Thanks to Seleneplaysgames, CandyMater, Daisyangel, decadenceofmysoul, ItsJustBecca, and monkeybaby for all your reviews. The guest reviewer JJ from chapter 62, here's more Anna/Vinny for you.
Sorry this took two and a half months to post it. I'm just really nervous about this and the next two chapters. I hope you guys don't take it the wrong way.
Contains references to 3x20.
After dinner Nicky, Anna, and Henry sat down for a few rounds of poker. "So why did your mom seem so surprised by you advocating for people to follow the rules laid out for them? You're the good kid, you never break the rules," Anna said, turning to her cousin.
"My school has been doing random locker searches like nearly every day. A lot of the kids don't like it because it violates our privacy. So I started an email about a sit-in to protest and that hag Ms. Pender found out and is threatening to suspend me and call Mom for it. So I tried something different and asked for a town hall-like meeting and she totally shut me down, but we're still going to protest," Nicky said. The girls picked up their cards and sorted through them. Henry was already doing such.
"Did you two switch bodies this week or something?" Henry asked, looking between the girls and his cards.
"Why? Because she's being bad and I'm not?" Anna asked. She shuffled her cards around and looked at Henry before drawing two more cards and discarding two others. She smiled. "No. I just had a good week." Anna turned to her cousin and her smile turned neutral. "While I understand why you're upset, I can't say I agree. Lockers are technically school property and you don't really have an expectation of privacy there. However, if we were talking about a car or backpack, it'd be different. My advice, don't keep anything illegal in your locker. That's just dumb and you should know that a suspension could kill your attempts at getting into a good school. Call," Anna said, matching Henry's bet.
"There are some things worth fighting for." Nicky said, also matching the bet.
"I think ... it's time you show 'em," Henry said, not commenting on their situation.
"I win again." Anna knew her full house was the highest hand on the table.
"Time to go, kid," Danny said, poking his head into the dining room after the dishes were done.
Anna yawned and stood. "Whatever you decide, Nick, don't protest on school grounds and make sure it's peaceful. That's what you have the right for." Nicky nodded and Anna left with Danny. The following afternoon, Anna found out what Nicky had decided on doing, protesting across the street from the school and as it turned out, Erin had gone to bat for her by reminding Ms. Pender that protesting across the street, after school was protected by the first amendment and they couldn't be suspended for it.
As Anna worked on Tuesday night, Jim stopped in. He slipped into a booth near the back corner of the restaurant with an older boy with him. "My sweet Anna." He grinned as she stepped up to take his order.
"Hey, Jim, what brings you my way? I know it's not free pie because you're not getting any." Anna smiled widely.
"You remember my brother, right? Jake, this is my best friend, Anna Reagan. Anna, my brother, Jake Miller."
"You're the sweet Anna-Ba—" Suddenly Jim's hand was over his brother's mouth as Anna turned to stare at him. Jake reminded Anna of his brother, both were tall with dark hair but Jake's skin was tanner and he reminded her more of Eddie Cibrian whereas Jim looked like a much younger Steven Pasquale.
"Don't call her Banana," Jim said, as he returned to his seat. Jake looked across the table at his brother, swallowed then shot Anna a smile though she could see confusion in his eyes.
"It's what my uncle used to call me," Anna admitted softly.
"Used to?" Jake asked gently.
"In about two weeks, he'll be dead four years."
"I—my condolences. Were you two close?" Jake folded his hands on the table as his dark eyes looked over her face.
Anna shifted her weight and looked at the order pad. "Very. He was killed by a dirty cop when he got too close to the truth."
"Oh." It was silent at the table for a few moments. "So are you coming out for the little man's birthday next Saturday?" Jake asked.
"Jake," Jim warned.
Anna could sense the tension, so she stalled. "How about you let me put in your order and bring it out to you before we talk more about that?"
"Sounds great," Jake said, giving her a smile before smirking at his brother who rolled his eyes.
They ordered and once Anna was across the diner pouring coffee for an older couple, Jim glared at his brother. "What are you doing, Jake?" Jim growled.
