Mel jumps down the stairs and gives her uncle a peck on his cheek and then turns to do the same with me. How much difference a day can make – she’s already sprouting much more color in her cheeks. Her eyes burn with a girlish charm that makes my knees go weak.
She grabs my coffee and takes a sip. But then she rams it back into my hands and runs for the dustbin.
Something is bothering me about this bug she has, the symptoms are all there. I shake my head. No, I’m not going there. It’s just a bug and she said she’s on the pill. But a part of me can’t stop – nausea, tiredness …
“So, I suppose my dickhead brothers are still passed out?” Mel says after regurgitating one sip of coffee. Upon her question, Uncle John makes a noise sounding like something between a pig and a horse.
“Maybe you should go see a doctor.” He looks worried. I want him to see that I can care for her. That I love her.
“Don’t worry, Uncle John, I’ll get her some meds before dropping her at home.” He nods and I decide to humor up the somber atmosphere.
“I can even squeeze in a checkup before my flight.” I give her uncle a sweet smile while looking at her, but Johnnie just makes his horsey-grunt sound again.
“We can go whenever you’re ready.” I’m in a hurry to hold her in my arms. To stuff my nose in her hair and breathe in her scent until I get my fill – which will probably be never.
She greets her uncle while I put our stuff in my car, opening the passenger door of my new black beast for her with the happiest biggest silliest smile a boy can have.
“Oh, thank you, kind sir,” she teases. I bite my lip. Soon I will be the one doing all the teasing – with my tongue – right between those sexy legs of hers. The thought clouds my eyes.
“Need to go barf before we go?” A dirty grin pulls up on one side of my face.
“No, but I do need to go pee again.” She runs back in, to the bathroom.
“Damion, son,” Uncle John starts calmly, “Your mom explained about the misunderstandings between you and Mel. And I get it.” I’m sensing a but.
“But, please, be open with her and tell her shit like that before it can hurt her.” I nod my head, showing her uncle that I understand where he’s coming from.
Then she’s back and hugs Uncle John one last time before she hops in the car.
Suddenly tears stream down her face. She’s an emotional mess this one.
I get in behind the wheel and her smell hits me between the eyes. It’s a clean flowery smell, mostly vanilla with a hint of raindrops. My newest drug. I missed it like crazy.
“Want to talk about it?”
“What?”
“Why you are crying?”
“I don’t know why.” She wipes her eyes with her hands.
“So you got a new car.” I didn’t think she would notice. “It’s kinda nice.” Yeah, right.
“Kinda nice? Seriously?” I pull my eyebrows up while cocking my head. She obviously knows shit about cars. It’s my duty to educate her. This machine is art on wheels – and it even has my logo on the bonnet. I had it custom-made.
“This, my dear girlfriend, is the newest Lamborghini. The devil child. Build for road and racing.” I look at her reaction. She doesn’t look too impressed, neither does she seem to have a problem with me calling her my girlfriend. My heart starts beating again. She’s mine again.
“Okay,” she peeps at me through her long lashes. “It’s pretty. Just like my brothers’ ones.”
We each have our tastes. I bought my first Lambo soon after my first championship win – a little present to myself. And since then the company sponsors me with a new car every season.
Logan, however, decided to go with Porche, and the twins went with Ferrari.
She doesn’t know it yet, but I’ve put in an order for her own little beast. I’m keeping it as a surprise.
“You can’t argue with perfection. And this my little angel, is total perfection.” I look at her with a sinister grin on my face. I just can’t seem to stop smiling like an idiot. “The perfect girl in the perfect car with the perfect boy. Can’t get any more perfect than that.”
She snorts and looks out the window. I fiddle with the radio.
“I’ve found this song … think it sort of fits me overall. I want you to listen to it.” The music starts and I sing with, every word and I hope she understands the meaning.
‘Hmm, yeah … Mirrors they never lie … Don’t see myself inside … Why can’t I get it right?
I don’t know …
You’re always watching me fall … Shadows, they like my wall … Why do I feel so small?
I don’t know …
So I walk into the dead of night … Where my monsters like to hide
Chaos feels so good inside, no more …
I lost, I lost, I lost control again … Always do the same and I’m to blame …
I lost control again I don’t, I don’t, I don’t know who I am …
Always do the same and I’m to blame I lost control again …
Oh, I am feeling afraid … But lately I lost my faith … What is love without pain?
It ain’t home … You’re watching me, but I’m in love …
When I get caught, I hope It’s the kind of blackout that will … Take me home
So I walk into the dead of night …”
She sits quietly but I know she’s listening.