Page 93 of Once Upon a Boyband
But I wasthere.
We can’t pretend like nothing happened if we were boththere.
But I don’t know how to say any of that, so I just nod and say, “Lucky dogs.”
“That’s what I’m doing tonight, actually. Cleaning the barn. Getting everything ready for intake. Otherwise, I’d love to stay.”
There is a warmth to his words that tells me they’re true, and it helps to soothe my still slightly anxious heart. Butsomething still isn’t right. He’s here and he’s fine and he’s happy, but there is a giant boyband-shaped elephant standing directly between us.
“I should be back by midafternoon tomorrow,” Adam says. “Do you want to come over for dinner? I’ll cook, then we can watch a movie, maybe?”
Adam asking me to come over is a good thing. Of course it’s a good thing. So why doesn’t itfeellike it?
I must be wearing my feelings on my face because Adam frowns.
“Or…maybe you don’t want to come over?” he says.
“No!” I say quickly. “I would love to come. That’s not it. I just…” I bite my lip, hesitating. “Are we just going to pretend like last week didn’t happen?”
“I don’t understand what you mean.”
Okay, what?Am I being an idiot here?
“Adam. The stuff with the band. Withyou.The last time I saw you, you were not okay.”
He lifts his shoulders in an easy shrug, looking perfectly unbelievably indifferent. “It happened. I changed my mind. I’m moving on. It’s not a big deal.”
“Did you talk to Freddie?”
He sighs and moves a hand to the back of his neck. “I appreciate that you’re concerned, but it’s not an issue. It isn’t something you need to worry about.”
It very much feels like something I need to worry about, because more and more,heis someone I worry about, and I’m pretty sure he’s lying.
And not just to me. To himself.
“What about the engagement? People have been asking questions all day.”
“Just tell people the truth. We’re dating, but the mediaturned it into something it wasn’t. Since I won’t be at the concert, it won’t take long for people to forget they care.”
So that’s it then? We’re really just forgetting any of it ever happened?
Adam tilts his head toward the door. “Want to walk me out? I have a few things for Ringo in the car.”
I don’t want him to go without talking about this, but I also don’t want tomakehim talk. So I just say, “Sure,” and follow him outside.
He opens the hatch of his SUV and pulls out a tote bag stitched with the Hope Acres rescue logo.
He holds it open. “Food, his favorite toy, new collar, new leash.” He loops the bag over his shoulder and turns back to his car and slides a smallish dog crate forward. “Plus the crate he’s been using—Sarah started him on his crate training last week—and another bed he’s been using for spot training.” He pulls a dog bed forward and sets it on top of the crate.
“You give all of this to every person who adopts?”
He shrugs, his expression sheepish. “I hate the idea of people starting out at a disadvantage because they can’t cover the basics.”
“Adam. This is way more than what your adoption fee covers.”
“It’s not a big deal. The rescue has the funds to cover it.” He makes quick work of unloading everything and leaving it on my front porch right by the door. “Thank you,” I say. “This will definitely make things easier.”
“No problem.” He reaches forward and scratches Ringo’s ears. “He’s been such an easy puppy. I don’t think he’ll give you any trouble.”
