Chapter 35: Bad News

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July came down the stairs, freshly showered and dressed, to find Vince and Jesse playing video games in her living room. She plopped down in a sofa chair, Vince looking up at her as she did so.

"Hey, I brought Jesse along, he wanted to go out and do something. I hope you don't mind."

"It's no problem. Did Letty leave?" she asked looking around.

"Yeah, she went down to the garage. There's a car that needs to be done by this afternoon and she said she'd work it," Vince answered turning back to the TV.

"Well, I'm going to go clean the kitchen. Jesse, you make sure you kick his ass, all right?"

"Will do," Jesse replied, still staring at the TV.

July headed into the kitchen and quickly picked up and washed the dishes. She's just finished putting the last dish on the counter rack to dry when the doorbell rang. She dried her hands off and then answered the door. "Hey Amy," she greeted, giving the girl in the doorway a hug.

"Hey," Amy said pushing back her sunglasses, revealing her brown eyes, and rested them in her curly red hair that was done up in a messy bun.

"I was wondering if it was okay if I brought Vince and Jesse with us?" July asked holding open the door and motioning to the guys in the living room.

"That's cool," Amy said with a shrug. "The more the merrier."

"Thanks. Guys, are you coming?" July prompted.

"Yeah," Vince hollered and soon him and Jesse appeared.

"Amy, this is Vince and Jesse," July said making a quick introduction. July saw Amy's eyes skim over Vince and immediately land on Jesse. She could see the small smirk that came to her lips and filed it away to ask Amy about later.

"So you got any ideas where you want to head to July?" Amy asked taking her eyes off Jesse.

"I want to have some fun. You guys have an amusement park nearby?"

"Yeah, there's the boardwalk about twenty minutes out," Amy answered, waving her hand behind her.

"I know where it is, but I'll take Jesse with me in my car and follow you guys," Vince said to July.

She nodded okay, knowing that Vince wasn't really one to sit in the passenger or back seat. "We'll meet you there," July replied and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Vince smiled at her and then dragged Jesse out the door.

"Why didn't you tell me you hung out with Toretto's team?" Amy asked as soon as Vince and Jesse were out of hearing range.

"Does it matter?" July asked with a frown as she closed the front door and the two started to walk to Amy's car. It was a dark purple VW Golf.

"Duh! Yeah it does. They are the best in street racing."

"Does Max race?" July asked with a quirked eyebrow and held back the urge to laugh.

"He tries, but let's just say he doesn't always hold up to his nickname," Amy answered laughing as they got in the car and she pulled away from the curb. July looked in the side mirror and saw Vince was already behind them.

"So you go to races then?"

"Sometimes, when I tag along with Max or when I feel like it. But I don't know jack about cars, just how to drive them. So is Vince your boyfriend?"

July bit her lips as she hesitated a moment to answer. "I think so. We haven't exactly declared anything but I think so."

"So what about Jesse?"

"Jesse? He's awesome. He's super smart when it comes to cars and stuff. He's cool to hang out with. Not the biggest talker unless you start talking about something that really interests him and then you can't get him to shut up," July said while looking out the window.

"Is he single?" Amy asked as she took a left turn.

"Yeah, as far as I know. Why? You like him?" July questioned, turning to look at her friend.

"I just met him! But he's cute," she admitted with a giggle.

"You are such a girl," July mumbled as she rolled her eyes.

Soon they arrived at the boardwalk and paid an arm and a leg for all day parking. They had lost Vince in traffic but he had told her he knew where it was. They managed to find two slots near each other and Amy pulled into one. Getting out of the car, July felt the sun beating down on her and knew that it was going to get warm.

"Hey you got any sunscreen?" July asked shielding her eyes and looking over at Amy.

"Yeah, I was just thinking the same thing," Amy said before she disappeared into the car and reappeared with a bottle. She poured some onto her hands and then tossed the bottle to July, who caught it easily. They were both slather on the sunscreen when Vince pulled up. Both guys got out of the car and stared at the girls.

"If you're going to ogle you might as well help. I can't get my back," July complained as she gave the bottle to Vince and turned around. They guys helped the girls with the sunscreen and then put some on themselves, no one wanting to end up burned. Amy put the bottle back in the car and then locked it.

"So where to first?" she asked.

"Roller coaster?" July suggested. Amy and Jesse quickly agreed and only Vince gave out a groan.

"The roller coaster?"

"Come on, don't be a baby," July teased as she grabbed his hand and began walking toward the main entrance, Jesse and Amy following behind them.

