Probably because Adam had known his mother had never really loved him.
But Mel does love you.
Hell, she’d said so their last night together, with as much bravery as Adam had ever seen in soldiers on the battlefield. He’d battled one thing or another for most of his life, and he was so damned tired of fighting.
“Are we done here?” Adam asked, weary to his bones.
“No. We’re not.” James crossed his arms. “You’re my business partner. You’ve been my best friend for more years than I can count. And you went behind my back with my sister. My sister! How the hell am I supposed to feel about that?”
“I meant what I said. If you want me to leave Victory Vets, if it will make things easier for you or Mel, I’ll do it. For her.”
He loved that garage almost as much as he loved Mel, and he didn’t want to see it, or the guys who worked there, hurt because of things between him and James. James loved the business, too. He knew how much it would hurt. They’d come up with the idea together, written the business plan as partners, had five- and ten-year plans in place.
None of it mattered now. Because all Adam wanted was Mel.
James took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly, staring down at the desktop. “After you left Afghanistan, there was a firefight, outside one of the villages near our base camp. We went to patrol the area.” He closed his eyes. “The enemy snipers came out of nowhere. It was pitch black. We barely had time to take cover. Three guys didn’t make it.” His breath caught, and he swallowed hard. “All I could think about, huddled in the dark, scared out of my mind, was you guys back here in Point Beacon. About my parents and Mel, and the business. I vowed to protect them with everything I had.”
Adam blinked several times, taking that in. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
“I didn’t want anyone to worry. I’m Mr. Perfect. I should be able to handle everything, right? That’s my job. That’s who I am. Except that night I couldn’t handle anything.” James gave a rueful chuckle. “It didn’t feel good, to know I failed.”
He leaned forward resting his forearms on the desk. “I hate to tell you this, James, but you’re not perfect. No one is. I’m the worst one of them all. But you can’t take on all the problems of the world.”
James snorted, giving him a pointed stare. “Yeah? If that’s true, then your past doesn’t have to equal your future.”
Those words set Adam back a few paces.
“Look, dude. Am I happy that you took my sister to Miguel’s wedding in Chicago, then broke her heart? No. Also not thrilled that you went behind my back and dated Mel, either. And I swear to God, if you hurt her again, I will personally make you regret the day you were born.” He sighed and stared out the open office door. “But you’re one of the best men I know. You’re like a brother to me. You’ve spent your whole life thinking you’re dirt, and the town gossip hasn’t done much to change that opinion, but I know the truth. You’ve had my back more times than I can count. You work harder than anyone I know, and you’re loyal to a fault. Considering what we’ve been through together and the fact that my sister seems to think you hang the moon and stars, I’ll give you my blessing.”
Stunned, Adam blinked at him. “You sure? Family’s everything. I never had one of my own, but you guys showed me what a real one could be like and made me feel a part of yours. I’d rather die than destroy that.” He hung his head, knowing he’d probably gone too far already, but what was one more step over the cliff? “But I do love Mel. More than anything.”
“Get up,” James said, pushing to his feet.
Wary, Adam did as he asked, bracing himself for another punch to the face. Instead, James came around the desk and pulled him into a bro hug so fast, he didn’t have time to react. Adam just stood there, slack-armed, as James pounded him hard on the back. “Welcome to the family. For real this time.”
“Uh.” He coughed once James let him go. “Thanks. For the welcome and for the nice stuff you said. But I’m pretty sure Mel needs to be the one to decide if she’ll have me or not.”
Uncomfortable, he wiped his hands on his jeans, his mind whirling.
A few weeks ago, Adam might’ve felt differently about what James had just told him, might have argued or tried to run himself down before someone else could do it for him, but being with Mel, seeing her transformation, had made him realize that maybe James was right.
Maybe his past didn’t have to equal his future.
People could change.
Mel had been the ray of light in his dreary life, and he’d do anything to get her back. If that meant becoming the man she thought he was, a man she’d be proud to be with, then hell yeah, he’d gladly slay that dragon, make any changes, no matter how painful, as long as Mel was by his side. Now all he had to do was convince James and everyone else in the town he was serious.
