Vince: Book Two of the Perfectly Independent Series

by Amanda Shelley

  Vince

  Book Two of the Perfectly Independent Series

  Amanda Shelley

  Copyright © 2020 by Amanda Shelley

  All rights reserved.

  ISBN

  E-book: 978-1-951947-16-3

  Paperback: 978-1-951947-19-4

  Editor: Renita McKinney

  A Book A Day

  www.abookaday.biz

  Editor: Sue Soares

  SJS Editorial Services

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  Proof Reader: Julie Deaton

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  Cover Design: Amy Queau

  Q Design Covers and

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  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks isn’t authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

  Visit my website at

  www.amandashelley.com

  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  Connect with Amanda Shelley

  About this book

  1. Vince

  2. Vince

  3. Sydney

  4. Vince

  5. Sydney

  6. Vince

  7. Sydney

  8. Sydney

  9. Vince

  10. Sydney

  11. Sydney

  12. Vince

  13. Sydney

  14. Vince

  15. Sydney

  16. Vince

  17. Sydney

  18. Vince

  19. Sydney

  20. Vince

  21. Sydney

  22. Vince

  23. Sydney

  24. Sydney

  25. Vince

  26. Sydney

  27. Vince

  28. Sydney

  29. Vince

  30. Vince

  31. Sydney

  32. Vince

  33. Sydney

  34. Vince

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Acknowledgments

  Also by Amanda Shelley

  Connect with Amanda Shelley

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  About this book

  Vince: Book Two of the Perfectly Independent Series

  By Amanda Shelley

  About the book:

  It’s funny how one night can change everything.

  Since my parents died, I refuse to be another statistic. I’ve had to make sacrifices, especially when it comes to my social life. I'm convinced it's worth it, and I'll have plenty of time to focus on me… later.

  Then Sydney walks into my life and knocks my world off kilter.

  She’s strong, sexy, independent, and possibly more than I can handle. She's everything I've ever wanted, but my reality and the secret I’m harboring might have her running in the other direction.

  Will my perfectly laid-out plans go up in flames if I take a chance on her?

  1

  Vince

  Normally, I don’t watch the clock. Especially in this class since it’s my favorite. But today I’m restless. Each minute feels like an hour as I watch the hands slowly move. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say that time is standing still.

  Will it ever end?

  My mind drifts to thoughts I can’t afford to think about, and a dull ache in the center of my head forms.

  Immediately, I tamp those thoughts down.

  This isn’t the time or the place.

  Today of all days, I deserve to be happy.

  I’ve made a promise to Van, and I fully intend to honor it.

  Switching gears, I focus on counting my blessings. I have so many things to be thankful for. Today’s not the day to wallow or self-destruct, no matter how much I miss them.

  Having no idea how long I’ve zoned out, somehow through my fog-like state I hear my favorite professor finally announce the words I’ve been waiting for, “I’ll see you Monday.”

  With my trance lifted, I quickly gather my things, stuffing them into my backpack. Ignoring the classmates I usually talk with at the end of class, I take the stairs two at a time, eager to get some fresh air and shake away my thoughts.

  With each step I take, my chest loosens, and my thoughts easily become about the here and now, rather than the past. They aren’t bad memories per se, but the past has a way of pulling me into a rabbit hole I’m not prepared to enter today.

  By the time I reach the center of campus, I feel more in control of my thoughts. Hearing my name shouted from behind me makes me stop and turn around.

  I can’t help but smile at Ryan’s goofy grin as he towers above the crowded courtyard. I’m just over six feet, and the man has a half of a head over me in height. “Wait up, man. What’s the rush?”

  Ryan and I met as freshman. He may not know it, but he’s helped me through more than he’ll ever know. My body instantly falls into a relaxed stance, and the tension from before nearly disappears. “Not much,” I say, running my palm along my neck to relieve what’s left of the tension built there. “I thought I wouldn’t see you until later tonight?”

  “Class got out early, and I’m on my way home. Is Vanessa coming out with us?”

  “Nah…” I say, shaking my head. “Couldn’t find a sitter. She’ll go out tomorrow night.”

  Wait… is that disappointment I see in his eyes? Before I can think twice about it, Ryan’s expression returns to carefree. “So… it’ll just be us guys tonight?”

  Weird. I must’ve imagined it.

  “Looks like it. I’ll text you later when I’m ready. I’m doing dinner with the fam, then we’ll meet up.”

