Keeping London (The Flawed Heart Series Book 2) (4 page)

London

“I love my life.”

—London Wright

The twenty-minute taxi ride from the airport goes by quickly, and before I know it, we are pulling up in front of the apartments where my sister, Georgia, lives. As I exit the cab, the hot rays of the sun beating down on my face, even this early in the day, feel marvelous. It was cold enough in Michigan this morning that I could physically see my breath.

“This is an apartment building?” Loïc asks, taking in the beautiful complex before us. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“I know, right? Puts my house to shame.”

“It looks like a resort.” Loïc scans the stunning architecture that looks more like a five-star Cayman Islands getaway than an apartment building for college students.

“It does. You should see the incredible pools they have out back. There’s some serious money here. Upper-class Cali people make rich Ann Arbor people seem poor.”

“Well, I don’t know about that. But college students live here?” he asks in disbelief.

I nod. “Yeah, for the most part. It’s in walking distance from campus. The first time I visited Georgia here, I definitely questioned my choice to go to Michigan. Although my dad might not have sprung for such an elaborate place for me even if I had gone here anyway.”

“What do you mean?”

I start walking toward the elaborate entrance. “You see, my sister…she pretends to be low maintenance. She doesn’t shop as much as my mother and I do. She’s more adventurous and just seems more easygoing. So, you would think that she has less than I do, right? Well, her whole go-with-the-flow attitude almost has the opposite effect. Because she doesn’t ask for much, my father goes out of his way to make sure that she has the best of everything. Or it could just be because she’s the baby. I don’t know.” I shrug as I ring the bell to my sister’s apartment.

Loïc laughs. “Your dad bought you a house to live in at college, London. You’re definitely not going without, little spoiled one.” He kisses me on the top of my head.

“I know. I’m not complaining. I’m just saying that this apartment complex is pretty sweet, and it doesn’t surprise me that my dad chose it for Georgia.”

The entry door buzzes, and I open it.

Loïc grabs our bags, and we enter. “You do know that I don’t make much money in the military, right?”

“Good thing I don’t love you for your money then.” Once we’re in the foyer, I turn and wrap my arms around his backside, firmly grabbing his ass. “I love you for your tight ass.” I wink.

He chuckles. “You do know that I’m going to lose that at some point, right?”

“Well, once your ass goes, all bets are off.”

“Ouch,” Loïc says with mock disappointment. “Well, just so you know, I will love you even when your ass sags and your face wrinkles up like a raisin.”

I gasp. “That is quite possibly the most horrifying and sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me.”

“I meant every word, babe.”

He shoots me one of his signature smirks, and I’m tempted to ravage him right here, but sadly, it’s not the time or place. So, instead, I lean up on my tiptoes and place a chaste kiss on his lips.

We take the elevator up to the top floor and walk toward the back of the building. The floor-to-ceiling windows in the hallway show a beautiful view of the pool and palm trees below. I remember that one of the biggest selling points for Georgia was this apartment’s wraparound balcony with views of the pool area.

I don’t bother knocking when I reach her door; instead, I walk right in.

“Londy!” My sister’s high-pitched screams greet us. Her long blonde hair bounces against her shoulders as she skips toward me.

“George!” I answer in just as an annoying fashion as I throw my arms around my sister in a tight hug.

“Oh my God, it’s so good to see you! I thought you would never get here!”

“It’s, like, ten in the morning,” I deadpan.

“I know, but you know what I mean,” she responds before directing her attention toward Loïc. “You must be the new hot boyfriend. So good to meet you. You know, you’re the first guy who London has allowed to meet the parents.”

“That’s what I hear.” Loïc extends his hand to shake Georgia’s.

She ignores it and hugs him instead. “I’m a hugger,” she says by way of explanation.

“Loïc, my sister, Georgia. Georgia, Loïc,” I introduce the two of them. “Where are Mom and Dad?” I ask.

“They should be here within the hour. They couldn’t leave last night, as planned. Dad had some work stuff to do, so they left this morning.”

“Is Dad really going to make it out?” I question.

“Yeah, I think he actually is. I spoke with Mom before they took off, and he was on the plane.”

“Wow, I would have bet money that he would have had something work-related come up and had to cancel.”

