“Dude, put your money away. I already told you, your money is no good here. We do this because we love it.” Floyd closed the garage. “The best way to pay me is to come back and cheer our Spartans to another victory. Oh and take care of our girl in that big city of yours. She acts tough, but things haven’t always been easy for her, you know.”
The back door opened as Elena and Jurnee exited the house, laughing.
Floyd looked over at me, “You know they were talking about me, don’t you?”
“Well, of course they were. You’re the most interesting person I’ve run into since I arrived in Michigan.”
“That has to be the truest fact I’ve heard in a long time,” Floyd replied with a chuckle. He leaned down and kissed Elena. “Ready to take me home and do that victory sex stuff?”
Elena rolled her eyes, but the smile that spread across her face said it all. “It was a pleasure tailgating with the two of you today. Glad you guys made the trip.”
“Anderson, you’re a stand-up guy.” He accepted my hand and pulled me in for a man hug. “Next time, come in early, and we’ll do dinner the night before. We can show you around the campus so you can begin to understand the magic that is MSU.”
“Deal.”
“Jurnee, you be careful in that Big Apple.” She looked at me and grinned as her friend hugged her. “We expect you to figure your shit out in time to be at the next Michigan State game. Three weeks, Jurnee.”
“Come on, Floyd.” Elena embraced Jurnee and whispered something in her ear that I couldn’t hear, but I noticed the full-on blush that fell over Jurnee’s face.
“Can I see your house now?” I whispered as her friends drove down the street.
“I tried to tell you on the plane that my house is nothing special.” She had been adamant that we could stay in a hotel, so I’d be more comfortable.
Reluctantly, she led me through the backdoor into a tiny but charming kitchen. The counters were granite, and the cabinets were a blonde wood. The kitchen sink looked out to the backyard. Two steps into the house, and it was obvious Jurnee’s house was like her. It was warm, cozy, and welcoming.
The tour didn’t take long, but as we entered and exited each room, I felt like I was learning a lot more about the woman that I had flown to Michigan with. Monet prints hanging on the living room walls balanced the Spartan decor that filled her second bedroom converted into a small office.
“Give me two minutes.” Jurnee requested as I looked around her bedroom.
One wall in her bedroom was of particular interest. There was an ‘I ♥ NYC’ sign surrounded by cut-out images of New York tacked in clusters. As I stood taking it all in, I realized it was a wall-size diagram of Jurnee’s planned trip. Several magazine covers of cities around the country with ‘Welcome to…’ were clustered together on the door of what I assume was a closet. Hillsdale, NY?
“Would you like a drink? I’ve got wine, vodka, and a few sodas.”
“I’ll have whatever you’re having,” I replied, making my way back to the kitchen.
A bottle of Tito’s, cranberry juice, and limes were gathered on the counter. Two whiskey glasses got a large square ice cube that she picked out of a bowl on the counter. She sliced a lime and prepared the cocktails in silence.
“Jurnee.” I sat at the small table in the kitchen.
“Hmm?”
“How do you have fresh limes in your house if you’re planning on being away for a month?”
Her giggle was definitely going to be the end of me. Dude, you are such a teenage boy. Knock that shit off.
“I didn’t. I raided Derrick’s place. He is always ready to get his mix on.” She wiggled her butt as if there was music playing.
“Why is nothing in your house packed up?”
The knife hit the cutting board with a thud, and her shoulder shot up. “What do you mean?” Her hushed words didn’t hide the uncertainty in her question.
I mirrored the volume of her words. “I mean, you are on the cusp of signing a major partnership with Morgan Financial Holdings for several coffee–”
“It was supposed to be one.” She slammed the knife down on the cutting board.
“It may have been one in your head, but Graham made it quite clear that he is interested in taking your idea much