"Come on, bro. Everyone can see just how bad you have it for her. I'm just trying to help."
"Screw up your love life all you want but stay out of mine. She is my best friend and I have spent the last four years that I've known her, protecting her. I'm not going to bungle it up by asking her out when I know she's not interested in me like that. Got it?" Jim ground out.
Jake could see how agitated and irritated his brother was but he could also tell his brother was desperate not to lose Anna as a friend so Jake backed down. "Got it," he answered. Anna slipped into the booth next to Jim who instantly made room when their food was delivered.
"So, this birthday dinner," she prompted.
"I work until seven on Saturday so how about eight at Scorches in Manhattan?" Jake asked.
"Scorches is an 18 plus club," Jim pointed out as Anna stole fries from his plate. A fact that didn't go unnoticed by Jake.
"So, you're 18 now, let's celebrate." He grinned but his brother looked at him blandly.
"And I told you, if my 16 and ½ year old best friend can't get in, I'm not going. You are not using me as your designated driver so you can invite your friends to get drunk on my birthday. You have two choices: Empire Chicken—" Jim started.
"A chicken joint? It's your 18th birthday and you want the same chicken joint Mom and Dad took us to on special occasions? The game is on that night and it's no way to kick-off finally becoming an adult," Jake whined.
Jim shot Anna a look and she knew just how he felt. Irritated. "Or," he said as she smiled, "Roadie's."
Jake grinned relieved. He could work with that. Maybe even push his brother into something more romantic with his friend. Either way Jake would get to see the game and spend time with his brother. "Roadie's it is. I'll meet the two of you there at eight."
"And, Jake, you're not inviting all your friends."
"Deal."
"I still have to check with my parents," Anna told them, speaking for the second time since she sat down. There was one thing to be said about the diner and that was they had really good fries. Not too greasy or to soft, with just the right stiffness as you bit into it.
"If they say it's okay, I'll pick you up about 7:30-ish. Jeans and tee are fine," Jim told her.
"You're hanging out with Jim, the sheltered golden boy, how can they say no to that?" Jake asked.
"Because they don't know you and it's Manhattan," Anna said, dragging a fry through the ketchup.
"Well, I'm a firefighter," Jake said.
"Not helping your case."
He instantly deflated. That didn't make any sense. "Who doesn't love a firefighter?"
"A cop."
"Oh," Jake stared at her for a moment. "You're not that Reagan, are you?"
"Would it make a difference?" Anna defended, her brown eyes judging him.
Jake shook his head as he sipped from his drink. "I guess not. I have a steady job, no police trouble in over a year, have my own place, and I'm always on time."
"And you're really protective of your nieces and sister?"
"Not like Jim is but I always go to bat for family."
"You haven't been in trouble for months, Anna, that's gotta mean something," Jim said.
"You have a point. I'll let you know. You mentioned a game?" Anna asked, curiously.
"Basketball," Jake said. The conversation drifted off from that and soon Anna was back up to work.
Anna let her parents stew for two more days without asking whether or not she could go but by Thursday morning she had to know. She was loading her plate into the dishwasher as her mother finished with their lunches. "So can I go out with Jim for his birthday?" Anna asked.
"Where?" Linda asked.
"Roadie's at eight in Manhattan. Jim's going to pick me up and take me and we'll be back before midnight."
"Why so late? Dinner's normally earlier than that and you don't have to work that night."
"We're going to meet his brother and Jake doesn't get off until seven."
"His brother?"
"Jake. He's 21, since October. Real responsible, on top of things. He's a good guy."
"Just the three of you?"
Anna pulled her phone out and texted Jim. Soon she had her answer. "Looks like Jake's invited a couple of his friends." Anna stopped and stared at her phone. "I can understand if you don't want to let me go because you don't know these three boys, I understand, I'm tempted not to go because of them but it's Jim's birthday." Anna texted Jim back and after a few moments he replied. "Jim says that they've been friends for years and his parents trust them. He vouches for them and I trust him."
