The Creeping Dead: A Zombie Novel by Edward P. Cardillo Read Free Book Online Page B

him.”
    “Well take some from me…”
    Vinnie rolled his eyes. “Yeah, because the tail you’ve snagged is legendary in Smuggler’s Bay.”
    Frankie frowned at Vinnie’s sarcasm. “I’ve gotten laid more than you, you little chicken shit.”
    “Maybe I don’t want to get laid.”
    Ted laughed at the remark.
    “C’mon, guys. You know that’s not what I meant.”
    “Listen,” said Frankie, “you haven’t gone out with anyone since that one chick…”
    “Pamela,” said Vinnie, finishing Frankie’s sentence.
    “And that was what…a year ago?”
    “So, what’s your point?”
    “My point, young Vinnie, is that all you’ve done since is work on that car of yours.”
    “It’s my masterpiece,” smiled Vinnie.
    “You need to get a piece,” said Ted.
    “You’re a true poet,” replied Vinnie. “Why don’t you guys get off my back about this?”
    Frankie jumped in front of Vinnie and started walking backward. “I’ll tell you what…if you make a move on Dharma tonight, we’ll get off your back. I won’t even care if she rejects you or not. All I want to see is a move.”
    “Just a move?” asked Vinnie. “That’s all I have to do to get you two pricks off my back?”
    “Hey, we do it because we love you, bro,” reminded Ted.
    “I’m so lucky,” said Vinnie.
    They reached The Shore Club in short order and lined up to go in. They were not of legal age, but it was Teen Night, and Ted’s older brother Russ was a bouncer working the front door tonight. After a metal detector, a few pat downs, and some brotherly insults from Russ, they were in the club.
    It was starting to fill up, so Vinnie and company found a spot at the bar and ordered some drinks.
    “Three shots of tequila!” ordered Frankie. “The bartender shot him the stink eye. “Oh, all right. Three energy drinks.”
    Vinnie looked around the club. He liked arriving early. This way he could scope out who was who as they entered, get the lay of the land.
    Frankie slid a drink over to Ted and Vinnie. “May this give Vinnie, here, wings so baby bird can finally fly out of the nest.”
    “Really? Gee, Thanks. I haven’t even spotted—”
    “There’s Dharma,” said Ted, pointing his finger toward the momentarily vacant volleyball courts next to the pool tables and the neon palm trees.
    Vinnie rolled his eyes. “Can I finish my drink first?”
    “Oh, here comes the excuses already,” said Ted to Frankie, as if Vinnie wasn’t standing right there. “Really, Vin, this must be a record.”
    “You said I had to make a move tonight. You didn’t say I have to do it immediately. Besides, she’s by herself.”
    Ted put his arm around Vinnie, and Frankie leaned in. “Vin, you know what’s going to happen if we don’t push you. You’re going to wait and wait for the ‘perfect moment,’ and you know what?”
    “What?”
    “The night’ll be over, and that ‘perfect moment’ will never have come. And then you’ll be kicking yourself all the way back for not having the balls to make your move.”
    “How do I know if she really likes me?”
    “Holy shit, bro, are you really that blind?” said Frankie.
    “Dude, she’s been coming to see you at the pizza shop every damn day,” explained Ted. “I seriously doubt she likes pizza that much.”
    “Cobb salad,” corrected Vinnie.
    “Oh, Jesus Christ almighty.”
    “All right, goddammit, I’ll make a fucking move already. Can you give me some room?” asked Vinnie testily.
    Both Ted and Frankie stepped away from him, careful not to crowd him.
    “When I finish this drink,” Vinnie reassured his wingmen.
    He sipped the drink slowly, watching the club fill up with girls and guys, the usual 2:1 ratio that was never in his favor.
    “It’s a goddamned sausage-fest,” complained Ted.
    Vinnie had been watching Dharma from across the club. A bunch of her girlfriends found her, and they were watching some guys playing volleyball.
    Dharma glanced across the bar and saw Vinnie.