Page 17 of Forever Summer

Adam’s expression was all thunder until I relayed the moment I threw my red wine in his face. He burst into a deep-bellied laugh as he repeated, “Enjoy your duck, you dick.”

I smiled broadly, taking in Adam’s explosive laughter, his head thrown back in abandonment as he convulsed in hysterics.

“That is fucking priceless, Parker.” Adam shook his head.

I thought I had wanted Adam to say something deep, something meaningful to defuse my misery. Cup my face dramatically and look into my eyes and tell me I was the smartest, most beautiful girl he had ever known, and that Rory was a fool to let me go, a damn fool. The fantasy had Adam talking like a posh actor from an old black-and-white movie, then of course I realised the outburst of Adam’s infectious laugh was what I needed. That was better than any fantasy or clichéd speech about how amazing I was. His pleasure in my revenge uplifted me in ways I never thought possible. He was by my side, wiping a tear from his right eye and shaking his head, looking at me like I was some kind of rock star.

“Let’s hope it dribbled down to the wanker’s shoes,” Adam added, causing me to envision a new fantasy.

“Soaked into the interior of his penis extension of a car,” I said wistfully.

Adam breathed out a laugh, taking in the maddened look of satisfaction in my eyes. He didn’t add anything; he simply just looked at me, letting me have my moment. He allowed me to glorify in what had been a rather disastrous date, but had ended pretty bloody awesome, really. The ultimate revenge. My knowing smile matched Adam’s and I was suddenly ever so grateful for confiding in him. He never looked at me with pity, or gave me a ‘there, there’ pat on the back. He just was … Adam.

Breaking the moment, Adam playfully bumped my chin with his fist, which only made me smirk bigger.

“Want to have dinner tonight? I promise not to order for you,” Adam said, moving to stand.

“You better bloody order for me, you know what I like.”

“Pot and a parmi?”

“See? You know.”

“You know what else I know?”

“What?”

“That I’m going to get you absolutely shit-faced tonight.”

“Adam, no!”

“What? You’ve had a cat nap, you’re good to go.” Adam made his way to the bedroom door, dismissing my reaction as if the deal was non-negotiable.

“I am not writing myself off this time, Adam.”

Adam paused in the doorway. “You forget one thing, Ellie Parker.”

I lifted my chin. “Oh yeah, and what’s that?”

“This weekend, you belong to me.” Adam winked, backing out of the door, leaving me cross-legged on his bed, and a flutter of butterflies stirring my insides.

With a boy I couldn’t say no to, I was in so much trouble.

Eight

“Chug-chug-chug-chug.”

“No, I caaaaan’t. No more.” I pushed the pot of beer away from my lips, begging for mercy as Adam and I sat in the back bar trying to outdrink one another.

“Ah, you always were a two-pot screamer,” said Adam as he took my designated beer and downed it for me.

“Well, I’ll have you know I am a rather delicate flower,” I said, pointing my finger into his chest and slurring my words a little.

“Yeah, yeah, and pure as the driven snow.” Adam winked before sipping on his beer, a wink that made me all goofy and smiley. Oh God, booze meant lost inhibitions. This was bad, very bad. I shook my head in an effort to shake off the powerful death rays of Henderson charm. I did my best to plaster on a serious expression as I stood up from my stool.

“I’m going to the ladies’ to powder my nose. Whoa.” I swayed, latching on to the bar as I threatened to fall over my own feet.

“Easy now, you sure you’re capable?”

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