Oh, well. I dialed the number.
“Hey, Jesse—it’s River…I don’t think I’m going to make it in today,” I said.
I heard Jesse choke on the other end. “No way, really? You’re calling out?”
“I’m so sorry—”
“Don’t be. I don’t care if you’re sick or if you just don’t want to get out of bed. You’ve never called out sick,” he said, and I heard him flipping some pages. “Actually, you’ve never even taken a vacation.”
“Yeah,” I responded as I picked at the corners of my nail polish. I had no clue what I could do to fix the situation I created.
“So, curiosity killed the cat—what the hell happened that you would?”
“Let’s put it this way—I’ve created the biggest family feud on the face of the planet.”
“Mhmm…Adam’s fist broken?” Jesse inferred.
“Sprained.”
“And what does he do?”
“Teaches musical instruments to kids at a private school.”
I cringed as I heard his sharp intake of breath that said he knew just as much as I did that we were screwed.
“Oh, how are you going to fix this one?” Jesse asked.
“I have no clue, but I can play guitar—“
“You can play an instrument?!” Jesse said in shock.
“It’s not that surprising!”
“If you say so,” Jesse teased.
“I’ll be in tomorrow,” I replied.
“Take your time, just don’t miss the shoot on Wednesday,” Jesse ordered. “Tell Adam to aim for the mouth next time.”
“Whatever. I’ll be there for the shoot,” I said.
“I know you will. Oh, and River, don’t make any decisions for him. He’s a big boy. He knows what’s best for him—don’t try to fix this.”
Then the line went silent. I shook my head and straightened my back before heading into the school and grabbing my visitors pass.
I watched as Adam came out of an office shaking his head as the door shut behind me. I rushed forward to comfort him and as I did I rammed right into the edge of a locker, sending myself sprawling to the floor. I heard feet on the tiles and when I looked up Adam was leaning down to help me up. There was a bald guy standing next to him with a puzzled look on his face.
“Are you okay, Ma’am?” the man asked as Adam helped me up.
I blinked my eyes a few time as I tried to knock the rattling out of my head. “Marble sure is hard.”
Adam let a breath out. “Principal Michaels, this is my girlfriend, River.”
As I steadied myself against Adam I held out my hand to him. “Nice to meet you.”
“You really are a bit accident prone, huh?” he asked, looking between the two of us, and then down to Adam’s wrapped fist.
“Yeah, you see what I managed to do to Adam’s hand. He’s never going to let me bowl ever again!” I laughed, awkward and hoping my lie worked.
“I suppose so,” Principal Michaels frowned. “Adam, I retract my previous statement. I’m not sure how you’re going to teach like that, though.”
“I came in to help with Monday’s guitar lessons…and Adam is going to do some vocals in his regular mix,” I said.
Adam looked a bit pale as I said the word vocals.
“You sing?” Principal Michaels repeated.
Adam tilted his head shoulder to shoulder as he shrugged. “A bit.”
“Excellent!” Principal Michaels slapped Adam on the back and headed back to his office.
“You saved me,” Adam said.
“By bruising myself?” I asked as I rubbed my shoulder.
“He was firing me,” Adam explained.
“Over a broken fist?”
“He thought I was lying to him about the bowling ball!”
“You’re a sucky liar,” I said with a smirk.
“Whatever, your being a ditz saved me…and you’re going to teach guitar today?” Adam asked as he walked with me to his classroom.
“I guess so!”
“One of the kids has the acoustic on loan. You think you can shred it on an electric?” Adam asked as he nodded to the wall of guitars.
“Only if I can play the blue Gibson,” I answered.
Adam used his good hand to grab the guitar off the wall. “Your wish is my command.”
I smirked as I watched him place the guitar on a stand, grab a small amplifier and hook up the cords. He sat down on and laid the guitar across his lap before playing with the knobs and strumming with one hand. Even to me it sounded off.
