Chapter 24 Vanna
TWENTY-FOUR
VANNA
I don’t wake the following day until nearly noon. I realize I haven’t ever slept so well before last night and I would hate to admit the reason is because of Stone.
Images of him on his knees before me consume my memory. The tussle of his blond hair wrapped in my fingers, his glistening lips and firm tongue...
Jesus, I’m so fucked.
Forcing myself to get ready, I try to focus on anything else.
Counting to 120 while I brush my teeth, the smell of my face wash, the length of time it takes me to pee.
Literally anything other than the way he said he didn’t fucking care that he was eating another man’s cum out from between my thighs. ..
I groan aloud at the sheer failure that is my mind as I slip into a pair of ripped, black jean shorts and a dark grey vest. It buttons over my breasts and cuts open below to reveal my lower belly. Then, I clip my hair up.
When I come down the stairs into the kitchen, Stone is already there. His eyes snap up to meet mine and he greets me with a wicked smile.
“Morning, Darkness.”
I can’t help the eye roll.
“You should really stop calling me that.”
He shrugs, “Eh, I think it suits you.”
I slide onto one of the island stools and watch him as he brews a cup of coffee and hands it over along with the caramel creamer from the fridge.
He watches me as I pour a splash into the mug, letting the white swirl plume and lighten the black bitter liquid.
“Thanks.” I mutter, taking a sip.
“Want to grab some lunch?”
I cough, sputtering on my sip. “You and me?”
“Yeah, why not?”
“I have to run to the pharmacy.”
“I’ll come with you.” He offers.
I stare at him for a length of time before shaking my head. “I’m good.”
He sighs, then leans his elbows down on the counter, bringing his face close to mine. “I want to come with you.”
“Fine.” I fold.
He flashes me another one of his smiles that makes my pussy sing, and I have to force myself to look down into my mug. I concentrate on my coffee until it’s empty and there’s nothing else to look at or sip.
“Let’s go.” I jump from my seat and slip into a pair of Converse before shuffling out the door.
He follows and locks the door behind him.
“About last night-” He starts, but I don’t allow him to continue.
“Can we not do that?”
“You don’t want to talk about what happened? Hunter walking out after he-”
“NOPE! I’m so good. Thanks.”
We jog down the steps and out onto the street. The late summer heat hits us, and I pull a set of sunglasses out of my satchel, slipping them over my eyes.
My pace quickens, the mere thought of us causing me to panic and speed walk. I can hear him chuckling to himself as if he knows he’s gotten me flustered.
“What about-”
“Look, I’m taking care of it, okay? I’m not my mother.”
I don’t mean to let that last part slip, cringing at my inability to keep my filter in place.
“What do you mean, you’re not your mother?”
I throw my head back and groan. “Forget it.”
“Hey, Vanna, stop for a second.” He pulls me to a halt and tilts my chin to look up at him. “I’ve shown you pieces of my life that not many people get to see. I’ve invited you home. Took you to visit my sister. Can you just give me something in return? Anything?”
“Stone.” I plead, hoping he will drop it, but he doesn’t ease his demanding glare. “I told you… my mother, she had issues with men. I’m not like her, okay? The only reason I exist is because she couldn’t keep her legs closed. I will not let the same thing happen to me.”
His hand splays against my cheek now, his thumb rubbing in soothing circles.
“You don’t have issues with men, Vanna. The men in your life have issues.
” He snorts. “Me included. You’re this rare flower blossoming in a graveyard.
Gorgeous and full of life and not one of us knows how you flourish under such malnourished conditions. Yet here you are.”
“I’d hardly say I flourish.”
“You might be a sad little flower, but you definitely flourish in my eyes.”
“Ugh, why are you like this?”
“I told you. I have issues.” He chuckles, dropping his hold on my face.
Instead, he entwines his fingers with mine and forces us to walk at a normal pace to the pharmacy.
“Tell me about her. Your mom.”
“Not much to tell. She’s a shit mom. She was sober twice in her life; once when she was pregnant with me and then again when she finally decided she wanted me back.”
“Wanted you back?”
“When I was eight, I was forced into DCFS, bounced around from foster home to foster home all so she could spend the next six years high with her boyfriends. When I finally got home, I realized I was living with a stranger.
“You know, Hunter once told me I wouldn’t make a good mother and these last few months, I’m starting to believe he might be right. After I turned eighteen, I distanced myself from her and went to therapy. I started to see a future without her souring my life.
“Then all this happens between you, me, and Hunter and it terrifies me. I can’t have his baby, Stone. I know it’s a little dramatic because I’m taking precautions, but with my shit luck, I’d get pregnant.
