by Jenni Linn
"Oh my gosh!" V whispers to my left. I look at her, taking in her facial expression. Her eyebrows are arched up above her sunglasses, and her mouth is parted in surprise or shock. I follow her line of sight to the area next to the booth. A beat-up car sits just on the left of it towards the back of the chain-link fence. It's almost too hard to determine exactly what kind of car it is, but the distinctive ‘SS’ in the grill is a dead giveaway. The yellow Camaro has seen better days, for sure, and a ‘For Sale’ sign sits in the front window. Veronica rushes toward it. "Look at this!" she yells to us, jumping in place. "Oh my gosh!" Her excitement is adorable. Vin and Vance move towards the car, and I follow behind them. I tear my eyes away, reluctantly, from Veronica and look back at the car. The tires are flat, the paint is non-existent, there's rust around the wheel wells, the headlights are missing, and the seats are ripped. With some TLC, the Camaro would look beastly. Vin whistles, "Damn."
"This car is beat!" Vance waves his hand at it, then walks to the booth.
"It's beautiful," V says to no one in particular. Watching Veronica get this excited over an old car like this is beautiful. There's no information on the sign in the window, just a number. I snap a quick picture of it with my phone.
"Even if it's beat, it's gonna be pricey," Vin says. "They don't come cheap, these classics." He kicks the flat tire.
"C'mon, let’s go, " Vance yells impatiently. I watch Veronica's shoulders drop, and I see her excitement disappear as she rounds the front of the car. I put my arm around her and squeeze.
"It's so pretty," she whispers like a sad little girl who is parting with something special.
"It is," I agree.
"I want it."
"I know." I rub her shoulder, then release her as we move towards the booth where Vin and Vance are waiting for us. My instinct is to pay for her, but it'd look weird...so I pay for myself. He stamps my hand, and I move out of the way for Veronica to pay next. Once she's settled, we all make our way into the yard. Harry's is organized by make, which makes finding what we want much easier. Vance is walking ahead and at one point he turns around, and walks backward to tell us, "I'm gonna go over to the beamer's. I'll meet up back up with you guys then." The three of us keep walking towards the Acura area, the make of Veronica's car. Normally you'd get a map, but we've all been here too many times to count. Enough times to remember where the parts we need are.
It's a bit of a trek, but we finally reach the area. Acura is a very popular import car, so it's no surprise that the cars are almost bare--any and everything that can be removed has been. Vin moves towards the right, Veronica goes to the left. As much as I want to follow V I don't, so I continue walking forward. While Harry's is separated into sections of make, they are not separated by model. This requires you to pay more attention to the body, especially when most of them are stripped bare.
"Found one!" Vin yells from my right. I turn towards Vin's voice, just as Veronica goes jogging by. I catch up with her easily. We round a car and walk between a row to where Vin is standing in front of an RSX that is still somewhat intact. Veronica drops her bag off to the side, and Vin moves to the driver’s door, opening it, then disappearing inside. The hood pops open, and Veronica goes about lifting the hood. Unfortunately, it's not as intact as we thought, the engine bay is pretty empty. Veronica sighs. "Dammit."
"Awe man," Vin says when he joins us. V lets the hood drop--which causes a loud bang--picks up her bag, and walks off. Vin runs his hands through his black hair. "If Vaughn didn't have classes so early in the morning, I'd make him take her to school." I think about it for a second. I drive towards their house on my way to work...I'd just have to take a slight detour but nothing that would make me late if I left a couple of minutes earlier than normal. It wouldn't be a bad way to start my mornings either.
"I could pick her up." I offer.
"I think Taylor is going to get her." I nod because as much as I'd love this new morning routine, I can't make it seem like I really want this.
"Okay, well the offer is there."
Vin pats my back as he walks by me and tells me, "Thanks man, I'm sure she'd appreciate it."
"I drive by on my way to work, so it really wouldn't be a big deal."
"Well, if we don't find anything today, you can let her know," Vin pauses and scopes out the area, "I'm gonna go look over here." He points towards the back nearing the fence.
"Alright, I'll check out over there." I point back towards where I came from.
