Surprisingly, Veronica made it home without being pulled over for her busted headlights. She dropped her bag on the floor, heading directly to her desk and opening her laptop in one motion. His address and number lit up on her screen in a matter of seconds. The leader of a motorcycle gang was probably not sleeping at 10:30 on a Friday night, she decided, checking the clock. Pushing her feet against the ground, she let the chair in her room spin as the phone rang. There was a click on the other line and she dug her heels into the carpet, waiting for a voice.
"Who's this?"
"Hey, Weevil." Her voice was cheery as she dragged out her vowels playfully, "It's Veronica Mars. Miss me yet?"
The other line was silent for moment, then she heard a laugh.
"Baby. You make a fool of me in front of my boys, now you callin' me up for what? A booty call?" He mocked through the other line.
"Something like that. Does your uncle really own a body shop?" She asked seriously, moving her chair from left to right.
"Oh, so it's a favor you want." She heard a door close on his end and assumed he had moved someplace more private. The thought of having an effect on him made her smirk.
"I think I can help you out. My uncle lets me fix things for free if it's for a friend." He waited a moment then continued, his voice deep as he asked, "What do you think, mama? You wanna be my friend?"
Veronica grinned, pushing her feet off the ground again and allowing the chair to swivel as she laughed into the phone.
"Let's see how much better you can make my car look, first. Then we'll discuss the play-dates. Sound good to you, homeboy?"
"Whatever you want, baby. Want me to check that loose belt while I'm at it?"
The chair rocked precariously and Veronica grabbed the edge of her desk with one hand to steady herself. Her eyes sparkled mischievously, her own voice husky as she whispered back, "Come on, potro. We both know I wasn't talking about the car."
She basked in his surprised silence for a moment, knowing she had out-dirtied him this time.
"Goodnight, Weevil."
Before he could compose himself, she hung up and clutched the phone to her chest, voicelessly giggling.
He started their game, but she was setting the bar higher, taunting him.
And she couldn't wait for his next move.