They rode all the rides, ate too much cotton candy, and the guys won each girls stuffed animals. They made an amusing picture: Vince and Jesse each carrying a big stuffed animal while the girls walked ahead of them chatting. It was around four when they decided they were worn out and drove back to July's house.

"I don't think I've had that much fun in a while," Amy remarked from her sprawled out form on the floor, using the stuffed animal as a pillow.

"Bumper cars were awesome," Jesse piped in from his spot next to Amy.

"I think you gave me whip lash," July grumbled to Vince, who was sitting on the couch beside her.

"Aww, did I hurt the poor baby?" Vince asked mockingly.

"I'll give you hurt," July mumbled, making Vince laugh at her.

"As much fun it has been, I should get going. Dad will flip if I'm not home soon," Amy said getting up. July nodded her head and began to get up to walk Amy out.

"I'll walk her to her car," Jesse insisted quickly and got up.

July shared a smirk with Amy, communicating with her eyes that she wanted details later and sat back down. Jesse and Amy left out the front door, leaving July and Vince alone.

"So are you thinking what I'm thinking?" July asked once the door closed.

"Maybe," Vince replied as he scooted closer to her and kissed her.

"No, I meant about Jesse and Amy," July said laughing.

"What about them?"

"Are you blind? Or were you not paying attention to them at all today?"

"No I saw them. So what, they like each other," Vince said shrugging his shoulders.

"Guys…I need a girl to talk to," July moaned as the front door opened again and Jesse walked back in with a happy, dazed look on his face. He sat down in a chair and was silent.

"Yo Jess, you still alive?" Vince asked.

"Huh? Oh, yeah," Jesse answered, still smiling.

"Why are you so happy?" he questioned and all Jesse did in response was hold up a piece of paper that was in his hand.

"I told you," July sing-songed to Vince with a smug smile.

"I think I'm going to go home, see what Leon's doing," Jesse said getting up and leaving, that smile still on his face.

"Finally, alone," Vince said pulling her closer.

"Man, do you have a one track mind or what?"

"What can I say?" he mumbled against her lips. He started to trail kisses down her neck when the phone started to ring.

"Hmm, Vince, the phone," July murmured.

"Let the machine get it," he said before nibbling her neck again.

"It could be important. I have to get it. It might be Mike," July answered back quietly.

"He can wait." Vince captured her lips again, intent on distracting her of thinking of anyone but him.

July struggled against him, torn between answering the phone and kissing Vince. Worry finally won out in the end and she pushed against Vince again. "Please, it could Mike with news about his mom."

"All right. Go get the damn phone," Vince growled as he let her go and sat back on the couch. July gave him a pleading look before dashing into the kitchen and grabbing the phone.

"JJ?" Mike's voice came over the phone in a bare whisper before she had time to say anything.

"Mikey?"

"July, she's dead," Mike finally said and July felt a lump rise in her throat.

"What? No, that can't be," July cried, shaking her head in denial.

"She gained consciousness just long enough to say goodbye and then she…" Mike trailed off, the pain too much to finish the sentence.

"I'm coming," July said.

"I know."

"I'll pack a bag now, catch the next plane, and meet you at your house."

"All right. I'll see you soon then," Mike said.

"I love you Mikey," July whispered.

"Love you too. I'll see you when you get here," Mike replied back before the line went silent.

July hung up the phone and slowly slid down the wall, still shocked from the news. Sobs shook her body and hot tears began to fall down her cheeks as she sat silently in pain.

"July?"

July turned her tear filled eyes up to see Vince standing in the archway, all anger gone. He took one look at her and came over to her. He sat on the floor and scooped her up into his arms. "What happened?"

"Mike's…mom…is…dead," she answered between sobs as she clung to him.

Vince knew there was nothing he could say that would make it all better. Instead he wrapped his arms tighter around her and smoothed down her hair with one hand, pressing a kiss against her forehead.

"Are you going to go?" Vince asked quietly and July nodded her head against his chest.

He held her, not saying a word as all as she cried out her grief onto his shoulder. He muttered soothing words and soon, her tears stopped as suddenly as they had come.

"I have to be strong," July said more to herself than Vince. He watched as she put herself back together, wiping her eyes and reaching up for the phone. He was quiet as she made arrangements for a flight.

"I'll drive you to the airport," he said as soon as she hung up.

"Thanks." She gave him a wobbly smile and a quick kiss.

They got up and July quickly scribbled a note for Letty and set it on the table. Vince followed her to her room and watched as she absentmindedly packed a bag.

"How long do you think you'll…" Vince started to ask.

"A couple days. I'll call you when I get there," she answered as she looked around the room to see what else she needed and then zipped up the bag with shaky hands.

