Lainie sighed while her lips pursed. She blew a lock of brown hair away from her gooey cheek. Allie knew Lainie would think she was a lame ass, and probably more than she’d bargained for as far as roommates went, but Lainie would never yell at Allie for visiting her mom. It was diabolical card for Allie to play, but it had always been the ace up her sleeve anytime she felt like bailing on the crew.
Lainie yanked Allie by the shoulders and into her chest for a hug. “You drive me nuts.” She shook her head. “But I love you. Tell Mary hi for me.”
“Will do, Lainie.”
***
A few hours later Allie was signing into the Alzheimer’s ward when a pair of strong arms wrapped around her waist and catapulted her off her feet.
“Aargh!” she squealed and spun into the hard chest of Adam Hunt.
“Hey, Allie! Haven’t seen you forever!”
“Adam!” she was set down on wobbly feet while her lips burst wide with a grin. “When did you get back?” Still a little breathless from having the absolute crap scared out of her, she looked up . . . and up again into her childhood best friend’s face. Over six feet, with not an inch of him gangly, Adam towered over Allie, his lean cheekbones and jaw pointed down at her like an arrow while chocolate eyes, practically brimming with excitement, laughed at her. The nurses loved Adam because he was able to pack around the heavier patients like nothing. Not to mention half the staff considered him eye candy.
They’d been best friends since first grade, when Adam lost his mom to breast cancer. Both missing a parent in their lives, the two had bonded right away. They loved chasing horny toads, tubing down the river in the summer, and basically making both Mary and Adam’s dad, Roy, prematurely grey. Allie had been distraught the day Roy got a job in California when they were in High School; but Adam had managed to get a scholarship to ASU and moved back to Phoenix a few years later.
Allie rubbed the back of her neck. “Geeze, Adam. Why do you have be so huge? I snap my neck every time I try to look up at you.”
“That all you got to say to me after two months?” Adam’s grin was infectious. Kind of made you feel like the sun had just cracked open the clouds every time his teeth flashed. Warm and annoyingly happy: Adam in a nutshell.
“Whatever! You scared the crap out of me! Lucky I didn’t deck you.”
Adam snorted. “Uh, huh. With all that grace and your mad ninja skills, right?”
She rolled her eyes before giving him—well, his waist—a friendly embrace. Dang the boy for making her feel like a five-year-old.
Adam’s arm slung over Allie’s shoulders as they were buzzed through the security doors and into the Alzheimer’s ward. They ran into Mrs. Thompson, one of the residents, on the other side, her face pinched up in frustration. Gnarled hands shoved at the security door and she grumbled “I can’t get out!”
Allie watched in adoration as Adam easily sidetracked Mrs. Thompson and brought her down to the activities room.
Adam was awesome. She had to give him props for what he’d chosen as a profession. Working as a nurse in a place like this was grueling. Taking care of people while they were slowly stripped of their dignity—left not being able to care for even the most basic functions—would be more than difficult. And she knew Adam had a hard time growing attached to his patients, only to watch them die one by one.
But Adam, the ever-patient, kind soul that he was, did it day in and day out—and loved it.
Saint Adam.
If not for him, Allie would never have been able to get her mom into such a nice nursing home. Thank goodness for well-placed blessings and small miracles. Adam had helped Allie so much with Mary. He’d taught Allie how to care for her when she’d first started showing signs; and then, when Mary had gotten to the point that Allie couldn’t take care of her alone anymore, it was Adam who’d held her hand and given his undying support when she’d finally made the heart-crushing decision to put her in a home. Adam helped get her qualified for government assistance, helped fill out all the horrible paperwork and jump through all the hoops, and then gotten Allie put as Mary’s Power of Attorney.
He really was an angel.
She was a fool not to marry him ASAP, before someone else scooped him up. Not that Allie and Adam hadn’t tested those waters before. They’d attempted dating. Once. But it had been uber-weird. She thought of him as a brother and the idea of kissing him felt downright incestuous. She knew he wanted more, but for Allie there simply wasn’t anymore to give. Still, she’d always love the hell out of him.
