by Jenni Linn
“Oh! It’s so awesome! I’m really enjoying it and I think it’s something I can see myself doing in the future.”
“That’s so great, babe! I’m so proud of you. Have you spoken to your dad yet?”
“I haven’t, but I spoke with mom and Vance about the chances of expanding the garage to offer body repair and paint. Vance seemed interested so that’s a good sign.”
He nods, “It is. How is Vance?”
“His temper has calmed down. He’s not ignoring me anymore, at least.”
“That’s good.”
“It is. He’s stubborn but he won’t hate us forever.” I reassure him, the guilt of all that happened resurfacing. Vance will get over it. Chase and I love each other, that won’t change or go away.
“Let’s hope not,” He drifts off, “What else is new with you? Tell me. I want to hear everything.”
“Oh! Melissa and Victor are having a party next weekend, I think he’s going to propose!” I squeal in excitement.
“Damn, give them my best.”
“I hope you come home soon. Have you heard anything?”
He sighs and shakes his head back and forth, “I haven’t. I’m sorry.”
Our conversation lasts for about an hour, and I’m on a high to be able to spend that time with him, even if it’s through a screen.
I am running late! I rush into the house and run up the stairs, taking two at a time. I quickly unbutton my shirt and step out of my sweats, tossing them aside. Already wearing my special strapless bra, I remove the long slim red flowing gown from the hanger and step into it, pulling it up my body. I secure the straps around my neck but struggle to zip up the back.
“Veronica?” Mom calls out.
“I need your help!” I yell out.
A second later she comes into my room and sees me struggling to reach the zipper. She smiles and moves to zipping it up to the top. “Oh my goodness, you look beautiful! My little girl.” Mom gushes. I turn to look at myself in my floor-length mirror, noticing the glistening eyes of my mom. I chose red because it's Chase's favorite color, and if he wasn't here to go to prom physically, at least he was here in thought. He insisted I go and claimed that it’s a thing all high schoolers should experience. Unsurprisingly, Taylor also insisted I go. The top is a beautiful off-white halter encrusted with crystal beads and the back is completely open, exposing everything down to the top of my waist. It is elegant and, yet, very sexy. As soon as I saw it on the bust form in the boutique, I knew it was ‘the one’. My hair is up; complete with curls and a million bobby pins. I went and had it professionally done, and it took longer than I expected; it’s exactly the reason I’m running super late. I also had my makeup done since I know little to nothing about it. False eyelashes are my new favorite thing.
“I'm so sorry that Chase couldn't be here,” my mom speaks quietly.
I turn to look at her. “I am, too,” I say, sadly.
“Let's go take a picture to send to him,” she suggests.
“Okay. Let me grab my shoes.” My heels are an off-white satin to match the top. They’re nothing crazy fancy, but they are insanely high. Rather than kill myself by falling down the stairs, I grab them on my way out the door and wait to put them on until I'm safely on the first floor. Mom makes me stand in various places for pictures.
Finally, the rest of the gang arrives. Taylor looks incredible in her off the shoulder form fitting navy dress and Wes is looking quite dapper as well. Jerry whistles when he sees me, he’s tugging Mateo along behind him. “Oh dollface, you look stunning.” He grabs my hand and twirls me around. “You guys look so handsome.” I gush over their stylish suits. Jerry is wearing a black suit with a maroon tie and his boyfriend sports a deep maroon suit with a black tie. They purposely coordinated and it’s so adorable. They fuss over each other, my smile widens knowing after the playboy Jerry met that night months ago is long gone. Mateo mended Jerry back together and I’ve never seen him so happy.
Vance walks through the door and halts in place, looking at each of us in our formal wear, his gaze stopping on me. His face softens and I think he may finally be seeing me as more than just his little sister. Our relationship has been strained, but lately he’s seemed more accepting. Chase asks about him often, and I tell Vance every chance I get. I’m actually surprised to see him standing here, but I’m glad. His face softens and a small smile graces his lips. It makes me smile in return. He moves to me, placing his hands on my biceps. “You look beautiful,V!”
“Thank you,” I murmur.
“Man, Chase would be shittin' himself if he could see you now.”
I'm taken aback by his comment. It's the first time that he's acknowledged us; Chase and I together. I smile sadly, truly wishing that he could be here. Vance unexpectedly hugs me, and whispers a soft, “I'm sorry.”
Before I can respond, he releases me and walks away. My heart expands and I feel like a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders. I cannot wait to tell Chase!
