by Laura Pavlov
“All right. I want Clyde to run the fighters by me, and I choose the refs for your fights. Fair?”
I searched his gaze, trying to find an ulterior motive. I came up empty.
“Fair. Thank you.”
I backed away and walked toward the door.
“Hey, Jett,” he called out.
“Yeah?” I turned to look at him.
“I’m not the enemy.”
I nodded.
But I didn’t know if that were true or not.
“Why are you being so stubborn? Shaw and Jax agreed to come. You’re being such a baby,” Adelaide huffed as she skimmed a rock across the lake with absolute precision. Damn. I’d taught the girl well.
We weren’t even hiding how much we hung out these days. She’d become part of my daily life at this point. We even found reasons to spend time together on the weekends. I knew her mom wasn’t a fan of mine, and I’d yet to hang out at her house. But we spent a lot of time out at the lake and a lot of time hanging out with our friends, now that the two groups had sort of come together.
“Did you seriously just call me a baby? Listen, I know your mom doesn’t like me, and it’s her party.”
“My mom doesn’t know you, Jett. And it’s not her party, it’s our party. There will be a ton of people there and you don’t even have to see her if you don’t want to. But she’s not a mean person. She’ll be perfectly nice to you, because that’s who she is. She’d never let you know if she didn’t like you, at least not in public.” She laughed.
I didn’t laugh.
Those were the kind of people I avoided.
Fake people who didn’t let you know whether or not they liked you. This town was filled with them.
Yes, Adelaide had shown me a side to Willow Springs that I didn’t even realize I actually liked, and I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t had fun the day she took me around to show me her favorite places.
But the Edington home was not somewhere I was dying to visit; however, it had become impossible to stay away from this girl, and I was learning quickly that I didn’t like saying no to her. Hell, I’d never been someone who struggled with doing what I wanted. But when it came to Adelaide, I found myself in a gray area.
All the fucking time.
“Good to know. Fine. I’ll come.” I rolled my eyes, because I knew I was playing with fire letting her get this close.
But I didn’t know how to stop.
“Yay,” she squealed, and I couldn’t help but laugh because she was ridiculous. “So, I finished my essay last night and submitted it.”
I tugged on the rope that held the hammock between two trees to secure it, before she dropped to sit down on it.
“Yeah? How’d it come out? Did you think of a negative experience to write about, or did you sell out and tell them what they wanted to hear?” I asked, picking up a piece of rope that was lying on the ground before sitting down beside her. She always tipped into me because I weighed a lot more than her, and I didn’t mind it one bit.
“Nope. I didn’t sell out. But I probably won’t get in because I was honest.” She shrugged.
“What did you write about?”
“My whole life. How I lived in a bubble up until a few weeks ago, and now I’m just… I don’t know, discovering who I really am? I don’t know how to put it into words.” She looked at me and smiled, and my fucking chest squeezed.
What the fuck was up with that?
I’d never had a best friend who was a girl, but somehow, she’d managed to become that for me.
I looked down at the rope between my fingers. One side was sealed, and the other had started to fray. “You’re kind of like this rope, right? Your whole life you’ve been like this.” I handed her the sealed edge, and she ran her fingers over it. “But eventually all ropes fray if they aren’t lying dormant. You’re just fraying a little later than the rest of us. But it means you’re living.”
She took the rope from my hands and her fingers grazed mine, sending a zip of electricity coursing through me. She held the frayed edge in her hand. “You’re exactly right. And once they start fraying, there’s no stopping them.”
“There’s no stopping you, Ace.”
She nodded and bit down on her bottom lip. I shifted away a bit because I had an overwhelming urge to taste her sweet mouth. To pull her on my lap and feel all her soft curves against me. To tangle my hands in her thick, dark, silky hair.
I pushed to my feet abruptly and she fell over on the hammock.
What the fuck was this girl doing to me?
She burst out in laughter as she pushed herself to sit up. “A little warning next time would be nice. But thanks for the pep talk. Can I keep this?”