  “Sure thing, man. I’ll pick you up since I’m DD. There’s no way I’m walkin’ home tonight.”

  Before I can respond, my phone buzzes in my pocket. Knowing it could only be a handful of people at this time, I immediately pull it out to find a text notification.

  Van: We’re slammed at work and short staffed. Can you pick up J? I won’t make it there in time.

  I notice the time. Shit. I have twenty minutes and of course, I chose to walk to campus today.

  I don�
��t even hesitate as my fingers fly across the keys to respond.

  Me: Of course. I’ll see you when you get home.

  Van: I’ll make it up to you by bringing home dinner.

  Me: You won’t hear me complaining.

  Van: Haha—like you’d ever complain about not cooking. See you at home. Thanks again.

  Looking up to Ryan, I explain, “Sorry, man, gotta pick up Jules. I’ll let you know when I’m ready. Thanks again for driving my ass around. I promise not to get too out of control,” I tack on just to put a smile on his face.

  This earns me a dramatic eye roll. “No one deserves this more than you. I’m happy to help out.” He knows I won’t drink much. And he knows why I’d never take the chance behind the wheel. Yet he won’t let today pass as just another day either. That’s what good friends are for.

  With that, I turn and lengthen my strides across campus. It figures with this being farthest class from Jules, today would be a day Van can’t pick her up. At this time of day, it’s difficult to be on time without making any stops. But there’s nothing I won’t do for her—or Vanessa for that matter.

  In fact, I’ve done everything I can to make sure their needs come first. Refusing to let them be another statistic based on the stack we’ve been dealt. Hell, don’t get me wrong, I’ve learned to love Columbia River University, but it wasn’t my first choice. No—I’m here because it was Vanessa’s first choice. Me attending CRU is the only way she’d be able to reach her dreams, too.

  Don’t get me wrong—I’m by no means a martyr. I’m getting a great education, but my plans to go away on my own to school went up in smoke right after graduation. Thank goodness, I’d already been accepted to CRU, and my counselor pulled some strings when he explained our situation. CRU’s become home to us, and I think it was the best decision I’ve ever made. Life’s way too damn short to live with regrets.

  It helps that I love it here.

  Walking across campus, I’m reminded of exactly why. Where else can you see St. Helens, Mt. Adams, and Mt. Hood from one location? Not to mention the Columbia River in the far distance, from this particular spot. It’s just one of the many perks of living in the Pacific Northwest. I couldn’t have picked a better place if I’d tried. This was the perfect decision for our family, and the people we’ve met along the way have welcomed us like family of their own.

  I arrive with minutes to spare. Walking into the daycare center, I’m greeted by Shannon, the girl who usually runs the pick-up station at this time of day.

  “Hey, Vince. Julia will be out any minute. I saw you walking up and already told her to gather her things.”

  “Thanks, Shannon. Vanessa had to work late.”

  We’re interrupted by the sound of feet tapping against the tiled floor. I turn to see Julia’s bright smile as she closes the distance between us, practically running. God knows a three-year-old can’t walk inside, no matter how many times we remind her. Especially when she’s excited.

  “I thought Momma was pickin’ me up?” she says as I bend, pulling her into a hug. She eagerly embraces me tight. She smells of fun and innocence. This hug is like a breath of fresh air, after being trapped with my thoughts all afternoon.

  “Nope.” I pop the p purposely, making her giggle. “You get me tonight, squirt.” Standing to my full height, I bring her with me as she clings to my neck like the monkey she is.

  “Can we make a cake when we get home? Momma said we’d make cake.” Her serious tone is just like her mom’s when she wants something. Clearly, the apple hasn’t fallen far from the tree.

  This girl has a one-track mind. “Who do you think you’re dealing with? Of course, we’ll make a cake. But I get to lick one of the beaters.” I bop her on the nose with a grin. “You know the rules.”

  This earns me an exasperated sigh, just like I’d get from Van if she were here and an intense eye roll from a pair of eyes that mirror my own. “You’re silly. I share with you. Always… Or next time, I don’t get any.”

  Yep. She’s got the rules down pat. I set her on her feet and pat her head playfully before instinctively reaching for her hand. “You ready to get out of here and let Miss Shannon get on with her night?”

  “Night, Miss Shannon.” Julia beams. “See you tomorrow. We’re makin’ a cake.”

  Shannon chuckles lightly as she waves. “Have fun, you two. Don’t get into too much trouble.”

