The NOVA Trilogy Boxed Set

by Jayce, Aven

  “And the ground floor?”

  “High-end kitchen, a large dining room that can seat twenty, that’s all under Dayne’s suite. The main area is open and reaches two stories. It’s used for parties. There’s also a movie room next to the garage, but he doesn’t open that up very often.”

  “How long has he had this place?”

  “Ten years. I was here when he first bought it. He threw a party and I flew out with my parents.”

  “Shit.”

  Cove laughs, “Yeah, that’s what I said when I first saw it.”

  “Okay, I feel uneasy sitting here. I’ve seen enough.”

  “Alright. So now what?”

  “I want to go back to the room,” I request in a dry voice.

  “You don’t want to see any other part of Vegas?”

  “I’ve been here. I’ve seen it. I just want to go someplace where we can hold one another. The hotel room is fine. I crave your warmth. I’m in need of safety. I feel vulnerable all of a sudden.”

  “Do you mind if we go somewhere where there are other people, or do you just want us to be alone?”

  “I don’t care, just as long as we’re not parked in front of my father’s castle.”

  “I know just the place.”

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Cove parks in the driveway of a middle class cookie-cutter house in one of Las Vegas’s many sprawling subdivisions. This development’s called Coyote Prairie and like all the other Elk Meadows, Eagle Mountains, and Owl Groves, I know we won’t come across any coyotes.

  “Who lives here?” I ask.

  “A wonderful couple that I haven’t seen in over a year,” he replies, locking the doors to the vehicle. It’s eight at night, darkness has fallen, and the house looks quiet with only one dim light in the window. We walk up the porch steps and Cove rings the doorbell, smiling at me. I hear steps to the door, and then a scream as the deadbolt is unlatched.

  “Cove! Darling, what are you doing here? Wayne… Wayne honey, Cove’s here, and he brought a girl!”

  A beautifully slim and tan woman in her fifties kisses Cove on the cheek, pats his shoulders, and flashes a giant smile. She has on a long grey open front sweater with a tight white tank underneath and black yoga pants. Her fingers are covered in gold rings, and she’s wearing a thin gold chain necklace, which reminds me of Leondra’s love for the color. Her hair is full and dark with layers of bangs that frame her face. She steps back and looks over his shoulder at me.

  “Cove, who is this gorgeous woman?”

  “Aunt Lydia, this is Sophia.”

  “Oh, Sophia!” She pulls me into her arms and I swing my body with hers. “Welcome to our home. Oh, I’m so happy to meet you.” She kisses my cheeks and takes my hand to pull me inside. “Wayne! Wayne, come out here.”

  Cove’s smile is contagious and I find myself mirroring his joy.

  “Leondra didn’t mention that you’d be in Vegas, I would’ve set up a room for you… and your friend.”

  “Girlfriend.”

  “Really!” she screams, jumping up and down in delight. “WAYNE!”

  “What, what, what, woman, hold onto your panties, I’m coming. It takes me a while to move in my old age. I just turned fifty ya know.”

  The man entering the room towers over us. He wears a black gingham check button-down shirt tucked into a pair of brown pants. His hair is neatly trimmed and grey, with a short clipped grey beard. He’s tidy, matching their neatly pruned exterior landscaping and immaculate interior furnishings. I can only assume that they’ve paid a bundle for an interior designer. Every piece of art on the wall has a rug to match or piece of furniture that’s paired with it. The wreaths and vases also match the art. The items in the home look perfectly spaced as if a ruler had been used to measure the exact distance between each material object.

  “Cove!” Wayne yells, sounding as boisterous and fun-loving as his wife. He shakes his hand and pats him on the shoulder. “How are you, my boy? How’s that sister-in-law of mine doing back in the gateway to the west?”

  “Wayne, Cove brought a young woman with him…a girlfriend.”

  “Holy smokes, you have a woman? My God, and she’s a beaut. It’s about time you got serious over someone. You know those little jigglers don’t live in your balls forever. You got to get them out there, give them some exercise.”