"I'll talk it over with your dad and let you know." Anna nodded. "Now, get your brothers to school."
"Really?" Sean asked excitedly.
"Yeah, I'm going to be late if I take you," Linda said. The boys put their breakfast plates in the dishwasher and rushed out to Anna's car.
"Thanks, Mom. Love you." Anna shut the dishwasher.
"Love you too." Linda answered handing her her lunch and then the women left the house.
Just as Anna stepped out of her changing room into the locker room her phone went off with an okay message from her mom. "They're on board. At least, somewhat. I know my dad isn't real happy but they trust me and I trust you so I know you're not going to put me in any danger. We'll be good," Anna told Jim.
"I would never put you in danger. These guys are firefighters, I trust them. My brother trusts them with his life," Jim told her.
Anna nodded and they went to practice. When Jim picked Anna up on Saturday, he instantly noticed Danny's car gone from the curb. He was invited in by Mrs. Reagan and questioned as he waited on the couch. "Tell me about your brother's friends," she insisted.
"Sal and Pete? He's known them since sixth grade. They're both firefighters in Manhattan and would never hurt your daughter. They're good guys; like to date around but are always respectful of women and authority. I won't leave her alone with them even though they wouldn't do anything if I did. Sal went to college for a few years chasing a dream before joining FDNY and it's always been Pete's dream like his dad."
"What does your brother do?"
"Uh—"
"Hey, ready to go?" Anna asked, walking down the stairs. "Everything okay?"
"Just fine. He's a—" Jim started.
"Mom?" Anna asked cutting Jim off again. He was secretly grateful for it. He didn't want to lie but at the same time he wasn't sure Anna had told her parents, he knew she hadn't told her dad, and didn't want to get her in trouble.
Linda turned to Anna. "Go, be careful and call—" Linda started.
"If I need anything, I know. Bye," Anna said, cutting her mom off. Linda glared at her. "I'm sorry. Didn't mean to cut you off."
"Have fun," Linda said. As they drove to the sports bar and restaurant, Jim told her everything he could think of about Sal and Pete trying to make her more comfortable. It was slowly working. They were about halfway through their meal when a cute Latino walked up to their table with a beer in hand.
"I thought that was you. How's it going, kid? They treating you alright?" he asked.
"Hey, Vinny, I'm fine. Did my uncle send you?" Anna answered.
"No."
"Who's your friend kid?" Jake asked.
"Vinny Cruz. Vinny, my friend Jim, his brother Jake, and Jake's friends, Pete and Sal. He works with my uncle. So what brings you all the way out here?" Anna said.
"Meeting some friends for dinks," Vinny answered.
"From work?" Anna questioned.
"No. Are you sure everything's okay?" He was giving her that look like he didn't believe her.
"Yes. I wouldn't lie. And now you're going to go text my uncle that everything's okay?" she suggested.
"I told you, your uncle didn't send me."
"Okay, I believe you," Anna answered. She still believed that it was a little odd that he was here without being sent by her uncle. "You into the game?" Anna motioned to the Brooklyn Nets game on the TV.
"Don't really follow basketball. I'm more soccer. You?"
"Rangers already played today and Mets don't play until tomorrow."
"So what brings you to Manhattan?"
"It's the little man's birthday so I thought I'd treat him. Of course he invited Anna," Jake spoke up, slinging an arm around his kid brother.
"Well then, I'll let you get back to partying. Don't need a guy like me dampening the fun."
"I highly doubt you would ever be a dampener to any party, Vinny." Anna grinned.
"Still, have fun."
"As long as you promise to join me and Uncle Jamie for dinner sometime next week. You keep putting it off. We'll have fun, I promise."
"Alright, don't twist my arm," Vinny said, flashing a smile. He hugged her and walked back to the bar, glad she hadn't insisted on knowing who sent him. He didn't want to see her face if she knew Danny had asked him in private to stop by and check up on her.
"So what's your uncle do?" Jake asked as the TV went to break.
