Chapter Sixteen
I'm just getting home from work when dad meets me at the door with a crazy grin on his face. I also notice the scrapes all over his face.
" What happened? " I ask as I try to take a better look at his face.
He shakes his head. " Just a little collision at home. I have something for you! " He says excitedly.
" Are you sure you're okay? You look like Backup has been chewing on your face. " I ask thinking maybe the injury has caused his brain distress.
He shakes his head again. " No, a collision at home plate. " He says gesturing his arms. " Safe! Now come on! "
He drags me to my room with his hands over my eyes. When they come off I'm standing at my dresser which now has an old school record player sitting on top. I look at him in confusion.
" What? " He asks.
I not sure what to say. " I don't understand. I don't have any records. "
He laughs and claps his hands. Leaving me in my confusion he goes into his room and comes back with a crate full of records. He sets the on my bed and I take a look through it. James Brown, Ike and Tina, Sly and the Family, Etta James, Barry White, Marvin Gaye... All of the greats are here.
" Wow. " I say before putting one in. At Last, by Etta James starts playing and a grin. When I was little I wanted a record player more than anything.
Dad looks at me expectantly.
" I love it. " I say hugging him. " Thank you. "
He hugs back. " You're welcome, honey. "
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Later I'm at Mars investigations with Veronica. Dad's in his office with some clients so I'm helping with filing cases that were just closed. Veronica is at her desk fiddling around with a package she had gotten earlier. I don't pay much attention since the girl is so high-strung it could be anything.
When dad escorts his new clients out I realize that it's Casey Gant's parents. He used to be well known around Neptune high as a rich douchebag. Once they leave dad looks at Veronica who has finally opened her package.
" Now what? " He asks.
She sighs. " I'm trying to collect a blood sample. Our health teacher is giving extra credit to anyone who takes a self-administered HIV test. I ordered this thing online, but I'm seriously punking on this finger stick. "
" This is so endearing. My badass, action figure daughter is scared to draw a tinsy little drop of blood. " He says teasing her.
Veronica has that look in her eyes that means she's up to something. " You know, if you really were a good father, you'd let me draw your blood. "
Dad laughs thinking she's joking.
" Nobody would know the difference. Besides, you've been sexually active I haven't. " She says slyly.
" Oh for crying out loud you're serious about this aren't you? Give me that. " He says taking the finger stick and poking himself.
Veronica hands him the little packet that he has to soak up the blood in.
" Wuss. So those were the parents of Casey Gant. Do you two know him? " He asks us both.
Veronica rolls her eyes. " He's just another slice off of the loaf of vapid 09erdome. "
" Yeah well despite your thoughts his parents are irked about his decision to run off and join a cult. " Dad says shaking it off.
I chuckle in irony. " He joined a cult? What do they worship? Wedgies? Keggers? No, their parent's platinum cards, right? "
Dad laughs genuinely. " It doesn't matter. He's eighteen so there's little the law can do. If we get him back the Gants are offering a five grand bonus. So it's time to focus. " He says snapping his fingers. " Like the proverbial laser. "
" Target acquired and locked on. " Veronica says with dollar signs in her eyes.
" What they need us for is proof of any illegal activity like firearms, drugs, kidnapping... All we need is a sound legal basis for the sheriff's department to shut them down. " Dad says mostly to Veronica.
She nods. " I'm still with ya. "
" He's a classmate of yours maybe you could find something to shed some light on this. " He tells her.
Veronica scoffs. " For five thousand dollars I'll get you his genetic code. "
" Veronica, do not under the pain of slow agonizing death, go out to the compound by yourself. That goes for you too Victoria. " He says pointing at me.
I put my hands up in surrender. " Cult propaganda isn't my thing anyways pops. " I look at the clock and find an easy out of this lecture. " Well look at the time... I've got to get to my actual job now. " I say gathering my stuff and getting the hell out of dodge.
Before getting in my car, however, I walk back around the building and watch dad go back into his office through the wndow. Veronica goes into her desk drawer and pulls another finger stick out. She pokes her finger with no hesitation and soaks up the blood just as dad had done. She then seals it in the FedEx box.
I knew she wasn't afraid of needles. What exactly are you doing Veronica?
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Later I'm hanging underwear when I get a text from Veronica.
I'm gonna be home a little late. Cover for me? I don't want dad to track my cell.