Vince grabbed the bag from her and took her other hand in his. He gave it a squeeze and then they walked out to his car. The ride to the airport was quiet. July got her ticket and they sat quietly at her terminal, waiting for her plane to be called.

"You'll let everyone know what's up?" July asked, moving closer to him on the bench.

Vince nodded, kissing her forehead and pulling her closer to him. They sat in comfortable silence until her plane was called. They stood up and Vince just looked at July. Her eyes were slightly red and her pouty lips were set in a sad expression.

"I'm going to miss you," she said as she dropped her bag and threw her arms around him.

Vince gripped her tight and took in a deep breath, trying to savor her smell and the way she felt in his arms. He kissed her slowly, letting the kiss say everything he was unable to as he slide his fingers through her silky hair while hers tangled with the strands at the nape of his neck. He pulled away when he felt the wetness on his cheeks and gently brushed away her tears with him thumbs.

"I'll miss you too. You better go," Vince crocked out, finding it suddenly hard to talk.

"I'll call you," she said giving him one last kiss before letting him go and grabbing her bag. She turned and walked up to the attendant, mirroring the actions that Mike had done when she was last here. She turned back and gave Vince one last look. She saw him standing with his arms crossed, his eyes trained solely on her.

Vince watched as she blew a kiss at him and he smirked at her before she disappeared from view. He stood watching the door she left into and couldn't help but feel that a part of him was leaving with her. They'd grown so close in the few weeks they'd been together. It should have scared him how much he was going to miss her but his only thought was on getting her back soon.

He left the airport and slowly made his way through traffic, grateful when he rolled into the driveway. He entered the house to find everyone in the kitchen and he sat down.

"What's up V?" Dom asked when Vince rejected the food that was offered to him.

"July, she's gone," Vince said pausing. "Mike's mom died and she had to go. I just took her to the airport," Vince answered as he cradled his head in his hands.

"So she just left like that?"

"Her best friend's mom died, of course she just left," Mia said angrily.

"I'm going to my room," Vince commented to no one in particular and got up.

"When is she going to be back?" Mia asked softly.

"I don't know. She just said a couple of days," Vince answered and then left the room.

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July arrived in Texas in the afternoon. She rented a car from the airport and pulled into Mike's driveway late that evening. The lights were on in the living room but that was the only sign of life in the Bradley residence. Mike was probably in there waiting for her alone, his dad having ran out on them when he was little.

She parked her car and entered the small house without knocking, not out of disrespect but just because it was second nature. She quietly dropped her bag near the door and entered the living room to find Mike sitting passively on the couch. He instantly stood up, making quick work of the distance between them. No words were said as they embraced each other, but they understood nonetheless.

July shed her own tears as Mike silently fell apart in her arms, his arms tightly wrapped around her. Her own tears long dried out before Mike's did, but she continued to hold him and rubbed his back until his sobs ebbed and he slowly pulled back, not lifting his head at her.

"I would ask how are you but that's just a stupid question," July commented, smiling sadly.

Mike looked up and gave the smallest of smiles as he pulled her towards the couch and they sat together.

"Where's Vanessa?" July asked quietly and Mike's answering bark of laughter was harsh sounding.

"Don't get me started on that two timing tramp. I came back to find her with some other guy."

"Oh Mikey, I'm sorry," July said as her heart broke a little bit more for Mike.

"Me too. I have to ask you something," he said suddenly, sitting up, his eyes searching hers.

"Anything."

"Do you think I could come and live with you?"

"Did you think you even had to ask? Of course you can live with me. I wouldn't expect you to stay out here by yourself," July replied, giving his hand a squeeze.

Mike bobbed his head in thanks. "Mom already had arrangements made, so all we have to do is go. Everything is set for tomorrow, at eleven," Mike told her, his voice emotionless.

July couldn't think of anything to say and just gave his hand another squeeze and rested her head on his shoulder, silently letting him know she was there for him. The two sat in silence for a long while, until the clock in the hall chimed.

"I think I am going to go to sleep," Mike said as the last chime died away.

"Okay."

"The guest room is ready for you," he told her as he got up.

"Thanks." July got up and gave him another hug, holding on an extra moment longer. "Night," she finally told him and let him go.

"Night," Mike answered back and then disappeared down the hall.

With an exhausted sigh, July pulled out her cell phone and dialed Vince's number. It rang once before he picked it up.

"July?" he said expectantly.

"Yeah V, it's me," July replied, laying back on the couch.

They talked for a little while before they said night and she hung up. She grabbed her bag from the front door and went to the guest room. It was the same as always. She changed and then got into the bed, preparing for a sleepless night.

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tbc…