Anna looked at Jim then back at Jake. "He drives for a company near Central Park," Anna finally admitted. It was close enough to the truth; the best way to describe being a cop without actually putting the word out there. She didn't want them to start bad mouthing the NYPD. Jake went back to watching the game and Jim and Anna continued their conversation about his decision about what to do after high school. "Have you decided yet?"
"I was thinking EMT. I'm not really firefighter material despite what my parents and family want but I want to save lives."
"Why not med school?"
"I can't take much more school."
"Makes sense," Anna told him. "How long do you think it'll take?"
"Almost 6 months but it could be up to a year after that before I hear anything or get hired."
"What will you do in the mean time?"
"Look for a job I guess. I didn't realize how expensive the training is."
"I'm sure you'll figure it out. You're good like that."
"Thanks, Anna." The waitress brought out their special chocolate cake and cleared some of the plates from the table. "You have to help me eat this," Jim said, sliding the plate towards Anna. "That was a big sandwich."
Anna laughed and grabbed a clean fork. Sal looked away from the TV as the pair began to eat the cake then nudged Jake and nodded towards them. Jake smirked and then the cheering on the TV screen drew his attention away. About a third of the way through the fourth quarter Jim got his brother's attention as the game went to commercial. "Sup, kiddo?" Jake asked.
"We're going to go. It's late and we've got an early morning," Jim explained.
"Church? Come on, bro, it's barely 10:30, and it's your birthday, you should have some fun."
Jim looked from Jake to Anna. She looked at Jake then his friends then the glasses on the table. She leaned over to Jim. "We can't leave them. Your brother and Sal have had too much and Pete's had a couple. I'd never forgive myself if something happened because of it." Jim sighed. Anna stared at him. "We'll stay as long as each of you drinks a full glass of water," Anna compromised with Jake.
"Deal," Sal and Pete said. "Jake?" Pete asked.
"Fine," Jake reluctantly agreed.
After the game and their agreed upon glasses of water, they went outside to the parking lot. They got to talking and Jake pulled something from his trunk. "Jake, come on, don't you think you've had enough?" Pete asked, noticing the item was a beer bottle.
"It's just one more. I'm fine, Pete," Jake answered.
Anna leaned toward him looking into his eyes then sniffing before leaning back to Jim. "We can't let him drive. Your brother is trashed. Sal looks the same."
Jim sighed. "Pete doesn't have a license. I'll take them home; you follow me in the truck—"
"I can't drive your truck, Jim. It's manual and I never learned to drive that. I'll drive, you lead me there?" Anna suggested.
"We'll go to Sal's. He's got a place in Tribeca, we can drop them there. But you have to get the keys from Jake. Won't be easy."
"What are you two lovebirds whispering about?" Jake asked. Jim rolled his eyes and Anna flinched. She wasn't expecting him to be so close.
"We're going to head out," Anna said.
"You two have fun, don't do anything I wouldn't," Jake said, teasingly.
"Jake," Jim warned back, but there was no humor in his voice.
"Can I have a hug at least?" Anna asked.
"Why?" Jake asked. He sounded suspicious but not angry.
"Who knows what's going to happen later, I want to tell all my girlfriends I got to hug a cute firefighter." Anna smiled as charmingly as she could. Jake smirked but hugged the girl, giving Anna the perfect opportunity to pull his keys from his pocket. She stepped back and her grin faded into a hard look. "Drop the bottle in the trash and get in the car. I'm taking you home."
"I'm not wasting a good bottle of beer and you can't make me do anything," Jake skulked.
"Jake, come on, get in the car," Jim told him.
"No, you want to be a pussy, fine, but the night is young and I don't have to work tomorrow."
"I won't tell you again, get in the car," Anna told him.
"He gets more stubborn when he's drunk," Pete said. He opened the passenger door and shoved Jake in then strapped him in. Pete climbed into the back seat and Sal followed sleepily. Anna smiled at Jim then got behind the wheel of Jake's car. Jim got in his truck and they made their way towards Sal's place in Tribeca. They hadn't even made it ten blocks when lights and sirens began flashing behind her.