Vintage (Adrenaline Series Book 2) (12 page)

Merrick

I sling the black bag over my shoulder and nearly run into Knoxie in the process.

“And where are you going in such a hurry?”

Noticing Madden heading our direction I simply reply. “Out. Don't wait up...”

She gives my big brother a quick glance and then asks, “Is that a don't wait up because I'll be in a prison cell til morning or don't wait up like I'm having a slumber party at the commissioner's house?”

“Not his house, with his daughter,” I correct.

Knoxie laughs and Madden growls, suddenly joining the conversation. “Because that's so much fucking better.”

“You taking her to Olympus?” Knoxie prods.

In a motherly way. Some days I'm not even sure she realizes just how much she sounds like a mom when she talks to us. Me in particular. I don't hate it. I don't love it either though.

“Nope.”

She folds her arms across her chest. “Please tell me you're not taking her to drive again. I'm not sure that poor car can take it.”

Madden growls, “You took her driving?”

“Chill. I've been trying to teach Jovi to drive a stick. I'm not sure that girl can even drive an automatic. I swear she's scared the poor Audi to death. I have to tell her we're not going to see Jovi before she'll start.”

Knox giggles. “I've checked her out. She
should
be running decently considering the hurtin' your girl put on her, but I'll give her another look.”

“No rush. Taking my own car tonight,” I say and head for the front door.

“Merrick,” Madden's firm voice stops me.

Did you really think we'd get to leave without a lecture?

“Yeah?”

“You seen Ben?”

The fact that I have barely seen him and haven't talked to him since he stormed out a couple days ago has left a bad taste in my mouth.

Not exactly my fault. He hasn't been around to talk to.  The texts are short when he finally gets back to me. Feels like we're going through a fucking break up. Please don't start with the bros before hos bullshit.

“No.”

“I'm sure he'll be at Olympus tonight,” Knoxie invades before the conversation can get heated. “It's like mating season for him. Every Saturday night.”

My lips twitch briefly at the comment.

Madden quickly kills the humor. “Have you talked to him?”

“No.” I shrug. “It's not like he's been around.”

“Have you even fucking tried?”

“Yes.”

“Have you really?”

“Why are you on my nuts about this Madden?”

With a harsh look in his eyes he answers, “Because McCoys watch out for each other. And I think because you've been so busy keeping your dick buried you've forgotten that.”

Hearing him talk about Jovi that way makes my fist clench, but I don't swing.

Learned my lesson the first time.

“Before this turns into Caveman wars, let's just let this conversation die. Okay?” Knoxie raises her hand in the air like a referee flag. “Go ahead and get going. Have fun with your girl.”

“Thanks Knox.”

She smiles, but Madden simply looks away clearly not done with the argument.

I am.

The drive to Hayli's apartment where Jovi is hanging out is one that's a little less pleasant than I prefer.

Is Madden right? Am I being a shitty brother? A shitty cuz? A shitty friend? Yeah, I spend time with Jovi, but that's my right to! I've spent my whole life being a 'McCoy'! Sleeping with random chicks. Racing cars. Committing crimes. So now that I take a step back from all of it to just...to just be me, the real me, it's a problem? That makes me a dick?

I put the car in park and take a long deep breath. Before I have a chance to shoot Jovi a text to let her know I've arrived, she's already heading down the stairs. Leaning forward I watch the way her hips sway in her tight jeans, the way her yellow tank top is clinging to her curves, and how her wavy hair bounces when she walks. At the sight of me her entire face seems to brighten to the point it could out shine the moon.

This girl loves me. Me. Merrick. Not Merrick McCoy the youngest of the crew. Not Merrick McCoy Vinnie's top racer. Not Ghost, the man her father can't catch. No. She loves the man she sees in front of her, no questions asked. If loving her and loving that fact, makes me a dick, then so be it.

Getting out of the car, I waste no time throwing my arms around Jovi. She snuggles in close. I can feel her smiling against my chest. The two of us just linger completely lost in this moment.

Gently she pulls back and looks up at me. Her sweet joy is quickly replaced with concern. “What's wrong?”

I stare deep into her brown eyes that could have no trouble untangling the turmoil going on inside.

That's all that should matter. This moment. This. Right now.

“Nothing anymore.”

She pulls her lips into a wide smile. “You missed me?”

“Always.”

A small but sweet kiss finds it's way to my lips. “You ready?”

Nodding I walk around to open her door noticing something in the parking lot. Quickly I ask, “Is Ben here?”

“Yeah,” she answers sliding in.

“Has he been here long?”

“All afternoon.”

