by Lynn Stevens
Her face turned the red of a dried cranberry. “I’ll be in the clubhouse.”
“Good.” Dad handed a set of clubs to Adam and brought his own out. I raised my eyebrows and he shrugged. “Sometimes she crosses the line.”
I didn’t say anything at all. He knew how I felt about Angela. And it wasn’t sometimes she crossed the line. With me, it was all the time. After Mom, Dad tried to make sure he took me to school and picked me up. His job demanded his attention though, and sometimes he had tasked Angela with taking me. She thought that gave her the privilege of mothering me. I was in seventh grade when she pushed it too far. Nick Eddleston and I were talking outside the school, waiting to be picked up. Nick had asked me to the fall dance. I was so excited about going. So, I kissed his cheek. He took that as a sign to kiss me on the lips. It was my first real kiss. Angela pulled up just as he planted a sloppy one, and she flew out of the car screaming assault. Needless to say, Nick and I didn’t go to the dance together.
“I’m serious,” I said, reverting back to our kitchen conversation.
“I know. And I’ll give it serious consideration.” Dad stopped and stared down at me. “I don’t like the idea of you being alone in the house.”
“I don’t like the idea of being in the house with someone I can’t trust. Besides our security system is better than Fort Knox. Minus the soldiers of course.”
“A crafty criminal could still get inside,” Dad pointed out.
“Like Angela’s presence would stop them.” I added an eyeroll for emphasis. “And I doubt she has the self-defense experience I have. Remember all of those classes you signed me up for a few years ago? I can defend myself.”
“Valid argument, Ms. Westbrook,” Dad said with a rising smile.
“Thank you, sir.” I pointed at his chest. “Do we have an agreement?”
“We have an ongoing negotiation. The door is open for further discussion.” Dad put his arm around my shoulder and guided me toward the clubhouse. “Now, can we leave the boardroom in the parking lot and play golf, Ace?”
I laughed. “Sure, Dad.”
“What just happened?” Adam whispered behind me.
I laughed again. Dad and I had been playing this game for as long as I could remember. The first time was when I wanted a specific doll for my fifth birthday. It had been advertised as the hottest toy of the holiday season. Since my birthday was November fourteenth, I’d wanted it then and not for Christmas. Problem was the company hadn’t released it yet. It was going to be a huge Black Friday release. I’d told my mother, who basically said no. So, I went to my father. He told me to come back with a logic presentation as to why I should have the doll for my birthday instead of waiting for Christmas. I went to my room and cried. Then I did exactly what he asked of me. I made a list of pros and cons, like I’d seen him do. It was in red crayon and nothing was spelled even remotely right. My point was made, and Dad used his connections to get the doll early. Mom was pissed.
“You’re turning her into a mini-version of you,” she’d yelled at him that night.
“What’s wrong with that?” he’d asked calmly. “You knew who I was when you married me.”
“I want more for my daughter,” she’d said. “I want her to know happiness, not business.”
“Sometimes those are one in the same,” he’d replied. “You make me happy. So does my business.”
I should’ve known then that it was falling apart, but I was five. All I knew was Mom and Dad had a fight. All I knew was Mom and Dad didn’t like each other at that moment. All I knew was I was the cause of it.
“Rachel?” Adam said. “You okay?”
The memory had come out of nowhere and I shook it off. “Fine.” We were almost to the door. “Hey, Dad, are we playing with anyone today?”
“Yeah, the Tudors.” He reached for the door and held it open.
Shit. Theo was Vicky’s ex and it had not gone down well when they broke up. She’d fallen for Daniel. He’d cheated on her with her best friend Andrea. I wasn’t sure how much Adam knew about the entire situation, but he had to be aware some of it. I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye, sighing with relief. He seemed calm enough. When he caught me looking at him, he smiled and bumped my elbow.
“Oh, and the Tudor boy’s friend.” Dad’s lips twisted into a knot. “I can’t remember his name though.”
Please God no. I repeated the silent prayer, taking Adam’s hand and squeezing hard. The smile never slipped from my lips, but I pulled us back away from Dad. He went to the counter to get the keys to our cart and check in.