After exploring the yard further I find another RSX, but the front passenger side is smashed. It doesn't look promising. Junkyards are a hit and miss. Sadly, car accidents happen daily, and insurance companies scrap cars all the time. We could come tomorrow, and THE car you need has been put in. The RSX, in particular, is a popular car. Not to mention, they're older cars and no longer made. There's probably not many left as it is, so car enthusiasts just like Veronica are always out scavenging and buying parts they don't even need but to turn a profit from it. The hood is already popped, probably from the crash, I lift the hood to find the engine bay completely bare. I sigh in relief….and sadness. If we don't find the parts she needs today, she'll be without her car for a couple of weeks or even longer. It will depend on where the parts are coming from. I almost--dare I admit--desperately want the chance to take her to school. I keep looking around the area but don't find anything. Without realizing it I walk right to where Veronica is. My footsteps aren't quiet, due to the glass and scrap laying on the ground, so I'm not surprised when she looks over her shoulder at me. I am surprised, though, to see the large smile displayed on her features. I like it. A lot.
"Find anything?" I ask her as I come to stand next to her.
She shakes her head, at the same time she says,” No”.
"I think I have an old bicycle you can borrow."
She laughs and it’s music to my ears. I think I could listen to her laugh for the rest of my life. Fuck. That's deep. I'm taken aback at the thought.
"How generous of you."
"Yeah, well I'm just that kind of guy."
She licks her lips and it doesn't go unnoticed--whether she meant for me to notice or not. It's fucking hot because she has these lips I'm dying to taste. There are sounds of footsteps coming our way and we both look in the direction of the noise. Vance is approaching us with some things in his hands that I can't quite make out. Fuck, if I'm not pissed at his timing. Of course, as much as I want to taste her pretty mouth, it won’t happen now.
"Dude. Look at what I found!" He holds up his hands with excitement shown on his face. Seems Vance made out pretty well. He lays down the grill on the hood of the car next to us, along with some other parts. First one looks like a short shifter that’s including the boot. He digs into his pocket and pulls out a shift knob. "I can't believe they just left all this in the car, these alone are like sixty bucks!"
"Nice!"
"Well at least someone made out okay," V mutters, annoyed, putting her hands on her hips. Vance's excitement slowly dissipates. "Oh, man. Nothing?"
"Nothing," V repeats, kicking a rock that also kicks up some dirt.
"Damn. I'm sorry V."
She shrugs like it's not a big deal, though we all know it is. Vin jogs over joining us, “Didn’t find anything, you guys?”
V shakes her head and stares off into the distance.
“Nah,” I respond. He sighs loudly, "You guys ready to head out then?"
There's some various yeahs that echo. Vance gathers his goods, and we all start walking towards the exit. Vance veers off to the booth to pay for his parts, while the rest of us continue to my truck. I peek at Veronica, who is looking behind her, at the old beat-up car. My truck beeps as I unlock it and the three of us climb into the cab. Veronica crosses her arms. "Looks like I may need to borrow that bike after all," she says to me.
I laugh and start the truck. "I'll do you one better...I travel your way every morning for work. I can just swing by and pick you up," I tell her. She
looks at me and shifts her body to face me, putting her leg on the seat, then pulling her foot towards her. "You'd do that?" she asks. I'm kind of surprised. Doesn't she think I'd do something as simple as this for her? I guess I have to make myself more apparent. The back door opens as Vance climbs into the cab, putting his parts in the middle of him and Vin, before closing the door.
"Yeah, it's not a problem." What I really want to say is, ‘Of course, I would, just to spend some time with you.’
"What's not a problem?" Vance butts in.
Veronica looks back at Vance and tells him, "Chase taking me to school."
I look at Vance in the rearview mirror. He makes a face. "Why not take the bus?" he asks Veronica. Damn, Vance. I look at Veronica as her face pinches. "Seriously, Vance? No. I'm a senior, there is NO way I'm taking the freakin' bus."
"What about Taylor?" Vance asks.
"Taylor would have to pass the school to get me. It's kind of counterproductive. Besides, if Chase passes our house and the school, I won't feel so bad as I would making Taylor drive all over. It works out this way for everyone."