“Of course. It’s a scrap of rope.” I rolled my eyes.
“Not to me. It’s so much more. I think I’ll put it in the Magic Willow book as a symbol of what’s to come for me.”
My head tipped back. Her little girl’s club was important to her, and as ridiculous as I thought it was—I was happy she had friends who seemed to genuinely support her.
“Lenny and Violet will be at the party. He thinks you’re his new best friend so I’m sure he’ll be thrilled to see you,” she said, pushing to her feet and smirking at me.
“Damn. I jumped his car once and the dude texts me daily to let me know all the shit that’s wrong in his world now.”
A wide grin spread across her face. “He likes you.”
“Come on. The sun’s going down. We need to head out.” I started walking toward my bike and she followed.
“This is my favorite part of my day, you know? Hanging out here,” she said.
I glanced over and she didn’t look at me. I noticed a pink hue climbing up her delicate neck and covering her cheeks as the last bit of sun shined down on her. Hell, I understood it. It was the best part of my day when I was with her too.
“Yeah? Well, don’t get too attached to this place. We’re both off to bigger and better things in a few months.” My words came out harsher than I’d meant them to, and they had a hell of a lot more meaning behind them. It wasn’t just this place that we’d grown attached to. It was one another. And we needed to proceed with fucking caution.
“You’re going to miss it here more than you think you will,” she said, turning to face me when she stopped beside her car.
“No time to miss things, Ace.”
She nodded. “Well, I’m glad you’re coming to the party tomorrow even if you refuse to admit that you’re actually excited.”
“Excited is a strong word.” I chuckled. “Your mom will probably be shooting daggers at me, and Lenny will complain about the color of the sky, and I’m guessing all the Magic Musketeers will be there documenting my every move, and God knows what your dad thinks of me.”
Her head cocked to the side and she smiled, raising one brow like a smart ass. “Trust me… the Magic Willows were documenting your every move long before now. My mom shoots daggers at everyone that isn’t in her inner circle, so don’t take it personal. My dad is not who you think he is. He’s goofy and funny and he followed your every stat in football, so he might go all ‘fan-girl’ over you. And Lenny will just be Lenny, which I think you actually like deep down.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. Damn, I’d never been one for laughter, but this girl had me feeling all sorts of things I’d never felt before. Which was exactly why I shouldn’t be going to this party. Hell, the smart thing to do would be to find a new place to hang out. She was invading my world—and it was all-consuming.
“It’s getting dark. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
She hopped in her car and waved as she drove past me. I didn’t know if Adelaide felt the pull between us like I did. Hell, I was a teenage boy with raging hormones. I’m sure this was one-sided. I hoped it was. Because I wasn’t about to act on it. I knew
better. I just hoped she did too.
Shaw insisted on picking me and Jax up so we could all drive to the Edingtons’ house together. He knew me well. Knew I’d try to get out of it. These types of social gatherings were not my scene. Not by a long shot.
“I think it’s nice that you’re going to the party. I’ve heard their house is stunning and they go all out on these things,” Ma said as I chugged some orange juice right from the container and set it back in the refrigerator, just as she swatted me with a dishtowel. “Jesus, Jett. Use a glass.”
“Sorry, Ma.” I kissed her cheek.
“Your grandfather always did that too. Not the worst thing in the world. Is that what you’re wearing to the Christmas party?” Gram asked, shaking her head as she looked me up and down.
“Yeah. What’s wrong with it?” I glanced down at my dark jeans with a few tears in the knees, black hoody and leather jacket. Hell, this was as dressy as I got.
“In my day, a gentleman wore a suit to a fancy party.” Gram ran her hands down my jacket as if she were trying to press out the wrinkles. Leather didn’t wrinkle as far as I knew.
“Who said I was a gentleman?” I winked and wrapped my arms around her.
