by Neal, Xavier
“Jamie!” I snap this time louder.
Destin laughs again this time sliding a hand around my lower back. Chills litter my skin. “Actually I prefer them like I do my scotch. Brown, smooth, and easy to go down.”
Feeling my own face turn vinous, I bury it in the crook of my elbow.
Down on him? Or down on me? Does it matter? He wants someone to go down somewhere. Is it bad I'm all for that?
“Oh, I like you too,” Jamie insists. “Besides any person who can make Azura turn that color without trying is someone to have around.”
Destin nudges my hip with his body. Slowly I look up over my lowered glasses as he says to me, “I hope so. I like being around.”
She motions her hand towards the entrance. “Then right this way.”
All three of us stroll in the party together. The oasis most commonly referred to as a backyard is lively. To our right is the outside living space that stretches the length of the side of the house. It's separated from the inside by glass doors and windows. The overhead space has mood lighting while the area is decorated with everything from bar top tables which go along with the full bar service, to long lavish couches. Running parallel to it is a hot tub area which runs off into a luxury pool down beneath. In the distance is the golfing range, covered massage area, another bar, a sand volleyball pit and regular basketball court.
You're pretty much looking at what happens when you can't decide on one thing, so you pick everything.
Destin whispers in my ear, “Where the hell are we?”
“Preston Wyatt-”
“Wait.” He grabs my arm. “Are we talking action star Preston Wyatt?” Before I can finish nodding he snaps, “No fucking way! No fucking way! How do you know Preston Wyatt?”
“Short version? We share similar tastes in recreational activities.”
Outside of stunts on the screen, he likes extreme sports. Watching. Occasionally participating against his agent and lawyer's wishes.
Destin's tattooed arms fold firmly across his chest. “Are you trying to tell me you get high together?”
Mimicking his action I bite, “Really? Do I look like that kinda girl?”
“No but-”
“Destin,” I cut him off. “I don't do drugs. I rarely drink. I only come to these types of parties because Jamie insists. Or Angela, like I did to Vinnie's party, even then she just wanted someone to drive her. With one exception, I'm a fairly boring person.”
Oh geez....I shouldn't have said that. He doesn't want boring. No one wants boring. Why am I hell bent on self-sabotage?
“Why don't you let me be the judge of that?” Destin says, his arms falling as he approaches me slowly. “And um...what's the exception?”
“There's my girl,” a loud voice over my shoulder coos. Quickly turning around, I see Spencer holding out a plastic cup. “I was wondering where you were. Your concept of time really does suck.”
Before I can say anything, Destin snaps, “Your girl?”
Oh no...this... it's not what it looks like. I swear!
Spencer steps to my side. “Who the hell are you?”
“Who the fuck are you?” Destin steps closer.
Quickly I introduce, “Destin meet Spencer. Spencer meet Destin.”
“Her date.” He immediately extends his hand. “Pleasure.”
With a disgusted look he hands me the drink. “Your date?”
“I'm allowed to date,” I sigh, gripping the cup tighter. “Thanks for the drink.”
“I thought you didn't drink,” Destin interjects.
“It's a Shirley Temple,” Spencer answers turning his attention to him. “You'd know it's her favorite if you knew anything about her besides her measurements.”
He winks. “Which are exquisite by the way.”
I cannot believe he saw me topless today.
Spencer grunts just as Jamie returns from wherever it is she wandered away too. “Oh look. A pissing contest. Who's winning?”
“Jamie,” I whine.
Don't say she has a point! I know she has a point.
“It's all good,” Destin assures. “There has to be a loser.” Taking my hand he smiles at Spencer. “At least you did it gracefully. Now, are we heading down to that pool or what?”
Jamie chuckles and turns to lead the way. Spencer gives me the sympathetic puppy dog look I know all too well.
No we've never hooked up. No I've never thought about it. It doesn't mean he hasn't tried. Spencer was that nerdy kid in high school that got super gorgeous during his college years. We lost touch after we graduated and when he walked back into the bar a couple years ago, we caught up and started hanging out. In high school we were two dorks in a pond, but I never felt anything romantic. He assumed it was because of how he looked, however he was so wrong. There's no chemistry. Can't fake that. It's not an orgasm. Oh. Shit. No. I've....this conversation is over.
After shedding the clothes covering our swim suits and the guys measuring each other with harsh looks once they're shirtless, we dangle our feet in the edge of the pool.
“Killer rack at 12 o'clock,” Jamie comments leaning back on her palms. “What I wouldn't give to motorboat those bitches.”
Accustomed to her crazy word vomit, I simply snicker and shake my head.
“Is that all you think about?” Spencer gripes from the other side of her.
