“Merrick, you're clearly grieving. You probably have a lot going on in that crazy mind of yours. I get that. But why you're trying to numb the pain with tequila a very sweet bartender gave you on the house, instead of your gorgeous girlfriend, is the part I can't figure out.”
Jovi...Beautiful, sweet, understanding, til death do us part Jovi. I should be with her. I wish I was. She spent the morning looking at cars with Nadie and then girl time or some shit this afternoon with Hayli. Packing for her move. I'd be over there if her father wasn't home. At least I think I would be. Should I be?
On a long exhale I shake my head.
“Okay well...you can either talk to me, as a totally unbiased opinion or....I can walk away and pretend to rearrange the liquor again.”
I lift my glass to my lips. “You're surprisingly kinda pushy.”
She shrugs. “It's been a long day.”
“Tell me about it,” I mumble. After a brief pause I cave, needing someone's opinion besides my own. “I'm a McCoy-”
With a wink she interrupts, “Obviously.”
“We party. We race. We...we live on the edge. We're fucking loyal to each other. No matter what. But I don't wanna do it anymore. I want out. I wanna live a different life. In a different place. With...well with...”
“With Jovi.”
“Yeah.” I clear my throat. “And I was going to. No problem. I was gonna tell my brothers, 'fuck this, I'm out' and now...now that Ben's gone I just...I can't. I feel if I ditch them now, I'm not just leaving them, but abandoning them when they need me the most.”
“Almost like they'd be losing another McCoy.”
“Yeah. Exactly. I feel they'd start talking shit about betrayal. Make me feel like I'm turning my back on the people who raised me. Who've saved me. Who've....”
“Who've turned you into the man you are?” Azura fills in.
I nod.
“Don't you think they might be understanding? Or even grateful that they have one less little brother to make sure comes home alive? One more little brother that's not in jail or has a gun to his head?”
Oh...been there.
“Maybe your brothers would be happy that you'd finally be safe and happy.”
Valid points? You really think so?
A short hum comes from me before I tilt my head. “Maybe....”
“You haven't told Jovi how you're feeling, have you?”
Quickly I shake my head and have another sip.
She's understanding. Too understanding. So understanding that I don't know if she'd even tell me she really wanted me to come with her. To be with her. To keep our marriage going. No...we're not married yet. Two days to go. Two long fucking days.
“I suggest you tell her. Hell, tell them all. Give them each a chance to accept or deny the thoughts you're going through. Don't decide for them what they think.”
“You've got a point.” I put the glass down at the same time she leans back on the bar. “A girl as smart as you should be more than just Triple D's....well, what day of the week girl are you?”
“I'm not.”
“I thought you were one of Daniel's girls.”
“That's my sister.” Folding her hands together, Azura's mocha face falls. “Everyone forgets I even exist.”
“I don't.”
“Really? You remember me before now?”
“Yeah. The pool party.”
She furrows her eyebrows. “Before that?”
Not sure I want to risk upsetting her twice I say, “I'll definitely remember you now.”
“That's only because I gave you free liquor.”
“Thanks for that by the way.” Swirling the liquid around I ask, “So you've never hooked up with a McCoy?”
“Nope.”
“Why not? Busy on Daniel's free days?”
“Wow. How about because I don't wanna be a day of the week girl, but a tomorrow one?”
Perplexed, I question, “A tomorrow girl?”
“The one you always promise to see tomorrow and then do,” she explains as she fiddles with her curly hair. “Not sure that'll ever happen, but a girl can dream right?”
Pushing the glass across the bar I say, “Don't give up on it. I never knew I needed a tomorrow girl until she fell into my lap.”
Literally. Remember that? Fuck...seems like a life time ago.
“Yeah well, I hope we can all be so lucky,” Azura coos. “Now go talk to your girl. And your brothers.”
“Yeah.” I stand and pull out of my wallet. “I'm going to.”
She points at me. “Don't even think about tipping me.”
“But-”
“Just...just knowing someone might get a happy ending is enough for me.”
I smile and shrug. “You'll get yours.”
There's a hum out of her but nothing else.
“Hey, you're welcome around us any time by the way.”
“Thanks,” she sighs before waving goodbye.
You know, I like her too. Seems like good people, but do you get the feeling she's longing for one of my brothers? Right. But which one?
The question oscillates in my brain as I walk out with my head down. Not paying attention to where I'm going has me bump hard right into someone.
“Watch it fuck head,” the voice grunts. When my head pops up he sneers, “Fucking McCoy.”
Why couldn't this asshole have been the one to fucking die? Why'd it have to be someone who fucking mattered? What a better world it would be with one less crooked politician's child.
“Just can't stay out of my fucking way can you? You or that punk bitch cousin of yours.” Before I have the chance to say anything he smugly smirks. “Oh wait. He's dead now, so I guess it's just you.”
My immediate reaction is to punch him in his fucking face. To drop him where he stands. Bash his brains out the back of his skull.
Jail might be a safer place for me. Then again The Devil has contacts and reaches everywhere.
As my fist clenches to strike, something catches my eye over his shoulder.
Better yet. It might be safer for him.
I step forward and make sure to keep my eyes locked on him, so his have to stay on mine. “Talk all the fucking shit you want about my family, but they'll never be the useless waste of space that is you and yours.” His eyebrows rise and I whisper, “Enjoy your night in jail.”
“What?”
Loudly I shout, “No I don't wanna buy drugs from you!” My voice immediately grabs the police officer's attention that was heading back for his vehicle. “No means no man! I don't!”
Tyler starts to speak when the officer approaches. “Is there a problem here?”
“This man tried to sell me drugs,” I innocently say stepping back from Tyler. “And I told him no.”
The officer has a hand on his weapon. “Did you try to sell this man drugs?”
If he uses it, all I have to say is 'thank you'. Thank you for finally serving and protecting me rather than hunting me.
“No. Fuck no-”
“Watch your language sir,” the officer snips.
“No,” Tyler repeats. “I didn't try to sell him anything.”
The officer glances at me and I give him a pleading look. “Sir, do you have any drugs on you?”
“Of course not,” Tyler sighs. “Search me if you want.”
Taking the invitation he says, “Could you please spread your legs and arms?” Tyler does as he's asked and the officer starts patting him down. It only takes a few before the officer stops at his pockets, and pulls out a small Zip-loc bag with pills inside.
Remind me to thank Vinnie for those.
He barks, “What are these?”
“Those aren't mine!” Tyler screeches. “No fucking way!”
“Sir, please turn around and place your hands behind your back,” the officer instructs tucking the drugs away safely. “You're being placed under arrest for possession of narcotics. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of law...”