She caught up to him just as he was sitting Mrs. Thompson down for My Fair Lady. Audrey Hepburn was singing about the rain in Spain when he took her gently by the elbow and walked her back into the hall.
“When did you get into town?” she asked as they strolled toward Mary’s room.
Adam’s eyes looked suddenly tired. “Yesterday.”
She squeezed his hand. “And how’s Roy doing?”
Roy had been in a horrible car accident up in California. The crash had involved a pair of kids, driving drunk. Stupid and needless. The community was distraught since the two kids had known Roy’s family well. Adam had gone home to help with his dad’s physical therapy. Just went to show what an asset Adam was that the Silverado Senior Living Center would keep a job open for him while he was gone.
He steered them into a little corner so they could talk. “He’s coping like a trooper. Doing pretty well, considering his age and all. The ones I’m worried about are Rodge and Brenden.”
Allie swallowed as Adam’s grip on her hand tightened around her fingers. Rodge and Brenden had been the drunk drivers. They’d all played with Adam on the same football team in High School.
Adam shook his head and went on, “They’re pretty messed up over it. I don’t know how to feel. I should probably hate them . . . but I just can’t.” His eyes misted while his throat clenched around his words. “I’m heartbroken over it, to tell the truth.”
Allie hugged him tight again while his chin dropped to the top of her head. “Is there anything I can do?” she whispered.
His words were a liquid tickle in her hair. “Not really. It’s one of those things only time can fix.”
Feeling awkward that Adam hadn’t pulled back yet, Allie put some distance between them. He knew how she felt when he got too close, and there were a few seconds of uncomfortable silence. His eyes met hers, filled with his earnest plea, “I want so much more.”
She looked back at him, communicating, “I can’t give it to you. You know that.”
It was a conversation they’d been having a lot more recently, now that he was graduated with a real job and looking to settle down.
Allie’s teeth set into her bottom lip and she changed the subject, “So, how’s mom doing tonight?”
The tight lines around Adam’s mouth and eyes relaxed and he was suddenly his sunny self again. “Good, but tired. I think the doctors really put her through the ringer. Usually wipes everyone out when the docs see ‘em,” he reassured, “she’s zonked out, probably for the night.”
Allie could have laughed at the light bulb that suddenly blazed to life over Adam’s head. “Hey,” he said, excitement filling his words, “how ‘bout you go check in on her and then let me take you out for some fish and chips—the real good ones; full of grease.”
“What about work?” She didn’t want him slacking when he’d just gotten back.
“Nah, don’t sweat it. I’d finished my shift when I saw you, so I’m free all night.” He grabbed her by the head and pulled her into him. “Been forever, Allie-girl. We got a ton of catching up to do.”
***
By the time they finished dinner, Allie’s sides were in stitches. Man, Adam could make her laugh. She’d needed this after the last few weeks of her gloomed-out misery. Adam steered her over to his truck, and with a flourish of twenty-first century chivalry, opened her door. “Your carriage, my lady.”
Giggling, Allie climbed up inside, but not befo
re she jabbed an elbow into the side of his ribs.
Adam doubled over, feigning much more than he felt. “Damn, Allie. Watch it with those things. They’re frickin’ sharp! Maybe if you ate more you wouldn’t be such a string bean, eh?”
“Has nothin’ to do with that.” Allie flexed one puny bicep at him. “You just can’t handle the gun show.”
Hands out in a defensive posture, he backed away and slammed the truck’s door shut. “Take it easy, Rambo. I don’t want any trouble.”
He was still laughing as he made his way around the truck, but Allie felt like a bucket of cold water had been dumped over her good mood and she was suddenly missing her own real-life Rambo way too much.
“What’s wrong?”
She jerked her head around when the sound of Adam’s voice made her jump. They’d already pulled onto the roadway and were entering the freeway.
“What?” she muttered, sounding sullen.
“Looks like your favorite puppy just kicked the bucket.” He cocked a thick, black brow.