  “Oh Wayne, stop it. You’ll scare them away.”

  “Not a chance. Sophia and I stopped by for a short visit and you can’t get rid of us just by using the word jigglers in our presence, right Sophia?”

  I laugh and feel ecstatic that Cove brought me here. He’s introducing me to his family and that means a lot. “We can talk about jigglers all night if you’d like,” I respond.

  “Well woo-hoo, alrighty then, she’s a keeper. I like her, tell me where you picked her up and maybe there’s one waiting for me. Is she one of those fine ladies from behind the strip joints?”

  “Uncle Wayne, I think you’re just fine with Aunt Lydia,” Cove jokes, relaxed in a way I’ve never seen him before.

  “I suppose you’re right, besides it doesn’t look like they made very many like her.”

  “True,” he says, giving my hand a light kiss.

  “Awww. Look at that Wayne, they’re so cute together. Oh my God! I have to get my camera,” she squeals. “Don’t you dare move.”

  She races up the stairs and disappears around a corner. I hear a thump and a bang before she runs back down.

  “Careful woman, I don’t want to spend the night in the emergency room because you twisted your ankle on the stairs.”

  “Oh let me be, it’s not very often my only nephew stops by for a visit. Who can blame me if I’m excited.” She raises the camera and Cove places his arm over my shoulder, pulling me close to his chest. We smile, waiting for her to take the photo. “Shoot, how does this thing work again? Wayne, fix it. Quick, it turned off on me.”

  “Maybe the battery is dead. When was the last time you charged it?”

  “No it can’t be dead, I just charged it the other day, you remember, when we met the Andersons for card night. I wanted a photo of their new kitchen. Oh phooey, fix it,” she demands.

  “Try it again,” he sighs. “You must be doing something wrong.”

  She points the camera at us and we smile. The lens closes and she stomps her foot in frustration.

  “You’ve hit the on-off button. You have to push the shutter button for it to shoot.”

  “Well, here. You do it.”

  “Sorry,” Cove whispers through his teeth.

  “Don’t be, this is the most fun I’ve had in years. They’re a trip.”

  “Okay, smile and say ‘sugar foot’,” Wayne requests.

  “Sugar foot,” we say in unison, my mouth in a circular shape when the flash goes off.

  “Oh Wayne, take another. They look like puffer fish.”

  We take a serious photo, then another, and another, until Lydia’s finally happy with one.

  “Okay you two, why don’t you join us for the evening. We were just about to make some popcorn and watch a movie. It’s Wayne’s turn to pick so I can’t promise it will be a nice romantic comedy, but…”

  “Yes it is,” he says. “I want to watch The Lone Ranger.”

  “The one with Johnny Depp?” I ask.

  “Yes.”

  “Yup, that’s a love story. I’ll help make the popcorn,” I say, breaking away from Cove’s hand and following Lydia into the kitchen.

  “Sophia, wait,” Cove calls out to me, catching up before I disappear.

  “Is this okay with you?” he whispers.

  “This is incredible. It’s a date night in a warm and loving house with two wonderfully fun people. I’m so happy right now. This is more than okay. I want to just be able to hang out with you, to do things like this. This is life.”

  “I love you Sophia Jameson,” he says quietly into my ear.

  I turn and walk toward the kitchen with a large grin. �
��I love you too, Babe,” I yell back at him. A pan drops in the kitchen and Lydia screeches then runs toward us.

  “Wayne! Did you hear that? They love each other. Isn’t this exciting? We should have a party.”

  “Make sure you put extra butter on my popcorn,” her husband responds. Cove and I laugh, as I head for the kitchen.

  “Oh honey, just humor me. Don’t they remind you of us when we first got together?”

  “No, they’re much better looking.”

  Lydia joins me in the kitchen, shaking her head, still smiling. “He likes to joke around, that man. That’s why I fell in love with him.”

  “So you’re Leondra’s sister?” I ask.

