Vintage (Adrenaline Series Book 2)

by Xavier Neal

  “Yeah.”

  “What about Ben's?”

  “Died in a drug deal, about a week after being out.”

  The reply has me lowering the camera with a sad expression. Unsure of what to say I squeeze his hand for support on the sensitive subject.

  Silently he leads me down a thin hall allowing me to stop along the way to take pictures of the random cars he's painted on the walls. Sure they have meaning, but not as certain I can handle learning more heartbreaking tales, I follow him into the bedroom where the moonlight leaking through the bare window is enough to illuminate the entire room.

  In a short gasp I stutter out, “N-N-No way.”

  He states proudly, “Yup.”

  There's a mural of all five of the McCoy brothers along with Ben and Knoxie as kids with the adult versions of them hovering over like protectors. Like his other work, it's of course graffiti painted, but the way he's played with colors is different. Almost as if he was trying to create a signature to his own work. The younger versions are used with basic colors while their counter parts are used with the bold bright colors. Some even neon.

  “This apartment, was the first one I ever lived in. I don't remember it all. But Drew tells me before I was born that this is where they all slept. Mom worked nights. Dad days. So they took turns sleeping on the couch. This room was where all the boys slept. Played. Lived. After Mom died we lived with Aunt Kelli and Uncle Darius for a while.”

  “So now you own the apartment?”

  “Kinda.” He lets me go to snap pictures. “I rent it. Permanently.”

  “Does the apartment know you do this?”

  “Yeah. Carl, that's the head guy. He knows. And I pay him extra not to care.”

  On a giggle I zoom in on Knoxie in disbelief she would ever wear pig tails. “Your brothers know?”

  “Nah,” he whispers out. “We all have our own secrets. This one's mine. Besides I come here to be alone. To paint away the woes of being a McCoy.”

  Understanding the need for space I add, “I get it. I just...I think they'd love to see not only what their baby brother is capable of, but how much he cares not just about where you are all now, but where you came from.”

  Merrick offers me a short smile and moves to wrap me in his arms again. “Maybe someday...”

  I close my eyes and enjoy the feeling of being in his grip again.

  Ever get the feeling we're constantly having to say maybe someday? It makes me wonder if some day will ever be a real day.

  After a few more photos, the two of us return to our pallet in the living room where we sprawl out under the moonlight that's pouring into the room from the window.

  Don't worry. There's nothing but trees behind us. No one can see in.

  Finally feeling this is a good time to confess the fact I'm going away for a few days after classes are over, I pop my head on his chest and offer a weak smile.

  As if he's always in tune with what I'm feeling he sighs, “Tell me.”

  “How do you know I have something to say?”

  “Because I just do.”

  “That's it?”

  “That's it.”

  “What's next? Because you said so.”

  “Yup.” He chuckles. “Now tell me what's got your pretty face struggling to stay bright, baby.”

  “It's nothing terrible...”

  “Then why are you having such a hard time telling me.”

  I should've told him right after I found out, but I don't know...I guess I felt this would crush him a little. Hell, it crushes me to have to say it out loud...No. It's fine. He'll be fine right?

  “Jovi.”

  “Really. It's just...the week after I finish classes, Nadie is flying us out to tour the school and my new apartment complex. I may look around for a new job. Been looking online and it's been harder than I thought.” Merrick's hand that was stroking my back starts to slow down but he remains silent. “It'll just be for a few days. We're leaving that Thursday night. We'll be back Sunday night.” His hand still continues to move, but his breathing has changed. Trying my best to ease the situation I continue, “I don't think we're going to do anything too crazy. Maybe we'll even come back early. Maybe-”

  “Baby,” he finally speaks up, his face finally looks at mine.

  “Yeah?”

  In a swift motion he pulls me onto his lap so I'm straddling him again. Having his hard body between my legs creates an immediate wetness.

  How can my body think about sex at a time like this? Shouldn't my body be more...less one minded?

  Merrick's thumbs stroke my sides softly. “Why don't you sound excited?”

  “I am excited.”

  “Then why don't you sound like it?”

  I shrug.

  “Jovi...”

  “Because...because maybe I'm a little worried with us being apart that long.”

  “Why? We're apart a few days at a time every week.”

  “But not days and states?” I argue. “It's everything we talked about earlier. That's what's bothering me. Or why I waited so long to tell you.”

  His eyebrows furrow. “How long have you known that you were going on this trip?”

  “Since you had breakfast at my house that morning.”

  Sitting up so our faces are closer together and my legs can wrap around him he says firmly, “Don't ever feel you have to keep something like this from me.”

  “I was trying to protect your feelings.”

