Sublime Wreckage (21 page)

"What? No way! That's so awesome Maggie. I'm really happy for you. You deserve it. Let's go take a look. Then you can drive
me
around for a change." I grab a slice of pizza on my way out the door.

"Vincent, I love it. Isn't it cute?"

"Um. Sure. That's not exactly the word I would use but yes. It fits you very well. And it's a very smart choice. Very safe and economical. Your grandpa is one smart guy." I'm beaming from ear to ear. Now I know for sure they would get along. We finish our pizza and hop in the car to go for a ride. Tommy gets in the back which is hysterical because his knees are in his face. He is just so damn tall and this isn't a big car. He finally gets situated into a comfortable position after several attempts.

"Hey, let's go pick up Amanda. I haven't seen her in a while." I'm kind of surprised to hear Tommy say this. I didn't realize he liked her.

"I haven't told her anything yet." I turn my head slightly to look at Vincent out of the corner of my eye. I'm feeling a little bit guilty for not calling her. But he has become my first choice for everything. He just squeezes my hand gently letting me know he understands.

"I can send her a text and tell her we are on our way." Since when does Tommy have her number? Is there something going on between them that she doesn't want me to know about?

"Ok. But don't tell her about the car. I want it to be a surprise. She is going to flip out."

Ten minutes later we pull up to Amanda's house. She comes running out screaming her head off wearing a pair of jeans and her favorite beat-up sweatshirt. It doesn't seem like she's trying to impress anyone.

"OMG! Where did you get this?"

"My Grandpa bought it for me!"

"Woo hoo! We have a car!!! I can't wait to drive it! You are going to let me drive it aren't you?"

"Of course best bud of mine. What's mine is yours. Just be careful."

Vincent gives me a look that screams anxiety. I just nod that it's fine. She isn't a bad driver. Not really. Well, I don't think she will wreck my car. Not on purpose anyway.

"Ok buddy. You are sooo getting in the backseat. I'm riding shotgun! That's your punishment for making me second on Maggie's list." She gives Vince a look that means business. He doesn't argue. He just gets out and climbs in the back with Tommy. It's comical really. They are both such big guys crammed into a small space with each other. When Amanda and I get a good look at them we start laughing so hard we literally can't breathe.

We drive around until Amanda has to be home for curfew. I really want to stay at Vince's tonight. He hasn't exactly asked me but I'm pretty sure he wouldn't say no. I don't have to say a single word to Amanda. She gets it. She doesn't ask me to stay with her. We drive back to Vincent's house listening to music. Once we pull into the drive Tommy gets out and heads inside. Vince gets out too but I hesitate.

"Are you coming?" He opens my door with a huge smile on his face. Like I said before, we don't need words to convey what we want. Why does it feel like it's been forever since I was here when it was just the other night? We head inside and straight back to his bedroom. I throw my bag down by the door and go over to his desk. He has a few new drawings that I start to look over.

"What do you think? I took some of your suggestions and made some color prints for my customers. I figure once we get closer to Spring I can pitch my ideas."

"I think that's a great idea. It gives us plenty of time to put together all of the marketing packets." Vince comes up behind me wrapping his arms around my waist and putting his chin on my shoulder.

"What did I ever do to deserve you? You are incredible. You amaze me every single day. I'm so glad you wanted to come here first tonight." He starts nibbling on my ear. I tilt my head to the side to give him better access. He takes my queue giving me kisses up and down my neck. When I can't take it anymore, I drop the papers then turn to face him.

"I think you're pretty great too." Then I kiss those gorgeous, full lips of his until my breathing becomes erratic. I can't think straight when we get this close. I can feel every muscle in his body wrapped around me like a glove. My whole body is humming from his touch. He gently starts stroking my hair with one hand while the other remains on my back. Our kissing has slowed down. The urgency has passed. Sometimes we get so worked up it's like a frenzy of sensations. But we always find a way to bring it back to a calm, sweet embrace. Vince kisses my hair them pulls me to the bed.

