Vintage (Adrenaline Series Book 2)

by Xavier Neal

  “That's not fucking funny.” He points a harsh finger at her. “And neither is the fact that I just had to pay for someone's warrant for their arrest to get washed away.”

  Madden's words force my attention to roll over to Ben who is doing his best to keep his eyes on the screen.

  Quickly she asks, “Who had a warrant?”

  “For what?” I question loudly. “Speeding? Are you allergic to doing only 10 over?”

  “That's still a speeding ticket,” Knox mumbles.

  “Tell them!” Madden's voice shouts. “Tell them what the warrant was fucking for! Tell them why the cops were beating on Aunt Kelli's door! Why she called me in tears Ben! Fucking tell them!”

  “It's not that big of a deal.” He shrugs pausing the game. “I just...I got caught...”

  Curious I push him, “Caught doing what?”

  “I was trying to...I was just trying to make a little extra cash on the side.”

  “You were trying to deal!” Madden screams.

  Knox looks more confused than before. “Drugs?”

  “No watermelons,” Madden's sarcasm makes her flash him her middle finger. With his anger brewing he moves so he's sitting on the edge of the couch next to Knox. “Fucking explain. Now.”

  Ben tosses the controller on the couch beside him. “It wasn't that big of a deal Mad Man. I swear.”

  “The fucking warrant that caused me to make some calls I didn't wanna fucking make in the middle of getting laid makes me feel otherwise.”

  “That's why you weren't at the shop with me and Triple D? Because you were too busy trying to get fucked?” The twinge of annoyance in Knox's voice is hidden pretty well.

  But not as well as she's hoping.

  He snaps his head at her. “I can't take a fucking day off?”

  “A fucking day off or a day for fucking off?”

  Interrupting their side tracked argument, I ask, “What were you selling?”

  Ben turns to answer me, “This new drug called RC-”

  “That shit's nasty Ben!” Knoxie fusses. “Not only what it does, but what it's fucking used for!”

  Madden growls through gritted teeth, “We don't push drugs in this family.”

  Ben flies to his feet. “You deliver them!”

  Oh. Not smart. Not smart at all.

  “What's the fucking difference?”

  “We're not out on the streets putting our lives and others at risk!” He stands up. “What The Devil does is his bullshit. We drive. We exchange cars. We make sure shit is delivered safely. Our hands never touch the shit! Our hands will never touch the shit!

  “But the money-”

  “Is enough!” Madden grips him by the collar. “What you make at the shop, what you make from Vinnie, the small cut you take from helping us, is plenty! Don't get fucking greedy! Understood?”

  Nodding he backs down. “Yeah. Sorry, Madden.”

  He drops his grip on him, which is when he turns to yell at me. “And this is partially your fault.”

  “How do you fucking figure?”

  “Because you're his best friend! Where the fuck were you to stop him?”

  “I'm not his babysitter!”

  “You used to be,” Ben whispers out.

  Annoyed I grunt, “Fucking seriously, Ben?”

  “If your head wasn't so fucking wrapped around Jovi you would be around to help stop me from doing shit like that!” He yells.

  Is he...is he joking?

  Tossing my hands in the air I snap, “So this is my fucking fault? You fuck up and get greedy and it's my fault? Is it my fault you got thrown in jail a couple days ago for the bar fight too?”

  “You weren't there for that either!” Ben shouts. “You're not around anymore Merrick!”

  I toss him a look of disbelief he said that. “That's not fucking true.”

  “Yeah it is! And for the record, that bar fight was with the mayor's brat who can't seem to wrap his mind around anything else other than fucking your girlfriend.”

  As soon as my body twitches to move Knoxie commands, “Don't even think about it, Merrick.”

  Growling I kick my sketchbook to the side and stand up. “What the fuck are you talking about?”

  Ben shakes his head and shrugs. “Nothing. Nevermind. Look, message received. I was out of line.” Looking at Madden he states, “I'm sorry. Won't happen again.”

  Curious about his comment involving Jovi I say, “Ben--”

  “I'm going down to help Triple D in the shop. They got anything left to work on?”

  “They're fucking with Daniel's ride,” she sighs.

  “Sounds good to me,” he grumbles heading for the front door. “I'll be up for dinner.”

  “Putting it in the oven after I shower,” Knox says standing to her feet. With her eyes on Madden's she quips, “Not all of us enjoy smelling like disappointment and sweat all day.”

  She sneers a fake smile before sauntering the direction of her room.

  The moment it's just Madden and me he shakes his head. “I really need you to keep an eye out on Ben, Merrick.” Initially I want to argue, which is quickly stopped. “You've always been the one he fucking listens to. Talks him out of the really stupid shit. Keeps him from going too deep. I'm worried. I'm really fucking worried this shit is gonna get even more out of hand. Keep. An. Eye. On. Him.”

