Page 20 of (Un)Spoken

Adam’s swift hands broke me out of my spiral, forcing me to focus back on the cards in front of me. I rearranged them, trading a few duds for hopefully something better. He watched me, nodding in agreement, as if he could readmy thoughts before I even had them. “So, Tor….” he said as he rearranged his own hand. “What made you want to learn how to play poker?”

“Besides a desire to keep my money in my wallet?” I chewed the inside of my cheek. “I guess it’s just always something I’ve wanted to try. You know how my dad has those weekly games with the guys from the base?” Adam nodded. “I used to watch them, fascinated by how easily they could read each other, the way they’d make moves without flinching. It made me want to add it to my list.”

“What list?”

My mouth snapped shut, hating that the words had fallen out without thought. “Nothing.”

“C’mon, trouble,” Adam urged. Even though it was hardly the first time he’d used my childhood nickname, now, it felt different, like there was a deeper meaning to the word. His blue eyes continued to stare into mine. “Talk to me.”

“Promise you keep it between us?”

“Do you even have to ask?” He smiled. “I think I’ve proven I can be trusted. After all, I kept your last secret for over a decade.”

“Hey!” I pointed at him across the table. “You and I both know that asshole didn’t deserve to breathe the same air as his dog, much less claim ownership. She deserved a family to love and care for her.”

He reached out, wrapping his hand around my finger and bringing my hand back down to the table. When I thought he’d immediately pull away, he left his hand on top of mine, his heat pulsing through my skin. “I know, Tor. That wasn’t an accusation. I think it was so fucking brave.”

“You do?”

“Yeah,” Adam said, meeting my eyes again. “You werejust a kid, and you were already fighting for the things you believed in. It was badass.”

My cheeks colored for what felt like the millionth time that day. “Thank you.”

“Don’t have to thank me for the truth, Tor. But I do want one thing.” He leaned in conspiratorially. “Tell me about this list.”

I rolled my eyes, leaning away from him, “It’s stupid.”

“I doubt anything stupid has ever come out of your mouth.”

“You’d be surprised,” I chuckled. “It’s something I’ve been thinking about for a while. I have all these things I want to do that I’ve been putting off for the ‘future’. But now…” I stared out at the lake. “I keep asking myself what I’m waiting for. At what point am I going to be ready to do the things that scare me? If I’m waiting for some kind of sign, I’m pretty sure it’s never coming, so I might as well push myself to do them now.”

Adam nodded, as if he understood what I meant. “What are some of the things?”

“Oh!” I squeaked, sitting up a little more. “I haven’t put them on paper or anything; it's more like these random thoughts. I haven’t sat down to think them through.”

He smiled. “Then don’t start now.”

“What do you mean?”

He placed his cards face down, leaning his elbows on the table to get closer to me. “Don’t think. Right now, if you could do anything you wanted, what would you do?”

Without thinking, my eyes darted down to his lips, wishing I was bold enough to claim them for myself. Would his kiss be tender, soft, as if he thought I would break? Or would he take my mouth with just as much passion as I felt, bruising the delicate skin with his need for a deeper taste?

But I wasn’t brave enough for that, especially now that we were carving a friendship for ourselves outside of Cole and their bond. So instead of doing what I really wanted, I shot him a sly wink. “Kick your ass in poker.”

Adam leaned back, sighing deeply, as if that wasn’t what he wanted to hear. I tried to ignore the flicker of disappointment in his gaze, wondering if he knew where my thoughts had gone. Did he want me to cross that line?

No, there was no way. He wouldn’t be interested in me—not like that, anyway. Sure, maybe his eyes lingered a little too long on my face or body sometimes, but that wasn’t the same as wanting someone.

Before I could overthink anymore, Adam’s careful smile returned. “You’re on, Campbell.”

TWELVE

“Crap,” I hissed as the strap of my heel cut into my flesh, leaving behind a nasty red line. Sitting at one of the picnic tables on the edge of the dance floor, I rubbed my sore skin. Why the hell did I think it was a good idea to dance in new heels? I glanced around; most guests had chucked their shoes off to the side and were dancing wildly in the middle of the field.

Genius.

Tossing my demonic shoes into one of the empty seats, I stood, straightening my outfit. Hadley had helped me pick out the dark violet dress, and I had to admit, the girl had fantastic taste. It was a little sleeker than I was used to, the silk fabric clinging to my body like a second skin. But instead of filling me with insecurities, it made me feel sexy and proud of my curves.

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