“What’s wrong?” Adam whispered in my ear.
I melted a little, but this was not the time for romance. Fake or real. “Promise me you’ll stay calm.”
Adam raised his eyebrows, then he leaned in again. His breath was warm against my ear. “Why?”
I closed my eyes and relished the way that one little word said in that way lit up my nerves. He punctuated it with a quick kiss on my cheek. My knees were jelly.
Then his fingers tightened against my hand harder than necessary. I opened my eyes and saw Erik and Theo standing near the door. They hadn’t seen us yet, but it was only a matter of seconds.
“I didn’t know,” I said when Adam’s accusatory gaze landed on mine. “I had no idea until a minute ago.”
“This is not a good idea,” Adam said, his voice as tight as his fingers around my own. “How do you expect me to stay calm?”
“Because my father will be there? So will Theo’s.” I lifted onto my tiptoes, using my free hand to turn his face to mine. “You’re a better person than Theo. Don’t let him get to you.”
“And the other asshole?” Adam said through clenched teeth.
“Erik’s not as bad as he seems. Trust me on that.” I kissed his dry lips, hoping that was enough to bring him down a notch. It wasn’t.
“You have something going on with him?” Adam asked.
“This again? Seriously?” I clenched my fist, digging my nails into the flesh of my palm.
Jealousy wasn’t a good look on him. Not that he was really jealous. I opened my mouth to respond when I was cut off by Theo’s grating voice.
“Rachel, you seem to be following in Vicky’s steps and slumming on the lower side of humanity.” Theo added a cackle that could cut glass.
I turned toward him with a smile, squeezing Adam’s hand again. “No, I’m not dating you. Besides, Vicky’s moved up in the world.”
Theo’s face twisted into the ugly creature he was.
“Hey, Rach,” Erik said, stepping around Theo. His gaze darted over my shoulder to Adam. “I’d apologize for Theo, but his assholery knows no bounds.”
“No shit,” Adam muttered.
“Theo’s assholery needs to learn that today there are boundaries and they surround him.” I pointed at Theo. “Keep to yourself, Theo, or you’ll do more harm than you realize.”
The threat was mild to anyone who didn’t know any better. My father could ruin the Tudors if he wanted. And I had enough ammunition against their son to make that happen. When Vicky first started dating him, I’d warned her about his real character. She’d chosen to ignore me. The Theo I knew was worse than just a cheating boyfriend. He almost raped a freshman last year. I’d stopped him accidentally by walking into the room. The girl was unconscious, and Theo was undressing her. I kept my sober eyes on him during parties from that point forward.
“Rach, can I talk to you for a second?” Erik said, drawing my ire away from Theo. He glanced at Adam then settled his gaze on mine.
“I’m not leaving Theo alone with Adam,” I said, pulling Adam closer to my back.
Theo rolled his eyes and headed toward my father, straightening his back and smiling like an idiot when he shook my father’s hand. It was another thing I hated about Theo. He was a chameleon and adjusted to whatever situation presented itself. That’s probably why he wanted to go into politics.
“Please?” Erik asked, bringing m
y attention back toward him.
Reluctantly, I nodded. Over my shoulder, I said to Adam, “Can you give us a minute?”
Adam leaned down to my ear. “I don’t like this.”
“I know,” I said a little harsher than I intended. Adam let go of my hand and stepped away. I stared at Erik.
When he was satisfied Adam was out of earshot, he tensed. “You read it.”
I’d already told him that I had, so I nodded once.
“And?”
“I’m glad we’re friends,” I said, my meaning clear. It wasn’t easy, but Erik wasn’t in the cards for me. And I didn’t think I was really someone he wanted to be with. He just needed a friend. A real friend, unlike the jerks he hung out with.
His lips quirked into an uncomfortable smile. “Me, too.” He glanced over my shoulder to Adam. “I need to apologize to him, don’t I?”
“Probably.” I shrugged a shoulder. “You didn’t hurt him directly, but he likes Vicky and Daniel’s one of his best friends.”
