, hot dogs, salads, anything summer related and you could find it splayed out on the table. My mother sat by me with Luke across from her and poured herself a glass of wine. 

"I hope everyone remembers my daughter Layla. Luke, this is my daughter, and her handsome suitor, Andy."

Luke's stare unnerved me as he looked at me. I felt Andy level a stare at him which made him back down from whatever he had been thinking. As everyone started grabbing their food, I noticed Andy excuse himself into the kitchen after asking my mother where she kept the liquor. Lovely, even if he was only a couple yards away I felt so alone. 

"So, Layla, tell us what you've been up to lately." She chirped beside me, and I felt myself shrinking into my seat. 

"Um, I mean not much." Yeah, being a lazy fuck against my will in a giant mansion to a vampire who has complete control over me isn't much. "Just doing this and that." I stuffed some food into my mouth as I heart Andy coming back, sitting a decent sized drink in front of me and himself. Without hesitation, I took a large drink, almost gagging at the taste. Stupid men and their alcohol tastes. Whatever it was it tasted like nail polish remover, but it would do the job. 

"You do realize my daughter is under age yes? I assume you are as well?" My mother snidely commented, smelling what he has brought back. Andy didn't miss a beat.