“You may pretend to be a… what do they call that these days? A bad-boy. With your leather coat and your motorcycle. But I know who you are, Jett Stone. You’ve always been soft on the inside,” Gram said, reaching up to pat her bony hand against my cheek.
“That’s our secret.” I teased as I heard the honk coming from out front. “All right. That’s Jax and Shaw. I’ll see you later.”
“Don’t forget the apple pie. Gram made it special for you to bring,” Ma said, handing me the box Gram had packaged the pastry in, and I cringed. I wasn’t about to offend Gram, but this wasn’t a date. It was friends hanging out. Shaw and Jax were going to have a fucking field day when they saw me carrying a pie.
“Thanks, Gram. Love you.” I kissed them both on the top of their heads and jogged out the door with the box in hand.
Shaw whistled when I jumped in the passenger side. “I see we’re wearing our best jeans. And please tell me you brought cookies.”
“Are we trying to impress the Edingtons for some reason?” Jax asked, pushing his head between us from the back seat and poking at the box.
I flipped them both the bird. “Gram just chewed my ass out for wearing these jeans. Definitely not trying to impress anyone.”
Except for Adelaide, maybe.
“And the reason for the baked goods?” Shaw smirked.
“Gram baked them a pie. What the fuck am I supposed to do? Break her heart?”
“Nah. I’d do just about anything Gram asked. But you and Addy sure do hang out a lot these days. Coco told me she goes out to the lake with you every day after school. You sure there isn’t something going on there?” Shaw asked, glancing over at me with a dumbass smile on his face.
“I’m sure. We’re friends. We’re both leaving for school soon. I’m not about to get into something when I’m leaving.” I looked out the window as we pulled up in front of their house. The house was lit up on the outside like something you’d see in a magazine. A huge display of nine reindeer and a sleigh holding Santa sat on their roof. White lights covered the outline of their home. And lit-up candy canes lined the walkway.
Jesus. I was so out of my element here.
“Don’t overthink it, Dude. I’m seeing Coco, and we’re both leaving at the end of summer. So what? Why not enjoy the time you’ve got?” Shaw asked, parking a few houses down from Adelaide’s house.
“I agree. Lydia and I are having a damn good time lately. It’s just something for right now. Doesn’t have to be forever.” Jax unbuckled and hopped out of the car.
Adelaide was not a right-now kind of girl. I’d had a bunch of those over the years. She was definitely a forever type of girl. And that wasn’t an option for me. Nor should it be for her. Hell, she just got out of a lifetime of misery with Taulson. This was her time to figure out who she was and what she wanted.
“Thank you for your input, ladies. But I know what I’m doing. You two dickheads don’t think before you act,” I said, taking in the endless poinsettia potted plants on our way up to her front porch.
“Maybe you should stop thinking so damn much. Dumb it down a little,” Jax said over his laughter.
“Dumb it down? That’s your brilliant advice?” I rolled my eyes as a woman pulled the door open and stood in the doorway staring at us.
Mrs. Edington. Everyone knew her. She’s what you’d call Willow Springs royalty. She was pretty, in that rich, stuck-up way. Her dark eyes landed on me and her gaze moved from my feet up to my face. I suddenly felt very underdressed. Adelaide said casual, and this was my idea of casual. Her mom wore a red dress that looked like something a first lady would wear to an acceptance speech. Clearly the jeans weren’t working for her and I wished she’d move her gaze to my two asshole best friends who were dressed worse than me, but instead it settled on the pie.
“Hello, Jett. Addy said you were coming. You must be Shaw and Jax?” she said, moving her icy gaze off of me and onto the two dudes beside me. Thank Christ.
I wasn’t sure why she was giving us so much attention, as she clearly had a houseful of people behind her. The place looked packed from where I was standing, which was still out on her front porch.
“Boys, boys, come on in,” Mayor Edington said, holding a glass of something that made him appear much jollier than the ice queen. “My god, dear. You’ve got them standing out in the cold. And is that a pie?”
