Free Vintage (Adrenaline Series Book 2) by Xavier Neal Page B

reason you hit Mad Man in the face?”
     
    Shocked I question, “You punched your brother?”
     
    Merrick's face scrunches like it's trying to explain when Daniel says, “It better fucking be. You better not be turning into the boy who cried pussy or love or whatever, baby bro'.”
     
    “This is Jovi,” Merrick growls gripping me tighter.
     
    Drew nods. “It's nice to meet you.”
     
    “You too,” I softly reply.
     
    “Ladies and Gentleman!” Daniel yells at the top of his lungs. “If I could please have your attention!” The party quiets down and he continues. “It is a sad day to announce that a McCoy has fallen. If you could all raise your glasses in honor of our fallen brother and give him a final salute!” To my surprise everyone in the party lifts their cups while staring at us. With a smirk I have become familiar with thanks to Ben and Merrick, Daniel says, “What's a McCoy always do in bed?”
     
    The crowd replies, “Finish last!” They cheer and take a drink.
     
    My face rubricates instantly. With nowhere to hide I turn my face towards Merrick's who looks slightly amused and slightly annoyed.
     
    Is that why everyone wants to sleep with a McCoy? Because they finish last in bed? Like...oh...oh my gosh! A crowd full of people just cheers to that?! What do you mean I'm even redder than before? Stop laughing!
     
    Merrick tips his beer at Drew. “If you could please.”
     
    Drew nods in return. “Of course.”
     
    Destin grabs the cup out of Daniel's hand seconds before Drew shoves him in the water. There's lots of laughter and when he pops back up he says, “Whooo! Welcome to the family Jovi!”
     
    Weirdest greeting ever. But hey...at least they welcomed me right?
     
    Hayli is still giggling when Drew says to her, “Come sit by me.”
     
    She gets a sly smirk, which is wiped away by Ben's voice who states loudly, “Careful with Juicy Fruit Drew. She's a wild one.”
     
    “You wouldn't know,” she snaps.
     
    “Why do you call her Juicy Fruit?” Merrick questions, his arm falling so his hand rests on my hip instead.
     
    “Like the red gum,” Ben answers.
     
    “That's Big Red,” Destin corrects him.
     
    “Oh.” He looks slightly confused. Quickly he dismisses the thought, adjusts the white baseball cap that's turned around backwards, and shrugs. “She's got juicy parts too, so it still works.”
     
    There's more laughter and Merrick plants a kiss on my cheek. The unprompted gesture turns my face to him again. At that moment he whispers, “You okay? I know they're a little much to handle but...they're my brothers. They've got good somewhere in there.”
     
    Sweetly I assure, “I'm fine.”
     
    Concern still painted on his face, he asks again, “You sure baby?”
     
    “Positive.”
     
    He smiles and slips his lips on top of mine.
     
    “Stop that,” Ben fusses.
     
    Merrick pulls away and gives his cousin the finger. “I'm gonna take Jovi to get a drink. Hayli you want one?”
     
    She touches her chin with the tip of her index finger looking up at the sky innocently.
     
    That's a major act.
     
    Swiftly she swipes the cup out of Ben's hand and has a sip. “No. I'm good. Thanks though.”
     
    I stifle my giggle as Merrick pulls me away, the sound of his family's laughter inebriating on its own.
     
    It's infectious when you're around a McCoy. They just make you wanna laugh and smile and love life. Live life. How the hell am I really supposed to give all this up?
     
    He leads me over to the far end of the patio where drinks are being served. Merrick orders me a margarita and another beer for himself.
     
    “I gotta take a leak. I'll be right back. Wait for me okay?”
     
    “Sure.”
     
    After a sweet peck on the cheek he disappears the other direction back towards the patio doors. When I look back, I'm startled by a bouncy blonde in a hot pink bikini who has appeared beside me.
     
    She introduces herself. “Hi! I'm Angela!”
     
    I politely reply.