  “Baby sister, yes. Although people always think I’m older because I’ve been in the sun my entire life. I have a lot more wrinkles than she’ll ever have. She holes herself up in that art studio of hers all the time, never getting out to enjoy life. Have you met her?”

  “Yes, she’s actually my neighbor.”

  “Oh, you live in that old building in St. Louis? That’s such a lovely space, how can a girl as young as you afford it?”

  I try to keep my background private, not knowing how much Cove’s extended family knows about his life with my father. “My family has some money. My father has been gracious enough to help me get a good start after I graduated from college.”

  “Ah, a college girl. Good for you sweetie. I’ve always hoped that Cove would attend somewhere. He’s such a bright young man.” She places a large bowl under the air popper and turns it on. The popcorn swirls inside as the machine roars. “So what sorority were you in?” she asks in a louder voice, speaking over the popper.

  “I wasn’t in a sorority.”

  “Really? I couldn’t imagine those years without my sisters. I was president of mine.”

  Somehow that doesn’t surprise me. She’s silly, bubbly, and hyper, the complete opposite of Leondra who comes across as the expressive, artistic type. Very serious, and put together. What they do share is a loving personality, the one that I’ve always wanted from my mother.

  “So you live right next to Cove? That’s so convenient. Maybe the two of you should sell one of the places and move in together. It seems silly to have two penthouses for two people. You’d save a lot of money.”

  “Um, I’m not exactly sure we’re at that point in our relationship. Maybe in a few months?”

  “Well don’t wait too long. My nephew’s a keeper. If you don’t snag him someone else will,” she gleams, taking four small bowls out of the cabinet. The popcorn pops and I help her melt the butter in the microwave. We make sure to pour some extra onto Wayne’s portion.

  “Can I help the two of you carry this out?” Cove asks, walking into the kitchen, all smiles.

  “Oh Cove!” Lydia screeches, clapping her hands. “My favorite nephew, I’m just so happy for you.” She pulls him into another hug and he laughs.

  “Only nephew.”

  “And my favorite.”

  “So can I help you or do you have it covered?”

  “Yes,” she responds. “You can sit down on one of those barstools. I have a question for you before we start to watch the movie.”

  Cove obeys, and I can sense that he knows what she’s about to ask.

  “Cove, sweetie. I have to know what happened to your face. I won’t be able to enjoy the rest of the evening unless you tell me. It’s all I can think about every time I look at you.”

  “I…” he hesitates, looking my direction.

  “Well don’t tell me Sophia beat you up. The way you’re looking at her makes me feel like she had a hand in this.”

  “I was in a fight, with a business associate,” he blurts out. “As you can see, I lost.”

  “I need more information than that, Cove. I’m a high school counselor and your uncle’s a principal. You can’t lie in this house. We’ll know it. We deal with this kind of thing every day.”

  “Well, I’m not actually lying. I just don’t think you need all the details. I was pummeled by a business partner.”

  “Why?”

  “Lydia. Leave the boy alone,” Wayne says, walking into the room to pick up his bowl. “We haven’t seen him since last Christmas. Let him be. Besides, I’m about to start the movie.” He leaves the room and I pick up my bowl, following close behind. I hear her say one last thing to Cove as I walk out.

  “Promise me you’ll file charges if Paul Jameson’s involved.”

  I sigh and wish again that my father wasn’t such an ass. I don’t believe Cove responded to her request, and in a split second after I hear her words, his hand is on the small of my back.

  “Sorry,” he whispers.

  “They really care about you.”

  “I know. I just don’t want to have this conversation again, especially not tonight when I’m with you.” He places a kiss on my lips and opens the glass door to the back yard. Wayne’s already spread out on one of the two outdoor futon loungers, waiting for his wife. I stop and gawk at the incredible space we’re about to relax in. The two futons each have a plethora of pillows and a chenille blanket for warmth on this fall desert night. There’s also a heat lamp in-between the loungers in case the blankets aren’t enough. And on top of all of that, they have a beautiful fireplace with embers that shoot up into the night sky. I’m in heaven.

  “You coming?” Cove asks.

