58. Hate Eyes
Hate Eyes
Vandal
There are just two hours and four minutes until I see Lola again. My brain wants to count down the seconds, but I don’t have time for that.
Carves called. He wants to meet me to discuss business.
The only business I want to discuss with him is how I plan to kill him, but I don’t have that option right now.
Playing nice with him is essential, especially since he’s connected to something way bigger than we thought. Carves isn’t a two-bit dealer creating drugs in one of the science labs.
Today we’re meeting at a park bench outside the library.
Like I ever go here, but Lola does. She loves the library…
What if for our date I take her to the library? My mother was the chair of the library foundation…I still remember the security codes. No one would call on me if they were to go off. My name is on the wall. And so is my picture. I need to take that down while I set it up.
Lola will love it.
It’s the perfect date.
Now, all I need to do is get through this meeting without throttling Carves. That’s easier said than done.
To keep my cover, I sprawl out looking bored with the world…which I am not at all today. A night in the library with my girl is going to require supplies. Lots of supplies.
“Van, that party was such a rush.” Carves slides into the seat next to me.
“That isn’t the word I would use.” Revolting is more like it. “I don’t like surprises, and cops showing up was a surprise.”
“We had it covered. Everyone got away just fine.”
“They knocked on my door like I was some common criminal. That isn’t what I call getting away fine.”
“You weren’t arrested, were you? It was a knock and an apology when they found nothing. I can’t help that some nosy old woman in your building called on us. But don’t worry, we have it covered. Nothing will happen for your next party.”
“How exactly do you have it covered? Because that was a mess, and I don’t do messes.
My end-of-year ski trip is coming up. All of my friends from around the world are coming.
I need product and a lot of it.” Let’s get this done so that Lola and I can move on to the good parts.
The easy parts. “I’m thinking around a million. ”
“A million.”
“Like I said, I’m not into this small stuff. I’ll give you one more party to prove you can supply what I need. Otherwise, I’ll take my business elsewhere.”
Carves heard nothing once I said a million dollars, which is exactly what I hoped for. Blind his drug-addled brain and then get the information I need. “You don’t want to go elsewhere. My boss wouldn’t like that.”
“And your boss can’t touch me. So if he wants my business, you’ll play by my rules. I’m sure another cartel will happily take my money and assure my safety.”
“Fine, what do you want?”
“A party pack like last time, but without the light show at the end.”
“The full package?” Carves starts getting twitchy.
“You offered the full package, then left before the fun could happen.” Don’t vomit. “I want it this weekend.”
“Not possible. Maybe I could do next weekend, but this weekend, I’m busy.”
Are you really busy? Because you seem scared, not busy. “Fine, I can wait one weekend, but the party better be worth it.”
“It will be. I guarantee it.”
“Or my money back?”
Carves starts sweating.
“Just kidding. I’m looking forward to seeing what you can do.”
“You won’t be disappointed. See you next Friday.”
Oh, you’ll be seeing me.
***
Shaking that entire vibe off to go meet with Lola wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be. But by the time I’m leaning against a tree across from Lola’s building, there’s a grin on my face and a lightness in my heart.
As she steps out of the building, my heart explodes from pure joy. My beautiful, happy Lola is back. She’s got the tennis bracelet I bought her on her wrist and the diamond pendant at her throat. I love that she wore them.
I love that she forgave me, that we’re in this together.
The moment she sees me, she dashes towards me.
My arms wrap around her, pulling her close, enjoying the scent of citrus strawberries.
“You’re here.”
“We’re together. I’ll always be here.”
“You’re making a scene.” Kerri stops a few feet from us.
“Let them be jealous. I don’t care.” Lola loops her arm through mine.
“What do you two ladies want to eat today?”
“We have plans to meet LynnLeigh and Suzie at the dining hall.” Kerri glares at me.
“But we can miss it if you want to take us someplace special.” Lola flutters her eyelashes at me.
“Nah, we can go meet your friends.” I lean down and whisper in her ear. “We’ll have plenty of time together on our date.”
“I can’t wait.”
Me either.
We walk over to the dining hall hand in hand, with the two of them talking about class a mile a minute. It’s cute how into their schooling they are…but since they want to be doctors, I’m very glad they’re taking school seriously.
Watching Lola pile food onto our tray feels so right.
This is the way life is supposed to be. Though how is it going to work when I’m not pretending to be a student here?
We’ll figure out our new norm. It’s not like the campus is locked or that far from the clubhouse that I can’t make daily trips to see her.
Maybe I should think about getting a real place near here.
Or I could just keep the current apartment…
Nope, it has too many bad memories associated with it.
“Do you think we should get the cheesecake or mousse?”
Like I care what dessert I get when I’m with you. “Why don’t we get both? Then you can taste to see which you like, and I’ll eat what’s left.”
“Good plan.” She carefully places each one on the edge of the tray. “I think that’s all we need. I’ll grab us a seat while you pay.”
By the time I make it through the line, our table is filled with girls, most of whom I know. All of whom seem to glare at me as I slide into the seat next to Lola.
“Why is he here?” Suzie gives me the stink eye.
“Because Lola forgave him.” LynnLeigh bites out. “It’s like he wasn’t dancing with half a dozen other women at a party just a few nights ago.”
“What?” The new girl lifts her empty chopsticks up. “Were they dating yet?”
“No, but he acts like the world revolves around her, then practically humps other girls.” LynnLeigh definitely hasn’t forgiven me.
It wasn’t like that. I never touched one of those children, but I can’t tell them that.
“There were drugs at the party,” Suzie whispers. “Lots of drugs. We wouldn’t have gone if we knew it was going to be that type of party.”
My life would have been so much easier if you hadn’t come. But I wouldn’t change anything because it meant I can now be completely honest with Lola. It doesn’t matter if her friends still hate me. All that matters is we’re together.