I know my sister. Dad tells her she can't go to the cult compound so she gets me to cover for her... I look to see if my boss is around before answering.
Okay, but be careful! And you owe me... Huge like.
When my shift is over the plan is to buckle down and finish my homework for the week. I still need to do my English Lit paper and a chemistry project. Should take me all night if I'm lucky.
Walking to my car I fish the keys out of my pocket. I get the key in the door and am about to get in when I hear a motorcycle coming close. Expecting Eli to pull in I wait for him. Except it isn't Eli. Felix parks next to me and nods his head in the " sup " gesture.
" What's up Vic? " He asks.
Once I get over my confusion I smile. " Hey, Felix. Not to sound rude... But what are you doing here? "
He laughs. " Weevil had to work overtime at Angel's so he sent me to make sure you got home okay. "
I should be mad, but having the last name Mars, protection isn't a bad idea. " Well, what are you waiting for vato? Let's get going. I'm sure you have better things to do than tail me. " I say getting in my car.
Pulling out of the parking lot I adjust my mirror to see Felix five feet behind me. He stays like that all the way to my apartment. I get out and lock my doors. Looking at Felix I smile.
" You can go now. I'm not leaving home again tonight. " I promise him.
He nods. " If you do for any reason just call me. No one else, except for Weevil. He worries about you, you know? "
" Will do. " I say shouldering my bag. I go to head up the stairs before I turn around to face him again. " Oh, hold on Felix. " I say and he turns back to me. " Thanks for not treating me like garbage. "
He shakes his head. " You're Weevil's girl. He's my brother so I'm obligated. Plus I like you a lot better than the other girls he attracts. "
" Thanks. " I say smiling. " See you tomorrow. "
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By midnight I finished my English Lit paper. It's now one A.M. and I'm almost done with the Chem project. Yawning I decide that I need a snack break. Going into the kitchen I grab a bowl and pour some veggie straws in. I love these things. They're crispy and .made with real vegetables.
I'm joined a minute later by Veronica who had come in an hour before looking like she had been rolling in a pig pen. I told dad that she went fishing with Wallace who actually was fishing today. Got to have a good alibi with Keith Mars.
" Thanks for covering for me. " She says getting her own veggie straws.
I nod. " No problem. "
" Well, tonight was a bust. I made such a fool of myself out there. " She grumbles hotly.
Chuckling I say, " I'm sure it wasn't that bad. At least you didn't drink the kool-aid. "
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The next day I'm like a zombie. I didn't get the project done until after two thirty. So when I walk right into Eli after second period I know he's going to read me the riot act.
" Slow down speedy. " He ask with his hands on my shoulders.
Sighing I say, " sorry, babe. I wasn't paying attention. "
" Why do you look so tired? " He asks looking me over.
People in the hall stop and listen to us really hard. Nosey ass people. I grab his hand and drag him into Veronica's office, AKA the girl's room. Once I'm sure no one is here I attack his lips. His hands go to my hips and pull me closer. I can feel him through his jeans making me moan into his mouth.
Pulling away he struggles to catch his breath. " Damn girl, what was that for? "
I smile proudly. " Well, I was having a crappy day because I didn't get a lot of sleep last night... " I say pulling him back to me by his collar. " But being in your arms makes me feel like I can get through the rest of this day. " I say resting my head in the junction between his head and shoulder.
His hands rub circles on my back. " Glad I could help querida. "
Just then Carrie Bishop and her minions decide to come in and break our moment. We don't say anything we just walk out of the bathroom and go our separate ways. I'm not even sorry or embarrassed. By the time I get to my last period, everyone has heard about how I gave Eli a blow job in the girl's room.
" I swear those Mars girls are seriously whacked. " Logan says trying to bait me. " One only goes for rich guys, and one would rather slum it up with criminals. "
I roll my eyes. One day he's gonna get his. When the final bell rings I gather my things and go to leave so I can make it work on time. Logan and Dick block my way however. I try to go around them but they move in my way again. Sighing I look them in their faces.
" So I'm curious. " Logan says douche baggily. " Since he's their " leader " do they get to join or do you have specific days for each of them? "
His words slap me in the face. I don't care if people think that me and Eli are messing around. I mean he is my boyfriend, but the whole crew?
" Move before I make you. " I growl not wanting to get into this here.
They both snicker before moving aside and letting me leave.
