“A new shipment is coming in. You need to be there for the handoff. Tell Vince whatever you need to in order to be there for the buy. I want this tracked on campus.” She stepped closer. “You good?”
“I’m good.” I ran my fingers through my hair. I still wasn’t used to it being this long. I’ve always worn short hair. Consequence of the job. “Vince doesn’t trust me yet. I’m not sure if I can get that close.”
“You need to. We need to close this deal.” Toni’s voice dropped to a harsh whisper.
“I’m working on it, ok? I need to go before I’m seen.” I stepped back, and adjusted my hat.
“Check in with me later.” She pointed her finger at me before pulling her phone from her pocket, and texting someone.
“I’ll try.” I sighed before turning to head down the street. I needed to get to campus. I was already running late to get Jenni’s coffee. When I turned around, my stomach dropped. There getting ready to climb the steps to the L was none other than Jenni Stone. Her eyes widened as she stared, blinking at me. Her mouth opened slightly as confusion spread across her face. She shook her head before turning to run up the steps. I wasn’t sure what to make of it. Did she know it was me?
oooooooo
I decided that grabbing my usual coffee treat for Jenni was worth being late. After all, I really didn’t need to go to class. I could pass with my eyes closed and a pair of earbuds in.
By the time I got to campus, class was in full swing. I decided to skip today, and just wait on the steps for her to emerge. I hoped the coffee, and my winning personality would smooth over whatever she thought she saw this morning. Jenni wasn’t part of my plan. I was never supposed to befriend her. When I saw her come in class the first time, I couldn’t not be her friend. She’s beautiful. She’s the kinda beautiful that’s rare. She doesn’t know how pretty she really is, and she’s sweet and humble. It’s almost like she’s this dove with a broken wing, and I want to heal it. I could be way off base here, but something about her screams pain and suffering.
“Hey. Got a minute?” Michael, a recent friend startled me as he came up behind where I was standing.
I glanced at my watch before looking at the main door to Booker. Class would be out soon, and I didn’t need Jenni to see me with him. “A few. What’s up?”
Michael rubbed the back of his wrist under his nose as he sniffed. “Vince wanted to make sure you were coming tonight. He’s got more product, and I told him the frat boys were eating this shit up.”
“Michael,” I hissed as I turned and briskly walked between two buildings. “Are you trying to get us busted?”
“No dude.” Michael rubbed his nose again. “I been at this longer than you.” He shifted on his feet. “You work for me. Remember?” He pointed to his chest. “Meet me behind Sal’s at nine tonight. We need to pick up the product for the parties this weekend.”
“Yeah, ok. You gonna have any of that product left after you sample it?” I narrowed my eyes. Michael was my way in. If I wanted Vince to take me to the shipyard for the newest shipment buy, I needed to make nice with Michael. He made it hard some days though.
“Later.” He waved me off as he slipped behind a few trees, and then back out onto the campus.
By this time, class had let out. I rushed back to the corner of the building just in time to see Jenni jog down the front steps. She was staring at her phone, and as I approached her, I waited for her to look up.
“Hey.” I smiled as I fell into step beside her.
“Where were you today?” Her brows furrowed as she stuffed her phone back in her pocket. “You never miss class.”
“Had something I needed to do.” I shrugged. It was as close to the truth as I could get. If I told her what I was really doing, she’d run as far as she could get from me.
“Right.” Her voice was clipped. “Do you follow her around like you do me, or am I a special project for you?” Her eyes flared with anger as she picked up her pace.
“Her?” I jogged to keep up.
“I saw you. I saw you with that woman this morning.” She jammed her finger in the air as her eyes shot daggers at me.
“I don’t know what you thought you saw, but I was stuck in traffic. It’s why I was late.” I sighed. “I went to a different coffee shop today, and it was mistake. They screwed up my order, and by the time I got here class was already started.” I held out the paper cup with the caramel mocha I’d picked up for her.
Her feet skidded to a stop as her eyes pinged from the coffee cup to my face. The anger melted away as confusion replaced it. “Where do you live, Evan?”
