An hour later, I have finished all the shop details and start looking up parts I need to get my car fixed and back on the road. I figure I’ll probably have to work every day for the five or six months to fully pay off my bill. I put in my order and place it on the shops' account--a small perk. Thankfully, I won't have to pay for labor.
My phone rings and I groan. I can only imagine who's calling me now. But when I see my big brother’s face on the screen, I answer it excitedly, "Victor!"
"Hey, peanut!"
"Really?"
He laughs. "You'll always be my little peanut."
"Oh my gosh!"
"You love it. Anyways, what are you doing?"
"Just finishing up at the shop--why? What's up?"
"We found a place!"
"You did!? That's great!"
"It's amazing, V! I'll send you a picture after we get off."
I'm sad at the reality of him leaving our small town and leaving us all behind to be a ‘hotshot’ accountant.
"V? You there?" Victor questions in my silence.
"Yeah. I'm here." My voice is melancholy.
"You okay?"
"Yeah...it’s just really setting in that you're leaving."
"I'm not leaving. Don't think of it like that. It's not that far and you can come to visit anytime."
"Yeah, okay," my response comes out harsher than I intend.
"I promise."
"Okay."
"Let’s make plans for next weekend."
"Okay, yeah!" My mood lifts dramatically. "I'm so excited!"
"Awesome. Well, I gotta go call Mom."
"You called me before Mom?" I ask, surprised.
"Well, yeah, but don't let her know that!"
My heart swells. "Cross my heart," I tell him.
"Okay. Love you, peanut."
"Love you too!"
After we hang up, I send Chase a message about ordering my parts, and I let him know when they should be arriving. My phone dings not long after...but it’s not the response I’m expecting.
McSwoony: I heard you have a date.
Sliders
It is five-thirty when I’m finally walking out to my truck. Work was long, and boring, and I’m trying not to think about it when my cell rings. I answer too fast.
"What's up, dude?"
"Meet me at Sliders," Vance says without a hello.
"Alright...What's going on?" I ask as I approach my truck, pushing the unlock button.
"Some douche bag asked out V today."
I stop dead in my tracks, "What?" I’m taken completely by surprise! I mean, I’m not shocked that someone asked her out--she's gorgeous and vibrant--but shocked that someone dared to. I haven’t even thought about this happening. This is so not good.
"Who?" I question.
"I have no idea who. She won't tell me."
"Did she say yes?" Please say ‘no’. Please say ‘no’. My thoughts are selfish.
"She told me she didn't, but I don't believe her. I think she's lying to protect him." There's a beep on my phone, and I pull it away to look at the screen. I have a text message waiting.
"So, what's your plan?" I ask, putting the phone back to my ear and picking up my pace.
"I don't know. Just meet me at Sliders." He hangs up before I can even agree.
Looks like I'm going to Sliders tonight. I hop in my truck and turn over the engine. Sitting idle, I check the message I just received. It's from V. Simply telling me she ordered her parts, and I can't help the surge of jealousy that takes over me. I send a response, toss my phone in the cup holder, and drive.
Fifteen minutes later, I make my way into the bar. I have yet to check my phone; not sure I want to know V's answer, even if she told Vance that she wasn't going out on a date. I don't even know if she'd be honest with me considering I'm one of Vance's closest friends. Is she scared that I would rat her out? It isn't very crowded inside, so I immediately spot Vance's head at the bar. I roll my sleeves up to my elbows. Damn, it's hot in here. I can't tell if it's hot in the bar or if it's my blood boiling.
I pat Vance on the back. "Hey man."
Vance’s black hair is disheveled. He places the beer bottle in front of him. "Dude, this is stressing me out.”
You and me both, man. "I'm sure it's nothing."
The bartender--a guy this time--approaches us. "What can I get ya?" he asks, throwing a rag over his shoulder.
"Just a Miller, on tap," I respond, and he moves away to pour my drink. I turn to Vance, "So how did you find this stuff out?"
The bartender places the glass in front of me, "Thanks, man." He nods and moves down to the other side of the bar. I take a hefty swig.
"I was with Wes and he got a text from Taylor. He said she seemed excited about it. "
I can feel my body heat up, "V was excited?"
Vance shrugs, "I think so."
"She didn't say who it was?"
"No,” He sighs and takes a swig of his beer, "I'm going to figure it out. V knows I will, and when I do... I’m going to break his legs, and then beat him with them."
Damn. This is not good. Vance is damn near scary right now. I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket. I pull it out and unlock it.
Nic: Nooo. I was asked on a date, but I do not have a date.
I exhale a long breath and glance over at Vance, who's peeling at the sticker on his bottle.
Me: You turned him down?
Nic: Yes.
Me: Good.
Nic: Why's that good?
Me: Because it is. For you...and this guy. Your brother is freaking out.
Nic: I can always change my mind. Vance is stupid. Let him freak out.
Me: Who is this guy?
Nic: Who's asking? You or my brother?
I stare at the message before trying to write my response. I don't get too far because Vance leans into me, "Who are you texting?" I quickly push the power button to darken the screen, then put it in my pocket and clear my throat. "Just Nic."
"Ah, the infamous Nic. When do I get to meet her?"
"Uh. I don't know." I need to change the subject--and quick.
"C'mon. Though, she may just take a good look at me and dump your ass."
I laugh, "Your brother said the same damn thing."
"We Russos are studs."
I shake my head at him. "I can't wait until a girl knocks you on your ass."
"That'll be the day..." he mutters. "We have to find out who this punk is."
I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket. I itch to look at it but refrain.
"It's obvious that Taylor tells Wes everything...so why not wait to see what she tells him?"
He looks at me for a beat, "That's the weird thing. She doesn't always tell him things. Actually,” He pauses and touches his chin, “She never does...because he doesn't care. He found it weird, and I think that's why he told me." I think about that for a minute. Taylor is one sneaky chick.