“Why is that not all you think about?” She quips in return. “Man, what I wouldn't give to know how many drinks it would take for her to 'get drunk and go a little wild'. I am not opposed to using that to my advantage.”
Destin chuckles and replies, “Two mojitos and a two shots of tequila.”
Jamie's eyebrows dart up. “For real?”
He gives her another look. “Yeah. You might wanna go one more shot for good measure, but that should do it. It's just the right amount of lowered inhibition for her to test the water.”
“And how the hell would you know?” Spencer leans around Jamie to snap. “Fucked her before? I wouldn't be surprised. You seem like that type.”
“Spencer!” I snap.
Destin slips an arm around my waist. “It's cool, Azura. To be fair, I know I look like that type.”
Am I crazy? He is a McCoy. His brothers, no doubt have banged enough chicks to enter what is known in the dude world as Legendary Status, but for some reason I'm hoping he's different. Maybe a little different? At least a handful away from the status. Is there any possibility I'm not about to be another check box completed for Bang Girl Bingo?
“But no. I haven't slept with her.”
“Then how do you know?” Spencer pushes. “Or are you talking out of your ass to get Jamie to like you?”
“Jamie doesn't like anyone,” I mumble lifting my cup.
“Oooo that's true,” she agrees. “People typically suck. One reason I enjoy hitting them in the face.”
Baffled I shake my head. “Yet you like parties.”
“There are chicks at parties. I like chicks. Simple. Logic.”
Destin laughs again and pulls me in closer. The gesture so simple, so sweet I'm almost afraid of how incredible it feels. Almost too natural. Too perfect. “Truth is, I had a brother who fucked for sport. After fucking more than any man should be proud of, he had how much liquor was too much for what body/personality type down to a science. At one point he insisted on creating a pie chart to demonstrate. We managed to talk him out of it, so he used pizza instead.”
Daniel McCoy gives a perfect face to sexually charged insane doesn't he?
“Point is...certain girls who are of certain sizes who carry themselves in certain ways can be given an educated guess of how much is too much,” Destin continues. “There were always exceptions to the rule but for the most part, he wasn't wrong.”
“That's bullshit,” Spencer croaks out.
“That's genius,” Jamie gushes.
I put my cup down and bury my face in the palm of my hand.
Why can't we have normal topics of conversa
tions?
Destin laughs from beside me, the hand that was just stroking my side now running it's fingers across my exposed upper back. Suddenly he leans over and whispers, “I'm sorry for this.”
Dropping my hand, I look at him kindly. “It's not your fault.”
“Oh...it definitely is,” he whispers as he smirks.
Unsure of what he means, I open my mouth to question him when he pushes me forward into the pool. Immediately darting to the surface, thankful my glasses stayed on, I shake the water out of my ears.
His laughter, which is contagious, instantly washes away any anger that's appeared. Through water spotted glasses I watch as his chuckles die, but his mouth remains open. The tip of his tongue touches his top lip almost as if pausing his voice.
Jamie leans over and shoves him. “In you go too Casanova.”
There's another huge splash followed with him popping back up right in front of me. With his hands glued to my hips he presses his wet forehead against mine. “Totally worth it.”
He inches his lips forward but the action is quickly ceased by the splashing of water on our faces.
That's right. Water blocked. That's a new one for me.
We turn to see Spencer swimming beside us with Jamie still on the edge.
Destin pulls me in closer, but let's the kiss moment go. Casually he suggests, “Water volleyball?”
“That's my shit!” Jamie exclaims before jumping in.
Hours pass faster than they ever have bringing us into the early evening. The day has been a dream come true. While it wasn't filled with hearts or flowers, I've laughed more times than I thought possible and for the first time in a long time, felt like I'm not playing second best to anyone.
Leaning so my back is against Destin's chest, I let out a satisfied smile that's short lived.
“I assume you're coming to the event,” Spencer grumbles, lowering his beer bottle.
Destin casually replies, “What event?”
With a smug smirk Spencer comments. “Huh. She didn't invite you. Guess your date's almost over then.”
No, he doesn't handle me dating very well, but to be fair I haven't done it much since he's been around. Yes, by much, I mean I've only been on one date in the last two years.
Before he can make the situation any worse, I turn over my shoulder. “I didn't invite you because I didn't think you'd wanna come.”
“You gonna be there?”
“Of course. I kinda have to be.”
“I wanna be wherever you are,” Destin says sweetly.
His eyes light up and I feel my own do the same. “Really?”
“Absolutely.”
Just as his lips lower in an attempt to touch mine, Spencer mumbles, “Awesome...”