“About five hundred feet that way.” I pointed to the high-rise dorms.
“Why do you have a car then?”
“My job?” I was always a fast thinker. “The mall isn’t close. I needed a car for work. Sometimes I just like to be able to go places too.”
She nodded, “Makes sense.” She took the coffee from me and slowly shook her head. I knew that she was trying to justify that she didn’t see me this morning when she clearly did. “You must have a twin somewhere.” Confusion filled her features.
“I wish. He could do my homework for me,” I joked. I needed to get past this and back to where we were. This morning was stupid. I should never have agreed to meet there. Next time I was telling Toni no. “Wanna study tonight?”
“I can’t. My brother has some celebration planned for me. I promised I’d go.” She sipped the coffee as the wheels continued to turn in her mind. She wasn’t ready to believe me, but I could tell she wanted to.
“Maybe tomorrow then.” I chuckled.
“Sure. I gotta go. See ya later, Evan.” She waved me off as she turned to head to her next class.
Just as she disappeared, Michael came back with Gage and Dean, two more of our little group. “I see why you keep blowing us off.” He snickered.
“You get into that yet?” Dean grinned.
“Not yet.” I laughed.
“Well, if she doesn’t let you in, maybe I could have a go at it.” Gage licked his lips, and my stomach rolled.
“Not a chance.” I shoved him before following them in the opposite direction from where Jenni went. If they thought for one second I’d let them touch her, they were crazier than I thought.
“We’ll see.” Michael laughed. “Vince called. Changed the meet. We’re going to the Sal’s now. Something about a new supplier.”
“Fucking great,” I muttered. “He needs to pick somebody and stop yanking us around.”
“Those pretty boys on fraternity row don’t fucking care how pure the stuff is. He wants the best price for the most product. You just worry about unloading the stuff.” Michael glared at me.
He was right, but all this back and forth made things much more difficult than they needed to be. Today was definitely not going the way I wanted it to, but a new supplier meant I was making a new connection, and could prove myself to Vince. Maybe he’d start letting me make decisions without Michael involved.
Chapter 13
Jenni
“Are you ready yet?” Mason knocked on my bedroom door, causing me to jump.
“No.” I sighed as I tossed another dress onto my bed. “I don’t have anything to wear. I can’t go,” I whined.
“What do you mean, you don’t have anything? You have a closet full of clothes, Jen. Just pick something. This isn’t a fancy place. It’s a bar.” My brother’s voice was muffled as he leaned against the door.
“Just go without me.” I lowered myself onto the edge of the bed. I’d been worried about this all day. I didn’t have anything for warmer weather that covered me. Mason just didn’t understand.
“I’m not going to a dinner that’s for you without you. That’s just dumb.” He laughed. “Do you have something on? I wanna come in.”
I glanced down at my oversized tee and shorts. “Yeah. I look red carpet ready.” I groaned. My door immediately began to open. Mason stood there staring at me.
; “What’s wrong with that dress?” He motioned to the light pink sundress that was half hanging over the end of my bed.
“It’s sleeveless.” I rolled my eyes.
“Put it on.” He motioned with his head.
“I can’t wear this.” Tears started to pool in my eyes. As pretty as the dress was, I never wore it without a sweater over it. It was way too hot for that tonight. Today’s temps felt more like summer than spring.
“I gotta plan. Just put it on, and trust me.” He left my room as quickly as he’d entered. I could hear his footsteps as he rushed down the hallway toward his room. Within a matter of seconds, he was back. “I was gonna give these to you for your birthday, but I think tonight’s better.” He handed me a pair of brown leather cuffs. They had delicate lacing up the sides, and some beadwork around the top.
“I don’t know what to say.” My lip quivered as I let my fingers run lightly over the leather.
“You can say ‘thanks, most awesome brother in the world. I’ll do whatever you want for the rest of time’.” Mason smirked like he had the upper hand.
“Thanks.” I smiled as I slipped one of the cuffs on my wrist. It fit perfectly. “Can you tie this for me?”
