Chapter 39 Chapter 39 Home Sweet Home
"Elle, you are something else!" says Gemma as she glances over at the kids at the table next to us. "You just left him, in the middle of the night!"
Shrugging, I pick up my breakfast burrito and take a big bite.
I just got back last night, and this morning we all drove out to our favorite breakfast place, The Melting Fork. Tish and Erika sit next to me; Vince, Colt, and Nick are across the table with Gemma. Andreas and his new girlfriend are at the other end. I glance up and watch the kids at the next table leave. Gemma smiles.
"I had an early flight, and the airport was two hours away. I’m not making the same mistake twice!"
"I cannot believe George! I am so sorry!" says Erika, like she had anything to do with that asshole.
I take another bite. "It’s not your fault! I had a fun time anyway!" I grin. "It was overkill on Karma’s part—take me halfway across the globe just to cheat on me. I have to give him points for originality!"
Vince chuckles, and Nick spits his lemonade back into his glass so he doesn’t choke.
"Back to Ivan!!!" Gemma cuts in, shooting Erika a look to drop it. "Are you going to see him again? I mean, he lives in LA—he’s close!"
"No, it was a one-time thing! He doesn’t do girlfriends or relationships!" I pause to chew. "He said it himself!"
Images of Ivan flood my mind—him asleep on his back, arms tucked under his pillow. The broken bed on the floor, sheets barely covering us. His dick resting on his stomach, his body completely covered in tattoos. God damn. I don’t even know his last name—that’s a new low for me.
There’s only one way to get him out of my head.
I look up and lock eyes with Vince across the table. Nick notices, watching us. Vince gives me a half grin. I take a sip of my soda without breaking eye contact.
"About your birthday celebration..." Gemma starts, but I’m already elsewhere.
"Vince, what are you doing tonight?"
"Sergey said if you wanted me, you would call," he says coldly.
I pick up my phone and dial him. Tish elbows me. Vince looks at his ringing phone, trying not to laugh—I can see it on his face.
"Yes?" he answers.
"Do you want to come over and fuck, tonight?" I say, completely straight-faced as everyone watches.
"What time do you want me?" he asks, eyes locked on mine.
"Hmmm... like seven or eight. Whatever works for you!"
"Don’t you have to work, Elle?" My name on his lips still does something to me—or maybe I’m just horny. Either way, I don’t care.
"No. I quit so I can enjoy senior year!"
"I’ll see you at seven."
We hang up. Everyone is still staring.
My phone rings again. Unknown number. I let it go to voicemail.
"What do you have planned for my birthday?" I ask, dragging Gemma back.
"We are going to a strip club!!!" she says, giddy. The guys perk up. "With guy strippers!" She rolls her eyes. "I have a hookup. After, we’re having a small party at my house... and yes, there will be cake!" She laughs. "I even have someone to lick frosting off you!"
My turn to roll my eyes. "When are we doing this?" My phone buzzes again—voicemail.
"Friday!!!" she beams. Tish hugs me.
"We are coming with you to the strip club!" says Nick, leaning in. Vince nods.
I smile. Watching them uncomfortable sounds like a perfect night.
My phone buzzes again, but this time it’s a text. It’s Stanislav—pissed about his broken bed. He says he gave Ivan my number. My eyes widen.
"What did your cousin say?" asks Tish.
I laugh. "He’s pissed about his broken bed, and he gave Ivan my number. He says Ivan is back in LA and to expect his call. And this is his last warning to both of us—don’t do it!!!" I laugh harder as the waitress clears our plates. Vince grabs the bill.
Outside, we stand around planning the rest of summer—camping, a lake trip, maybe the beach, maybe Six Flags, Andreas suggests. Going to California means I’d be closer to Ivan… if he’s actually home.
I glance at my phone. No voicemails, but the number that called has a SoCal area code. I should call back.
Nope.
If he wanted something, he would’ve left a message.
Vince steps closer to me just as my phone rings again. I answer.
"Ivan, give me a second!" I say.
"See you tonight, trouble," Vince says, kissing me—slipping in some tongue. It’s familiar, but still complicated. Still messy. He leaves me breathless.
"Are you kissing some other guy while you have me on the phone?" Ivan’s voice cuts in, dragging me back.
"Yes."
"You got home okay?"
"Yes."
"Who was that guy?"
"A friend... with benefits," I admit. I really should set rules with Vince. Then again, I never follow my own rules.
"I see." He hesitates, like he wants to ask more. "Is he... better than me?"
"Why would you ask that?" I smile as Gemma presses her ear against my phone.
Silence.
"No. You are..." Damn it, I shouldn’t—but fuck it. "You are the best so far." I roll my eyes at myself.
"My birthday is in a couple of weeks. Come to LA?" he says. Gemma is crushing my arm. "Some of my friends want to meet you."
"YES, we will be there!!!" she yells.
"My friends want to meet you too!" I add, as Tish and Erika nod along.
"Ivan? What’s your last name?"
I hear voices in the background—his friends laughing, shouting.
"You don’t know my last name?" I can practically hear his smirk. "It’s Pavlov. And before you ask... yes, that Pavlov. He is my father." His voice turns cold.
My mind spins.
Holy fucking shit.
No wonder my sister and cousins called him a gangster. Ilia Pavlov—mafia boss. His father. The crest on his ring.
I am an idiot.
"I’ll see you in a couple of weeks then."