“You coming to the party later?” James asked from the doorway.
“I don’t know.” Adam shuffled over. He had a lot to think about. Lots of plans to make if he was going to win back the woman of his dreams. “Maybe I shouldn’t.”
James slung his arm loosely around Adam’s shoulders and walked him across the garage toward the exit. “Dude. Don’t be ridiculous. You definitely should. Now we just need a plan for you to win my sister back.”
They were almost to the door when Adam stopped and headed back to the office. “Wait. There’s something I need first…”
Chapter Seventeen
Mel smiled and nodded at the appropriate times as she made her way through the food line, but all she could really concentrate on was the fact that Adam wasn’t there.
Damn. She was a horrible party hostess. She should’ve come up with some excuse, faked an illness, anything really to keep her from coming today, even if it was her birthday.
At least James wasn’t there, either. Yet. But the day was still young, and she knew he’d arrive eventually and then he’d want to talk and…ugh.
Mel glanced up to find Jag, one of the guys from the garage, looking at her expectantly. Shoot. He’d obviously asked her something, but she had no idea what. Momentary guilt flashed through her. He was a nice guy, sweet and considerate, maybe a little too wild and edgy, but still. Any girl would be lucky to have him.
Just not her. Because her heart was already taken.
She looked over toward the corner of the house again where people were entering the backyard party, then back to Jag, who’d finished filling his plate. Her face felt way too hot and tight as she smiled. “I’m sorry. I didn’t hear your question.”
Jag snorted. “You seem a little distracted today.”
“You have no idea.” Mel set her plate down, then smoothed a hand down her raspberry-pink dress. She’d bought it that day they’d been shopping in Indy. It was made of that slinkier rayon material, but longer, so it hit her at knee-length. Lilly had told her it would make Adam jealous to see her running around the party looking like a hottie, but it wasn’t like he’d be showing up any time soon anyway. So she’d compromised, wearing the dress, but adding a cute lightweight pink cropped cardigan atop it and her grandmother’s pearls. Lilly had done her hair, fluffing it out into the original style Marguerite had given her, but Mel had compromised there, too—pinning the sides back with a pair of pink rhinestone barrettes she’d gotten at her favorite local vintage store.
Her makeover had been a success, in that respect at least. Helping her to refine her style. Going forward, she planned to mix things up, wear her new stuff and her old clothes in different quirky combinations because that’s what suited her best. Comfy, cute, casual chic.
Too bad the rest of her plans hadn’t worked out so well.
Sadness shot through her as she hazarded another glance at the entrance.
Stop it. Stop looking. Stop wishing. Stop hoping for things that will never happen.
Adam had told her over the phone he wasn’t coming. He was a man of his word. The past few weeks had taught her that. He’d moved on.
She should, too.
But a week apart had done little to lessen the vivid images of Chicago, of all the nights they’d spent together in her bungalow, holding each other, sharing secrets. Sometimes, at night, she’d swear she could still hear Adam’s voice in the kitchen, still smell his cologne in the hall, still feel him beside her as she slept. Even Waldo hovered near the front door now, as if waiting for Adam to walk in and give him a good scratch behind the ears.
It was all so sad and pointless and pathetic.
Her life had gone back to the same emptiness she’d had before, except now she knew what she was missing. Because of Adam.
She smiled at Jag, wishing she felt something more with the guy than boredom. He’d never take her on whirlwind trips to Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. He’d never sit in her kitchen and sort M&M’s with her. He’d never fill the nothingness inside her.
Because only Adam had that magic.
Jag seemed oblivious to her inner turmoil and picked up his plate and headed to a nearby table where some of the other guys from Victory Vets were sitting, the tattoos covering his arm brighter beneath the summer sun. Sara Deacons was there, too. Her nickname was Hollywood, but James had never really told Mel why. She sensed there was a story there, but now wasn’t the time to ask. Jag repeated his question. “What do you say, Mel? Want to have lunch sometime?”
