Vintage (Adrenaline Series Book 2) (5 page)

Not being able to ignore the vibrations that are continuing I check my phone once more.

Madden:  Wasn't a suggestion.

Of course it wasn't. He doesn't make those.

Madden: I'll get Triple D to find you.

On a grunt, I drop my fork and reluctantly announce, “Sorry. I gotta get going. Work.”

Learning to punch my brother in the face the correct way is technically work. That shit is hard. Plus I have a feeling I need to brace myself to be paid back for the one I socked him yesterday.

Nadie compliments, “Responsible young man,”

I smirk. “I am responsible...”

“Oh put it away,” Jovi playfully fusses.

“Well since you have to run off for breakfast, would you like to come back for dinner?”

“Dinner?” Jovi shrieks. “Are you out of your mind? Dad--”

“Isn't coming home today,” she cuts her off. “Apparently the sting or raid or whatever that thing is called failed last night. Someone tipped them off, so he's dealing with that today.” I make sure to keep my eyes planted on Nadie knowing the slightest extra movement could raise suspicions “So, if you're hungry later, feel free to come back.”

“I appreciate the offer.” I stand with another smile.  “We'll see how the day goes. It was nice to meet you Nadie.”

“And you too Merrick.”

“I'm gonna walk him to the door.  I'll be right back.”

Jovi links her fingers with mine, a hint of sadness glazed over her eyes. The two of us head towards her front door and I softly whisper, “You okay, baby?”

“Yeah,” she whispers back.

Stopping right beside the door, I use my free hand to lift her chin up. “You're a terrible liar.” When she nods I lean forward and plant a light kiss on her lips. “Don't lie to me, Jovi. What's wrong?”

Her eyes glance away. “It's just...”

“Talk to me.”

When her eyes land back on mine they're sadder than before. “It's like every time we have sex you have to leave in a hurry after it.”

“Are you worried that I'm making up excuses to leave you?”

“I'm worried that I'm gonna spend all day waiting for you to call or text, every time, and one of those times you're just not going to. That you're just gonna blow me off. That you're gonna get bored. That you're just gonna-”

I shove my mouth on top of hers to end the insecurities leaking out of her. My tongue rolls around hers until the tense energy that's tightening her body starts to fade. On a final gentle stroke of the tongue, I pull back and rest my forehead against hers. “Stop worrying.”

In a little chuckle she sighs, “I can't help it. I've never done this before.”

With a wide smile, I remind her. “Neither have I.” She giggles sweetly and I kiss her gently once more. “I love you, Jovi. I'll shoot you a text when I get a chance. Busy later?”

She nods and unlocks the door. “I've got a quiz to study for and my final project to work on.”

“Tomorrow?”

“Class and I'm working the next three days. Not to mention I have a book to read for English.”

“I'm sure I'll squeeze my way in.”

“Weasel your way in.”

I give her a wink before a final kiss, heading the direction I parked my car.

Did you really think I was dumb enough to park it in front of the Commissioner's house? Give a guy some credit. What do you mean I was dumb enough to break into his house? Now you sound like Jovi. The only thing I broke into was his daughter's heart and no matter what he says or does, I'm staying there.

Jovi

On a deep sigh I rest the back of my head against the front door and shut my eyes.

Is it normal to hate having to let him go like this? Did I used to be this bad? No. No possible way, I used to be this bad about him leaving. Isn't there some weird chemical thing that happens when you lose your virginity or is that a myth?

“You poor love struck thing.” Nadie's voice pushes my eyelids back up. “You are love sick.”

“Is that what this is?” My shoulders slump. “I feel like I'm PMSing all the time when it comes to him. Stupid happy one minute, annoyingly sad when he leaves, and so on.”

Nadie giggles. “Yeah.”

Why is she laughing? This isn't funny. This is a serious issue. And why didn't Hayli warn me? Bad best friend points.

“I feel...out of control, Nadie. Like I'm losing my mind. Like I don't function the same way I used to.”

“You don't,” she concurs. Walking my direction she explains, “And that's okay. It's actually a really good thing Jovi. I saw the way he looked at you. More importantly I saw the way you looked at him. He gives you that little sparkle you were chasing. The only thing I worry about is when it's time for you to go Jo'.”

“You heard him.” My arms fold across my chest. “He said he would come visit.”

“Not him. You.” She points at me. “It's gonna be hard. There's going to be days that are longer than others. Days you don't get to talk to him between school and work and whatever he has going on here. I just...I don't want you giving up the rest of your life for love.”

I would never do that. Why are you looking at me like that? Like I've already done it. Oh come on. That one text wasn't my whole life. It wasn't that big of a deal. Okay maybe it was, but one thing at a time.

“Speaking of,” Nadie says, leaning against the stair railing. “I have a surprise for you.”

“My car?”

“Still working on it.” After I smile she informs me, “I got us tickets to go visit your campus and see the apartments you're going to be moving into. They're for the week after finals. So make sure you take off work for it.”

“That's my last week of work, so no biggie there. How many days?”

“Technically four days. We'll fly out late Thursday and fly back in late Sunday. Even got us a fancy suite.”