“I know. I feel like I haven’t seen him in forever!” she exclaims.

“I haven’t. I can’t remember the last time I saw him. Oh, yeah…my graduation.”

“That was the last time I saw him, too. It was only seven months ago, I guess, so not too long ago.” She shrugs.

“True, but can we really count that time? He stayed for one picture after the ceremony and then had to leave. He didn’t even stay for dinner.”

“I know, but that’s Dad.” Georgia sighs. “Leave the luggage here for now. Let’s go sit on the balcony. I just made a fresh batch of sangria. I tried a new recipe, and it’s so good!”

“Oh, George. Drinking already?” I tease.

“Hey, it’s five o’clock somewhere, right?” She’s referencing the Jimmy Buffett song; he’s one of my dad’s favorites. He used to blast Jimmy’s music all the time when we were growing up.

I grab a bottle of water from the fridge for Loïc, and we follow my sister onto the balcony. I ask about the boyfriend my sister acquired during her time gallivanting across the globe this past summer, “So, is
Fabio
going to make it out?” I murder his name with a horrible Spanish accent.

“Fabio is no more,” she responds, handing me a glass of sangria before leaning back in her patio chair.

“What? What do you mean? I’m quite sure that, when you talked about him, the L word was involved,” I say.

Georgia waves her hand in dismissal. “I got the L words mixed up. I might have accidentally used
love
when I meant
lust
or
loser
. Turned out that Fabio was a three-timing Latino slut. He had a girlfriend on three different continents. Prick.”

“No! Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Eh, I just found out this week. I figured I’d tell you in person. It’s not a big deal.” She shrugs.

“But you really liked him. I’m so sorry.”

“I’m over it,” she says nonchalantly. “He was fun for the summer, but it would have never lasted anyway.”

“Well, I guess it’s a good thing that I’ll never meet him.”

“Why’s that?”

“Because I wouldn’t have been able to call him by his name without laughing.” I snicker.

“It is a pretty lame name.” She giggles. “A lame name for a lame-ass loser. It’s for the best. He had a tiny penis anyway.”

I snort, almost spitting the sangria out of my mouth at the same time. “Oh my God, George,” I say through laughter. “I thought things were great in that department?”

“They were decent. I mean, you know, it’s not the size of the ship but the motion of the ocean anyway. But that doesn’t mean I’m not going to mention it now. It was really small.” She cringes.

The two of us laugh loudly, and I sneak a look toward Loïc to find him shaking his head with a grin.

Georgia addresses him, “Nothing you have to worry about. Londy tells me that everything is amazing for you both.” She gives him a playful wink.

“Stop!” I protest with a smile. “You need to work on your topics-of-conversation boundaries.”

“What? It’s nothing that Loïc doesn’t already know.” She grins in her classic innocent yet mischievous way.

“That’s not the point. Seriously.” I chuckle. “So, anyway, your last year going well?”

“Yeah, it is.” She nods.

Loïc ventures into the conversation. “So, London says you’re in the environmental science program?”

“Yeah, I’m not quite sure what I’m going to do with the degree once I have it, but I’m hoping that I can do something that will have a positive impact on the environment. Maybe work for an agency or as a lobbyist.”

“That’s cool.” Loïc nods.

“Thanks,” Georgia says.

Conversation is halted by the sound of Georgia’s intercom.

“Ooh, they’re here! I’ll go buzz them in!” she says brightly. She places her glass of sangria down on the table and heads inside.

“How are you doing?” I ask Loïc, placing my hand on his knee.

“I’m fine, babe.” He smiles.

“You ready to meet the parents?”

“Sure.”

“They’re going to love you.” I squeeze his knee.

“So you keep telling me,” he replies, his lips turn up into a smirk.

“How could they not?” I lean in and place my lips against his.

Kissing Loïc calms me in a way I can’t explain. His touch envelops me with something peaceful, an unwavering love. The moment his sexy mouth connects with mine, I realize that I might be a little more nervous than I thought, and I gladly pull strength from our connection.

The truth is, I want my parents to love Loïc. I need them to see how wonderful he is. I’ve never been one to truly crave my parents’ validation, but I’ve never loved anyone or anything in the way I love Loïc. Of course, I don’t need their approval for me to continue loving Loïc, but I have this crazy desire for them to love him simply because he deserves it.