Nice as the offer was, her heart wasn’t in it. “Oh, I’m pretty busy at the library right now.”
“You owe me twenty bucks, Jag,” Sara said, snorting. “Shot down in flames in less than five minutes. Ouch. That has to be a new record.”
“Haven’t seen you cross any names off your list, either, Hollywood,” Jag said, plopping down in his seat and giving his coworker an arch stare. “Want to make it interesting? Let’s up the bet to fifty bucks, and I say you can’t get a guy to date you more than three times by the Apple Harvest Festival this autumn.”
Sara chuckled and gave Jag a sly smile. “I’ll take that bet and your money.”
Mel sighed and tuned them out, pushing around a small mound of potato salad on her plate with her fork, wondering how long it would be before she could escape inside for a while, feign a bathroom break or something.
Then a murmur spread through the gathered crowd, and Mel’s heart sank.
James was here.
Cheeks prickling with heat, she twisted the paper napkin in her lap with her fingers and hazarded a glance over toward the corner of the house, only to see her brother making a beeline in her direction, his gray gaze narrowed on her.
“Hey, sis.” James stopped near the table and crossed his arms. “Happy birthday. Quarter of a century under your belt. Impressive. Can we talk?”
She stared up at her big brother, her stomach nose-diving. Normally, she’d have thrown back some snarky retort, but it wasn’t in her today. Besides, they had bigger issues to discuss than her age. She pointed toward the empty chair beside her. “Have a seat.”
“Not here.” He shook his head. “Somewhere more private. Come around to the porch.”
James looked bigger than she remembered, his tawny blond hair glinting gold in the sunshine. He looked away, and she saw the bruise on his cheek and jaw, like he’d been in a fight or something. Her thoughts immediately zoomed to Adam before screeching to a halt. It was time to end this. Now.
“We can talk here.” She held her hand over her eyes to shield them. She should’ve grabbed her sunglasses. Oh, goodie. An excuse to escape. She could run home and get them, take time for a breather from all this frivolity. Not that she didn’t appreciate everything her parents had done. The place looked great, and at least three-quarters of the population of Point Beacon seemed to be in attendance. Even old Gus MacMillan was there, standing on the deck near the patio doors, discussing the finer points of homemade pickles with her dad.
The air smelled of grilled meat and suntan oil, classic rock music boomed through the air, and people were splashing around in the Bryants’ backyard pool, beers and cocktails in hand. Tables had been set up on the grassy lawn, covered in cheap plastic tablecloths in various pastel shades, each centered with a large picture of one of the M&M’s characters. Huge jars of each color were set up on a separate buffet table in a do-it-yourself mixing station. Mel had filled an entire bowl with green ones, not that their supposed side effects would do her any good now.
“Seriously, James. Whatever it is you’ve got to say to me, just say it.” The last thing Mel wanted was to get into this now with James, but it had been a long time brewing. After all, she’d survived the week without Adam, survived her colorful world going black and white again. She’d survive this, too. “I’m not the same girl you left behind. I’ve changed. I’m different now, and things between us need to be different, too. I appreciate your opinions, but that’s all they are. Opinions. I choose what I want. Like it or don’t. Not my problem.” With each statement, Mel felt the burden she’d carried for years lift off her shoulders. “I hope you and Adam can get past this. He built Victory Vets into something great while you were gone, and he deserves your forgiveness. Understand?”
James watched her for a second, silent. Finally, he exhaled slowly and gave a curt nod. “Adam and I are good. I actually stopped at the garage and saw him before coming here. We talked it out. You’re right. The garage is important to him. But it’s not the most important thing. Not anymore. He told me he was willing to walk away—from Victory Vets, from Point Beacon. For you. Am I happy you guys went behind my back and dated? No. Am I over it? Yeah. I kind of have to be, considering—”
“Wait a minute. Are you saying Adam would give up his business, the new life he’s built, to be with me?”
“I’d give up everything for you, Mel,” Adam said from behind her.