Adam tilted his head and picked at each one until he found the one that was out of tune. He then used his one hand to expertly move the tuner what seemed like a minuscule amount before plucking the string again. It sounded perfect this time. He looked up at me and gave me one of those crooked, sly, amazing smiles.
“You ready to teach some children?” he asked just as the bell rang, and a handful of children flooded through the door.
“I guess so,” I said as I watched them fuss over Adam and his hand.
“Mr. B! What happened? Are you okay?” was repeated over and over again in the cutest tone of voices. It struck me again how much the children admired and respected him. It seemed to be something rare in today’s world; I was used to the screaming and fussing children from the grocery store.
“Miss River!” they suddenly noticed me.
I smiled, and they piled a hug on each of my legs.
“We’re so glad you’re back!” they cooed in unison.
I looked up at Adam with the blue Gibson ready for me to play. His face now showed a soft smile, and his eyes crinkled in the corner as he admired me and his kids.
“Ready?” he mouthed.
I nodded.
“We’re going to start the day with a song. River’s going to play the guitar, and I’m going to sing!”
The kids let go of me in an instant and found their bean bags as I took my seat next to Adam, and he handed me the guitar.
I grabbed a pick from the pile on his desk and began to play. I had to take a deep breath as Adam’s voice began, “Yesterday…”
Chapter 40
“The last volleyball game of the summer!” Adam announced as he came into the bedroom, throwing the ball from hand to hand.
“Good thing the doctor cleared you to play,” I said as I pulled yoga pants and a sweatshirt on over my bathing suit. “And let me remind you it’s not summer anymore!”
“Eh,” Adam slapped my ass. “It’s going to be fine!”
“It’s Columbus Day weekend! It’s going to be freezing!” I shot back.
“It’ll be fine, plus you’ll be moving so you’ll heat up quick enough.”
“You better not put me anywhere near the water!”
“Really?” Adam looked at me with a pout. “The water takes longer to cool after the summer, so it’s still quite warm.”
“Then you go in!”
Adam shrugged. “Maybe I will!”
I stuck my tongue out at him.
“You ready?” he asked.
“I need a better tan.”
“Well, you’re not going to get it completely covered up like that!”
I heaved a heavy sigh. “I might have to freeze my ass off to lock in a nice tan.”
Adam pulled me into his arms and pressed his lips against my neck before letting them drift with the cold metal of his lip ring up to my earlobe.
“You’re perfect the way you are. I don’t like Oompa Loompas.”
“Ha ha,” I laughed, but I couldn’t help the shivers running under my skin as his lips trailed up to mine.
A knock interrupted us and, Adam pulled away with a pout. “Damn, I was hoping for a little action before we had to leave!”
He winked at me as he turned to go answer the door, and I rolled my eyes. I knew very well he just liked to be a bit of a tease. I grabbed my beach bag and went to the living room where I almost dropped it on the floor.
�
��Look who’s joining us,” Adam said as he turned to face me from the door. His brows rose, and his eyes showed his horror at the situation.
Bobby stood in the doorway with his arms protectively wrapped around Tara, and what could only be called an evil grin plastered on his face. Tara looked uncomfortable as she mouthed the words sorry to me.
“Sounds good!” I said.
I tried to sound cheerful, but the whole idea mortified me. Bobby had not let up on his asshole tactics, and now he was bringing Tara even further into our mess. She was just too head over heels to really care, and I hated Bobby for treating her as second best to me.
The order was all wrong—I shouldn’t have even been in the order anymore, but Bobby wasn’t letting go.
I couldn’t wrap my head around what the strategy behind this move was.
“We all going to take one car?” Adam asked as he grabbed the cooler from the kitchen island. His voice was even, but I knew he was wondering what the hell was going on as much as I was.
“Sure, why waste gas?” Bobby answered, his voice layered with bitterness over the false cheer.
I followed Adam and Bobby down the stairs and Tara hung back with me.
“I just happened to mention you guys were going to kick some butt today at the volleyball tournament, and Bobby decided he wanted to invite himself. Something about you never being good at any sports, so he had to see it for himself,” Tara said in a hushed tone.