“Oh. It’s nothing.” She shook the gloom away. Wasn’t fair to Adam to let Matthew ruin their fun night.
“It’s the cast, huh? You’re lost without it.”
She rolled her eyes. “Oh, yeah. You got me.” Of course she’d filled him in on everything that had happened at the UMMA—except for Matthew, that was. She didn’t really know how to breach that one. Mostly she didn’t want to see Adam’s crushed expression when he found out she was actually dating someone—kind of . . . maybe . . . damn it. She glowered down at her fingers.
“I sure would have liked to have seen that sight”—Adam went on, oblivious to Allie’s inner-dialogue—“Lucky for you it was just a boot. Casts are a bitch. Itchy as hell, too.”
“It was awful!” Allie agreed, remembering how glad she was every night to take the thing off. She’d been even gladder when she’d retired it to the back of her closet last week.
Chocolate eyes met hers—“I’ll bet”—and Allie knew he wasn’t talking about her leg anymore, but the men who’d tried to rape her.
She reached out to reassure him, letting her fingers settle over the warm skin of his forearm. “I’m fine now, Adam . . . promise.”
“If I’d been there I’d have killed those guys. Fuckers,” he added.
“Adam!”
“Sorry.” He winced. “Slip of the tongue.”
Adam hardly ever used the “F” word around her and it was always funny to make him squirm when she caught him using it.
He turned back to her once he’d pulled onto her street. The truck’s headlights washed the front of her house with a yellow haze as Adam pulled into the driveway. “Seriously, Allie. I’m glad you’re alright.” His eyes were communicating far more than Allie was comfortable with.
Awkward silence again.
Damn Adam and his never ending pursuit toward matrimony.
She cleared her throat. “Glad to see you finally wised up and got a truck. The Neon was on its last leg.”
Adam rolled his eyes. “You know, you say that every time you ride with me. I traded the Neon in like six months ago. Let it go already, will ya?”
“It was like watching the clowns pile out of the clown car each time you got in or out of that thing,” she quipped.
“Ouch. Harsh much? The Neon couldn’t help being small.” He turned to her and grinned, teeth a white contrast inside his brown face. “You of all people should understand that.”
“Ass!” She glared back at him. “Maybe you’re just a freak of nature; ever think of that?”
“No way.” Adam ran a hand down his chest, fondling one peck. “Problem is, this much sexiness would never fit in a smaller package.”
They were both in stitches again as Adam walked Allie up to her door. When he turned to her, though, his face was serious.
Ahh, crap, Allie cringed. Not again.
His eyes were so open, so filled with hope. It broke her heart. “I was promoted when I got back yesterday. Lots more money. Stability. I’m probably going to buy a house soon.”
“Good for you, Adam. You totally deserve it.” And she could honestly feel happy for him.
He grabbed hold of her hands and his thumb started to circle her knuckles. “You should change your mind, Allie. Give us a chance. We’d be good for each other. We’ve been best friends our whole lives.” He paused and his eyes hardened with determination. “I know you. You know me.” His gaze was boring into hers, willing her to change her mind. She shut her eyes, unable to stand that look. Oh how, she hated hurting him.
“I can’t Adam—”
He cut her off when his mouth suddenly covered hers.
This was so wrong.
Panic shot through her as she stiffened. “I said no!” He’d never tried to kiss her before.
His lips roamed over hers, urging her to open for him. When she tried to push away he only pulled her closer. “Please, Allie. Please,” his voice was hoarse. Desperate.
She turned her head, feeling sick and angry now. Damn him. Why’d he have to ruin everything? “No. Stop it.” She shoved hard away from his chest, surprised when he flew to the ground about five feet away.
She finally registered what had happened when a pair of mossy green eyes flashed, icy cold and full of menace, toward her in the dark.
Chapter fifteen
“Matthew, stop!” Allie leapt off the front porch and chased after the two.
Matthew was all coiled muscles and towered over Adam’s prone body, radiating murder. A flower of blood spackled Adam’s face and his nose was sitting at a wrong angle, swelling by the second.