  “Eventually, let me just take it all in first.”

  Lydia comes out and stands next to me. “Wayne set this up for me. Sometimes we just sit out here for hours and enjoy one another’s company. We’ve slept out here many times as well. He may sound insensitive to strangers but he’s actually a big cuddle bug.”

  “You’re very lucky.”

  She looks at me with a sincere smile. “You are too.”

  I watch her join Cove and Wayne in the yard. She turns on a string of lights that illuminates a path guiding me to them. Three large palms line the area behind the loungers, functioning as a privacy fence from the neighbors. Lydia turns on a second string of lights that flow from tree to tree.

  “Wow,” I whisper.

  Cove’s already stretched out on one of the futons. He unfolds the blanket for us to snuggle under. I feel like a bride walking down the isle as I approach the outdoor theater, this can’t be real. He looks my way and smiles, holding the blanket up, waiting for me to crawl underneath with him. I comply, gratefully at ease in this moment.

  “Let’s start the show,” Wayne shouts, and Lydia simultaneously claps her hands in excitement. He points a remote at the projector and the movie begins. The large screen casts a warm yellow glow on all four of our faces as we sit in silence and eat our popcorn.

  There are chatters of oohs and ahs throughout the evening and Cove smiles every time I grip his chest in moments of suspense. We laugh as a group and cheer for the good guys during the action scenes. Part way through Wayne holds an intermission and Lydia and I take the empty bowls inside, returning with a bottle of beer for everyone.

  We talk for a few minutes. Cove updates them on his father and mother, and how the new business adventure is going. He tells them of his plan for a second wine bar, and then asks them about their recent trip to Seattle.

  I think about Leondra, and how she cares for him, and how his aunt and uncle have welcomed a complete stranger into their home. My mind is calm and my heart is full. It’s weird that this is the real world to them; this is how they actually spend their time and their lives, while I view it as a dream. I have to step back into my world tomorrow. The world of Paul Jameson.

  We each have a second beer and enjoy the rest of the movie with one another. I nuzzle against Cove’s chest and he places his hand under my hoodie, gently circling my stomach. The blanket is wrapped snug around the two of us and on this November night we keep warm through one another’s body heat. Toward the end of the movie I hear Wayne snore, and I smile when I notice Cove has drifted off to sleep as well. My arm is under his back and I lay still
, not wanting to rouse him until we have to leave.

  Lydia turns off the projector and lights, gently nudging her husband awake. She places a finger over his lips to hush him and he nods his head. He slowly rises and places two logs in the fire for the night. She walks over to our lounger and turns up the heat lamp, then lights two candles that are on the table next to us.

  “Is Cove asleep?” she whispers in my ear.

  I nod yes and yawn.

  “You look tired yourself. Why don’t you sleep for a while? The two of you can come inside if you get cold. I’ll make you a nice breakfast in the morning.”

  I smile and she places the blanket under my chin, tucking me in like I’m her child. Wayne holds out his arm and she walks up to him, resting her head against the side of his chest. The two disappear up the path and into their home.

  I look up at the desert stars. It’s a clear night, very different from St. Louis when we left. The skies were grey and snow was falling. I feel like I’ve stepped back to a cool summer evening in August.

  I think back to third grade, trying to remember some of the constellations that twinkle above. That’s Ursa Minor, an easy one. That means Cassiopeia is right over…there. Next, there’s Pegasus, and Pisces. Beautiful. I can’t believe I remember these. And where’s my favorite? I search the sky for Orion, finally finding his belt. Ah ha… you can’t hide from me. Boy, when was the last time I noticed the stars? Really looked at them. Possibly a decade ago. How sad. That must be Gemini to the upper left of Orion. Hmm. I wonder what sign Cove is? I’ve never asked him about his birthday.

  Ooh. A shooting star. I try to rise from the futon, but quickly remember my arm is trapped under a heavy body. I wish I could’ve said that out loud, I wish he could’ve seen it. It’s gone.

  “What is it, Baby?” Cove whispers.

  “You’re awake?”