Free Dead Is Just a Dream - [Dead Is - 08] by Marlene Perez Page A

Dominic was recording vocals, there seemed to be a problem. Josh said, “Try it again” into the microphone before he handed Teddie a headset.
    Dominic tried again, but I could tell something was wrong. Then his eyes rolled back and I knew what was going on.
    I tapped Teddie on the shoulder. “Can you tell what he’s singing?”
    She listened for a moment. “It’s a song called ‘Black Heart,’” she replied. “Does that mean anything to you?”
    It meant something. I just didn’t know what. The rest of the recording session went smoothly, but on the way home, I turned the clue over and over in my mind.

Chapter Thirteen
    After the visit to the studio, we went to Dominic’s house to watch a movie and finally enjoy the brownies I had made. We had the house to ourselves, since Raven, his mom, and his aunt were at dinner in San Carlos.
    “Jensen Kenton is helping with the decorations at the Wilder estate for the Day of the Dead party,” Dominic said after polishing off his third brownie. I guessed I was a better baker than I had thought.
    “He doesn’t really seem like the community service type,” I observed.
    “I did hear something interesting the other day,” Dominic said. “About Mr. Martin. Did you know he was related to Mrs. Lincoln?”
    “He was?”
    He nodded. “He was her nephew. I heard it from Mrs. Wilder.”
    “Where did you see Mrs. Wilder?” The elderly matriarch of the shape-shifting Wilder family rarely left her estate these days.
    “My mom and I went to dinner there,” he said. There was something in his voice that made me uncomfortable.
    “Special occasion?” I asked. Wilder’s was a fancy eatery on the estate. I tried not to let it bother me that I hadn’t been invited.
    He took a deep breath. “It was for Tashya’s birthday.”
    “Take me home,” I said. “Now.”
    “Jess, it didn’t mean anything.”
    I was furious. “I’m glad that something like going to dinner with your ex-girlfriend was so meaningless that you didn’t even tell me about it.”
    “I’m telling you about it now,” he said.
    “Too late.”
    “Jessica, it was my mom’s idea,” he said. “I didn’t even want to go.”
    “But you did. And I know your mom doesn’t like us together,” I snapped.
    I thought he’d try to deny it, but he didn’t.
    “My mom doesn’t run my life,” he said.
    “If that’s true, then why did you go out with Tashya?”
    “I didn’t go out with Tashya.”
    “Close enough,” I retorted.
    “Why do you let her get to you?” he asked.
    I crossed my arms. “Why do you?”
    “Look, I didn’t ask Tashya to come here,” he said. “And she was my girlfriend when I was a sophomore. That was ages ago.”
    “How would you feel if my ex-boyfriend followed me around all day?” I asked.
    “You mean like Connor does?”
    “Connor? What are you talking about? He’s dating Selena.”
    “He still has a thing for you,” Dominic insisted. “And he’s in half of your classes.”
    “You sound jealous,” I said, but he had a point.
    “Maybe I am.”
    “It never occurred to me that you might get jealous,” I said. “You have girls hanging all over you all the time. Half of them would like to push me down the stairs just to get next to you. Including Tashya.”
    He pulled me into his arms. “What else can I do to prove to you that you’re the only one for me?”
    “Kiss me,” I replied.
    He leaned in seductively. “Have I convinced you?” His breath warmed my lips, but he was still too far away.
    “Yes.” I grabbed the back of his neck and pulled him closer.
    We sprang apart when the front door opened. His family had returned home.
    “Jessica, nice to see you,” Mrs. Gray said. And she actually sounded like she meant it. “We brought dessert. Would you like to join us?”
    I glanced at the clock. “I’d love to, but it’s almost my curfew. I’d better get home.”
    I smiled all the way back to my house. Mrs. Gray was finally warming up to me, which