“And by us you mean, me and you right?”

A sad look comes on her face as she nods. “I tried to get your father to come but...you know how that goes.”

“Well how could Jim Gordon ever leave Gotham? That's when the Joker would burn his entire city down unsupervised,” my sarcastic teasing gets a short chortle from her. “Did he at least finish background checks on my potential roommates?” When she shakes her head I shrug. “Okay...I guess instead of trying to look into bonding with them before I move, I'll look for places in the area where I can get a part time job.”

Nadie tilts her head back towards the kitchen. “How about we finish breakfast and you can tell me all about what you decided on for that art project you have been keeping top secret?”

With another smirk I roll my eyes, shake my head, and make my way back towards breakfast trying to untangle the knots in my stomach.

They're from that thing Nadie said. Days where we don't talk to each other? I can handle not seeing him all the time, but not talking to him? Then we'll be hundreds of miles away...and he'll be here with a parade of women who are thankful I hopped ship and went to school. Women just prepared to jump in his bed if he has a moment of weakness. Ugh. Why do I feel like this love sick thing is going to get so much worse?

Merrick

“I hate Lexus',” Madden gripes shutting the hood of the blue LF-LC. “Fucking waste of space. It's like jacking off into a gas tank and calling it fuel.”

Daniel chuckles, “It's a
kind
of fuel.”

“Not everyone has a hard on for vintage cars,” Knoxie grunts at him before sipping her bottle of water.

“Then they don't know shit about cars,” he argues.

“Not everyone was blessed to be a McCoy,” Drew snickers from beside the wheel of the silver Benz SLR Mclaren he was giving a wheel rotation to.

I mumble under my breath, “That's a blessing?”

Feels like a curse considering the fact it's what's stopping me from being welcomed in my girlfriend's household. Well. The main reason.

Noticing a bright red Lexus LF-A Roadster pulling into the shop driveway, I toss to the side the rag I was using to clean my hands.

“Another fucking Lexus,” my big brother grouses.

“I got it,” I call back to him. “Looks like a new customer. Tell Destin to grab the tablet for new customer paperwork.” Walking out of the shop, towards the parked vehicle, I'm not shocked by the vision that slides herself out.

Another prime example of what happens when Mommy and Daddy give you everything you pout for.

She tosses her light brown hair over her shoulder and saunters her long thin frame towards me. Immediately she compliments, “You're dreamy.”

I wink. “So I'm told.”

She extends her hand. “Jenny Bell.”

“Merrick McCoy.” We shake. “What can we do for you this afternoon?”

“Well my car needs an oil change. Think you can fit her in?”

“Most likely.”

“And I need someone to fit in
me
. Think you can help? I hear it's something else McCoy's are great at.”

See what I fucking mean. A curse. Another reason I love my girl so much. She's never been after my name.

With a polite smile I say, “Destin will get you set up with paperwork.”

Her hand strolls down my chest. “And the other part?”

Removing her hand I state, “I'm taken, but I know one McCoy you'll enjoy.” I glance over my shoulder. “Ben!”

Like the dog he is, he comes running over to meet us, eyes widening at the sight of the bombshell I'm offering him. “Jenny meet Ben. Ben this new customer is Jenny. Can you help her over to Destin and answer a question she has for you...”

His tongue wets his lips before he answers, “I think I can handle that.”

“God I hope so,” she says dropping her hand into his.

“Keys?”

“In the car.” Her hand moves over her shoulder at me, Ben now having all her focus. “A discount? And all I have to do is what...”

It's really that easy when you're a McCoy. Chicks flock to our dicks, but I don't care anymore. It doesn't matter to me. I've got what I want. And after a brief visit with Vinnie I'll be the only place I want to be. With her.

After skipping lunch and ditching the end of my shift early, I drive across town to Vinnie's. I knock sharply twice before Shelby opens the door in her favorite attire, jean shorts and a bikini top.

“Merrick,” she greets me.

“Shel,” I say in return.

Once inside she directs me, “He's upstairs in his playroom.”

We all have our ways of winding down. I like to paint. He likes to build model cars.

Entering the room he has dedicated to working on and displaying them, I see Vinnie behind the desk painting a roadster red.

What's with people and red roadsters?

“You see this beauty,” Vinnie questions the paintbrush still moving in his hand. “Took Shelby 4 months to find this little beauty. Gotta love my girl. She can find anything.”

I drop into the seat across from him. “So can you.”

“It's why we're a perfect match,” he replies, his tongue hanging out the corner of his mouth. “Speaking of, how are things with the Commissioner's pride and joy? Bored yet?”

“Never.”

Vinnie smirks.

“Asshole.”

“When it comes to her you're easy to fuck with.” His laugh makes me un-tense. “I owe her one for saving our asses last weekend. That was a little too close for comfort.”

“Worried? You Vinnie?”

“Yeah.” When his movements cease he states, “This sort of thing shouldn't happen. I keep the right amount of money in the right pockets so I don't have to worry, which means now I have a different problem to solve.”

“You're overreacting. It's not the first time the commissioner has tried to catch you in the act and it won't be the last.”