“We better get going,” Taylor announces.
“Oh, let's get a few more pictures in the front yard!” my mom suggests.
“Okay, but let's make it quick, Mom.”
We all move out of the front door, and start walking down the stairs towards the small yard in the front. I stop as if I hit an invisible barrier and suddenly feel very, very faint. The man of my dreams is standing in my front yard, holding a corsage in his hands, and dressed in his uniform. I pull up my skirt to run to my handsome man--who’s here. He’s really here!
“Oof!” Comes out of his mouth when I slam into him. “Surprise!” he whispers. His arms come around me, and squeeze me.
“How?” I question, full of emotions.
“I just got in. Vance picked me up.”
“Vance? What!”
“Yeah, we had a good talk. It was long, but it was good. Are you ready?”
“So ready,” I gasp as Chase dips me low; his hands are at the small of my back and his lips caress mine. He leans up and I take a moment to look into his handsome face, those blue eyes--my future.
Epilogue
One Year Later
I hear a shout from my left that makes me pause my movements. I shut off the sander and glance over my shoulder at Chase. He’s wearing his blue jumpsuit. The front zipper is open, showing his white shirt underneath. I love seeing him in his work uniform. My eyes move back up to his face, which is dressed in a smug smile, and I know he knows what I’m thinking. I twist on my stool to face him and remove my safety glasses, “What?”
He laughs, “Are you about done?”
“Not really.” I shrug.
He points at the clock on the wall, “It’s almost six, let’s go home.”
“Holy crap,” I hadn’t realized how late it was. When I’m working, I become so immersed I tend to lose track of time. “Did everyone leave?”
“Yeah, about an hour ago.”
“Wow, okay. Yeah, let me just put my stuff away.” I stand from my stool, unplug my sander, and deposit it on top of my workstation. I remove my suit and hang it near my things before I head over to the sink. I turn the water on warm, lather up my arms and wash away the crud. A series of beeps from the alarm signifies the door opening, “I’ll be outside,” Chase shouts from across the shop. His voice is followed by three beeps, again.
I move throughout the building, checking the rooms, the paint booth and make sure all major power tools are off and unplugged before setting the alarm and locking up.
The garage side of the now larger building is darkened and deserted, as Chase said, and the parking lot is empty. Only one car remains in the expanded lot, and my beautiful man is leaning against it. He hasn’t seen me yet; he’s looking off into the distance. I take my time ogling him and the car. The once sad-looking yellow Camaro, now red, is shining bright in all its glory. I worked on it every chance I had when Chase was deployed, and when he returned, we worked on it together, slowly bringing it back to life. Chase and I worked so well
together, it changed the course of both our futures.
Chase catches me looking at him, and I move forward until I’m standing in front of him. He pulls my shirt until I’m flush against him, and his arms wrap around my shoulders, “What’s going on in that beautiful noggin’ of yours?”
I purse my lips, pretending to think, “Just how incredibly lucky I am to have this amazing…” I smile and pause, letting my sentence linger, “sexy,” I pause again and grab his butt.
Chase hums his approval, “Go on.”
“Car!” I squeal while pulling the keys from his back pocket, duck under his arms, and run to the driver’s side. He eyes me over the roof.
“That was mean, woman!”
I laugh loudly and tuck myself behind the wheel. Chase quickly gets into the passenger side, “You know, I think you’re more in love with the car than you are with me!”
“No way!” I do love the car, and it’s the best gift I have ever--and probably will ever receive, but she’s got nothing on Chase. I try and drive her as much as possible. I start her up, and the loud rumble fills the cab causing my grin to double in size. “She’s just so much fun to drive,” I yell towards him. He makes a face like he doesn’t believe me. “I’ll make it up to you, I promise!” I blow him a kiss.
Before I know what’s happening, he slips his hand behind my head and slams his lips to mine, kissing me so deeply it makes my toes curl. He rips away from me, but not before the pure lust on his face puts me in motion. I rip out of the lot and speed towards home, arriving at the small yet perfect house in five minutes flat. Chase pushes the garage door opener, and I ease her inside before quickly cutting the engine. We move swiftly--hungrily--coming together at the door leading to the kitchen, and his mouth is on mine again. He lifts me and holds me to him, never breaking our kiss but moving through the kitchen, and down the hall to our room.
Vance arrives home shortly after we finished our shower, with food--it couldn’t have been timed any better!