“This whole asking for forgiveness thing sucks.” Erik blew air out of his lower lip. “Better get it out of the way. Will you come with me?”
I almost said yes. This was Erik’s battle, not mine. “Maybe you should do it on your own. Like now, before we tee off. It might make things less tense.”
Erik nodded then shoved his hands in his pockets and walked the few feet over to Adam. I didn’t take my eyes off them. Adam’s angry expression wasn’t a good sign. Erik’s animated hands shook as he talked. Then they fell to his side. Adam glanced over at me like my opinion mattered. My heart swelled, but I shoved that down. It wasn’t supposed to, and this wasn’t my decision. If Adam was willing to make peace with Erik, if not outright forgive him, that was his decision. I wasn’t a factor in any of it, because we weren’t going to be together for long. That thought punctured my swelling heart completely.
Adam glanced back to Erik who stretched out his hand. I held my breath, half-expecting Adam to just walk away. Instead, Adam reached out and shook Erik’s hand. He said something to Erik before stalking back toward me. His anger hadn’t abated one bit. He took my elbow gently and spun me toward my father who waved us on.
“Did you put your boyfriend up to that?” Adam hissed in my ear.
I stopped cold. But Adam didn’t stop with me. He kept walking out the door, leaving me behind.
Eighteen rounds later, we were back in the clubhouse. Dad and Mr. Tudor headed toward the dining room with Theo and Erik hot on their heels. Adam started after them, but I grabbed the back of his shirt to stop him. We’d barely been civil to one another on the course. Certainly not the lovey dovey couple we pretended to be. It was obvious to everyone in our party, except Mr. Tudor who would’ve had no clue regardless. Theo made several snide comments to me when he thought nobody else was listening, and Erik apologized for causing the riff. But he hadn’t caused it. Adam had.
“What?” Adam said, crossing his arms over his chest.
“You’re fucking everything up,” I said with no malice, no feeling whatsoever. “We made a deal. If you want out, I’ll call you a cab right now. We can be done with this charade. Get back to our normal lives. You being miserable over what that bitch did to you. Me going back to my status as a ‘one and done’ type of girl.”
Adam ran his hand through his hair, leaving is sticking up in multiple endearing directions. “Rachel...”
“Or you can get back to being my fake boyfriend instead of proving my lack of worth to those assholes,” I said. How I kept my voice calm was beyond me. It didn’t match the warring emotions inside me. I hated myself. I hated Adam. I was disappointed in both of us. Angry. Hopeful. Scared. In short, I was heartbroken.
“You’re not worthless, Rachel,” he said softly. His fingers trailed down my cheek. “Far from it.”
“It doesn’t feel that way.” I cracked. Tears welled in my eyes. I glanced away to compose myself before facing his gorgeous face again. My composure disappeared and I ripped open my chest for him to see the truth, the pain, the reason I agreed to all of this. “You didn’t hear the things Theo said out there. You haven’t heard the things they’ve said about me in the past. You’ve never been thrown away like trash, Adam. People value you. I’m worthless.”
“You. Are. Not. Worthless,” he said as he cupped my face between his hands, pressing his forehead against mine. I wrapped my hands around his wrists. “You have to know that.”
“Kiss me,” I whispered, wanting nothing more than his lips to prove that and knowing I needed to save face in front of Theo and Erik. “Show them.”
Adam pressed his lips gently against mine. It wasn’t quick or long, and it wasn’t all-consuming. It was sweet and innocent. And it was perfect.
“We need to get in there.” I nodded toward the dining room where we could see everyone seated at the table. Erik’s gaze settled on us for a minute before turning toward my father.
Adam took my hand, leading me to our table. He pulled the chair out beside my father like an old-fashioned gentleman then settled in next to me. Dad glanced at me and I tilted my head. He nodded once then went back to talking business with Theo’s father. Angela joined us, clearly disappointed that she’d have to sit beside Mr. Tudor instead of my father. I openly glared at her as we waited for our food. Adam held my hand under the table. Theo and Erik talked to one another. Dad and Mr. Tudor talked with Angela taking notes. When I food arrived, Adam leaned over and kissed my cheek.