"Well except Chase," Vance continues.
"I don't mind. I used to pick up your ass every day until you got your car." I remind him.
"Yeah, but that's when we were in school."
"Shut up, Vance," Veronica snaps at him. "Chase is being nice. Stop making it a big deal." She looks at me and simply says, "Thank you."
"Yeah sure, have some coffee ready for me, "I joke trying to make the situation a little less awkward.”
Three Sugars
I need to fill in Taylor. After the guys drop me off, I scurry up the stairs to my room to wake my sleepy--and sure to be cranky--best friend. Her blonde locks cover my pillow and she’s trying to fight the light that’s been slowly seeping into my room by covering her eyes with her forearm. She looks so peaceful. Oh, well. I rush forward and plop next to her, causing her body to bounce. I shuffle onto my side, propping my head up with my hand. Her arm moves slightly, allowing me to see her blue eyes; wide and alert. She’s awake now.
“What time is it?” she croaks, putting her arm back over her eyes.
“Time for you to brush your teeth.”
She huffs and blows more of her morning breath in my face, “Bitch.”
I laugh loudly, and her lips crack a smile. “Did you find your parts?”
I shift into a sitting position so I’m looking down at her, “No, so I need to order them...but Chase offered to drive me to school every morning…”
Taylor’s eyes reappear, “Say what now?”
I fill her in on everything. By the end of retelling my morning, we are both sitting cross legged on my bed. She truly is my cheerleader and is so ecstatic, her excitement makes me so much more excited. My jaw feels like It’s about to come off its joints--I’m smiling and laughing so much.
Taylor glances at her phone and sighs, “I better get going, I promised my mom I’d help her paint the kitchen today,” she spins her finger in a circle, “YAY!”
“Yeah, I need to take a shower.”
While Taylor gets dressed and grabs her things I go grab my stuff for that shower. “Text me later,” she says moving down the hallway.
Later that evening, while I’m lounging around in sweats watching TV, my phone starts to sing. “Jerrrryyyy!” I answer.
“Hey boo.”
“What you up to Jer Bear?”
“I’m in trouble, V.”
I sit up, “What? What do you mean? Are you okay?”
“I met the sexiest man ever.”
“Oh my gosh! I thought something bad happened.”
“IT DID! He’s not ‘out’ and he has a girlfriend.”
“Are you sure he’s gay?”
“It’s possible he’s bi.Okay, so here’s the sitch--after I left your place, my friend texted me to come out to Stonewall. They were having an all ages drag night. That’s where I met him. He’s dreamy, V. We were making out, I got his number before he left. Then my friend broke the news to me. I don’t know what to do!”
I blow out a breath, “Yikes Jer, that sounds like a sticky situation.”
He whines, “I know, but I really like him.”
I laugh, “You just met him though.”
“He’s so pretty,” he cries.
“He cheated on his girlfriend. That’s not cool. He may be pretty but he seems like he has a lot to figure out.”
“Ugh! You’re right. I hate it when you’re right,” he sighs, “Hey! Did you get your parts!?”
He swiftly changes the topic which I entertain. I’m hoping to get his mind off the dilemma he’s faced with and tell him about my morning. We gush about Chase for a while.
That's when I hear it...the faint hum of a vehicle. It’s definitely coming closer so I rush to the window to take a quick peek. It sounds familiar. Right on cue, Chase's truck pulls into our driveway; but instead of pulling up to the door, I see him park in front of the garage. Both Vance and Chase exit the truck and stroll to the entrance near the garage that connects to the kitchen.
"Oh no, Jer. They just got home, and Chase is coming in the house."
"Oh! Oh! Are you presentable?" he asks. I glance at myself in the floor length mirror propped near my closet and sigh. Sweats, a band shirt, and wild hair.
"That bad, huh?"
I laugh, "Eh, he's seen me at my worst."
"That’s right boo! If he can like you at your worst, he deserves you at your best!" He encourages.
“Yeah!” I agree. “I love you Jer Bear.”
