Page 39 of Second Chance Ex
Adam glances at me, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. “Aside from the fact that he probably wants to kick my ass because I’m with his girl?”
I shake my head. “Nothis girl.”
Adam side-eyes me. “If you say so. But honestly, I don’t know what his problem is with me. He’s just always seemed to have something against me. I get it. I was a dickhead back in the day, and I know I can still be a dickhead even now—it’s in my genes—but I’m not the stupid kid I was back then.”
“I don’t think you’re a dickhead, Adam,” I assure him, biting back a grin. “A self-assured d-bag at times, sure. But definitely not a dickhead.”
He chuckles. “Aw… did you just compliment me, honey?”
I deadpan. “I withdraw my statement.”
He laughs again as he pulls his Jeep up in betweenRyan’s pimped out Dodge Ram and a sleek looking Range Rover I can only assume belongs tohim. Again, at the thought of coming face-to-face with Joey, those butterflies are back, only now they’re rabid and frothing at the bit, taking absolutely no prisoners.
Before I can make the move to get out of the car, I’m stopped by the feel of Adam’s hand on my arm. I glance at him, ready to let him have it, but then I’m taken aback by the meaningful look in his eyes.
“Toothbrush.”
Of all the things I’d been expecting him to say, that one wasn’t even in the top two-hundred. I scrunch up my face. “Huh?”
“Safe word,” he says, as if it’s obvious. “Toothbrush.”
I roll my eyes. “Adam, for the thousandth time, I am not doing anything with you that requires the need for a safe word.”
He drags a hand over his face, stifling a chuckle that sounds on the verge of a frustrated groan. “Man, you really are a stubborn piece of work, huh?”
I blink at him when he meets my eyes because, yes, I am.
“Prue, you think I don’t really know what’s going on here?” He raises his eyebrows. “You think I believe that bullshit you told me… that I’m only here so you don’t look like a single loser?”
I say nothing.
“I know what’s going on, and I’m down. Anything to get under JT’s skin. But…” he trails off, running a hand over the steering wheel, looking at it as if in serious deliberation. “Look, Prue. I meant what I said before. I’m not the dickhead I once was. And the last thing I want is to see you get hurt this weekend. I’m on your team, remember?”
Shocked by what he’s saying, all I can manage is a nod.
He continues, “So… if it’s all getting to be a bit too much, just say the word and we can dip out for a breather.”
“Toothbrush,” I say out loud, getting a feel for it.
“Yeah.” Adam shrugs. “Something like,Oh Daddy, I think I forgot my toothbrush come fuck me and then help me look.”
I spear him with a dagger look which causes him to laugh, but then I relent because aside from the crude words that I’m starting to wonder might be a tic he’s not in control of, Adam is actually being a half-decent guy. “Okay. Toothbrush. Got it.”
“Alright, let’s get this shit show on the road,honey,” Adam says, moving to get out of the car.
This time, it’s me stopping him, placing my hand on his arm. He glances at me over his shoulder, and I offer him a genuine smile because it’s nice to have someone on my team, even if it’s him. “Thanks, Adam.”
He doesn’t say anything, just flashes me a conspiratorial wink as he hops out of the car, and I do the same.
“Holy, fuck, it’s freezing!” I shriek, startled by the bitter chill in the air.
Adam suddenly appears right in front of me, looking down at me with a sneaky grin. “I’ll keep you warm, honey.”
“Oh my god,” I mutter.
He sniggers at my objection and wraps his arm around my shoulders, and together we walk up thestone path, careful not to slip, and enter ourselves in through the huge doors the open to the cavernous foyer.
We’re immediately inundated by the sound of music coming from somewhere, a myriad of delicious smells hanging low in the air, and the overwhelming din of what sounds like way too many extroverts trying to talk at once.Gross. I glance sideways at Adam and he offers me a reassuring grin, gently pushing me further inside. I grab his hand, then, if for nothing else to stop my own from trembling.