She swiveled fast to find the man she loved just inches away. Somehow, he’d walked into the party without her noticing. Then again, having six-foot-plus of big brother in her face tended to distract a girl.
The afternoon sun cast long shadows, and flies buzzed everywhere. The humidity wasn’t doing her hair any favors, either. None of it mattered. Not with Adam here, so close his breath echoed in the space around her. There were dark circles beneath his beautiful blue eyes, as if he hadn’t been sleeping well, either, and his complexion was pale beneath his tan. There was a bruise on his jaw, too, and his lip had been cut. His fingers were shaking slightly around the small black box he held in one hand, a jar of green M&M’s under his other arm.
God, she’d missed him.
“Melody Bryant,” Adam said, his posture stiff and his tone formal. “I searched the whole of the hotel boutique in Chicago to find you the perfect gift. Perfect, just like you.”
With that, he opened the black box to reveal a gorgeous necklace with a delicate gold heart pendant attached, one tiny diamond sparkling rainbow-bright in the sun. “Adam, I—”
“No. Hang on.” He set the M&M’s on the table, then took her hand in his, and Mel couldn’t think of anything except that the man she loved was here, in her backyard, at her birthday party, and he’d bought her a necklace and her favorite candy and…
“Mel, I love you. I should have said it sooner, but I’m an idiot. I’m asking you to give me another chance, not because I deserve it, but because you are the kindest, most generous person I know. I’d tell you I want to protect you, but you don’t want that. I’d tell you I want to take care of you, but you don’t want that, either. So, how about we protect each other, take care of each other. And you agree to let me shower you with green M&M’s for as long as you’ll have me.” He looked into her eyes and grinned. “Melody Bryant, will you help me ruin my playboy reputation by dating me and becoming my girlfriend?”
“Oh, Adam…” Mel could hardly think or breathe, let alone speak.
“Be my partner, my lover, my friend, Mel. Please. I love you.”
She traced trembling fingers down his handsome cheek, her heart swelling with so much love she thought it might burst. “I love you, too. I�
�ve loved you since I was fourteen years old.” She touched the necklace gingerly, afraid this might all be a dream. “You’re giving me this now, Adam, but you’ve always had my heart and you always will.”
Then, in the middle of her own party, Mel cupped the face of the man she loved and drew him in for a long, sweet, careful kiss. By the time they separated, they were both breathless. Applause and cheers could be heard from all the guests, including James and her parents and all the guys from Victory Vets.
Adam narrowed his gaze, his expression speculative. “Does that mean we’re officially a couple now?”
Mel laughed, not caring for once that the entire town knew her business. She clasped her hands behind Adam’s neck and grinned. “Yes! Finally. And I expect to hold you to your promise, buddy. Your bad boy days are over.” She leaned in closer to whisper, “Even if your skills are a definite turn-on.”
Adam kissed her soundly, then winked. “A turn-on, huh?”
“You know it.”
He rested his forehead against hers as he pulled the necklace from the box and placed it on her. The crowd cheered again, and Mel buried her face in his neck, knowing she was where she always wanted to be. He kissed the top of her hair and whispered, “I love you, Mel. So much. I’ll do whatever’s necessary to make you happy. I promise.”
“And I promise,” she said, raising her head to meet his beautiful blue gaze, “that I love you, too, and that you already make me happy. Just the way you are.”
Epilogue
Two months later
“War and Peace and Fifty Shades of Grey.” Mel glanced up at crusty old Gus MacMillan. Up until today, he hadn’t set foot in her library, even with Mel pestering him for months about using his library card. She hadn’t expected miracles. Perhaps she should start. After all, look how her hard work had paid off where Adam was concerned. “Both interesting choices.”
Since the party, things had finally settled into a wonderful routine again—work, home, sleep, repeat—all with Adam by her side. He’d moved into her bungalow about a week after he’d given her the necklace, and they’d put his house on the market. It seemed silly to maintain two residences when they were spending every spare moment they could together, and neither of them wanted to go home at night.
How to Seduce a Bad Boy Page 17