“They’ll match the dress. It won’t look out of place. I figured these are all the rage right now, and you could wear them without drawing attention to yourself.” He tied the thin leather string into a bow.
“It’s perfect. Really.” I jumped up and flung my arms around his neck. “Give me ten minutes and then I’ll be ready.” I released him, and then grabbed his shoulders to turn him, and push him out the door.
oooooooo
Evan
My day had been getting more fucked up by the minute as the seconds ticked by. After lying to Jenni’s face this morning, I thought it couldn’t get worse, but then I got a text from Mason. He’d found my number on one of the coffee cups I’d given Jenni, and called me a couple of weeks ago to see whose number she had. This afternoon, he texted me inviting me to The Rusty Nail for Jenni’s celebration dinner. He’s been a pretty stand-up guy, so I have no reason to tell him no, but Vince doesn’t follow other people’s schedules.
“It’s about time you got here, E,” Vince growled as I climbed from my car.
“I had shit to do,” I barked right back. We were gathering behind Sal’s to pick up this weekend’s product. This meet had been rescheduled three times since this morning, and I was about ready to give up on it.
“Thought this was top priority?” Vince turned his glare on Michael.
“It is, boss. I’ll work on it.” Michael turned towards me and I could tell I was close to another beating. I’ve endured two already just to get into this group. I still have a greenish purple mark on my side where my ribs took most of the blows last time. “Step up, or step out, Evan.” He stabbed his finger in the air at me.
“Boys, boys, boys.” Vince chuckled, but he wasn’t laughing. “Our new supplier has arrived.” He pointed out into the darkness where a black sedan was slowly pulling into the lot without its lights on.
Two men climbed out wearing sunglasses and motioned for Vince to move closer. They rounded the car, and one of the men popped the trunk. Several kilos were lining the area that normally housed the spare tire. Vince nodded to one of the men to open up a package, and the other placed his hand on his weapon. I did my best to find any distinguishing marks, but there were none. No license plate was visible, nothing unusual about the men, nothing. I cursed to myself that I couldn’t stop this, but I quickly pulled myself together.
When I glanced back at Vince, he was shaking hands with one of the men, and placing two of the bricks in a duffle bag. The men climbed back in the car, and peeled out of the lot without so much as a second glance.
“We’re in business, boys. This shit is so pure we’ve got gold on our hands. Once we cut it, I think we got at least a mil here.” He lifted the bag, and laughed. It was more like a cackle than a laugh. Vince always thought he was funnier than he actually was. “You two meet me at the loft. We’re going to package this tonight.”
“I can’t, sir.” I turned on the obedient charm. “I have somewhere I need to be.”
“Where is more important than here?” He flung his arms out and narrowed his eyes.
I had to be quick. “It’s spring rush week coming up. I’ve gotta help plan stuff. I need the ‘in’ to get product to the parties.” I held my breath hoping he bought the lie. I’d been getting sloppy when it came to Jenni, but I wanted to see her tonight despite the fact that this could blow up in my face.
“Point taken. You come by in the morning then, and get your share. You’re expected to unload double this weekend.” He tossed the bag in his car. “Let’s go, Michael.” He flicked his finger to the backseat, and Michael jumped as if his feet were burning. “Bright and early, E.” He stabbed the air one last time, before slipping into the car with Michael.
I stood there until they disappeared from sight, and then rushed to get in my own car. I was a twenty-minute drive from the bar, and I wanted to change. I dressed in black, and I had my weapon tucked in the waistband of my jeans. I needed to protect myself and Vince if this deal had gone sideways. I couldn’t show Jenni this side of me. I needed to look like the nice guy from school, the guy who worked in a bookstore, not a drug dealer.
I flew through the streets much faster than I should have until I reached my apartment; that was another lie I had to tell her. I took the stairs two at a time, rushed through my door, and began peeling off clothes on my way to my room. It was dark with the exception of a desk lamp, and I stumbled over a chair.
