Page 5 of When You Had Me Adapting

“I appreciate that.”

She offers me a smile. “I’m not going to allow him to make you go back into hiding. We aren’t doing that again. You’ve been doing nothing but wallowing since he showed up at my party and it’s time to get out of bed. You need to do something other than work and read. I’m finally done with school, let’s go have some fun. I think the sunshine will do you good.”

“Fine,” I grumble.

“Yeah?”

“Yes, I’ll come. Just make sure you pack some sunscreen. I’m worried you might burn after not seeing the sun for the last six years.”

“Ha. Ha. Ha. Very funny. Joke all you want, but all the studying paid off. In a month or so, we get to work together which is what we always wanted.” She turns around and heads into our living room.

I begrudgingly swing my legs out of bed and begin to move around my room, getting dressed in my new black bikini. I throw a sheer cover up over the top of it and dig through my jewelry box. I’m looking for my paperclip chain and having no luck when another piece catches my eye. I pull out a delicate gold necklace that holds a small, oval locket. It was a gift from my brother and I haven’t worn it in years.

I grab my phone and click on his name. The last text is dated over a month ago and I remind myself I need to do better at staying in touch with him.

Lacey: Thinking about you today! Miss you!

Colt: Miss you too. I should be home after summer ball is over. Mom is already planning a dinner.

Lacey: Should we skip it and maybe grab dinner just the two of us?

Colt: Tempting, but no way she’d allow it. I’m pulling up to the gym. I’ll call you when I can.

Lacey: Can’t wait!

I place the locket around my neck and add a second dainty silver chain. Looking into the mirror, I double-check my appearance before packing my bag with sunscreen, my favorite sunglasses, and a towel.

I hear a knock at the front door and walk out of my room to see Poppy wrapped up in Logan’s arms. His best friend and Jace’s roommate, Tanner, is standing behind them in the doorway sporting an aqua tank top and swim trunks covered in bright pink, purple, and yellow tropical leaves. His blond hair is tied into a bun on the top of his head.

“Hey buddy,” Tanner says through a cheeky grin. He walks past the happy couple and playfully punches my shoulder.

“I know we agreed to be friends, but you don’t have to be so weird,” I remind him.

Tanner lets out a laugh, grabs me in a headlock, and playfully rubs his fist into the top of my head, completely messing up my hair. “I thought you liked it weird, Lace.” He throws a wink and cocky smile in my direction as I swat him away.

“What are you wearing? You look like a neon sign and a frat boy had a baby.”

“You really do wonders for a man’s ego,” he laughs.

“So, who’s all coming today?” I ask, walking over to the mirror to fix my hair.

“I already told you. It’s us four and Gray,” Poppy answers me. “Right, guys?” She looks straight at Logan.

“Don’t worry. Jacks won’t be joining us,” Logan says.

“I don’t know if I’m ever going to get used to y’all being friends with him or you calling him that,” Poppy says with an awkward laugh.

“Me either,” I agree.

“Are you ever going to tell us what happened?” Tanner pries.

“No,” I answer. “You can ask him. He’s your friend. I don’t want to talk about it.” I play with my hair pretending to fix it a little more. Deep down I know I should talk about it, but who am I to ruin Jace’s friendship with Tanner? Poppy told me Logan has barely spoken to him and I don’t know how to feel about that.

“Gray said she’d meet us there,” Poppy says. “So we can head out whenever.”

“Wait, who’s Gray again?” Tanner asks.

“She’s the physical therapist at Dogwood Manor and a good friend of mine. Poppy’s met her a few times. She’s cool and makes one hell of a margarita.”

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