Instead of kissing me he nudges my nose with his before peering around me at Spencer. “I get the feeling you don't like me very much dude.”
“He doesn't like anyone who gets that close to Azura's face,” Jamie inserts on a loud sigh. “Don't feel special.”
Destin's eyes fall back into mine. “Well that makes two things we have in common.” A small whimper comes out of me. “Ya feel me?”
I whisper, “I do.”
“Good,” he whispers in return.
Spencer breaks up the moment once more. “Shouldn't you be changing?”
Remind me to stay as far away from him at the event as possible. If I miss another chance to get kissed because of him, there's a chance I might try to drown him.
“Right.” Shaking my head I prepare to get up. “I guess I should go get our clothes out of the backseat.”
“I'll go,” Destin volunteers. “Just grab your whole bag?”
“The red one, not the black one.”
His interest is clearly peaked. “What's in the black one?”
“Whips, chains, handcuffs,” Jamie mutters beside me. “Nothing for you.”
“There better not be,” Spencer grunts.
“That's fine.” Destin shrugs taking my keys from me. “We'll just use mine instead.” There's a small gasp that I can only assume is from Spencer. “Be back.”
While we watch Destin head towards the exit, Jamie comments, “Shouldn't you be changing too Spence?”
“Probably,” he mumbles and rises to his feet. “Look Azura-”
“Save yourself the embarrassment and get to moving,” Jamie insists. He grumbles something but walks away leaving the two of us our first minute alone. “Now that we can breathe something other than testosterone I just wanna say, you did good.”
Biting back a smile I ask, “Yeah?”
“Oh yeah. But here's my warning.” Our faces turn to look at each other. “Be careful. While I would rather punch myself in the face than agree with Spencer out loud, Destin does have the whole tatted, playboy thing. He flirts like it's a profession. He's been eye fucking you all night like there's only one thing on his mind. If it's on yours too, great. If it's not, well...be careful because dudes like that have a way of changing a girl's mind.”
Look, I'm not a complete idiot. I know she's right. He is a McCoy. That's what they're known best for. Fucking and forgetting. Tell me. Is it wrong to hope there's more there? That there's more to him? With everything else that’s surrounding him, something inside me says that maybe what the world sees is nothing more than what they want too, not what's really there. What about you? What do you see?
**
“The docks,” Destin says, glancing out his window. “Should I be worried you're gonna cut off my skin and turn me into a lampshade?” When I giggle he adds, “I'm pretty sure I would make a better suit.”
Rolling my eyes, I take a right driving us past one of the storage units that constantly has a limo parked outside of it.
What kind of person rolls around in a limo, yet spends that much time at the docks?
Destin types away on his phone yet again spurring me to ask, “Is it another girl?”
He pauses very briefly. “Excuse me?”
“The reason you're constantly on your phone,” I retort, pulling into a parking space. “Is it a girl you're seeing?”
Once he's finished typing he slides it back in his pocket. “It's my other job.”
Confused I snap, “I thought you were just a mechanic.”
“I thought you were just a bartender.” Seeing his point I nod. “Azura, I know my brothers and I have a reputation, but for a sec, just one, can you forget about it?” My head hits the back of my seat while my eyes stare into his. “Remember the day in the bar you pointed out the differences in the three of us?”
“Yeah.”
“Well one major thing you didn't point out, because you didn't know yet, is I don't sleep around like they did. That's not to say I haven't had my fair share of girls, it just means...I'm not cycling through them like tissues in cold season.” My face twitches a smile. “I wanted what my parents had long before Merrick ever did. Long before Drew fell in love-”
“Drew's in love?”
“Yeah.” There's a bitter-sweetness to the expression on his face. “And honestly, I don't wanna keep going like we were. After Ben...Merrick...and now Daniel's deaths, I realized I don't wanna die never knowing what that feels like. Maybe that makes me a giant pussy-”
“Or a giant romantic.”
“Isn't that the same thing?” My laughter spurs his. “I'm just saying, drop the McCoy from my name and just give me a chance to be Destin.” His tongue wets the lips I can't wait to have on mine. “Please.”
On a light sigh, I whisper, “Okay.”
“Okay,” he comments back.
The two of us get out and I grab my black shoulder bag from the backseat. He slides his hand with mine and follows me towards the building where one single man is waiting, leaned against the building.
When we arrive in front of him, he lifts his eyebrows at me. “Code?”
I hold out my hand and insist Destin does the same. The guard looks both directions before taking out his black light flashlight. Seein
g the symbol we were supposed to draw on to be admitted in, he pushes a button on a remote in his pocket. The door creeps open allowing us access.
“Where the hell are we going?” he whispers in my ear.
“You'll see.”