  I nod and Madden stalks off obviously still pissed.

  Tossing my hat off I let my head fall forward, the weight of the guilt from my family resting a little too heavily.

  Are they right? Should I be spending less time with the girl makes me feel alive and more time making sure they physically stay alive? How the fuck can I get out of this fucking life when it's clear they need me here?

  Jovi

  The ducks at the pond seem to be in their own little world not paying any attention to us.

  I like ducks. They've always been fun to watch and feed. Oddly relaxing. It's almost as if the way they move around in the pond, their wings are paintbrushes, painting portraits of their carefree existence.

  “We really should put a law in place about over feeding these things,” my dad gripes as I toss another bread crumb in the water.

  Governing the human world isn't enough anymore. Apparently he wants to be a zoo keeper too?

  “That's why they're not going after your food. They're overly fed. Spoiled birds,” he complains wiping the sweat off his brow.

  “What next Dad? A heat law for the sun being too hot?”

  He doesn't even crack a smirk.

  I thought it was funny.

  “So is that what you think I do? Just make ridiculous laws and try to punish things for simply existing?”

  “Sometimes it feels that way,” I whisper.

  “I try to keep the city safe, Jovi. You've always known that. Why do you suddenly think I'm out bullying the city?”

  Because my new friend’s lifestyle isn't as terrible as you think it is. Because they are safe. And smart. And care about making sure others don't get hurt during their festivities. Don't worry. I wasn't gonna say any of that. I haven't completely lost my marbles.

  “I didn't say I think you're out bullying the city.”

  “But you don't think I'm protecting it any more. Or serving it.”

  “I didn't say that either.”

  “You don't have to,” he sighs leaning forward onto his knees. “I see the way you look at me when I answer the phone. When I have to rush away for an emergency. I heard the comment you made the other day. Just admit it Jo'. You think instead of laying my life on the line every day so that ungrateful people can sleep better at night, you think I'm out making new rules to keep fun from existing.”

  Maybe a little…

  “You're young Jo'.” He rubs the back of his neck. “You haven't seen the ugly that I deal with. You don't know the real body counts. The real rape numbers. How drugs are eating this city alive. It's not that I don't want you out having fun, I just...I don't want you to end up
as a case on my desk.”

  “Like Mom,” I add. Noticing how tense he's become I whisper, “It's okay to talk about her sometimes.”

  “Not much to say any more.” He clears his throat. “She's dead. She died and she didn't have to.”

  “But Dad-”

  “No.” He raises a hand. “As much as I'm not thrilled about you leaving at least it'll be one less thing in this city for me to be worry about. At least in Highland I don't have to be concerned about which of my men are being bought off or you dying as a bystander in a street race. Speaking of Highland, I picked a roommate for you.”

  As this trip nears, the simple fact I haven't found the courage to tell Merrick yet plagues more and more of my thoughts. I can't seem to find a good time to tell him I'm going to take a sneak peek at the future I'm leaving him for...see I can't even phrase it properly beforehand!

  “I'll send you the email. She's a nice girl. Nice family. She checks out.”

  “Not a stripper?” I playfully joke. After he glares I giggle, “Oh lighten up Dad. I've never actually met a stripper.”

  “Keep it that way,” he grumbles. “How are your classes?”

  “Good.” Tossing another piece of bread to the ducks I try to hide the happiness brewing at the fact tomorrow night Merrick is going to show me the painted version of me for the final piece to my project.

  Can you believe that? He actually tagged me somewhere! Painted me on a wall. Originally I was supposed to be there when he did it, but I liked the idea of him working alone and surprising me with his creation.

  Suspicious he comments, “That's an awfully large grin.”

  “Just excited I'm almost done,” I quickly cover up. “It's like mini graduating.”

  Taking the excuse he nods, “True.”

  Remind me to be more careful.

  “We should celebrate. We should go to dinner.”

  “Think you can pry yourself away from locking up people in Arkham?”

  Dad threatens a smirk before answering, “I'm sure I could spare a couple hours.”

  “Can Hayli come?”

  “If she must,” he sighs. “Did you tell her to stay away from that McCoy kid like I told you?”

  Nope. And to make it worse she's bonded with him. They have some weird, bizarre friendship that doesn't make any sense to me.

  Instead of verbalizing my lie I nod.

  “Good. He's worse than I thought.”

  “How?”

  “Tyler and him were thrown in jail for getting in a bar fight.” Leaning back against the bench he says, “I think they were both drunk and high when it went down. Stay away from Tyler too. He's spreading lies about you...being sexually involved with the wrong crowd. I told Jon to get a handle on his son. I don't appreciate him spreading lies about my daughter.”

