Page 16 of When You Had Me Adapting

“Not in the slightest,” Enzo adds.

“So, how long are you hanging around for this time, Jacks?” Donovan asks.

“I’m not sure.”

The waitress places the beer tower and four glasses in the center of the table. It’s ninety-six ounces of amber liquid and it looks fucking obnoxious.

“Thanks, beautiful,” Tanner says with a wink.

She rolls her eyes and walks away.

“Down boy,” Enzo quips. He grabs the glasses and starts to fill each one to the brim, passing one to each of us as he finishes.

“You suddenly wouldn’t be unsure because of Lacey, would you?” Tanner asks.

“No. What would she have to do with anything?”

“Someone’s defensive,” Donovan laughs.

“No. It’s just she made her decision ten years ago, my plans don’t have anything to do with her. If you must know, I’m considering jobs near or around Atlanta.”

“I thought you loved your job?” Tanner finishes his beer and begins to fill his glass again.

“I do, but I’m all my dad has. He’s getting older and I can’t be here for him if I’m in the middle of the Amazon rainforest or the Sahara desert.” Thoughts about my mom flood my brain and I try to shake them away, but it’s no use. I swallow down the guilt that follows.

The waitress returns with two large pies and places them in front of us.

Tanner grabs a slice and impulsively stuffs it into his mouth, “Oh, fuck, fuck, fu—” He spits the bite of pizza onto his plate. “Fuck, that’s hot as shit.” He grabs his beer and finishes it in three large gulps. “Shit, I think I burnt the roof of my mouth off.”

“It’s hot,” the waitress deadpans before walking away again. Donovan, Enzo, and I burst out laughing. Tanner scowls.

I take a swig of my beer and place a slice piled high with sausage, bacon, pepperoni, and pickled jalapenos on my plate.

“So, what would you do instead?” Tanner asks, after he recovers.

“I actually found a cool one this afternoon. The Center for North American Wildlife Conservation is in Atlanta. They’re looking for a director of photojournalism.”

“You? In an office? Having to interact with people? On a daily basis?” Tanner gasps dramatically.

“I’m not a complete loner. I put up with you three and Logan, don’t I?”

“Speaking of. Where is Logan tonight? Too in love to leave Poppy for one evening?” Donovan asks, grabbing a slice of pizza.

“Not sure. He said he couldn’t make it,” Tanner says. He glances in my direction and by the look on his face I can tell he’s probably thinking the same thing I am.

I take a long sip of my beer trying to hide how his absence makes me feel. Logan is one of my best friends and while I’m happy for him and Poppy, it feels pretty shitty that he’s barely spoken to me since I got back. I don’t know what the girls told him, but given he’s dating the vice president of theWe Hate Jace For No Fucking Reason Club, it’s clear he’s probably joined the club too.

“For the record, you’re gone so often that I’d say you barely have to put up with us,” Tanner jabs, changing the subject. I offer him a thankful smile.

“Yeah, I thought the big perk of your job was you getting to be alone in the woods. You really want to give that up?” Donovan asks.

“What exactly do you think I do for a living?” I chuckle. “I’m not hiking into the middle of the Amazon alone. I like adventure, but I’m not an idiot.”

“I’m just saying The Amazon Rainforest and an office in Atlanta are two very different places,” Donovan explains.

“I’d still get to do the parts of my job I enjoy, but it would be on a smaller scale.”

“Interesting,” Enzo says. He squints his eyes in my direction like he’s studying me and it makes me feel a little uneasy.

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