"Do you want me to sleep on the couch? I don't mind. I want you to be comfortable."

"No. I want to sleep in here, with you. But I want to be clear. I'm not ready to have sex. That's a big step and we haven't been going out very long. I just like being near you. Does that make sense?"

"Magnolia, I care for you so much. I would never expect anything more than what you are willing to give me. Sex is a big deal and should be between two people that are fully committed to one another. We have all the time in the world. I don't want to take that step with you until we are both ready. We have so much more to learn about each other."

"I'm so glad you understand." I get my bag and head to the bathroom to get ready for bed. I feel so comfortable here. And I'm beyond thrilled that this time I can fully enjoy sleeping with Vince. After I finish up he takes his turn in the bathroom. I climb into his bed wearing an old pair of sweat pants and a tank top. When he walks back into the room in just his boxers I think drool actually comes out of my mouth. He has such an unbelievable body. His muscles are so defined but not overdone. The color of his skin is perfect. It's light brown like he has a year round tan. It looks good with his dark hair and eyes. He totally catches me checking him out.

"I know you like what you see but you can close your mouth now."

"I was just yawning. I got bored waiting for you. You take forever to get ready for bed. Worse than a girl." He gives a small chuckle as he climbs into bed next to me. I reach over and turn off the lamp on his nightstand then curl up next to him with my head on his chest.

"I'm so glad you are here with me Maggie. You make me feel at ease. It's nice. I've never felt this with anyone else before. Is it crazy to be dating your best friend?"

"I don't think so. I think it's perfect." That's the last thing I remember before I fall asleep.

The next morning we decide to go out to breakfast. And by morning I mean around 11 o'clock. I slept so good last night. When I woke up I had turned to my side and Vince was spooning me. It felt so good to have him pressed up against me, holding me tenderly. I can't believe he slept in with me. He is usually such a morning person.

I texted Amanda and told her to get her butt up because we were going out to breakfast. Of course Tommy came along too. I didn't even have to get out of the car when we picked Amanda up because she was waiting excitedly by the curb.

"This is so cool. I still can't believe you have a car. We can do whatever we want now."

Vince was in the front seat and gave her a look that said he wasn't moving. She noticed Tommy sitting in the back and happily got in. I didn't have time last night to ask her what was going on between them so I have to get her alone at the restaurant. We head to the only place in town still serving breakfast. Once we get our table I drag Amanda to the bathroom.

"So what in the world is going on with you and Tommy?"

"What do you mean?" She looks at me with her big doe eyes trying to appear all innocent.

"Cut the shit Amanda. I know you too well. That look doesn't work on me. Remember? Now spill." I give her my no-nonsense glare while I wait for her response.

"Fine. We like each other. We've been talking on the phone and texting a little. We didn't want to say anything because if things didn't work out we know it would make things awkward for you and Vince. We aren't dating or anything. Just getting to know each other. I told him that I liked how you and Vince were friends first and that maybe we could try that for now."

"Well look at you all grown up. When did you get so smart?"

"I pay attention, Maggie. I notice stuff. I see what you have and how you got there. I want it too."

"Amanda, I know you are smart. Don't ever doubt that. I'm glad that you can see the value in being friends with a guy. And if I helped you get there then that's great. Now, let's go eat because my stomach needs food in it before I pass out from hunger!"

"When aren't you hungry? I swear you eat like two grown men!" That makes us both laugh. We head back to our table. After eating enough for a small army we head back to Vincent's house. Amanda wants to hang out for a little bit so I leave her in Tommy's capable hands. I actually have to head home. My mother thinks I'm with my Grandpa and I told her I would be home in the afternoon. I don't even know what she is going to think about the car. And frankly I don't care. It's mine. She can't take it from me. Vince walks me outside.

"Do you really have to go?" He looks at me with a little bit of hope that I can stay just a little longer. We have been doing this for the last hour. He asks this same question and I give in telling him five more minutes which turns into twenty.

"Stop it. I can't stay any longer. I really do have to go."

