Page 31 of Second Chance Ex
She laughs then, and my fear subsides. Smiling, I breathe in the scent of strawberries and coconut that wisps from her tangled mess of hair.
I kiss the top of her head, whispering against her temple, “Aw, I love you. More than you’ll ever know. You’re my whole world, Prue Watson. It’s just me and you, forever. Always.”
Prue pulls away from me, craning her neck to look up and meet my eyes. And despite the tears, she smiles that full-watt smile that manages to take away every last one of my breaths. “Always.”
With my head down, I walk into the busy staffroom, wincing when Maria, the perpetually happy music teacher starts laughing like a goddamn hyena at something Christian says. I doubt whatever he said was even that funny; it’s common knowledge that Maria has a big old crush on the PE teacher. It’s awkward, but somehow the two of them just mesh well together.
I cast a smile at those sitting around the tables enjoying their coffees and their last few minutes of peace before the day begins, continuing to the sink where the hot water jug sits calling my name.
I have a headache. A really bad headache, and the last thing I feel like doing today is wrangling a class full of rowdy eight-year-olds. It’s been raining for three days straight, and I feel like everyone has a serious case of cabin fever. I can already tell my class plan is going to be tossed out the proverbial window today. And I don’tcare if it’s not even remotely related to my curriculum but we’re watching a movie, dammit. I’ll find a way to make whatever we watch somehow tie into something the kids are learning; I’m creative like that.
Pouring boiling water from the jug, I fill myWorld’s Cutest Teachermug (bought myself) and toss a peppermint tea bag in there, allowing it time to do its thing as I stare out at the gray, drizzly and downright miserable day outside.
My brain has been racked since I left Joey at The Shed last night. After that, sleep was the furthest thing from my mind. I spent most of the night tossing and turning and thinking way too much about everything that was (and wasn’t) said between Joey and me; all while wondering what the hell I went and got myself into. A joint bachelor/bachelorette party sounds like the worst of all my living hells combined.
A weekend trapped in a house with Joey and his perky little girlfriend is bad enough. But my big fat mouth bringing Adam into the equation? As myboyfriend? What the hell was I even thinking? I don’t even know where that came from. Of course, Madison called me last night to ask me what the hell is going on, and when was I planning on telling her that I had a thing going on with Adam Hopper. Don’t get me wrong; it’s not lost on me that Joey obviously ran off after our meeting and spoke to Ryan about my dating life—how else would Madison know—but I have no idea what to even make of that right now.
I couldn’t even be honest with my best friend. I lied through my teeth and said something along the lines of,“Oh, yeah, it’s pretty new so I haven’t really told anyone yet…”Which Madison took offense to for some reason,reminding me that I’m her best friend, and I should be telling her every last detail of my life.
God, what is wrong with me? I’m weaving my own tangled web of lies and I’m the one who’s going to get trapped, I just know it. Now I need to figure out some other elaborate yet believable lie that Adam is far too busy doing God knows what, and can’t possibly come to Tahoe with us, or run the risk of having to come clean and make a total ass of myself with everyone involved.
“Hey.”
I’m startled by the feel of a body brushing almost inappropriately up against me, immediately hit by the overpowering scent of way too much aftershave, and I already know it’s Adam before I even look up. I can feel my fight or flight response begin to stir.
Warily, I glance up at him, managing a tight smile. “Morning.”
I watch him from the corner of my eye as he goes about making his protein shake all while still standing way too close to me, but he says nothing, just hums along to some tune I don’t know, smiling to himself in that way that’s just so Adam.
“Hey, so, I was wondering,” Adam starts, turning to face me, and I force my eyes up to meet his. He’s grinning now. In fact, his grin is almost a smirk. A smug one at that. “When were you planning on telling me that you and I were boyfriend and girlfriend?”
I feel my eyes bulge, heat creeping its way up my chest, my neck and onto my face. And I’ve had some mortifying moments in my life, but I can’t remember a time I’ve ever wanted to die quite like I want to die at this very second.
Adam’s smirk remains as he goes back to his shake,pouring some green powder inside. “I was at the gym this morning, minding my own business between sets when Heath Tucker came up to me and asked me when you and I started dating,” he explains casually.
I’m at a loss for words. I don’t even think I’ve taken a breath in the last minute. Did I mention I want to die?
“So, what’s the go, P-Dubs?” Adam shakes his congealed green sludge and turns to face me, resting against the counter top. “Or, should I call you baby doll?” He quirks a brow, a shit-eating grin playing on his lips as he pops the lid off his shaker and brings it to his mouth, taking a few hearty gulps.
My palm itches to smack his face, but I refrain.
Adam keeps watching me, that ever-persistent glint in his eyes like he knows he’s got me cornered. And I guess he kind of does. My shoulders sag in resignation.
“Okay, so, you know Ryan and Madison are getting married?”
He nods slowly.
“And you know that means of course Joey Tanner is back in the picture.”
He nods again. Adam knows about my past. Well, as much as everyone else, at least; Rosewood is a small town, after all. Everyone knows Joey Tanner—he’s the quintessential hometown hero (barf). And since everyone knows Joey Tanner, everyone knows I’m Joey’s ex-girlfriend. That’s all anyone needs to know; the ins and outs of our relationship and what led to its ultimate demise is vague at best, with a lot muttered assumptions and behind-the-back finger-pointing, mainly at Joey. But the only people who really know what happened between Joey and me is, well, Joey and me, and I’m happy to keep it that way. The past is apainful point, and it’s one I’m still not entirely over if I’m honest.
“Prue, what did you do?” Adam presses, quirking a brow.
I feel my face flush again, and I roll my eyes at myself. Then, I tell him all about my conversation with Joey yesterday, and exactly how Adam came to be my fake boyfriend. You’re welcome.
Adam blinks, clearly stunned by what I’ve just told him.
“So… are you free next weekend?” I ask hopefully.