“But it is the first time I wasn't expecting it,” he corrects me. “I owe you one for getting that message to me. And one to your girl for risking her neck.” Vinnie puts the brush down and leans back in his seat shaking his head. “Change is coming McCoy. And not the good kind.”

“We're God's in this world. We can survive anything.”

“Even the God's can fall, Merrick.” Vinnie shakes his head at me again. “It's not about being a God. It's about survival of the fittest. Being an adapter.”

You gettin' the feeling like Vinnie knows something we don't?

“While we're getting the leak problem solved, races are out for at least the week if not two. We'll do a pool party here this weekend instead.” Tossing me a nod he asks, “You bringing Jovi?”

“If she'll come. Otherwise we will spend the day in bed and have just as much fun.” I wiggle my eyebrows.

Vinnie rolls his eyes. “Did you need something?”

“Keys to my new Audi.”

“Ah. Decided you're finally ready to strip her?”

“I've actually changed my mind. I'm gonna keep her.”

“And hang her in the square for all the other racers to know not to go after a McCoy's girl?”

After a chortle I deny, “Nah...I think I'm gonna give her to Jovi.”

Disbelief flushes Vinnie's face. “You wanna give the Commissioner's daughter a car you won doing the very thing he is trying to prevent happening in this town? Do you just wake up in the morning and ask how the fuck can you poke the bear with a sharper stick for a better reaction?” I laugh but he scowls. “You're gonna turn into Ben at this rate.”

“Doubtful. I don't sniff it out like a dog looking for a new place to shit-”

“No, you step into it like a wobbly toddler who can't see where he's going in a field full of horse shit.”

And you thought I could paint a picture.

“She doesn't have a car yet so I'm gonna let her use the Audi if she wants. School. Work. Whatever.”

“Terrible fucking idea,” he mumbles. “Krissy!”

Promptly she peaks around the corner, blond hair shaping her face. “Yeah?”

“Can you grab Merrick's keys and winnings please?”

“Sure thing babe. Anything else?” She offers.

Vinnie gives her a long stare, a familiar grin growing on his face.

I get the same look when I'm ready to pounce Jovi. Do all dudes get that look?

“I can think of something...”

She giggles and says in a heated voice, “I'll be right back.”

Once she disappears, he looks at me with a curious look. “Tell me this is all you needed. I have...other business I wanna handle.”

With a chuckle I assure him, “Yeah. I'll get the hell out so you can spend time with your girls.” 

Krissy strolls in and hands me an envelope. “Storage B.”

“Thank you.” Standing up, I say to Vinnie, “Saturday?”

As his girl falls into his lap he reminds me, “Saturday.”

I smirk to myself, finding my own need to fuck increasing.

Think I could convince Jovi to let me feel her up in the library? That could be fun...

After leaving Vinnie's I park my car at the secure parking garage where I pick up the Audi and drive it across town to the library. I offer smiles and winks at the girls who can't seem to look away before slipping inside wondering where I can find my girlfriend today.

I stroll around the aisles expecting to find her in the art section staring into a book about Monet, yet she's nowhere to be found. Confused if I misread her work schedule for the week, I continue my search finally hearing her voice in a place I don't expect to. Around the back corner I see her sitting in the kid's section reading to two small children.

Quietly I lean against the shelf and listen to the end of the story.

“And that's when the prince and princess lived happily ever after. The end,” Jovi says cheerfully.

The little girl demands. “Another! Another!”

“I think three is enough Grace,” a woman joins them. “Jovi was sweet enough to read you and your sister two books. How about we go get these checked out and go meet your aunt Ash for dinner?”

“Dinner!” They shriek flying at their mother's legs.

“I'll check you out in just one sec. Gonna put these two books away,” Jovi informs.

“Can we take home the one about the prince and princess?” One of the little girl asks.

“Sure. Jovi, we'll take that one too.”

“No problem,” my girlfriend sweetly responds.

As they walk away, I sneak up behind her, wrap my arms around her waist, and let my lips fall to her ear. “My princess.”

Jovi leans her head back so it lands on my shoulder. “My prince.”

Dropping my mouth on hers, my tongue twirls around, desperate for the flavor that only belongs to her. On a small hum of approval she lets me deepen the kiss, hands slipping under the edge of her shirt to toy with the skin on her lower stomach.

I think I could convince her to let me drag her to the corner for a quickie...

Unfortunately the kiss ends with her gently pulling her lips from mine. “I have to check them out.”

“Shift almost over?”

“It is.”

“Good. I have a surprise for you...”

Suddenly fear falls on her face. “Merrick...”

Doesn't anyone trust me?

“Relax.” I wink. “It's not as bad as you’re thinking.”

“Is it legal?”

“Yes.”

“At least there's that,” she whispers playfully before walking away towards the counter. Looking over her shoulder she says, “Meet you out front in five?”

With a wide smile I nod and twist my hat around.

Longest five minutes of my life. Shit. Did I really just say that? My brother's weren't fucking kidding. I am indeed pussy whipped.

Jovi comes out of the front doors of the library with a bright smile on her face indicating she's just as happy to see me as I am her.