Mrs. Edington rolled her eyes and then smiled at her husband before taking the pie from my hands. “Take it easy on the eggnog, handsome. Thanks for the pie, Jett.” Her tone was much softer when she spoke to him.
“Sure. My grandmother made it for you, and she sends her best.” I wouldn’t remind her that they’d known one another their whole lives, as she used to babysit my mom.
“Well, please thank her for me and send her my best.” She turned to face Mr. Edington and he told her he’d join her shortly.
He invited us inside. “You had quite a season. Are you all planning to continue playing ball in college?”
“Yep,” we all said in unison as we stood awkwardly in the fancy entryway.
“Jett, I hear you have a few offers you’re entertaining?” he asked, putting all his attention on me as Coco came up and wrapped her arms around Shaw and winked at Jax and me.
“Yeah, we’ll see what happens. I’ve verbally committed to TU and that’s my top choice.”
“Good for you. That’s where I went,” he said. “They have a lot to offer on top of having a fantastic football program.”
“Oh my god, Daddy. Please, stop. Are you grilling them?” Adelaide walked up behind her father and the air left my lungs. She wore fitted skinny jeans and some kind of wraparound black sweater that hugged her curves in all the right places. Of course, she had on her favorite booties or shooties or whatever the hell she called those things. Her dark hair was in a ponytail with waves tumbling down her back. She looked sexy as hell and she made it look effortless. Her little sister walked up behind her and made googly eyes at me, and I used my hand to cover my smile because I didn’t want her to think I was laughing at her. But she was ogling all three of us and made no effort to hide the fact that she liked the way we looked.
“I’m not grilling anyone, Ladybug. Just making small talk.”
“Okay, Ellis. Let the kids go to the basement. Clementine, stop staring at them like that. It’s not ladylike. Adelaide, you must have some heels you could put on with that outfit instead of those worn boots. And Coco, borrow some pants from Addy. I fear your legs are going to get a bit cold in that short skirt,” Mrs. Edington said when she walked over and tugged at her husband’s arm.
“The definition of ladylike is a matter of opinion, Mama.
A woman can appreciate a fine-looking man if she wants to.” Clem winked at me, and I no longer hid my laughter. The kid was hilarious. Adelaide talked about her often but seeing her in action was even better.
Their mother rolled her eyes and pulled her husband into the group of people beside us. Adelaide shook her head and her gaze locked with mine. “Sorry about that. Let’s go downstairs.”
“Um, are we going to talk about the fact that your mama just slut-shamed me?” Coco said over a fit of laughter. “Jesus. I don’t know how you two live under that judgy gaze of hers.”
“Preach,” Clem said in an awkwardly high tone and fist-bumped the sky.
When we got down to the basement, a few of their friends were already there. Gigi came over and greeted us and Ivy and Ty were sitting on the couch. I liked him a lot more when his asshole friend wasn’t around. Adelaide had told me that the Taulsons had left for Florida today as we were officially on winter break. I was relieved I wouldn’t have to deal with him tonight. Maura sat beside them on the couch and waved us over.
“Hey,” Adelaide said, walking close enough that her hand grazed mine as we made our way across the oversized basement that looked more like something you’d see in a magazine.
“Hey. You look nice.” Jesus. Who was I? I sounded like an asshat. But I couldn’t stop myself from telling her. She looked fucking gorgeous, just like she always did.
“Thanks. You, too. Sorry about my parents. I hope they weren’t too nosy.”
“Nah. They were good. Your dad said you told him about my offers. You been talking me up, Ace?”
Her cheeks pinked and I chuckled. I couldn’t help it. She was so damn cute.
She smiled and covered her eyes with her hand, as if I couldn’t see her standing right there in front of me. “I may have bragged on you a little. But I didn’t ogle you the way Clementine did.”
Now we both laughed.
“Did I hear my name?” Her little sister moved beside me and wrapped her arm through mine. “Nice to see you, Jett Stone. You’re looking mighty fine tonight, if I don’t say so myself.”