  “Don't,” he harshly snaps. “Don't do that. I've had enough of that shit in my life. Look me in the face and always tell me what it is you wanna say. What I need to hear. And I promise I'll always do the same for you.” After I nod, his hands slowly start stroking my back, which causes my hips to rock on top of him, awakening his cock.

  Not sex time! That's a bad body!

  In a whisper he declares, “I'm happy you're going to go check things out.” His heated breath moves to my neck where he plants a kiss. “And as long as you're coming back home to me that's all that matters.”

  “Of course,” I whimper at the feeling of his lips on my earlobe. “You are my home.”

  “And you're mine,” he replies sliding inside.

  A deep moan slips out of me as I arch into him, riding his cock slowly. My arms wrap around his neck as he continues slowly pumping into me, dick hitting a magical button inside that keeps my body tensing like every push is the one that will break me. With my eyes closed I let my body enjoy the ride slithering into an other-worldly existence. I moan louder. Breathe heavier. Muscles clenching so hard to enjoy every stroke I swear I'll snap his dick off before I ever come. Suddenly Merrick's hands are on my lower back forcefully burying himself deeper. In an intense mix of deep moans and groans, the two of us come together, the combined erotic sound enough to pull a second one out of me seconds after the first one.

  Our bodies stay tangled as I drop my head to his shoulder and whisper, “I love you, Merrick.”

  A kiss finds its way onto my forehead. “I love you too, Jovi.”

  Merrick

  Spotting Knoxie in the kitchen slurping through a bowl of oatmeal, I drop down at the bar seat across from where she's standing with a wide smirk. Suspicious as she should be, she raises an eyebrow waiting for me to say something.

  Cheerfully I greet her, “Morning.”

  “What do you want?” She drops her spoon. “You only bring out the baby blues when you want something. So what is it? Did Ben end up in jail again and you don't wanna tell Madden?”

  “Nah. He's crashed on my bedroom floor.”

  “Did he forget he had to work today?” She scoffs annoyed. “It's my day off-”

  “Mine too.”

  “I'm not going to cover for him. He needs to get his ass out of bed-”

  “The floor.”

  Annoyed she drops a hand on her hip. “You want my help or not?”

  “I do.” I chuckle and surrender my hands. “Sorry.”

  “Mmhm,” she hums.
“If it's not bail money, what is it?”

  “I need you to help me pick out something for Jovi.”

  Knoxie lifts her eyebrows again. “Something like a steering wheel cover?”

  “A little smaller than that.”

  “Like an air freshener?”

  “Smaller.”

  “Is it for a car?”

  Am I really not being obvious what I want to get her? You've figured it out right?

  “Not exactly.”

  Knoxie pushes her bowl out of the way and plants both her hands on the counter. “Merrick Jacob McCoy you can't possibly be fucking thinking about what I think you're thinking about.” When I don't deny it she snaps, “Are you fucking crazy?”

  Chuckling, I give a charming smile. “So you keep telling me.”

  In a harsh whisper she bites, “You can't ask that girl to fucking marry you.”

  Take a deep breath. It's okay. I can. I really can. And I will.

  I fold my hands together and lean forward. “I'm going to.”

  Still speaking in a hushed tone she growls, “Have you lost your mind?! You can't ask the police commissioner's daughter to marry you, for Christ's sake!”

  “Let me ask you this.” I lift my hand to pause her. “If Jovi wasn't the police commissioner's daughter-”

  “But she is-”

  “But if she wasn't, would you give me this much shit?” She hesitates. “Exactly. You wouldn't.”

  She stumbles over her next words, “Maybe...a little. Yeah. You're so young, Merrick.”

  “I'm not that young.”

  “You're not that old either.”

  “Old enough to know when the right girl literally falls in your lap, you make her yours. Forever.” Knoxie looks like she wants to get a dreamy expression but folds her arms across her chest instead. “Look, I know it's crazy. It's only been a few weeks, but I can't imagine my life without her Knox. Not for a second. Isn't that the person you're supposed to marry? The one person you can't imagine your life without? That one person you'd risk your life for? You'd die trying to protect?”

  Before she has a chance to reply, Madden walks down the hall fixing his collar. Instead of watching him, I watch her and the pained longing she hides well, most days.

  She's getting worse about it...or maybe I'm just getting better at noticing it.

  Madden gives me a firm pat on the back acknowledging my presence. Immediately after he greets Knox warmly, “Morning.”

  Her face curls into a smile. “Morning.”

  “Madden!” A high pitched female voice calls out wiping away the smile. Heels come clicking down the hall behind me and Knoxie's face hardens. “I need-”

  “I know.” He cuts her off. Nodding his head at Knox he asks, “Can you hand me two shots of EA?”

  She opens the drawer closest to her, pulls out two vials, and two needles. Knox pushes them across the bar before tossing him a mint as well. “You have whore on your breath.”

