Vintage (Adrenaline Series Book 2) (17 page)

Jovi

Late Friday afternoon, I'm walking around the university campus trying to hold back my excitement during the tour.

It's so cool!

“And over there.” Trey, the tour guide points. “Often professor Phillips likes to teach her students on that grassy knoll and paint their feelings.” He quickly adds, “Total hippie.”

I giggle and fold my hands together behind my back. “Not a bad thing.”

“Except she doesn't wear deodorant, so those days outside, whooooo,” he gags before chuckling. 

Our walk continues around the path of the school that's quiet since most classes are in session. The university campus is remarkable. Large red bricked structures. Shaded paths with gorgeous green trees. Hang out areas for studying by fountains and ponds filled with ducks.

Trey leads me around introducing different buildings, his enthusiasm infectious. Rounding the corner closer towards the admissions office, he slows our walk down. “So...what's your major?”

“Art history,” I reply. “What's yours?”

“Music. I wanna teach music to middle school students.”

“Wow. That's...ambitious.”

“That's me.” Trey chuckles. “Pretty much make up my mind and go after what I want whether it's food or school or....women.”

He's not...he's not hitting on me is he? What do you mean of course he is? I'm not Hayli. That doesn't happen very often. Then again, maybe that was because of my father. He's nobody here. Hell, I'm nobody here. Just...Jovi.

“Do you have plans tonight?” He asks moving in closer. “I'd love to take you to this local pizza joint that's known for putting fried pickles on their pepperoni pizza.”

On a chortle I shake my head. “That's crazy!”

“Me taking you for dinner or the pizza thing?”

“The pizza thing-”

“So that's yes to dinner?”

“No,” I correct him swiftly. “That's a polite no thank you.”

“Taken?”

“Happily.” My answer is followed by the chain around my neck that's home to my ring.

Took a little convincing but eventually Nadie and Hayli bought into the idea that it's just a ring made to act as a pendent. That Merrick loved it so much he slid it on a chain as a good luck at college gift. Lame, but it's for the best. Once we're married I'll take the ear chewing that's going to come from them both. Just not yet. I don't think Hayli would try to stop me, but I can't say the same for Nadie.

“Lucky man.”

A blush comes on my cheeks and I shrug. “I'm a lucky woman.”

He hums and says, “Well I understand passing on a date, but there's this local karaoke bar a bunch of us hang out at on Saturday nights. Wanna tag along tomorrow? Meet some other students?”

“Totally.” I jump at the chance. “That would...that would be fantastic.”

“Then consider it a non-date, date.”

I smile at his lame joke as we head up the stairs to the doors. He opens the door like a gentleman, which is where Nadie is waiting, her phone in hand.

Probably updating Dad on our every movement.

“You like the campus?” She slips her phone into her purse. “Everything you dreamed?”

“And more!” I shriek excitedly. “Plus Trey and I are gonna hang out tomorrow night.”

“Gonna show her the ropes,” he politely smiles. Nadie gives me a weary look, but Trey speaks instead. “No worries ma'am. She mentioned being off the market. Just trying to help get past some of the new student jitters.”

“That's kind of you,” she softly says back.

“You want me to pick you up or meet me there?”

“Why don't you pick me up?”

Pulling out my phone we exchange numbers before parting ways. He has another tour to lead and Nadie is anxious to grab a bite.

Barely had time to consume anything before our tour this morning. We slept in a little late. Dad was trying to monitor our schedule last night while working from his home office. Failed miserably at both. Nadie eventually convinced him to get to the actual office because we were fine. By the time she did we were running late.

The two of us leave campus with packets of information and head to a local restaurant closer to the hotel. On the drive over I gush about the beautiful sights, the crazy professor stories Trey told me, and end up giggling over the idea of feeding the ducks between classes.

“You and the ducks.” She shakes her head at me. “Ever since you were little.”

“I like ducks.” With a shrug I say, “They're like artists of the pond.”

“Only you Jo'. Only you...” After we laugh together she says, “So Trey...”

“Yeah.”

“He's cute.”

“In a Nicholas Holt kind of way.”

She nods and has a sip of her water. “And you're going out tomorrow night?”

“With people. In a group.”

“Even if you wanted to go out alone, I wouldn't stop you.”

Confused I raise my eyebrows.

“It's not that I'm trying to teach you to cheat on your boyfriend-”

“That's what it sounded like.”

“I just want you to remember you are young, Jovi. It's okay to...test the water. Or be interested in other guys.”

“What happened to it's okay to be in love with Merrick?”

“It completely is,” she rushes out. “I want you to do whatever your heart says. If that's be with Merrick then be with Merrick. If that's test the waters in college, then test them. Just remember to be safe while doing it. I don't...I don't want you to feel like there's any one right answer any more. I just want you to be happy. Whatever that means.”