I smiled at him. “What was that for?”
“Being the best, most patient girlfriend on the planet.” He grinned back.
I pursed my lips into a playful smirk. “I am at that.”
“You’re a lucky guy, Adam,” Erik said without a hint of malice. “Rachel deserves the best.”
Theo snorted.
“You’re good for her,” Erik added, ignoring Theo’s dick attitude.
Adam’s grin widened then he turned to Erik. “Thanks.”
Erik responded by tipping his water glass our way.
We ate with a minimal of polite conversation. As soon as lunch was over, the Tudors and Erik left. Dad wasn’t in any hurry. He cherished his days at the club. They were fewer and farther in between.
“So, I was thinking,” Angela said, cutting into my rising mood. “Now that Joanne is no longer with us, perhaps I should move into the empty suite. I’m always at the house anyway and I could be at your beck and call, Eliot. My lease is up soon enough. It wouldn’t be a problem.”
I opened my mouth, but my father waved me quiet. Adam put his arm on the back of my chair, lightly touching my shoulder. He was ready to pull me back from gouging her eyes out with my salad fork.
“I suspected you might suggest that,” Dad said, glancing at me out of the corner of his eye. “But I’ve been thinking about Rachel’s proposal all day, and I have to agree with her. She’s mature enough to manage the household without any further assistance. I’m confident in her abilities to take care of things. So, the answer is no. Renew your lease.”
The weight fell from my body. I wasn’t free of Angela, but I wasn’t going to be burdened with her more than necessary. I smiled at my father and mouthed “thank you”. He raised his eyebrows, and I almost laughed.
“We’ll discuss some ground rules later,” he said, his gaze darting over my head toward Adam.
That time I did laugh. If he only knew.
CHAPTER TWELVE
I arrived early to the courts. Our practices had increased over the last week as the tournament in Quincy got closer. We only had a week left before everyone piled in my car and we drove two hours north. It was a two-day tournament, but our division played on Saturday. We’d drive home that night. Their parents assumed we had an adult chaperone. They were far more overprotective than my father. It was ironic. Dad knew it was just the three of us. He trusted me, even though I’d given him every reason not to a few short years ago. I pushed that memory down and started my warm up.
Tish
a was the next to arrive.
“Hey, money bags, how’s it going?” she asked as she dropped her duffel next to mine.
I snorted. “Fine, and you love that I have money.”
“Hell yes, I do. If not, we’d be hitching to Quincy next weekend.” She shuddered. “Think we’re ready?”
“Yeah, I think so,” I said. Last year we’d made it to the semi-finals of our division. We’d lost by four points. It was my fault. I’d let their point guard break by me to score, then a pick took me out so she could hit an easy jump shot. That wasn’t going to happen again this year. “You?”
She nodded. “As long as we keep our heads in the game and don’t let any distractions get in the way, we could win this thing.”
“Maybe. Do you know if Darla’s team is going?” I reached down to touch my toes. The stretch along my back of my thighs and hamstrings felt glorious. I bent deeper, resting my forehead on my knees.
“Damn,” Tisha said. “I wish I could do that.”
“Yoga,” I said. “My mom.... I go to a class near my house. It’s a great workout.”
“Can I ask you something?” Tisha stretched her arms above her head.
“Sure.” I matched her pose, reaching high then moving into a side bend.
“I heard a rumor and ...” She dropped her hands behind her head and laced her fingers, pulling her elbows closer in front of her face. “It’s just that... Look, it’s none of my business, but did you get in trouble with a teacher a few years ago?”
Blood drained from my face. My entire body went cold.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.” Tisha had enough sense to look embarrassed. “It started floating around the neighborhood. I though you deserved to know that at least.”
I didn’t know what to say. It wasn’t something I talked about. And I knew instantly where the rumor came from. Logan and Darla had hooked up. It only made sense she’d pump him for information. Or maybe Logan was showing off. What had happened wasn’t publicly known, but Dad was tight with Logan’s dad. I had no doubt he had shared talked about it to him. From there, it didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that Logan knew. He’d never said anything to me about it, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t aware of it.