Jovi

Why hasn't he called? Or texted? I mean nothing. Nothing all day. Not a good morning text? Not a fly home safe text. Nothing! That's so unlike him. Is something wrong? Why do I feel like something is wrong? Do you know something? Am I over reacting?

“Forgive her,” Nadie apologizes to the flight attendant beside me. “She's scatter brained today.”

How long has she been standing there?

“I'm fine. Thank you.” I finally respond.

“You're welcome,” the woman politely replies.

As soon as she's moved on Nadie fusses, “Jovi Carter, you know better than to be rude to people.”

Not sure what I missed, I shake my head in an attempt to return to reality. “Sorry, Nadie. I didn't mean to.”

Seeing the look on my face she drops a hand on my lap. “Are you okay? You've been...spaced out all morning. Did something happen last night?”

Other than some really bad Shania Twain karaoke and trying my first Fireball? Can't say that it did. Drunken college students shouldn't be allowed to sing that intoxicated. However, Fireballs are awesome! Seriously though, I actually really enjoyed hanging out at a local spot with people who have no idea what my father does for a living or what my boyfriend does in his spare time. It was refreshing be around people who weren't waiting to judge me for that. But geez, I missed Merrick. He didn't answer when I got back, so I left a voice mail. Been checking all day for him to answer and...nothing. Is he pissed? Was he pissed last night?

“No.”

“You didn't accidentally-”

“No,” I snap again. “Nothing like that. Nothing crazy happened last night. Made some new friends just like I told you over breakfast.”

“Then what's wrong?”

I hesitate before I answer. “Merrick hasn't called or texted all day. I'm just...worried. That's all.”

“Maybe he's sleeping away his sorrows of missing you,” she sweetly says buckling her seat belt preparing for takeoff.

A smile slips on my face.

That...that would be adorable. But the knot in my stomach tells me otherwise. Is it just me or do you have that feeling too? Do you know something? You'd tell me right?

“Maybe...”

“If it makes you feel better remember I've had spotty service most of this trip. There's a good chance he tried and those messages just didn't go through.”

“But I got his call before I left last night.”

“Okay, but did you get my text I sent you hoping you had a good time?”

“What text?”

“Exactly. And think about Hayli. How many texts did you get from her?”

I ponder that for a moment.

Holy hell. I didn't get any from her and that's not like Hayli at all. I mean sure when she's got a date or something occupying her she texts less, but no 'do not make a new best friend text' at all while I was gone? That's not like her. Bad service! I've been having bad service. Oh no...if this is how it was for a weekend, how are we gonna stay in touch when I move away if he doesn't move with me soon after? This could drive us insane...did you just say Skype? Oh! You're brilliant!

Nadie interrupts my runaway thoughts, “I'm sure everything is fine. I'm sure he's just as love sick as you are.”

In a giggle I try to deny, “I'm not love sick.”

“Yes you are.” When I smile she gives my thigh a good pat. “Relax, Jo'. You'll see him in a few hours.”

Feeling a little better, I nod and look out the window as the pilot announces we're about to take off.

She's probably right. Everything is probably fine. This knot is probably all in my head. Maybe this is what people are like when they're 'love sick'. Does that mean I'm gonna turn into some super needy thing? I know Nadie's most likely right, but I still can't shake this tiny pit weighing on me inside. Am I just being crazy in love and letting love make me crazy?

Merrick

I let out a deep sigh of relief as the Commissioner's car turns the opposite direction from where I'm parked.

You know, I'm smart enough not to get caught. This isn't my first time sneaking around, better yet this isn't my first time sneaking into his house. However, it will be one of the last. I guarantee you that.

Climbing out of my car, I waste no time hustling down the street towards Jovi's house.

No. Waiting in my car for an hour for him to leave wasn't the most pleasant experience, but it beats the hell out of being locked up in my room. Fuck. That room was Ben's room as much as it was mine. Being at the apartment felt like sitting in a tomb. Sitting in a memory that was just waiting to be forgotten. Sitting in the final moment we had together. Besides, the engine hum in my car was somewhat soothing.

At Jovi's door, I debate whether to have her come down or just grab the key instead.

She was the one who gave me the warning of when he would be headed back into the office. If I just let myself in, she wouldn't be surprised. What was that? Nadie? What about her? Oh...Yeah. You're right. I should just text her. I swear, my fucking phone has been acting screwy all day. Neither of us had been receiving texts from the other most of the day. Believe it or not that bullshit almost pushed me off the ledge I'm hanging onto by a finger. And I do mean a finger. Makes me wonder though, did Ben try to text me in his final moments and I didn't get it?

Shuddering away the idea I text her.

Me: Let me in baby.

Anxiously I rock on my feet, the waiting time between texts an eternity.

Future Mrs. McCoy: I'll be right down.

Yup. I'm that guy. Hell, when did I become that guy? Hey! Stop that right now. I get enough pussy whipped talk from my brothers.

With a small smile, I slide my phone into my back pocket. Looking around at the neighborhood, I admire the fancy street lamps. The driveways that seem to all have two vehicles parked in them. One car and one SUV of some sort. The lawns are manicured and the houses so structured the same it looks as if someone took a cookie cutter and laid them out perfectly.

I never saw myself living in this kind of neighborhood before. Hell, I never saw myself wanting to before. Now...now it seems to be safer than anywhere else. Sure, Vinnie lives in this kind of neighborhood and you know what goes down at his house, but at least the major trouble doesn't come knocking on his door. He has to deliver it. Maybe this is the kind of neighborhood we move to once Jovi graduates. Once I get a normal job. What? Please don't mention The Devil's name right now.

Finally Jovi opens her front door. She's wearing a pair of black sleep shorts and a tank top, no bra, clearly ready for bed.

Yup. I wanna be there with her. Right now.

She whispers, “Hey.”

I don't hesitate to pull her body into mine. Roughly, I push my lips firmly against hers, falling into the first moment of ease to present itself.

God, I can't live without her. I just can't. I fucking can't.

With a soft moan, Jovi clutches onto my t-shirt, our tongues tangled so tightly that breathing doesn't appear to factor into our existence any more. All that seems to matter is how rapidly we can devour the other. On a heavy groan, I slide my hands down her ass, before gripping it harshly.

Before things can get out of hand, she pulls away. Slightly out of breath she asks, “You wanna come inside instead of giving the neighbors something to call my dad about?”

“That's not the call you want him to get?”

“Mmm,” she hums. “Not really.”

After chuckling, I let her lead me inside by the hand. She locks the door behind us before we head for the stairs. Quietly I ask, “Where's Nadie?”

“Passed the hell out,” she replies. “She slept like shit while we gone. I think she was freaked out about me...my dad...just everything really. Once we got home and settled, she took a sleeping pill. It worked almost instantly.”