Fighting for Phoebe
Page 21
“Impressive list.” He casually crosses his arms, amused. “You’re saying you see me as some kind of granola hippie?”
I lift just one eyebrow, a trick I inherited from my dad. “Am I right?”
With a chuckle, he shakes his head. “I haven’t done any of those things.”
Glancing at the thick leather bracelet on his arm, I snort. “Here I thought I had you totally pegged.”
“I’m not saying I’d be opposed to any of them.” His teeth gleam in the darkness behind his flickering smile. “It’s just that my parents kept me pretty sheltered. I haven’t been out much.”
I lift my head from my knees. “It can’t be that bad.”
He glances at the ground before shrugging, as if I’ve hit a sore subject. “We crossed the Minnesota border a few times. Otherwise I’ve never been out of the state.”
“Wow,” I say, thinking of all the vacations I’ve been on with my family. “So no rides on a jet plane?”
“Nope. The most excitement I’ve had involved the public bus.”
“You can file that accomplishment under lame. If you’re attempting to procure a list of more invigorating caliber, I’d definitely add conquering the skies. Once you’ve arrived in a new airport and walked into a city you’ve never seen, one begins to feel pretty invincible. Everything about traveling puts your senses on a new level.” I lock my fingers around my legs and sigh dreamily. “The millions of people, the ever changing scenery and sights to explore, the fluctuation of weather, even the choices of restaurants. I can’t ever get enough. You know the saying: once you’ve flown through the skies, you never want to walk on the ground.”
“Don’t think I’ve heard that one.”
I wink. “That’s because I just made it up.”
His eyes bore into me with heightened interest. Again, I feel as if he’s undressing me with a simple look. And I really wish we could cut to the chase so he actually would. “I take it you travel a lot?”
“My dad’s a pilot for Delta. I’m kind of like the B version of an Army brat. You know, gets to see the world, only we don’t actually ever move.”
“Who needs college? Sounds like you’re on your way to becoming a travel agent.”
Giggling, I say, “I could be yours, anyway.”
Our eyes catch with the double meaning of my words. After a strangely comfortable pause, he says, “What else do you think I should add to this list?”
“Well, you have to experience a rock concert from the front row. Nothing too crazy though. You need black belt training to conquer the mosh pit.”
His lips tilt in amusement. “You like the kind of music where there are mosh pits?”
“It all depends on the level of idiots you’re dealing with. The biggest jackholes usually make an appearance at the heavier rock concerts. I’ll only go to those if one of my big guy friends comes as our bouncer. My friend was nearly flattened last summer at Lollapalooza.”
“Sounds like you have no business being in a mosh pit. You must weigh, what, a hundred pounds soaking wet?”
I glance down at my fit frame, blushing. Though I rocked the cheerleader’s uniform in high school, I’ve packed on a lot of muscle. I like to run with Kelly to stay in shape, and even did a few 5k runs freshman year. I was lucky enough to get my mom’s high metabolism and been able to eat whatever I want and still stay in a size 4, except for the time when I packed on the freshman 15.
Looking back up at him, I roll my eyes. “At least we know you can exclude a career in professional weight guessing at the carnival.”
His head tilts back with a deep chuckle. Then he’s pinning me down with his sexy stare again. “So what kind of concert would you recommend?”
“For you? What do you listen to?”
“Whatever’s on the radio.” When my jaw drops, he laughs. “What? My parents listened to a lot of jazz and blues when I was a kid. That’s all the musical influence I ever got.”
“Dude.” I throw my hands out to my sides. “Your parents seriously sheltered you. Child services should’ve been notified of the travesty.”
He gives another easygoing shrug. “I’m open to anything.”
I huff as if he personally offended me by not having any special taste in music. “Fine. I’d start out with some Bastille or Mumford and Sons. Everyone likes that shit.” Grinning, I add, “Or we could take you to New Orleans to hear the kind of music you’re more familiar with.”
“Okay, fine.” He bites the inside of his cheek like he’s trying not to smirk, like he’s letting me know he’s taking this seriously. It makes him drop dead sexy. “What about zip-lining? Is that something you’ve tried?”
Laughing, I nod. “I was tricked into going a few years ago when we were visiting Arizona. They told me we were going spelunking when they handed us helmets. I’m scared to death of heights, but I’m telling you, there’s nothing like floating through the air at fifty feet off the ground. I don’t know if it’s the fear of plunging to my death or what, but it’s quite the trip. I’d definitely take you white water rafting, too.”
“So, extremely dangerous activities in Arizona, check.” All dimples. “After that, where would you take me paddle boarding?”
I space out with the memory of Jason trying to paddle board when he came along on my family’s vacation to Oahu our senior year. He was so athletic, even before he buffed up in the Corps and became a surfing addict in San Diego. Those memories seem so far away, as if in a different life. It’s been over a year since I broke up with Jason, but the gaping hole of guilt and regret in my heart makes it feel like just days ago.
“Hawaii,” I answer quietly, squeezing my eyes shut.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah.” A cold breeze flips my blond curls into my face. Shivering, I rub at my prickly legs. “I’m one of those who’s prone to a coma once the booze stops flowing. Give me another hour and I’ll be out for the night.”
He leans away from the wall, his eyes worried. “You want to go somewhere else? I mean somewhere public? You look...cold.”
