Page 64 of Vince
Vince
Just as I’mgetting into bed the next night, my phone vibrates with an incoming text notification.
Knowing there’s only one person who’d text at this hour, a smile automatically forms on my lips.
Swiping open the screen, I’m delighted to find she’s sent a beautiful selfie—not that she’s ever not beautiful. All it shows is her face, but her smile is infectious, and my mood lifts higher.
Sydney: I’m on break and just wanted to say good night. Ready for your exam tomorrow? Or still studying?
Me: I’m ready. How was your night?
Sydney: Ugg… Brad showed up again,and he hasn’t left.
Instantly, I’m on alert. Carefully, I consider how to construct my next message to keep from sounding like an ass.
Me: Has he been bothering you again?
Sydney: Yes and no. He tried to get me to talk with him earlier, but he’s not bothering me anymore.
Me: You okay?
Immediately, the dots appear.
Sydney: Yeah… he’s just a nuisance.
Me: You sure?
Sydney: Gotta get back on shift. We just got a rush. Night.
Well,that didn’t answer my question.
I flop back into bed and attempt finding comfort.
Yeah. That’s not happening.
Contemplating my options, I stare at the ceiling.
Instinctually, I flop back the covers and pull on a pair of jeans. There’s no way I’m letting her be harassed by some douchebag if I can help it.
I slip on my shirt from earlier as I exit my room. Unfortunately, my venture won’t go unnoticed because I run into Vanessa in the kitchen. She jumps at my unexpected rush into the room.
“Where are you off to?” Confusion is evident in her voice.
“I need to check on something,” I mumble, slipping on my shoes.
Concern immediately replaces her confusion. “Everything okay?”
“I think so…” But I need to see for myself, to be sure. There’s no way in hell I’ll be able to sleep if she has to work the rest of her shift before I hear from her. “I’ll be back in a bit. Just lock up… and I’ll tell you more in the morning.”
Vanessa’s expression clearly says she wants to say more, but she just nods in understanding. “Tell Sydney I said hello.”
Somehow, she always knows.
Shaking my head at her intuition, I mutter, “I will.”
Without another word, I rush to the garage and jump into my Jeep. It revs to life in an instant. Irritation flows through me as I wait for the slower as shit door to give me enough clearance.
Thankfully, the streets are empty as I make my way to the bar, but for a school night, the parking lot is packed. Sydney mentioned something about a drink special that drives the crazy co-eds in, but since I don’t really frequent bars, I don’t understand the hype.
