Vintage (Adrenaline Series Book 2)

by Xavier Neal

  “Will have sex.”

  “You're optimistic.”

  “Accurate.”

  She scoffs before going to retaliate. “Wr-”

  “Jovi!” A woman's voice sounds like it's approaching.

  “Oh shit!” She shrieks scrambling off the top of me.

  So....this isn't good?

  Her name is repeated even louder. “Jovi!”

  “Oh my God!” She panics as she starts pushing me towards the end of the bed. “You have to go! You have to get out of here!”

  “What do you want me to do? Climb out the window?”

  “Yes!”

  In a sharp whisper I remind her, “We're on the second story!”

  “I don't know! You should-” is where the sentence stops as I'm shoved onto the floor with a thud.

  Motherfucker! That hurt!

  The light is flicked on freezing me in place. Doing my best to stay still and unseen I hold my breath.

  “Sorry I'm home so late,” the woman's voice apologizes.

  “No biggie,” Jovi answers pulling on the bed sheet. “I was...still asleep.”

  “Asleep,” the voice repeats clearly suspicious. “Well would you and asleep like some breakfast now that I'm home? I'm thinking pancakes.”

  My girlfriend lets out a defeated sigh, which is when I pop just my head up over the edge to see a woman who could easily pass for her mother.

  But that can't be right...her mother died in a car crash.

  “I would love some breakfast ma'am.”

  “Nadie,” she softly corrects me. “You can call me Nadie. However I do like your manners. I'll see you both downstairs in a few minutes.”

  She gives us both a sweet smirk before shutting the door. Jovi's face turns to me revealing it's bright red color.

  That better be embarrassment for getting caught. Not for fucking me.

  “You're kind of cute cherry red.”

  “I'm not red.”

  “Like a firetruck.”

  “Shut up,” she scolds. On a sharp snap she demands, “Get dressed.”

  Still smirking I stand up and reach for my jeans where my boxers are still inside. “Should I be nervous?”

  “To have breakfast at the Police Commissioner's house? What do you think?”

  “I think,” I sigh pulling them on. “That making love to you takes a lot of energy and I need to refuel.”

  “You're...you're....” The anxiety that was just covering her quickly fades as she fights another laugh. “Ugh.”

  Tossing my black shirt and then my hat into my hands using my feet, I cockily say, “That's not what you were saying just a minute ago.”

  On a playful disgusted laugh she hops out of bed with no comeback.

  She's even sexier when she's speechless.

  About fifteen minutes later, after we're both dressed and have engaged in one more make out session that leads to a very brief finger banging in her bathroom, we're sitting at her kitchen table while Nadie, the woman who caught us earlier, is placing pancakes on plates.

  “So Merrick,” she starts.

  Jovi demanded I not tell her my last name. I hadn't planned on it anyway, but I'm grateful she's always looking out for me.

  “What do you do for a living?”

  Jovi gives me a gentle kick under the table.

  Is that a precaution kick?

  “I'm a mechanic.”

  Did she think I was going to say street racer? Or that I work for one of the most wanted criminals in this part of the country? Yeah. I know she doesn't know that last part and I don't plan on her ever knowing. I'm...trying to come up with something so that I don't have to.

  “Really?” She sounds surprised as she places down plates in front of us. “Where at?”

  “At a shop,” Jovi buts in. When Nadie raises her eyebrows she reminds her, “Nothing that could possibly help Dad look into him.”

  I pick up a piece of bacon and playfully remark, “You don't think your dad would like me?”

  “Oh he hates everybody,” Nadie answers.

  “Don't flatter yourself and think you're special,” Jovi quips.

  “Ouch,” I mumble between chews.

  “Well at least you have a job,” she returns to the subject sitting at the table beside us. “In college?”

  “No ma'am.”

  “Interest in it?”

  “Slightly.”

  That's the truth. I know before it was like what the fuck ever, but helping Jovi with her project just has had my brain running around the subject.

  “Subject?”

  “Probably art.”

  “How do you feel about Jo' leaving for it?”

  “Wow, Nadie...” She places her fork down. “Are you gonna turn into Dad in his absence?”

  Defending herself she says, “I'm just curious. With the obvious 'in love' gaze he can't stop giving you and the fact his hands have not left your body since you've been down here, I am just wondering will you two be okay parted.”

  My eyes glance down at the hand that's laying on her thigh.

  We won't be parted. But that's really another discussion I don't have all the pieces to quite yet.

  “I'm glad she gets to go to her dream school. I'm glad she gets to follow her passion. Besides, I like road trips, so visiting her gives me the best excuse for one,” I answer.

  Jovi blushes into a smirk and resumes her decision to eat. Instead of following suit, I just watch as she slowly chews her pancake. Her tongue touches her lips wiping away a bit of syrup that was left behind. I bury my groan and shift in my seat.

  Not a good time for a hard on.

  Thankfully my phone vibrates in my pocket blocking my dick from popping up. Sliding out my phone I key in the password to see a text that makes me roll my eyes.

  Madden: Ed's. Now.

  Fuck, he was serious about that shit?

  “Are you an only child?” Nadie questions, grabbing my attention once more.

  Politely I answer, “No.”

  “Don't ask how many siblings,” Jovi adds sweetly.

  Slightly frustrated with all the perimeters we keep setting up, she tries again. “What about your parents? Are you close with your parents?”

  I have another bite of eggs and try to ignore my cell phone that's vibrating again.

  It's not that I mind talking about my parents, it's just not something I typically do.

  Sensing the hesitation, Jovi replies for me, “He's...well he's...”

  I swallow and answer, “I'm an orphan.”

  “Were you raised in foster care?”

  “No,” I quickly say. “Family raised me.”

  “And that's enough of that subject,” Jovi invades.

  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 do
wn my chest. “And the other part?”