  The girl squeaks, “I am not a whore.”

  “Fucking a dude you just met doesn't make you a lady.” Knoxie counters coldly.

  “You're just jealous you didn't,” the girl snaps in response.

  That has merit but Knox will never admit that.

  “Jealous I didn't just become another dent in the wall from a McCoy's headboard? Please. His dick has given more rides than a penny pony outside of Walmart.”

  “Let's go,” Madden interrupts before the argument can get uglier.

  Or more truth can come out. Though to be honest, not sure that last line is true. Madden fucks the least amount of chicks out of all of us. Well, not less than Destin. But close.

  The chick mumbles something to him, but he turns his words to Knoxie. “Can't you just fucking learn to keep your mouth shut?”

  “As soon as you learn to keep your pants zipped.”

  “Fuck off Knox.”

  “You first Madden.”

  With a sharp slam of the door, the kitchen goes silent. I stare on at the hurt look that's seeping out through her blue eyes. The ache that's rolling through her is easily felt throughout the room.

  In a soft voice I say, “I don't want that, Knox.” Her eyes look up. “I don't wanna turn into that because I didn't have enough balls to tell the girl I love that I want her to be mine forever. That I want her to be my future because fuck my past. I don't wanna live the rest of my life stuck pretending I don't want more out of life than I do. I want so much more then this shit we do Knox. And I'm gonna get out of this lifestyle one way or another. That's my word.”

  Slowly she nods, swallowing whatever emotion was trying to get out. “Yeah. No. I get that. And you're right. I'll take you. Let me change.”

  I lean back on the stool. “Sure.”

  Knox knocks her dishes into the sink and walks away mumbling, “Pathetic that the youngest McCoy is the fucking smartest.”

  That's just the anger talking...but I am the smartest. What? What do you mean that's debatable?

  Ben questions on a yawn tucking in his work shirt. “Shit, was that Knox?”

  “Yup. And she's already pissed you're late for your shift.”

  He shrugs. “Who the fuck starts work before noon?”

  “Almost the entire working class,” I chuckle my reply.

  Ben gives me the finger before heading for the fridge. Grabbing an energy drink out of it he says, “So...I was thinking races, Friday?”

  I had plans on Friday. You can probably guess by now what they involved. Jovi's last class let's out Thursday, since she's going to dinner with her family, I was gonna take her to celebrate Friday night. Dinner. Sex. Proposal. Some order of that.

  Seeing the hesitation on my face he slams his drink down. “Fucking seriously? You can't not fuck your girlfriend one night?”

  “Fuck you,” I counter. “I didn't even say anything.”

  “Exactly. Man...” He shakes his head slowly. “I remember when you used to piss and moan a little about going out, but you still went out. Now? If it isn't revolved around that girl or your fucking tagging-”

  “Painting.”

  “Tagging! That's not fuckin' art cuz! It's illegal! It's destroying private property!” Bracing myself for a tantrum in the making I fold my arms across my chest. “My point is, if it doesn't have anything to do with that shit, you don't have anything to do with it.”

  Imagine how he's gonna freak out when he finds out I proposed to Jovi. I'll get him wasted first.

  “If I go to the races-”

  He points a finger at me. “And race.”

  “Will you get off my dick about this?”

  “Add after party celebration at Olympus to the list and you've got a deal.”

  Rolling my eyes I sigh, “Fine.”

  “Pleasure doing business with you.”

  He grins before finishing off the can seconds before Knoxie's voice calls out, “If that is Benjamin Brice McCoy may the devil tap dance on his soul when I'm done with him!”

  “Shit...” he grumbles. Ben pushes his finger to his lips. “I was never here.”

  I nod as if I'm going to keep his secret before shouting back, “He's trying to sneak out!”

  “Damn it cuz!”

  Knox yells, “I'm kickin' your ass when I get downstairs!”

  “Run and hide.”

  Taking the warning he disappears out the front door. With a chortle to myself, I pull out my phone to send Jovi a message. As soon as my fingers hit send, Knox comes around the corner in a pair of tight fitting distressed jean overalls with a floral tube top underneath. Her light brown hair that's littered with natural blond highlight is loose and pulled to the side.

  My brother is an idiot.

  “Let's go. I've got another McCoy to cuss out before we go.”

  On a warm laugh I follow her out of the apartment.

  At least it's not me, right?

  ***

  After hours of wandering around the mall looking at various ring shops, all more disappointing
than the last, we end up back in Knox's jeep. Feeling defeated I hit my head against the seat and shut my eyes.

  Ring shopping is worse than car shopping. At least when people start talking details and stats I know when they're full of shit. If Knox tries to give me the four C's of diamond hunting again, I may add a 5th of killing myself. Yeah I know it doesn't start with a C but it makes the same sound.