It's just the three of us tonight; sometimes Vaughn and Vin join us. While this isn’t my permanent home, I stay here enough to warrant my own closet space. Whatever Chase told Vance in their long talk broke through, though I never did get the details--it was between them--things are good.
We settle with pizza and wings in the living room, and there’s some sport playing on the TV. I eat and occupy myself with texting Tay because I could care less about the game. I get together with Taylor as often as possible while she’s in her second year of college. I don’t regret not going to college with her, I love making cars beautiful again.
When I finish my food, I place my empty plate on the coffee table, and make myself more comfortable on the couch, laying my head on Chase’s lap. I’m completely content as Chase idly plays with my hair, and my eyes begin to close on their own accord. Just as I begin to doze off, a knock at the door makes me jump. I roll onto my back and look up at Chase, who shrugs. We both look at Vance, thinking it's most likely one of his lady friends, but he shrugs. “I'm not expecting anyone.”
The knock comes again.
Vance remains seated, so Chase taps on my hip indicating me to move off his lap, which I do. I sit up and watch him move to the door. The way the room is situated, I can't see who it is when he opens the door and greets the person. I vaguely hear him ask the person if everything is alright.
Vance looks when he hears Chase's question, most likely wondering who it is. He's on his feet in an instant, moving to the door, and his pizza disregarded. I'm beginning to worry, and I'm not sure if I should move, but I slowly find myself standing up.
“Victor?” I hear Vance ask, and at the sound of my oldest brother’s name, I move closer to the door. Once Victor comes into view, my steps falter. He's completely disheveled. His hair is wild, his eyes are rimmed with red, and--is that blood on his face? His eyes are vacant, and he remains frozen in place. “What's going on, man?” Vance asks carefully, and rightfully so, I have never seen Victor like this. He looks almost unstable. His stare lands on me, but I don’t think he even sees me. I move closer to Chase. “Victor, are you okay?” I ask.
It seems as if he's finally aware that we're standing in front of him. I'm terrified. His lips begin to move, but no words are coming out, but he finally finds his voice, “Can I crash here?”
“Yeah, of course,” Vance says. “What's going on? Where's Melissa?”
Victor's eyes turn murderous and it's scary.
“My wife’s a whore.”
AUTHOR NOTE
If you are reading this right now, I cannot thank you enough for taking a chance on this book and therein, myself.
So much of Labeled stems from my own personal experiences. I truly hope you enjoyed Chase and Veronica's story.
As a brand spanking new author, It would be greatly appreciated if you would please leave a review on Amazon.
All my love,
Jenni
Acknowledgement
Where do I even begin? This has been quite the journey and I would not have happened if I didn't have these amazing people in my corner.
My very own Taylor, Kayla, who has been there from the very first sentence to completion. Who has continued to be my personal cheerleader. Picking me up when I've doubted myself and this book. I love you to pieces.
Beth and Kelli Flynn, that one conversation in the lobby of a hotel kicked my tush into motion. I am forever grateful of your continuous support and love.
Lauren Anders, your friendship and support have been a godsend in this process. I cannot thank you enough for making this story come to life before my eyes!
Janna, for letting me use your car(and son)! Jakob and Alyssa for bring Chase and V to life. Logan Habermehl, for bringing your beautiful Z out to play!
Darlene Ward and Terri Varady, all of your help, input, love and support. I adore you guys!
To my work family, Jamie, Leigh, and Jodi. Letting me talk to you about the process, sharing my doubts and goals. You guys have been a pillar of outlet and support.
Author M. Mabie, for your guidance, advice, and support. You are my favorite person.
My Wattpad family! Without you, I don't think I would have gained the courage to publish this. I love each and every one of you.
Em
My sister Rhonda, for ALL of your time working on Labeled with me, for bringing out the best of this story.
And last but most certainly not least, my husband, Dustin. Your love and support has no bounds, and your sheer excitement of my writing means more than words. I love you forever and always.
About The Author
Jenni Linn
Jenni Linn is a full-time dreamer and part-time writer. 'Labeled' is her debut novel written with sprinkles of real life experiences.
When she's not writing, she's hanging out with her family--her husband and 2 children--watching FRIENDS, or curled up on the couch with a book and coffee in hand.
Jenni lives in the country, but dreams of blue oceans and believes in being yourself--her hair is always changing and her skin is a canvas.
You can contact her at [email protected] or Follow her on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennilinnwrites
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JenniLinn6
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/jennilinnwrites