“The only good thing I’d have going is at least knowing who the dad is.” I mutter.
He snorts, then schools his features. “For what it’s worth, I think you would make a great mother.”
“What the hell makes you say that?”
He shrugs, “You’re sweet and caring and determined not to make the same mistakes.”
“Well, thanks.”
We slow down as we approach the store. Stone yanks the door open and ushers me inside. I walk toward the back where the pharmacist is behind a counter, typing away on a computer.
All within a few minutes, I have Plan B and we’re heading back to the apartment.
“Want to watch a movie?” Stone asks, a little pep in his step.
“I have to work.”
“Really? Tonight?”
“Yeah. I don’t get weekend shifts because I’m new, but Lacey needed off so I told her I would cover.”
His gaze drops to the sidewalk as if he’s avoiding my stare.
“Okay, then.”
“And no more pop ins. You’re going to get me fired.”
“Nah, Tony would never. He loves me.”
When we’re finally back, I drop the Plan B on the counter and turn to grab a glass of water before spinning to grab the box again. Except, Stone has already opened it, the pill sitting in the cupped palm of his hand. I go to grab it from him, but he pulls back.
“Open.” He instructs and slowly, I do, sticking my tongue out.
He drops it in the center, and I swallow with a sip of water.
“Feel better?” He asks and I nod.
“Thanks.” I murmur.
He watches me wearily as I leave him there to get ready for work.
I used to serve in college, but coming back to it isn’t as easy after working a nine to five for the last few years.
I certainly don’t love the uniform and the old men that ogle me, just waiting for a tit to pop out.
But those are the men that tip the most and so far, the money has been decent.
By the time I arrive, Silvester’s is closed for shift change. So, I head into the kitchen to start rolling silverware and prep for the night. As I’m just about finished, Tony stalks in.
“Vanna. Can you come see me in my office?” He asks, twisting the toothpick in his mouth around faster than usual.
He seems on edge, and I wonder if I’m about to get fired.
I follow him down the hall in the back and through his door. I expect to sit in front of his desk, but he gestures toward the small round table in the corner. The place reeks of old cigar smoke and musky cologne.
“Sir.” I nod, offering him a pleasant smile.
“Vanna, there’s something you should know.” He clears his throat and taps the table a few times with his finger. “You looked familiar, you know? Then your last name just kind of stuck with me. I’ve been thinking about it for some time now. Come to find out you’re from Chicago and I-”
“Mr. Porcelli?”
A light sheen of sweat starts to break out across my skin. I wipe at my forehead, wondering where this can possibly go.
“Vanna, I’m your father.”
It’s quiet for a solid minute before an incredulous laugh barrels out of me.
“You’re fucking with me.”
“I wish I was kid, but I mighta stole some of your DNA and sent it off. You’re blood.”
The room around us begins to swirl causing my stomach to lurch. There’s just no way. I don’t have a father.
“Say something, Vanna.” He urges and there’s a light plea in his hazel eyes.
Eyes that look eerily similar to mine the longer I stare into them.
“What am I supposed to say?”
He sits back in his chair. “I don’t know. Maybe ask me a question.”
“Does Stone know?”
He rears his head back. “What? I meant about me, kid.”
“How did this happen? How did you know my mother? Where have you been? Did you know I existed? Are you the reason she’s an addict? Did you fuck us over?”
He throws his hands up, “Woah, hang on. I had no idea your mother had a kid. Not until you came around. The similarities were too striking, and I could never forget a woman like your mother. I didn’t fuck her over, she fucked me. That’s the sad truth.”
“Am I fired?” I swallow, realizing that this revelation might affect my job.
“No, I’m not going to fire you. Jesus. I’m not a monster. I’m just as shocked as you are about all of this, but here’s the thing. I don’t hate the idea of having a daughter.”
I shake my head, laughing. “Sorry to break it to you, but you missed out on all the good years. Now I’m just a bitter bitch with trauma.”
He shrugs, “Ey, I’ll take what I can get. Now, uh, get to work. I’ll be seeing you around.”
Completely dazed by this entire conversation, I stand on wobbly legs and as I leave, I turn to say one last thing.
“See ya, pops.”
I can hear him chuckling to himself as I shut the door behind me.
Stone stands waiting for me just outside the bar after my shift, smiling at me as I saunter up to him.
“Hey, Darkness. How was work?”
“Weird as all fucking hell.” I mutter.
“Why?”
“Did you know Tony was my father? Like my real father.” I ask, eyeing him as we stroll down the block toward our apartment.