“As much as I’d love to blow this place, I came with a friend,” I say, motioning to the house. Kelly was totally hammered the last time I saw her. She’s most likely making out with one of the preppy guys who always seem to fall for her wild spirit and large, chocolate brown eyes. She’s like cat-nip for studs.
With his hands still in his pockets, Adam shrugs. It’s so reserved, just like all of his other mannerisms. I can see him hanging out in bed on a Saturday morning, his hair ruffled, no particular plans in mind. “Tell her you’ll come back to get her when she’s ready to go.”
Weighing the options in my head, I pull my phone from my pocket. Blowing Kelly off for a guy I’m majorly attracted to seems like a horrible idea. That side of me hasn’t reared its drunken head since Levi and I became a thing, whatever that “thing” may be. Plus, I really should make sure Kelly isn’t so drunk that she’s doing something she’ll regret in the morning. If only she had looked out for me like that the night I met Levi.
I push off the wall. “I should probably go inside and make sure she’s okay.”
His eyebrows lift as he takes a few steps closer. “You want company? Just say the word and I’m all yours.”
I pull in a sharp, stuttering breath. There’s an undeniable force pulling me to him, unmatched to any draw I’ve ever felt before. I just can’t walk away and pretend we never met. I can’t ignore the tingle in my stomach, or the fluttering of my pulse. While I have no intention of giving my heart to another guy after what I did to Jason, it’s still impossible not to envision myself wrapped around this beautiful man.
He takes a step back. “If I’m making you uncomfortable—”
“You’re not,” I blurt, reaching out to touch his arm. When my fingers connect with his skin, dynamite shoots through me. “I mean, I’m kind of seeing someone.”
“You mentioned that.” The dimples reappear, giving him almost a boyish qualit
y. “Several times now.” When he gleams at me like that, it’s almost impossible not to smile back.
“Sorry.” I drop my hand from his arm to nervously slide my phone between my fingers. “I mean, it’s not like he’s got me bugged. It’s not even that serious.”
Adam seems to be standing much closer when he asks in a low voice, “It’s not? Serious, I mean?”
The tingles I feel in this moment are so out of control, I consider leaping into his arms and taking him right on the freshly mowed lawn. “We haven’t even reached the ‘in a relationship’ status on Facebook.”
Adam shrugs. “So simply hanging out with me wouldn’t be considered cheating on this guy, right? Just because you’re seeing him doesn’t mean you’re exclusively committed to him for life. Especially if he isn’t smart enough to claim you as his girlfriend.”
The only sound aside from the muffled voices and music from inside are my ragged breaths. His lips are so close, so edible, all my thoughts become a jumbled mess. Levi isn’t here, and it’s not like I have plans to marry him one day. So—
I jump when my phone vibrates in my hands. A message from Kelly flashes across the screen.
Where r u?
I look up and sigh. “My friend’s looking for me. I should probably...yeah, I’m going to go.” After three steps I pause to look over my shoulder. “Are you coming, or are you set on holding that wall up for the rest of the night?”
Adam brightens in response. Although I really know nothing about him, I feel a thrill for what’s to come.
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About the Author
Jennifer Ann is the pen name young adult paranormal author Jen Naumann uses to write new adult romance novels intended to spice up your life and pull at your heart strings. When not writing from one of the 10,000 lakes in Minnesota, Jennifer is either rocking out at concerts, riding Harley, helping her husband farm, or chasing down one of their four active children.
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Acknowledgments
After publishing 16 books, you’d think this would get easier, but as long as I’ve been in this business, I’ve had the pleasure of working with more and more amazing people. Accordingly, I stress over whether or not I remember to thank everyone.
First off, THANK YOU to those who continue to read my crazy stories, the bloggers who support me, and each and every one of my Rockstars! I realize every day that I wouldn’t be where I am without you, and it’s quite humbling! ❤️
Sending all my thanks and love to Corrie Hanson for being so encouraging. I appreciate everything you’ve ever done (which is a lot) and it always amazes me how you continue to cheer me on. You’re literally the best!
Big shoutout to my PA Jenny Hanson for your hard work and for continuing to put up with my flakiness! Thank you, thank you, thank you for all you do!
Major thanks to Clover Autrey for taking me on as a client once again. I almost forgot how much I enjoy working with you. Can’t wait to do it again!
Thanks to photographer Eric Battershell, cover model Burton Hughes, and my loyal/kickass designer Najla Qamber for your collaboration in this GORGEOUS cover! I look forward to working with you all again one day!
I feel blessed when I realize just how many friends I have. Although I can’t list everyone for a proper thanks, there are some who played a major role in maintaining my sanity while I wrote this one: Carolyn Zierke, Michelle Hiller, my cuz April Marie, Jen Oelke, Shari Slade, Kate Mary, Leesa Bow, Christy Pastore, Kelly Brzoska, Lori Rattay, Bria Starr, Maria Araya, Ashley Erin, Fabiola Francisco, Pamela Stallings, Nicki Bookgoddess, Danielle Amos, Micki Fredericks, Rachel Smith (stay strong, hun…love ya!❤️), and the Elmore Legion bartenders (even the big cranky one). I don’t know what I would do without you amazing people!
And as always, biggest thanks goes to my husband and kids for putting up with me. Love you more.