Vampires Among Us [Vampires Among Us 1] (Siren Publishing Classic)

consoling her until sleep reclaimed her. He knew a confrontation with Shawn would occur sooner or later. He just hoped it would be soon, and to get it over with. He wanted Erica to truly be able to put her past behind her, and have the peace of mind of knowing Shawn could never touch her again.
    As Kevin walked out to his car, heading to the office one evening, he glanced over to Erica’s car. She rarely used it, most of the time she rode with either him or Jennifer. Kevin knew once Shawn was taken care of and out of the picture, she would want her independence. That old boxcar of hers was a relic. An idea began to take shape in his head. She would probably balk at it, stating it was over the top, but he felt confident, he would come out victorious in the end. He would just make certain her old relic was flattened.
     
    * * * *
     
    Erica climbed out of bed to dress and get ready for class. This morning’s class started at eight o’clock, and she was dressed and ready to leave early. Truth be told, she had another nightmare about Shawn again last night, only this time she dreamt that he had found her at school. Because of the bad dream, the remainder of the night was restless. She finally gave up on the idea of trying to sleep, and had been up since six. Kevin had evidently gotten up even earlier, because he was nowhere in sight when Erica got up. Jennifer was waiting for her downstairs, near the back door, as today was one of the two classes that she covered for Kevin.
    “Good morning, are you ready?” Jennifer cheerfully asked.
    “Yes,” Erica replied. Although she was already feeling last night’s lack of sleep, she tried to put on her best smile and walked out the back door.
    As Jennifer followed out the door, she asked, “Erica, do you want to drive today?”
    “You want me to drive? Oh, um, I guess so.” Erica briefly wondered why Jennifer would not want to drive this morning. She owned a beautiful red Mustang, and loved showing it off every chance she could. Unfortunately, the lack of sleep was making Erica’s brain foggy, and she was unable to think clearly this morning. She wondered if Jennifer had forgotten that she drove an old relic of a car.
    As the girls walked into the garage, Erica failed to notice her old car was not where she last parked it. It took her a few seconds to realize that in the spot where her old car should have been sitting, now sat a metallic midnight blue Mitsubishi Eclipse. She stared in wonder at the beautiful car for a few seconds, a little envious of whoever the owner was.
    She pried her eyes off of the beautiful new vehicle and glanced over the other numerous cars in the garage, searching for her old vehicle. “Where is my car?” she asked Jennifer, as she took a second sweep through the garage, not spotting her old hunk of junk anywhere.
    A tinkling giggle brought Erica’s eyes over to Jennifer. Standing with a wide grin on her face, looking like the cat that ate the canary, Jennifer couldn’t contain her excitement any longer. Confused, Erica knew from the look on Jennifer’s face that something was up, she just didn’t know what.
    “Jennifer…” Erica half growled, shooting an eyebrow up at her. Whatever had happened with her car, she wished someone would just fess up. Otherwise, she was going to be late for class.
    “Okay, Kevin, come on out!” Jennifer called out to the empty garage.
    Kevin popped out from behind the new car. “Do you like it?” he asked Erica, as he gestured to it.
    “Yes, it’s beautiful!” she breathed, as she reverently stroked the shiny paint. “But, I don’t understand. Where is my car?”
    “Oh, now come, love. I figured if I tried to take you car shopping, you would never consent to me buying you something like this. So, I took matters into my own hands.” He was grinning widely as he held out a small key ring with two keys and a remote attached.
    Erica looked at him incredulously. “This is for me ?” she sputtered.
    “Yes, and I for one think you will look hot in that car.” Jennifer joined into their conversation. “Go ahead, sit down in it. It drives like a dream.”
    Feeling like she was in a dream, Erica glanced over to Jennifer. “You’ve already driven my car?” Okay, this whole situation was just getting more confusing. As she tried to wrap her head around everything, she wondered if her lack of sleep was to blame for her fogginess.
    “I had a loaner just like this one while mine was in the shop last