"I know. I'm just bummed because now you don't need me to drive you around. When am I ever going to see you?"

"That's what's bothering you? Vince, now I can come see you whenever I want because I have my own car."

"I know. I'm just going to miss driving you around."

"I love your Mustang and I love riding in it. So we can still take your car sometimes. Maybe I could even drive it!"

"Don't push your luck woman." I laugh at his comment. He grabs me in a tight hug then gives me a small kiss on the lips. "Be careful. I will see you tomorrow."

"Bye Slick."

I drive away as he stands on the curb watching me. The closer I get to my house the more dread fills my body. I try to think of the best way to tell her about my car. I know this isn't going to go well. I can feel it in my gut. My instincts are never wrong when it comes to her. If I have a bad feeling it's for a good reason. I decide to try the sunshine and rainbows approach. I walk in the house with a great big smile.

"Hey mom. How was your weekend?" She's sitting in the living room so I walk over to her.

"Why are you so damn happy?"

"Well. I have something to show you. Will you come outside with me?"

"Just tell me what it is Maggie. I don't have the patience for your shit right now." Crap. This isn't good. She's already in a bad mood.

"Grandpa bought me a car. Isn't that great? Now I have a way to get to school and work and I don't have to use up your gas anymore." Not like she lets me drive her car anyway. Just trying to point out the benefit to her hoping that will make this go better.

"What? You have got to be kidding me. He bought you a fucking car? You are such a spoiled little brat. He has always given you too much. Give me the keys. I will decide when and if you can drive it."

"No." I can't believe I just said that. It just came out of my mouth. My heart starts pounding rapidly while I clench my hands into fists trying to anticipate what she will do. She jumps off the couch and gets right in my face.

"What did you just say to me?" She asks me in such a controlled voice I know this isn't good. But I have to stand up to her at some point. Don't I? It's like my brain and my body are fighting with each other. My body is saying "shut the hell up" while my brain is saying go for it.

"I said no. It's my car. He put it in my name. So you can't take it from me."

"You listen here little girl. I'm still your mother and you live under my roof which means you follow my rules! Do you understand me?" Now she's yelling. Shit. What do I say to that? How can I argue with her?

"Look Mom. He is paying the insurance and he was very specific that no one else drive my car. I can't disobey him. What's the problem with me having a way to get around?" I look her right in the face and start to regret everything I just said. I can see the storm brewing in her piss green eyes. Then I feel it. She slaps me hard across my face. I immediately pull my hand up to my cheek. It's a natural reaction to being hit. Then she hits me again. Slapping the other side of my face so hard that I lose my balance and start to stumble. I grab the edge of the coffee table just in time. I don't want to end up on the floor again. That is the worst position to be in with her hovering over me. I brace myself for what I know is coming. She grabs a huge chunk of my hair pulling my head back so I'm looking at her then she punches me in the face. She splits my lip open again. I can feel the blood oozing out. Great. Just great. Stop hitting my face! I don't want to miss anymore school! She must have read my mind because I feel the next blow right in the ribs. She hits me so hard the wind gets knocked out of me. I lean over grasping the edge of the table trying so hard to hold myself up.

I don't want to cry. I hate that she makes me cry. If it wasn't for the pain my body is experiencing I wouldn't give her the satisfaction. I absolutely hate the fact that she sees my agony. That she knows what impact she is having on me. The tears just keep coming as I try to focus on her breathing. I'm waiting for her to get winded and give up like she always does. At least now I have a quick escape if it gets to be too much. After two or three more hits to my arm and back she finally stops. She sits down on the couch wheezing from the exertion. I hear the distinct sound of her inhaler. I don't look up. I'm doubled over trying to breathe.

"You know what, you aren't even worth it." She says in-between breaths. "You want to hear something funny? You aren't even related to that old man. But you have him wrapped around your little finger anyway."

That gets my attention. What the hell is she talking about? I immediately stand up. My adrenaline is pumping now. I can feel it running through my veins. I don't feel any of the pain. I just focus all my energy on her words.

"What in the world are you talking about?"