“Fuck! That hurt,” I hissed as I jumped on one foot. I grabbed a pair of khaki shorts off the end of my bed and sniffed them. They didn’t stink. They’d have to do. After tugging on a green polo and slipping into some leather flip flops, I glanced in the mirror. I looked the part of a college guy, sort of. I raked my fingers through my hair, and that’s when I spotted the necklace on my dresser. I’d gotten it on my last beach vacation, and had been wearing it at school. I tied it around my neck, stuffed my wallet in my pocket, and rushed back out the door. I was running late, and I was sure Mason would be pissed. He’d warned me once in an informal way that I better not hurt his sister. I know that’s what brothers are supposed to do, and I was going to do my best to keep my word.
oooooooo
When I arrived at The Rusty Nail, there was a line out the door. I knew the place was popular. I’d come here a few times with friends, but I’d never seen it as busy as it was tonight. As I parked my car in the lot off to the side, my phone buzzed. I glanced down to see it was Mason. He was probably pissed thinking I stood up Jenni.
Where the fuck are you, man? I left your name at the door.
I shook my head as I stuffed the phone back in my pocket. I quickly locked the car, and jogged to the door. After giving the bouncer my name, he let me pass, and I began weaving my way through the crowd. There was a band playing, and I’m guessing that’s what the big draw was tonight.
I spotted Jenni and Mason in the back talking to a group of people. I smiled as I made my way over to them. “Hey.” I waved. “Let me get you a drink.” I motioned to Jenni.
“Evan! What are you doing here?” She looked shocked, and I couldn’t tell if it was a good thing or not.
“I invited him. Make it something girlie.” Mason chuckled as he waved me off. I saw him whisper something to Jenni before she glared at him. She shifted closer to his side, and if I didn’t know her better, I’d say she was scared of me.
The place was mobbed, and it took me some time to get drinks. I needed a beer in the worst way after the day I’d had. When I made my way back to where they were standing, I suggested a game of pool. Mason shrugged as he rounded the table, and began racking the balls. I watched Jenni slowly slink over to a high-top table and perch herself on a stool. She smiled softly, and I just wanted to touch her.
“Hope you like this.” I handed her the or
ange concoction the bartender swore she would like. She sipped it, and hummed in satisfaction. “Good?”
“Very good. Thank you.” She grinned as she crossed her legs. She was wearing a dress tonight, a first that I’d seen.
“You’re welcome. You look beautiful. I like making you smile.” I winked at her, and watched her blush. When she set her glass down, she began to toy with the leather cuffs on her wrist, another new thing for her. I’ve noticed over the last few months that she plays with her wrists when she’s nervous.
“Come on pretty boy,” Mason called. “I’m waiting to bury you.” He laughed as Jenni rolled her eyes.
“I gotta go kick your brother’s ass.” I chuckled as I turned toward the pool table.
“We’ll see.” She giggled as she lifted her glass to her lips. Oh, to be that straw. I’d do just about anything to be that straw for just a few seconds.
“You can break.” Mason pointed to where he’d set up the table.
I nodded before leaning down to take the correct position. When I pulled the cue back, I rammed it forward as hard as I could. The balls scattered, but nothing dropped. “Damn,” I hissed.
“Yep. Sounds about right.” Mason laughed as Jenni giggled from behind us. He leaned over, and in one attempt, dropped the red ball. “Lookie there. Guess I’m solids.” He shrugged as a smug smile spread across his face. I watched as he circled the table, and dropped three more balls before missing. “Wanna put money on this?” He stepped back, letting me take my turn.
“I don’t wanna take your money.” I shook my head as I leaned over but before I could take my shot, Jenni hopped off her stool. She walked over to where Mason was and whispered something in his ear. He nodded, and she started to walk away. I could smell her perfume in her wake. I shook my head again as I watched her, trying to clear my mind.
“She’s grabbing a pitcher,” Mason chimed in. “I drink for free since I work here,” he clarified. “You get to reap the benefits of knowing me.” He laughed.
“Wait. You let me buy drinks knowing I didn’t have to?” I stood up and held my cue beside me.
On Broken Wings (The Witness Series Book 7) Page 9