“Did your phone blow up in your face?” Ivy’s asks as she leans on the other side of the post.
“No.” I shake my head.
“Pity.”
I chuckle and reach over to flick her nose. “I am dead tired because your father is a workaholic and honestly, I’m just trying to work through my feelings.”
“You could’ve just told me that.” She huffs.
“I guess but then I wouldn’t be a typical guy.” I grin at her.
“You’re not a typical guy, Neil.” She smiles and turns back to watch her cousin.
She doesn’t think I’m a typical guy, so what does that mean? What does she think of me? Am I more than a hookup she calls when she’s drunk and wants dick? Does she see a relationship eventually? Even though she said she doesn’t want one?
The crowd roars when a guy steps out onto the road in front of Carmelo. He’s bigger and meaner looking.
“Who’s the guy?” I ask Ivy.
“Some guy from the next town over.” She brushes the hair out of her face. “I don’t even want to watch this.” She turns her head to look at me, “want to go fuck in your car instead?”
I groan so loud that people nearest to us look over curiously. “Yes,” I look at her, “but no.”
“I figured.” She blows out her breath and it wisps in front of her face then dissipates.
“You’re the typical guy here,” I grin at her, “you know that right?”
“I’ve heard it a few times.” She grins back, sucking her bottom lip into her mouth.
She’s so fucking gorgeous and I am just about to change my mind about fucking her when the crowd roars. I look over in time to see Carmelo taking three quick raps to the face and then falling onto his ass.
“Is he any good at this?” I ask.
“Yes?” She makes it sound like a question and we both cringe when Carmelo takes a kick to the ribs.
Then, Carmelo pops to his feet and starts swinging hard blows at the other guy, who has his arms up around his face. Carmelo’s punches to his body are precise and solid, bringing the guy to his knees.
Carmelo’s face is completely covered in blood and he spits a bright red wad onto the snow, the colour stark against the white fluff. There’s a blank look in his eyes, like he sealed up his humanity, and let his body finish the fight. It’s the look I would imagine on a soldier's face just before he pulls the trigger.
Carmelo pulls his right arm back and slams his fist forward, right into the other guy’s temple. Effectively knocking him out, his body falling forward, and his eyes rolling into the back of his head.
“Come get your boy.” Carmelo calls out to a small group gathered off to the side, “he’ll freeze in the snow.”
At least he has decency.
“That was quick, thank god.” Ivy mumbles and then looks at me. “I should go check on him… take care.”
She starts to walk away but I grab her arm, pulling her towards me, and wrapping my arms around her shoulders. I tuck her head into my chest and rest my chin on top, her arms finally coming around me.
“Give me a little time.” I whisper and feel her head nod. “I’ll text you when I get home.”
“Okay.” Her voice is small and muffled.
She pulls back and smiles up at me, her eyes watering. I lean down and press a quick chaste kiss to her mouth, then pull away before I lose all will power.
“Goodnight, Neil.” She says as she backs up.
“Goodnight, Ivy.”
She turns and walks away, her boots crunching the snow. With each crunch my heart drops, like it knows she’s pulling away, and I’m letting her.
“Let’s get you home, old man.” Amelia pats my back, giving me a knowing smile.
The red and blue lights flash in my rear-view and I glance up, seeing a police car behind me. I look to my speed and see I’m just under the speed limit, it’s a fucking blizzard. Why am I getting pulled over?
I ease onto the shoulder and pull out my license and registration. The snow is coming down hard now so I don’t see the figure until he’s practically up on my window.
Adam Van Dyke.
He bends and motions for me to put down my window. Apprehension skates along my neck and down my spine as I push the button to drop my window down half way.
“Hey.” He says his voice even. “I noticed your rear right tire is pretty low, are you feeling drag when turning?”
“No.” I exhale the breath I’m holding. “I haven’t really checked them though.”
“I have a pump in the car, I’ll grab it.” He turns back and walks towards his car.
I get out of my car and head to the rear, trying to see the tires through the whiteout of snow. Without warning, a body slams into my back and I’m shoved up against the trunk.
“What the fuck?” I scream.
“You little bitch,” Adam snarls into my ear. “You little fucking whore.”
“Get off of me, you pig!” I struggle and both of us start slipping in the wet snow at our feet.
“How about now?” I feel the cold sting of metal against my temple and freeze. “That’s right. Now you are going to do everything I say, clear?”
When I don't answer him, he taps the barrel of the gun to my forehead, and I nod.
“Good little whore.” He chuckles, “take off your clothes.”
“What?” He can’t mean for me to get naked in this fucking blizzard.
“You heard me.” The gun once again hits me on the side of my head. “Now.”
I should be terrified right now I know that but instead, I’m numb and having what feels like an out of body experience. My brain already knows what’s coming because my body has endured it many times, it knows its coping mechanisms. Adam Van Dyke won’t get the pleasure of a scared and crying girl.
My clothes hit the snow