I shut the door and go to get in myself. Once I'm inside I ask, “Doing what? Are Ben and Hayli hooking up?”

Jovi shakes her head slowly. “No. It's weird 'cause I wondered the same thing, but they're just friends. Strange, unusual friends. They've just been kicking back a couple beers. Nothing too terrible. You didn't know?”

Cautiously I question, “And how was Ben around you?”

“What do you mean?”

“Was he...rude? Or disrespectful?”

“Of course not,” she giggles. “Why would he be rude? It's Ben! He was just as sweet and goofy as ever.”

“Sweet?”

“In a most likely to molest you while you're sleeping kind of way.” The phrasing makes me snicker, but doesn't distract Jovi from my line of questioning. “Spill. What's going on between you and Ben?”

“Nothing.”

“You promised if I asked you something you'd always tell me the truth.”

“I am,” I quickly respond. “At least I think I am. I don't know. I think he's pissed because we spend so much time together.”

“Oh no, am I breaking up the band?” Jovi says playfully, but I can hear the true sadness in her tone.

She'd never try to tear my family apart. Why do they have to try to tear us apart?

Slightly I chuckle, “No Yoko.”

“Then what?”

“I don't know. I guess it's just an adjustment. Not having me at his beck and call,” the truth sounds harsh, but accurate. “Can we let it go now? We have a project to finish.”

Jovi tilts her head at me. For a moment she just says nothing, but finally caves. “Sure...bossy.”

Chuckling I start the car. “Excited.”

Along the drive Jovi talks about how terrible she think she's done on her English paper. She describes what her teacher wanted, why she finds it difficult, and how some kid named Eric keeps coming to the library needing her help.

Not sure of the jealousy twisting my system back up is from the fact the dude is looking for an excuse to be around my girlfriend or the fact she has a college life, I merely grip the wheel tighter.

It's gotta be the dude thing. I've never wanted college life. Why are you looking at me like that? Yeah I mean, it would be cool to learn more about famous artists and less famous ones without the internet, but...that doesn't mean I wanna be stuck in a classroom listening to lectures.

I open my mouth to ask a question when the sound of car beside me shuts it. Glancing over I notice the Honda Civic with it's window down trying to grab my attention.

Jovi stops her story. “Why's he doin' that?”

“Doing what?”

“That vroom vroom noise thing.”

Fucking adorable.

“Revving his engine you mean?”

“That's what I said.”

“No you said vroom vroom.”

“Merrick.”

“Jovi.”

Giggling she huffs, “Fine. That. Why's he doing that? Your tail light out or something?”

“He-” the car revs again and I roll my eyes. “He wants to race.”

“Right here? Right now?” Concern is skipped over and she immediately goes to panic. “You can't! It's not safe! It's not set up! It's not-”

“Something I was going to do,” I cut her off. “I told you, I don't race like that. That's
why
Vinnie goes to the lengths he does. So no one has to be put at risk for dying while we do what we love to do.”

Eventually the Honda gives up and speeds off weaving around cars.

He'll get caught by the red and blues in about a mile. Did I mention my cop detector is better than yours?

Jovi sighs and relaxes back into her seat. She nibbles on her bottom lip as she looks out the window.

I let my hand slide over as I take my foot off the gas. “You wanna tell me what's eating you?”

In a quiet voice she admits, “I totally just sounded like my dad.” A small chortle comes from me. “Not funny Merrick.”

“A little funny.” She flashes me a seriously unhappy expression. “So what's the big deal?”

We pass the cop who has the Honda pulled over before I change lanes to take an upcoming exit.

Told ya.

“I don't wanna sound like him! I don't wanna end up like him! I don't wanna think like him!” The words fly out of her mouth. “He runs this city like a dictator and doesn't even realize it any more. All he says, all he believes in, are the dangers and the crimes. He doesn't see...people or hope or fun anymore. He's miserable. I don't wanna be miserable, Merrick. If I stay here...that's what I'm afraid I'll end up like.”

Taking a left at the light off the access road, I state, “But you're not staying here. You're leaving.” The pain of my words slows my own sentence down forcing the thoughts that I can't get a handle on to swirl around faster. More intense. “You're...” I clear my throat. “You're getting out. You're leaving for college in a few weeks, Jovi. It's not like you changed your mind and were contemplating staying.”

When she doesn't deny what I said, misguided selfish hope floats around.

I know it's wrong and that she needs to go, but I wish I was at least worth the idea of sticking around for.

“Jovi...”

“I...”

“Tell me.”

“I...”

At the red light, I turn my face and repeat, “Tell me baby.”