Down to Business (Business Series) (36 page)

“See you.” He mumbled once his lips pulled from mine.

“See ya.” I whispered back, feeling intoxicated and wishing he didn’t have to leave. Reluctantly I slid from the seat and into the cool air again. He waited for me to get to the top of the stairs before he pulled out of the parking lot.

Once I got inside, I found Lindy sitting on the sofa, glaring at the TV with a sour look on her face. I took a seat next to her, unsure of what to say.

“You really kicked her ass good.”

A smile passed over her features and wilted into a grimace. “Thanks.”

“It’s gonna be okay Lindy. You deserve better.” I offered, touching her hand. A bowling ball of guilt grew in my stomach. I felt bad I kept the truth from her and now that the shit had settled, maybe it was time to fess up.

“I saw them together.”

Lindy looked over at me, her eyes red rimmed. “What?”

“Tyler and Becky…I saw them together at the mall today. I was just afraid to tell you because I didn’t want to be the bearer of bad news.”

Her eyes narrowed and she scoffed. “You knew he was cheating on me and you didn’t tell me?”

My throat clenched and I swallowed hard. “I didn’t want to be the messenger. I
was
going to tell you…I just didn’t know how…”

“When?” she snapped, sitting forward, and glaring at me.

I leaned back and lifted my hands in defense. “It wasn’t like I didn’t feel horrible too!”

“I can’t believe you’d hide this from me! You are supposed to be my best friend. I can’t believe you’d backstab me like this!”

“I didn’t backstab you, Lindy.” I defended. “It killed me to not say anything! Ask Vinny, I was going to kick his ass right there in the mall.”

“He knew too? That prick!” she got up from the sofa.

“I’m sorry Lindy! Vinny said I shouldn’t tell you because it wasn’t my business. I shouldn’t have listened to him. I’m sorry. Please don’t be mad at me!”

“Too late!” she snapped, glaring at me. “You know what? You and Vinny deserve each other and I don’t care if I ever see either of your fucked up faces again.” She stormed off to her room and slammed the door, leaving me alone with just the purgatorial silence and guilt that I deserved.

Instead of making matters worse, I went to my room and lay on my bed in the darkness, wanting nothing more than to fall asleep, but the guilt kept chewing at me, keeping me awake until I couldn’t take it another second.  I went to her bedroom door and knocked. She didn’t answer, so I slowly opened it to find her laying on her bed in the dark. Dim light filtered in from the street lamp outside her window and “Nothing Compares 2 U”
by Sinead O’Connor played from her iPod in the background. It was like stepping into a scene of dark poetry.

I walked over to the bed and climbed on next to her. She brought her pillow up over her face and released a deep sob. I laid down on the pillow next to her and faced her, frowning. I knew words wouldn’t help, so I just reached out and took her hand.

“Go away, Autumn!” Came her muffled command from behind the pillow as she ripped her hand away.

“I’m sorry Lindy, I really am.”

She cried for another minute while I pet her hair. “I’ll never keep anything from you again, I promise.”

She finally threw the pillow off her face that she was attempting to smother herself with. “My life is shattered into a million pieces! I’ve never been hurt this bad.,” she sobbed. “Out of all the girls, he had to choose that whore. She is not even that pretty.”

I wanted to let her know that looks weren’t all that mattered, but I was pretty sure she didn’t want to hear my opinion.

“You are ten times prettier.  He is an idiot.”

“He liked her because she is a slut. Why do guys always think with their dicks?” She whimpered, wiping her eyes.

“Because they are idiots.” I sighed softly and reached over, grabbing some tissue from her bedside table. I handed it to her so she could blow her nose.

“Did Vinny leave?” she asked, tossing the used tissue on the floor.

“Yeah.”

“You didn’t have to stay here with me. You should have went out.”

I frowned at her. “You need me more.”

The next song that came on was “Everybody Hurts” by R.E.M.

“Are you sure this music is helping?” I was worried she might cut herself.

“Yes it helps. It’s my breakup song list. I’ve had it since high school.”

“It’s making me depressed.”

“Join the club.” she sniffled. “Do we have any ice cream?”

“I think we ate it all.”

“Damn it. Can you go get us some more?”

“We don’t have a car…and it’s dark out.”

She squeaked into another sob. “Autumn, my heart is broken…and I need something to fill the void.”

I groaned and climbed off the bed. “Let me see if we have any left.”

“Thanks Auti.”

I left the bedroom and went out to the kitchen, hoping I was wrong about us being out of ice cream. I opened the fridge to see a carton of Ben and Jerry’s Chocolate Fudge Brownie. I ripped off the lid to find it was empty besides a few spoonfuls. I frowned and tossed it into the trash. I really didn’t want to walk alone in the dark to the minimart to get more. These were the moments I needed a car, or some friends with one. 

Regretfully, I walked over to my phone and texted Vinny.

HEY. I KNOW YOU ARE BUSY, BUT IF YOU HAD A SECOND AFTER THE GYM COULD YOU DROP OFF A GALLON OF ICE CREAM FOR LINDY?

He replied with:

SURE THING.C U SOON.

I smiled and walked back to Lindy’s room to find her in the fetal position, hugging her teddy bear, Doug.

“Vinny is coming to the rescue.”

“For you or for me?”

I smirked. “For you. He’s bringing ice cream.”

Vinny showed up less than thirty minutes later, wearing a grey t-shirt, black basketball shorts, and running shoes. He carried a brown grocery bag in his arms.

“My hero.” Lindy whimpered and ran to the door to take the ice cream.

“I owe you,” I said as I watched her carry the brown bag off to the kitchen.

“It was no problem.”

“I know but—” He didn’t even let me shut the door before he tugged me into his arms and kissed me.

“You’re welcome.” He mumbled against my lips.