We both know she doesn't mean that. If I were to tell her right now that the ring around my neck is an engagement ring she would flip shit and forbid me from ever seeing him again. Funny how people say one thing right until it means something they didn't want it to.

Merrick

This is one of the dumbest fucking things I've ever done in my life. This is so fucking stupid even Ben wouldn't do it. Yet here I am.

Taking a seat across from The Devil, I fold my hands in my lap.

Can't show weakness with this man. He has to know I'm not afraid of him. I'm man enough to fucking do this. You've got my back right?

The Devil lights his cigar and motions a hand. “You wanted my attention. You have it.”

Bravely I start, “You're a business man.”

“A helluva good one.”

“I wanna cut a deal.”

A crooked smile comes across his face as he ashes his cigar. “That a boy. I was wondering how long it would take before you propositioned me.” Putting it back in his mouth he states, “That's why you came without your big brother. You know he would stop you.”

“This isn't about Madden. Or any of my other brothers. This is about me.” After a short pause I firmly demand. “I want out.”

“Out?”

“Completely out.” Not taking too much to let him speak I continue, “You don't actually need me. Sure, I can drive better than Madden, but not enough to really make a fucking difference to you. You recruited me to have one more puppet string on my brother. You can let me go and still get everything done that needs to be. Ghost is a blank face. Anybody can be behind that mask. You like using me because you like twisting that screw driver between Madden's ribs. Well, I want out.” Leaning forward I repeat, “All the way out.”

The Devil blows out smoke and shrugs. “You said you wanted to cut a deal, yet so far all I've heard is demands. And honestly, the only reason you're sitting in front of me instead of being face down in my pool is because I like the balls on you. Takes a large nut snack to stroll up to me on my property and make requests like this. So get to the point where you say something that makes me not wanna burn you with my cigar.”

Man made of ice on the inside. To him Hell is just a hotbox.

“One job,” I offer. “One job that lets me out free and clear.”

Suddenly he grins again. “You have my attention once more.”

“One job that you need me for. That big score that's just waiting for you. The one you haven't touched yet because you're not sure if you can risk it.” Leaning forward again I emphasize, “You can. You will. And when I complete this mission I'm out. 110%. free and clear. I leave this life behind and you don't let it follow me.”

“Why would I take this deal?” He ashes his cigar again as he leans back in his seat. “Sure I could get the score that I'm interested in, but it's not dire. Besides, it'll still be there years from now.”

Breaking out my final card I answer, “Because you're realizing how it looks to have your best driver sleeping with the one man determined to shut down your whole operation. Word gets out you didn't kill me to begin with and rumors start that you've gone soft. That maybe you can't be trusted. Take me out now, Jovi will cry to her father and demand to know what happened. She doesn't know shit about what I do for you now, but if you take me out, that secret won't be a secret for long. 
Let
me out quietly before the whispers start and it shakes the direct connection to the commissioner off the board. I'm out of the business. Out of your life. I've never met you and you don't fucking know my name.”

The Devil smiles wildly.

“Do we have a deal?”

He removes the cigar and nods. “One job. And you're out.”

Don't smile yet. It's never that simple with him. You know that by now.

“However,” The Devil slowly says. “For this job, you risk everything.”

“Meaning?”

“Meaning, no mask. No back up. Middle of the day.”

Hearing the stakes causes me to look off for a moment.

If I fuck it up, that's prison. There's nowhere to hide. No one to help me out. One deep dark hole with no rescue light. My entire life is on the line here. Don't even ask me if it's worth it. We both know the answer to that question.

“Need some more time to think?” The Devil taunts.

“Nope. What's the job?”

Chuckling he places the cigar back in his mouth. “There's a Hot Tottie out west. I've wanted it for a while. Problem is it can only be picked up by an actual name and face. I don't pick it up myself because if I'm caught that direction it's bad for business. So, you go. Get the car. Drive it back here. You're out. That simple.”

“That simple?”

“There may be a surprise or two during the pick-up. Nothing you can't handle.”

“When?”

“I gotta make a few phone calls.” The Devil smiles again. “I'll be in touch within the next 48 hours. When I call, you come. The Lotus will be part of the exchange. You're pretty familiar with her.”

Fighting the urge to smile I extend my hand. “You've got a deal.”

He shakes my hand in return and I try to ignore the nagging feeling that I'm making the hugest mistake of my entire life.

Don't start the deal with the devil crap. It's the last thing I need.

Jovi

Looking around at the display apartment that is supposed to resemble the one I will be renting in a few weeks. The two bedroom, two bath has plenty of space for us to live in harmony or as cold roommates if we want.

I've sent a couple emails back and forth. Checked her out on Facebook. She seems laid back enough, but you know how some people are one way on the internet and completely crazy in a real life.

“It's a good size,” Nadie comments looking around the kitchen. “About fifteen minutes from the grocery store and ten minutes from campus. Prime location. I did pretty good huh?”