  Oh...oh how it's not a lie. Stupid Tyler! This is gonna make me telling dad someday so much harder.

  “He thinks his son will learn, but I keep trying to explain to him, not if he keeps bailing him out. Sweeping this shit under the rug.” Before I get a chance to respond his cell phone interrupts. Immediately he stands up and informs, “I have to take this.”

  He always does.

  “This is Commissioner Carter,” Dad answers strolling out of earshot.

  Looking at the ducks who are now bathing and basking in the summer sun I smile.

  That was me last weekend. Basking in fun. Wings stretched out. Free. Alive. Enjoying life. Just a few more weeks and I'll permanently be a duck. Er. You know what I mean.

  Merrick

  I sling the black bag over my shoulder and nearly run into Knoxie in the process.

  “And where are you going in such a hurry?”

  Noticing Madden heading our direction I simply reply. “Out. Don't wait up...”

  She gives my big brother a quick glance and then asks, “Is that a don't wait up because I'll be in a prison cell til morning or don't wait up like I'm having a slumber party at the commissioner's house?”

  “Not his house, with his daughter,” I correct.

  Knoxie laughs and Madden growls, suddenly joining the conversation. “Because that's so much fucking better.”

  “You taking her to Olympus?” Knoxie prods.

  In a motherly way. Some days I'm not even sure she realizes just how much she sounds like a mom when she talks to us. Me in particular. I don't hate it. I don't love it either though.

  “Nope.”

  She folds her arms across her chest. “Please tell me you're not taking her to drive again. I'm not sure that poor car can take it.”

  Madden growls, “You took her driving?”

  “Chill. I've been trying to teach Jovi to drive a stick. I'm not sure that girl can even drive an automatic. I swear she's scared the poor Audi to death. I have to tell her we're not going to see Jovi before she'll start.”

  Knox giggles. “I've checked her out. She should be running decently considering the hurtin' your girl put on her, but I'll give her another look.”

  “No rush. Taking my own car tonight,” I say and head for the front door.

  “Merrick,” Madden's firm voice stops me.

  Did you really think we'd get to leave without a lecture?

  “Yeah?”

  “You seen Ben?”

  The fact that I have barely seen him and haven't talked to him since he stormed out a couple days ago has left a bad taste in my mouth.

  Not exactly my fault. He hasn't been around to talk to. The texts are short when he finally gets back to me. Feels like we're going through a fucking break up. Please don't start with the bros before hos bullshit.

  “No.”

  “I'm sure he'll be at Olympus tonight,” Knoxie invades before the conversation can get heated. “It's like mating season for him. Every Saturday night.”

  My lips twitch briefly at the comment.

  Madden quickly kills the humor. “Have you talked to him?”

  “No.” I shrug. “It's not like he's been around.”

  “Have you even fucking tried?”

  “Yes.”

  “Have you really?”

  “Why are you on my nuts about this Madden?”

  With a harsh look in his eyes he answers, “Because McCoys watch out for each other. And I think because you've been so busy keeping your dick buried you've forgotten that.”

  Hearing him talk about Jovi that way makes my fist clench, but I don't swing.

  Learned my lesson the first time.

  “Before this turns into Caveman wars, let's just let this conversation die. Okay?” Knoxie raises her hand in the air like a referee flag. “Go ahead and get going. Have fun with your girl.”

  “Thanks Knox.”

  She smiles, but Madden simply looks away clearly not done with the argument.

  I am.

  The drive to Hayli's apartment where Jovi is hanging out is one that's a little less pleasant than I prefer.

  Is Madden right? Am I being a shitty brother? A shitty cuz? A shitty friend? Yeah, I spend time with Jovi, but that's my right to! I've spent my whole life being a 'McCoy'! Sleeping with random chicks. Racing cars. Committing crimes. So now that I take a step back from all of it to just...to just be me, the real me, it's a problem? That makes me a dick?

  I put the car in park and take a long deep breath. Before I have a chance to shoot Jovi a text to let her know I've arrived, she's already heading down the stairs. Leaning forward I watch the way her hips sway in her tight jeans, the way her yellow tank top is clinging to her curves, and how her wavy hair bounces when she walks. At the sight of me her entire face seems to brighten to the point it could out shine the moon.

  This girl loves me. Me. Merrick. Not Merrick McCoy the youngest of the crew. Not Merrick McCoy Vinnie's top racer. Not Ghost, the man her father can't catch. No. She loves the man she sees in front of her, no questions asked. If loving her and loving that fact, makes me a dick, then so be it.

  Getting out of the car, I waste no time throwing my a
rms around Jovi. She snuggles in close. I can feel her smiling against my chest. The two of us just linger completely lost in this moment.