Pulling himself onto his elbows Adam’s words gurgled through his busted nose, “What the hell? Allie, who is—?”
Matthew’s elbow cocked back and Adam was suddenly on his back again, gasping like a fish on land.
“Stay. Down.” Matthew’s words a low snarl between clenched teeth.
Allie rushed to Matthew and grabbed onto his arm, hoping to hell he didn’t try to hit Adam again while she was still attached. “Matthew, stop it! Please!”
The look Matthew gave her could have seared through an entire forest, but she forced herself to meet his eye. Even if she couldn’t stop the cringe that wilted her shoulders and dampened her grip on his arm.
“What the fuck, Allie. I can’t leave you for more than a few seconds without you getting yourself into trouble.”
“Don’t you fucking talk to her like that.” Adam had gotten to his feet somehow, hand covering his side while anger frosted his eyes to obsidian chips.
“Shut up, Adam,” Allie lashed, afraid Matthew would lay him on his ass again.
She turned wary eyes on Matthew. “It wasn’t a few seconds, Matthew. It was two weeks!”
Matthew’s hand curled around the back of Allie’s neck and instant flames burst to life and licked up the lining of her belly. Fear or arousal; she had no idea which. Matthew’s pull on her was all-consuming. “I told you I’d be gone for a while.” His tone coaxed her to be rational.
When she looked back into his face a lump settled in her throat. Damn it, he’d hurt her feelings! “You could have at least called.”
Adam took a step toward Allie. “Who is this asshole?” His lips were tight with the unsaid accusation. Shit, she should have come clean when they’d been alone. Her teeth chewed at her lip. Crap. “This is Matthew. He’s my”—she looked at the hard wall of muscle and contained rage and sighed—“well, I don’t know what he is. We’re dating . . . kind of.”
The pain that stretched across Adam’s face made it look like he’d just taken another shot to the gut. Beneath furrowed brows his eyes darted between Allie and Matthew, assessing their relationship and probably guessing at the seriousness of it. He took another step toward her. “You’ve got a boyfriend?”
Shit again. Boyfriend? She’d never had a boyfriend before and Adam knew that.
Before she could explain, Matthew’s fingers dug into her upper arm and
jerked her behind him. “Yeah, she does, so back the fuck up.”
Allie shook herself free of Matthew and stepped around him. Adam was bristling for a fight—knuckles standing out against clenching hands—and Allie really didn’t want him hurt any more than he’d already been. As it was, he looked a mess: blood trickling from both corners of his purple nose.
When she started to reach out for Adam, Matthew hit her with a withering glare that curled her toes right up in her shoes.
Geeze, hostile situation or what!
She decided pissing Matthew off was the worse of two evils and backed up to his side, faking contrition. She chewed her lip some more. “Look, Adam, you should probably go.”
Adam’s mouth tightened. His chest rose and he glared daggers at Matthew.
Allie snorted. She’d been so worried about Adam getting his ass beat that she’d forgotten she was mad at him. “Just go.” What the hell had he been thinking?
The corners of his eyes tightened, showing his hurt.
Well, he could just get over it.
“I’ll call you later,” he muttered sullenly before climbing into his truck and driving off.
As she watched the red of his taillights get swallowed by the darkness, Allie wrapped her arms around herself and released the breath she’d been holding.
When she felt brave enough, she peeked up at Matthew.
Oh, man.
He was pissed.
A five o’clock shadow covered the twitching muscles in his jaw, but the death look he pinned her with stoked her own anger to volcanic levels.
Seriously! After the way this night just ended, and he had the nerve to be mad at her?
She raised her chin. “I don’t know why you’re so angry, but I’ve had my fill of fun for the night. I’m going inside. Alone,” she added, in case he had any plans for B and E later. She spun on her heel, planning a dramatic exit, stage left, when Matthew jerked her against his chest. His arms wrapped around her waist and he crushed her against him.
Damn it all. He was a dirty fighter. How could she stay properly furious when her insides were turning to Jell-O?
Captured at Nightfall (Capture My Heart Love Story) Page 10