  As sweet as can be, Julia smiles wide. “Don’t worry. Unks is trouble. Not me.”

  2

  Vince

  Within the hour, Jules and I have the chocolate cake in the oven, and we’re doing dishes. Well, I’m washing the dishes; she’s been scrubbing the same bowl for the last few minutes, using lots of soap and water. It’s a good thing I’m standing next to her, or we’d have to mop the floor, too.

  She’s still got faint lines from the batter on her face as she diligently works at cleaning up our mess. Vanessa should arrive any minute with dinner, and Jules can’t wait to celebrate.

  We’ve barely finished when the front door opens, and Vanessa calls out in the singsong voice she uses to get Julia’s attention. “I’m home. Anybody here?”

  Julia squeals and rushes to greet her mom. “In here, Momma. Unks and I made cake. Do we have candles?”

  I turn around the corner just in time to see Jules launch herself into Vanessa’s arms. The love they share for one another makes my chest constrict. I don’t know what I’d ever do without them.

  Of course, I’ve been with Van since the womb. Thankfully, I’ve never had to live without her. She managed to beat me into the world by a whole seven minutes, a fact she’s never let me forget. I’ve always been her “little brother,” though I’ve towered over her in height our entire lives. I took after Dad, while she looks more like Mom.

  “I’ve missed you, sweet girl,” Vanessa says as she squeezes Jules in a hug that wiggles her whole body, causing infectious laughter to spew from my niece.

  When the laughter dies down, Jules squirms, letting it known it’s time to let go. The second her feet hit the floor, Jules reaches for Vanessa’s hand. “Come on, Momma. Let’s go see if the cake’s done.”

  “Just a sec, Jules. I need to grab dinner.” I notice she’s already dropped bags of food on the entry table. I have no idea what she’s brought, but the smell has my stomach grumbling.

  Before she can reach for the food, I intervene. “I’ve got the bags. The cake should be done any second. Let’s go pull it out.”

  Maybe it’s a twin thing or the fact that we’ve lived together our entire lives, but after pulling the cake from the oven, Van and I work seamlessly to put dinner on the table. I love that Van’s brought home my favorite. Steak and mushrooms for the two of us and Julia’s favorite, homemade mac and cheese. As I help Vanessa plate our food, I notice a large side of steamed broccoli. A huge grin forms, knowing Jules’ reaction.

  Without a doubt, Jules will eat every last floret she can get her hands on, especially if it has any amount of butter on it. I’m not sure which she likes more, the broccoli or the butter. If Van or I are to stand any chance of getting any, I dish us first. Maybe it’s a family trait, as we can’t get enough of it.

  What’s funny is Mom wouldn’t be caught dead eating a green vegetable that wasn’t salad or green beans. But Vanessa and I devoured whatever vegetable Dad put in front of us. We’d always laugh at the faces she’d make as we wolfed down our veggies. That’s probably the only thing I ever saw my parents be so polar opposite about. Dad and his green veggies always got Mom grumbling.

  Though it’s a happy memory, my chest tightens as I fight to recall exactly how disgruntled Mom used to act. I’m not so sure if she really felt that way, or it just became an expected behavior.

  It’s funny how grief hits in the strangest of times. One minute, you’re reliving a happy memory; the next, it’s painful. Fuck… I can’t remember the exact sound of her voice.

  “Unks, you’re gonna dish me more broccoli, right?
You know I eat lots,” Julia interrupts my thoughts, and I’m thankfully brought to the present.

  “Of course, squirt. How can I forget?” I tease as I put another huge helping onto her plate. Then I do the same for both Vanessa and me, making sure we get our share before she devours the rest. I’m certain she’ll eat more broccoli than mac and cheese tonight.

  Just as we make it to the table and are ready to dig in, Vanessa opens Pandora’s box by asking Jules, “So, how was your day?”

  Jules beams as she holds the bite of broccoli she’s forked close to her mouth. The overexuberance only a three-year-old can possess. “Great… You’re never gonna believe what happened at school today…” She takes a huge bite of broccoli, chews it fully, then proceeds to tell us every minute detail of her day. The girl must have a photographic memory or something because she’d put many college students to shame with the amount of detail she can describe about ordinary things.

  We learn about Cyrus’s shoes being on the wrong foot, how Miss Shannon forgot who was supposed to be line leader, and it caused a fight between Grace and Eli. She also tells us about how she made an art project she couldn’t bring home tonight because it wasn’t quite dry.