I roll my eyes and fiddle with the ring around my chain. “You did great, Nadie.”

“Now where will Hayli sleep when she visits?”

Giggling I reply, “In my bed. The same place she sleeps now.”

Nadie laughs lightly. “That's a good point.” Her phone starts ringing in her purse dragging her attention to my father's special ringer. Now obviously annoyed she huffs, “Give me a sec.” Answering she snaps, “Everything is fine, Nick.”

Slowly I stroll away from her heading towards the master bedroom. Inside I stare at the small full sized bed and try to imagine my own instead. It doesn't take long before my mind wanders to Merrick naked in it. On top of me. Thrusting viciously as I scream his name. My eyes shut as the sounds of him groaning in my ears making more than just my heart miss him.

Do you blame me?

A hand lands on my shoulder and shocks me out of my reverie. Nadie suspiciously asks, “What were you thinking about?”

Trying to hide the blush I start toying with my ring on it's chain again.  “Just...where to put my furniture.” I tilt my head. “Maybe my desk over there?”

“Not by the window? You don't wanna see the park while you work?”

“Maybe,” I hum thankful my heated cheeks have finally started to cool. “Not even sure, which room I'm gonna end up with yet. It's cool either way though. I'm just excited about my first apartment.”

“Which we will be paying for as part of your tuition.”

The surprise drops my jaw. “But-”

“I know.” She cuts me off. “Your father wants to pay for it, so you can focus on finishing with good grades. Keep them up and he'll keep paying. After you graduate, you'll be on your own. Deal?”

I smile and nod.

This is gonna change when he finds out I not only got married behind his back, but married a McCoy. Hopefully he doesn't stop payment on my tuition check. Though you know what? Even if he does, I have a feeling Merrick wouldn't let me just give up my dream school. He'd help. He's that amazing. If not, I'll get a loan or a second job.

After Nadie and I leave the apartment, we stop by a few places that I would be interested in working, including the local public library, before we have dinner together. During the day Merrick has sent me a few text messages with loving sentiments while Hayli warned me I better not try to replace her.  Once we finish eating, we do a little window shopping, trying to familiarize myself a little more with the city.

That night, in my room of the suite Nadie splurged on, I sit at the makeup mirror trying to apply just enough to makeup to let it appear subtle.

Appearing subtle is always harder than actually being subtle. Hayli taught me that.

My phone vibrates next to my makeup brush and I giggle at the picture of me with Merrick's black baseball cap on backwards and him kissing my cheek. Answering in a sweet tone, I say, “Future Mrs. McCoy speaking.”

“Fuck I love how that sounds,” Merrick replies in return. “Almost as much as I love the sound of your voice.”

I smile wider.

“How is my fiance?”

“Good.” Fiddling with ring again I sigh, “A little sad without you.”

“I know the feeling...” There's a brief pause before he says, “Two days without you and I'm craving you like an addict.”

“Addicted to me?”

“Hell yeah I am.” I lean forward on my elbow as he questions, “But how's school? The campus?”

“Beautiful!” My excitement pops out. “So green. So many trees. There are all these beautiful paths that wind around the buildings. Oh and the ducks!”

“Ducks? You have a thing for ducks?”             

“You have a problem with ducks?”             

“I...I...I've never thought about it. Not even sure I've seen a duck up close.”

“Aw.” With a soft smile I insist, “Well, I'm going to have to take you to feed them with me.”

“I'd like that.” Merrick clears his throat and asks, “So what are you up to now? Have time to tell more or do you...have to go?”

“Um...” There's a beep indicating a call on the other line. Checking it out I notice it's from Trey. “I kind of have to go. I was invited out to check out one of the local hang out places.”

“Made a new friend already?”

“The tour guide I met yesterday. He's really friendly.”

“He?”

Shit. I could've phrased that better.

“Yeah, but there's nothing to worry about.”

“I didn't say I was worried.”

The awkward, uncomfortable tension feels like this is what it's going to be like when we're separated.

But we'll be married, so hopefully he moves sooner rather than later.

“I trust you Jovi,” Merrick states, the disappointment he's not going out with me, in his voice obvious. “Call me when you back? You know...just to tell me goodnight or whatever. That you made it back safe.”

Kindly I assure, “Of course. I'll never go to bed without saying good night to you.”

“That's my baby,” he says clearly trying to hide any emotions that aren't supportive. “Enjoy your night out. Don't get too crazy.”

“I won't. Be safe at the races tonight.”

“Not going,” he quickly denies.

“Olympus?”

“Nope. Just call me whenever you get back.”

“Promise.”

“Love you.”

“Love you too.”

There's a long pause before he hangs up. When the line goes dead I give my reflection one long, hard look.

Everything is going to be fine. Everything is going to work out. All the pieces are finally falling into place. This separation is temporary, but the future we're building...that's permanent.