I smiled and inhaled his scent, indulging in another kiss while Lindy was occupied.

“Oh! Chocolate-raspberry gelato!” Lindy shouted from the kitchen in an excited squeak, “and Ben and Jerry’s Chocolate Therapy! I love you Vinny!”

We both laughed. 

“I didn’t know what kind to get,” he called out, “but I know lots of girls like chocolate and gelato.”

Lindy came around the corner with a heaping bowl of both ice cream and gelato in her hand. She pointed the spoon at Vinny. “You better stop spoiling me Vinny, or I might steal you from Autumn.”

“Not a chance,” Vinny said and pulled me into him for another kiss. I wrapped my arms around his neck and our tongues touched, sending a current of heat through me. I pulled him against me and deepened the kiss even more.

Lindy groaned. “Oh come on you two! I’m in mourning here!”

I reluctantly pulled back, seeing the yearning in his eyes. He wanted me as much as I wanted him.

“I’m glad you came,” I whispered, lacing my fingers with his.

“It was a perfect excuse to see you. How could I say no?” he answered, rubbing his nose against mine. I smiled and stole another kiss.

“Autumn, do you want to watch
A Walk to Remember
or
The Notebook
?” Lindy called out, stealing our moment.

“Um…you can pick.”

“And that’s my cue to get going,” he said with a smirk.

I pouted and tightened my grip on his hands. “You could always stay if you want, we have ice cream…” I teased.

“Yanno, I’ve never been much of an ice cream fan.” He leaned in and pressed a deep kiss against my lips, rekindling the fire he started moments ago. I ran my fingers through his hair and bit down on his tongue when he brushed it against mine.

“Knock it off you two or I’ll throw this bowl of ice cream at your asses. Don’t tempt me!” Lindy warned.

We broke the kiss and stared into each other’s eyes. “Lunch, tomorrow?”

I nodded and smiled.

“Just us?” he mumbled into my ear and embraced me.

“Just us.” I answered, pressing a kiss against his neck, wishing he could stay.

Reluctantly, we pulled away from one another and he waved to Lindy. “See you Lindy. Feel better.”

“Thanks again Vinny. I owe you,” she said, waving her spoon.

“See you tomorrow.” He winked at me and closed the front door behind him. Was it possible to fall in love over and over again with the same guy? Because I was pretty sure that was at least the fifth time I had fallen in love with Vinny.

After
consuming a half-gallon of Chocolate Therapy ice cream and watching both
The Notebook
and
A Walk to Remember
, I woke up the next day with a major headache. I rolled out of bed and went to check on Lindy, who had fallen asleep on the sofa. She was still there looking as pathetic as ever, snuggled up to Doug. I pulled the afghan up over her and went to take some aspirin and get a shower.

Afterwards, I did my hair and make-up, then got I dressed. I wore a white camisole with a long blue knitted sweater over it and black leggings with black winter boots.

Since Lindy was asleep and I didn’t have a ride, I walked to campus. I made it to Business 101 ten minutes late. Mr. Woodworth shot me a look of disapproval as I hurried toward my seat.

“Sorry,” I whispered.

Vinny gave me a sympathetic look as I sat down. I removed my textbook and my notes from my bag. I flipped through the pages, trying to figure out what chapter we were on and rubbed the back of my neck. I could feel my headache resurfacing and I drew a breath, trying to calm my nerves.

“Page 393,” Vinny whispered against the back of my neck, making every hair on my body stand on end.

“Thanks,” I whispered back.

The class dragged on and ended with a pop quiz. Vinny finished his quiz before me and I hoped he would wait outside for me like usual. I scribbled the last few answers on my quiz sheet, dropped it off on Mr. Woodworth’s desk, and hurried out of the classroom in hot pursuit of Vinny.

Shock tingled from every pore when I saw him standing down the hall a few feet away talking to Vivian. She was dressed in her white nursing scrubs with red lipstick kisses all over them.

Vinny’s attention turned to me instantly and he gave me a hesitant smile. “Hey.”

“Hi.” I said, looking from him to Vivian.

Vivian looked me over and her eyes narrowed. “Oh. I almost forgot
you
had this class.”

I gave her an unappreciative smile and then looked to Vinny. “Ready to go?”

“Where are you going?” she asked, glaring at Vinny.

“Lunch.” He answered, looking back at me.

She made a sound of displeasure.

“We will see you later, Viv.” He said, resting his hand on my backpack.

“I find it amusing that you just told me last night you should stay away from her because she is drama, and now you’re going to lunch.” She looked me over.

I felt the sting of her words and stared at Vinny, seeking the truth.

He looked down and sighed. “I didn’t mean it that way, I meant—”

“Well if you want me to stay away from you, I can.” I said, backing away from him.

Vinny’s jaw set in frustration. “Autumn, I didn’t say it like that.”

“Why do you keep lying to her Vinny? It’s cruel the way you keep leading her on. You’re not helping her, you’re enabling her. Let her have lunch with the rest of the under privileged kids with no cars and food vouchers. If you want something to take care of, get a fucking dog.”

“Quit it, Viv.” Vinny snapped.

I narrowed my eyes at Vivian. “Or he could adopt a bitch, like you. Oh wait, he already did that, and it didn’t work out.”

Her lips parted in shock and she laughed bitterly. “Are you still pissed because I didn’t invite you to Vinny’s birthday party? I thought I was doing you a favor, God knows what kind of scene you’d make if you got drunk. I didn’t want another Alpha Tau situation happening.”

I clenched my fists around my backpack straps and did my best to remain calm. “Well, I’m glad you had such a nice birthday without me there to screw it up.” I said with a sneer. “And we can forget lunch, Vinny. Vivian is right, I don’t need your hand-outs anymore.”