“More like he thinks he can beat Adam,” I said.
“That too,” Tara answered with a swallow. “This day is going to be awful.”
“I’m sorry you somehow got dragged into this bitter circle,” I said as I linked my arm into hers.
She placed her head on my shoulder. “It’s really not your fault. You’re in love with Adam—and he loves you, which is amazing. Bobby loves you, and I love Bobby. It’s a mess, but I think Bobby has to get over it sometime.”
“Tara,” I groaned as we slid into the back of Adam’s car. “You shouldn’t be second best to anyone…let alone me!”
Tara shrugged with a wink. “Don’t worry I’m rocking his world one solid bang at a time.”
“Gross!” I muttered as she buckled herself in the middle seat so she could be closer to me, and we could talk without the boys hearing.
“Listen,” she said as she placed her hand on my knee. “I’m not taking it as second best. I’m trying to make him realize I am the best for him.”
“Well, I’m trying to keep him from killing my boyfriend!”
“I think Adam stands a chance if they ever do get in a fight again,” Tara said. “Those two black eyes were quite interesting.”
“Adam sprained his hand!” I said, and we both burst into laughter.
“What are you two going on about back there?” Adam asked with a smile in the rearview mirror.
“Talking about how pig-headed the both of you are!” Tara said through a hiccup.
“I’m not pig-headed,” Bobby snapped.
“Yeah, right, grouchy pants!” Tara teased as she reached over and attempted to squeeze one of his head-sized arm muscles.
Bobby turned and growled with playful eyes as Adam and I exchanged looks of horror.
“Keep it in your pants, man!” Adam said as he shifted the car, and we headed onto the highway.
We all laughed, and for a moment I thought this might be a good idea; after all the sun was already high in the sky, making it unseasonably warm and everyone seemed to be getting along.
My momentary lapse of intelligence dissipated the second Tara and I stripped down to our bathing suits and headed on to the sand volleyball court on opposite sides. Bobby was glaring at my tattoo, and Tara was trying to make him act like a normal human instead of a bear. It wasn’t working, and it only got worse as the game went on. Adam and I were destroying their team.
“And,” Adam jumped up as he spiked the ball back at Bobby before concluding; “that’s it!” as Bobby dove and missed it.
“So you finally found a sport you’re good at!” Bobby said as he stood, wiping the sand from his knees.
The look and tone showed he was not going to be a good sport about this win.
Adam nodded at him but didn’t respond. I squeezed his hand in mine, and he gave me a stressed half-smile. We knew Bobby was being an asshole, but Adam’s friends didn’t.
They didn’t know him like we did.
“Unless you’re talking about with women!” Mark said as he slapped Adam on his shoulder.
“Shut it,” I hissed as Mark’s brown eyes sparkled, and he shrugged. He didn’t get what was going on; otherwise, he wouldn’t have been so careless.
“The tattoos crush us again!” Joe called as he came up behind Bobby and slapped him on the back.
“What’s that all about?” Tara asked out of curiosity.
I cringed; I knew this was about to send Bobby over the edge.
Adam’s arms wrapped around me from behind and his chin went into my shoulder.
He was playing with fire, and I was caught in between wanting to pull away to prevent Bobby’s explosion and actually enjoying myself.
“When they stand like that,” Mark began to explain; “their tattoos touch, giving them superpowers to kick all our asses at volleyball!”
Bobby’s blonde eyebrows twitched, and his neck became corded. “Magical tattoos? Come on!”
Mark laughed as he kicked back a beer. “Adam was good at volleyball before, but with River here, he destroys us 100% of the time.”
Bobby’s eyes narrowed. “I guess magical tattoos are more believable than either of them being good at anything besides strumming a guitar.”
I didn’t have time to respond as Adam let go of me to lunge at Bobby shouting, “You’re such a piece of shit!”