I hesitantly pull my mouth away with a sigh. We stand, and I take Loïc’s hand in mine. I lead him back into the apartment where we find Georgia and my parents embracing.

My dad releases my sister and pulls me into his arms.

“Hey, Daddy,” I say, hugging him back. After hugs and kisses from my mom, I introduce Loïc. “This is my boyfriend, Loïc. Loïc, this is my mom and dad.”

“Nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Wright,” he says as he extends his hand to shake my father’s.

“Oh, call me Michael. Nice to meet you, son,” my father says.

My mom pulls Loïc in for a hug. “Please call me Christine.”

“Let’s go sit outside, Mom. Georgia made the most delicious sangria.”

“Oh, that sounds fabulous,” my mom responds.

We all make our way out to the balcony.

As I walk with my mom, I hear my father talking to Loïc behind us.

“So, Christine tells me that you’re in the military?”

“Yes, sir,” Loïc answers.

“Army?” my dad asks.

“Currently, I’m with the Nineteenth Special Forces Group, a division of the National Guard with the Army Special Forces.”

“The Green Berets?” Dad questions with a hint of awe in his voice.

“Yes, sir.”

“How does that work? Did you start out in Special Forces?” Dad inquires.

“No, I was in the Army first, active duty, for six years, ever since I was eighteen. My buddy’s from Michigan, and he wanted to settle down in one spot for a while, so we joined the National Guard that has a base in Ypsilanti, near his family. We’re in the B Unit of the Special Forces Guard out of Ohio where we have drill one weekend a month and a two-week annual training to keep up with our specialized skills. Then, every few years, our unit is up for deployment. On deployment, we’re with the airborne unit. Otherwise, we’re stationed at the same base in Michigan where, for our day jobs, we’re mechanics.”

“Ah, I see. So, you must have had to go through some additional training for the Special Forces?”

My father sounds impressed, and I’m happy. I thought that Loïc’s line of work might have been intimidating for my dad, who is more of a numbers, problem-solving, business-minded type of guy. He could never do what Loïc does, but who knows? Loïc probably wouldn’t be comfortable with doing what my dad does on a daily basis either. I’m just glad that my dad sounds genuinely interested.

“Yes, sir. Quite a bit. While I was in active duty for six years, I took classes remotely and got my bachelor’s degree, so I could become an officer. Then, I had a twelve-week Special Forces training. Plus, we train every month,” Loïc answers.

“Well, we sure do appreciate your service, son.”

“Thank you, sir.”

We all sit out on the balcony.

My mom addresses Loïc, “So, tell us how you and London met.”

“Mom, I already told you,” I protest.

She waves me off. “I know, but I want to hear Loïc’s version.”

Everyone looks at Loïc.

He rubs the short stubble on his chin. “Well, I first saw her at a charity car wash thing she was doing for her sorority.”

“Was it love at first sight?” Georgia asks.

“Did you notice her right away?” my mom chimes in.

“You guys!” I whine.

But my protests go ignored.

“I don’t think it was love at first sight, but I definitely noticed her.” Loïc pauses for a moment and lets out a small chuckle. “Though it would have been hard not to since she was making it her mission to get my attention.”

I whip my head to the side to give Loïc a glare, but he pretends not to notice.

“I bet she was.” Georgia nods. “I bet her boobs were practically falling out of her bikini top.”

Loïc doesn’t respond, but smiles shyly and exchanges a knowing look with Georgia.

“It was probably like a photo shoot straight out of a titty magazine,” Georgia continues, not caring at all that this conversation is taking place in front of my parents. “London has always been able to turn anyone’s attention toward her.”

“Excuse me,” I huff. “Um, I’m right here, and in my defense, he was wearing his military fatigues and looked darn fine. What was I supposed to do? And he didn’t appear to notice me at all actually.” I roll my eyes.

“I might not have shown that I noticed her, but I did. I just didn’t want to give her the wrong impression because I wasn’t looking for a relationship at the time,” Loïc continues.

“So, what changed your mind?” my mom asks.

“Well, we kept running into each other, and I don’t know…there is just something about her. She’s unlike any girl I’ve ever known. Eventually, I couldn’t fight the attraction we had, and I decided to give her a chance.”