"I love you too. Thanks for talking. Now, go get ‘em, tiger,"
"Riigghhtt," I laugh. "See you tomorrow."
"Toodles."
I hang up, toss my phone on my bed, and look at myself in the mirror again. I'm comfy, and it's not in my nature to change myself so others will like me. Despite that, I throw my hair up in a pony and shrug. If he likes me in sweats and looking like a hot mess, that speaks volumes to me.
I whip open my door--the salivating smell of dinner invades my nostril---and head down the stairs. Vaughn and Vin are lounging on the couch. Dad is in his recliner. None of them pay me any attention so I continue into the kitchen. I hum my approval. "Yum. What are you making?" I ask my mother, who is pouring milk into a large pot of steaming potatoes.
"Meatloaf is in the oven."
The garage door opens and in walks Vance, followed by Chase. He's changed since the junkyard. He’s wearing a simple gray V-neck tee--nice and snug--and some jeans. He looks good, and I look like...this. I remind myself of what I said moments before I left my room. He smiles wide when he sees me, and it causes me to smile in return. He is so hot it should be illegal. Mom turns and greets them. Vance informs us that he's gonna go take a shower, and walks out of the kitchen.
"Chase, you staying for dinner?" she asks him.
"I'd love to if there's room."
"Of course!" she waves her hand at him. "Victor and Melissa should be here soon."
"Victor's coming?" I ask excitedly. I miss him dearly. The house isn't the same since he left, and some days I hate Melissa for stealing him away. I don't look forward to the day when all my brothers leave, even if they're cavemen sometimes
"Yes. Veronica, can you set the table," she asks me and starts to smash the potatoes. I move about the kitchen grabbing plates and getting the forks out. A body moves close, and his deep voice slightly startles me, "Let me help." His hand covers mine gently taking the forks from my hand. To anyone else, it looks like he’s simply taking the forks from me, but it was so much more. Warmth spreads throughout my body, and I take a deep breath before turning around. He’s placing the last fork down when I approach the table with the plates. I don’t look up, and he doesn’t move away. It’s not until I round the table to the last place setting that I’m forced to look up. He still hasn’t moved. His blue eyes connect with mine and we are mere feet apart.
It’s moving in slow motion, like a corny movie scene where ev
erything else drops away, and it’s just the two of us. If this were a movie, I'd drop the plate and let it shatter into a million pieces. He'd grab the front of my pants, pulling my body roughly to his, and allow me to feel every solid inch of him. His hand would slowly move across my hip, leaving little goosebumps from his touch to my side then upward, grazing my breast. His hand would continue until it was in my hair, grabbing a fist full then gently pulling. My head would tilt slightly back and after his eyes scanned my face, his mouth would be on mine.
"You okay?" My daydream disappears, and I can feel my face redden. This wasn't a movie, and that would never happen under this roof, with my brothers in the next room. He looks amused.
"Yeah," I mumble, placing the plate on the table.
"You sure? You look a bit flustered. What's going on in that pretty head of yours?"
"Nothing," I say quickly.
"You're a terrible liar." He smirks, watching me for a second before turning his back to me and walking out of the room--through the kitchen--into the living room. I gather myself and one thought dawns on me. He called me pretty.
I walk the short distance into the kitchen, "Mom, I'm gonna go get changed."
If it were just a few of us, I'd just wear what I have on, but with Victor and Mel coming, I don't want to look like a complete slob. I run up the stairs just as Vance is coming out of the shower, with a towel wrapped around his waist. When Vance was in school, he was a full-on jock, and always at the gym. I know he still goes to the gym, and even does workouts at home but not nearly as much as he used to. I like to pick on him about slacking on his physique. He's still in great shape, but it gives him a complex, and I find that extremely funny. "Better lay off the beers Vance, you're starting to look like dad." I smile knowingly.
His stomach goes in slightly as one would when sucking in. I laugh and rush into my room before he tries to do something to me. I switch out my sweats, and band shirt for black leggings and a nice red tee with lace capped sleeves. I slip my feet into my black flats and skip out of my room. Just as I reach the bottom step, the front door opens, and in walks Victor and Melissa.