Fortunately, Mark was able to step between them before Adam’s fist could make contact with Bobby, but he still stumbled backwards and knocked into Tara. She was sent flying backwards into the volleyball pole net, and as I ran towards her she crumbled to the ground into a sobbing heap.
“You’re such a fucking ass!” I yelled at Bobby as I leaned down and pulled her into my arms.
“Adam made it happen! Why do you blame me for everything?” Bobby hollered back at me.
“Are you okay?” I asked Tara.
“I guess being second best to you does hurt,” she said as she rubbed the back of her head.
“Look what you’ve done!” Bobby yelled at Adam, who was heading towards us with a bag of ice.
“Oh, fuck you!” Adam said before kneeling down in front of Tara and I. “Let me see?”
She turned her head and Adam felt the bump there. She winced but didn’t move as Adam came to the front of her and looked at her face.
“Do you feel dizzy?” he asked.
She nodded.
“Tilt your head a little. I need to see if your pupils are dilated,” Adam instructed, and Tara listened.
“How do you know so much?” Tara asked as he handed her the ice pack to apply to her injury.
“Taking care of kids all day teaches you a thing or two. I think we should bring you to the hospital—your eyes are a bit dilated, so it’s possible you have a concussion,” Adam said as Bobby finally cooled down and came over.
Tara smiled weakly at me.
“I think you got the better brother,” she whispered as the Beckersons exchanged glances.
“We’ll take a cab to the hospital,” Bobby told us.
“Why?” I asked as I helped Tara up.
“Because Adam and I are bound to kill each other if we spend another second together,” Bobby spat at me, taking Tara into his arms.
I stepped back at his harsh revelation, shaking my head.
“I don’t think Adam wants to fight over this anymore. You’re the one who keeps it going,” I said as I reached forward and rubbed Tara’s arm.
“Of course you’d choose his side,” Bobby snapped as he swept Tara up, so she wouldn’t have to w
alk.
“I really don’t give a shit right now,” I answered as I leaned up and kissed Tara on the cheek. “Let me know when you get out?”
Tara nodded before turning her head into Bobby’s chest. She looked fragile as he carried her away, and I had to take a breath to calm myself.
Adam came up behind me.
“Please don’t be mad at me,” he said as he put his hand on my shoulder.
I turned, shaking my head as the tears began to fall, and Adam wrapped his arms around me.
“I’m so sorry for the mess I’ve made,” he whispered as he ran his fingers through my hair.
I looked up at him. “It’s not your fault—it’s mine. Maybe I led him on the past?”
Adam took my face in his hands, rubbing away the tears with his thumbs. “I think you only ever tried to be a good friend. He was always the one that wouldn’t give up.”
I nodded as Adam kissed my forehead.
“You still want to go get lobster with the guys? We can go home if you want,” he asked.
I smiled at him. “You were really looking forward to the last lobster roll of the season.”
Adam shrugged. “It’s just a crustacean on a roll.”
I burst out laughing as his eyes wrinkled at the corners, and he stuck his tongue out as if it weren’t the most delicious thing on the planet.
“No, Tara would want us too, especially since you were her knight in shining armor,” I said.
Adam stepped back and let his hands refer to his sculpted body.
“This? Shining armor? I think not,” he teased as I eyed him.
I tackled him into the sand, holding his arms above his head as I kissed him. “No, much better than a knight in shining armor—a half-naked knight.”
A whistle echoed from across the beach, and Adam rolled on top of me before pulling me up.
“Save that for dessert, baby!” he said.
I smiled to myself knowing Tara would have found the whole thing quite amusing.
Chapter 41
A few hours after Adam and I arrived home Tara had texted me she did indeed have a concussion. She hadn’t said much else to me, and I wondered if she was as mad at me as I was. On Tuesday, two days after the disastrous volleyball game, she still hadn’t spoken to me. I looked for her when I got into work, but she was nowhere in sight. I distracted myself in with my daily tasks as I worried about how she was feeling and why she was ignoring me.
Flawed Perfection Page 17