The Libby Garrett Intervention (Science Squad #2)

by Kelly Oram

  I shook my head, feeling bewildered. “How can you not be mad?”

  Adam shrugged. “I’ve had time to settle down. Earlier, I was so mad I couldn’t think straight. And I was frustrated.” He chuckled. “Honestly, sometimes trying to talk to you is like talking to a brick wall. You’re so stubborn.”

  I snorted. “Yeah, and there’s no obstinate streak in you.”

  We laughed softly, and when it died out Adam sighed. “I was pissed. But after I calmed down, I realized I’d been unfair to you because I was jealous and hurt.”

  I flinched again, and he squeezed me tightly, as if to let me know it was okay. “You have a big heart, Libby. You ignore people’s faults and always see the best in them. You overlook my faults so well that I almost feel like I don’t have any when I’m around you, which is one of the things I like the most about you. I shouldn’t get angry when you do the same for Owen.”

  There was a long pause and then he turned his head toward me, pressing his cheek against the top of my head. The way he held me to him felt so good my eyes fluttered shut.

  “Maybe you were right that he deserved a chance to prove himself,” Adam said. “I wish I were as kind and optimistic as you. It would be nice to believe that people can really change, but that hasn’t exactly been the story of my life so far.”

  I thought back on the night, and my good mood deflated a little. “I guess it’s not my story, either. Owen tried tonight, but he still completely missed the point. He just didn’t get it.”

  There was a beat of silence, and then Adam quietly said, “I’m sorry it didn’t work out the way you wanted it to.”

  Suddenly, in the midst of my depression and guilt, I smiled. I rolled onto my side and snuggled closer to Adam, enjoying the peace and comfort his warm, solid body brought me. When he glanced down at me, I grinned up at him. “It may not have worked out the way I’d wanted it to, but it definitely worked out for the best.”

  His face stayed wary, but his eyes were sharp, alive with his usual intensity as he waited for me to explain. “How so?”

  “You’ve been trying to tell me all along, but I was like Owen—I just didn’t get it. I had to learn that lesson for myself, and if I hadn’t given Owen another chance, I might not have ever learned it. I might not have ever truly understood.”

  Adam’s eyes narrowed. His lips pursed as he became lost in contemplation. “Understood what?” he finally asked.

  The truth was simple. I sat up again, wanting a better view of his face. He stayed where he was and tucked an arm up under his head. His eyes never left mine. Their deep, dark depths made me shiver. “That Owen is wrong for me. That even if he cares about me, he’s not want I want. That I’m better off without him. I want more than he could give me. I deserve more.”

  I picked up his hand and held it in mine. He watched as I played with his hand, drawing on his palm with my finger and then tracing the lines of his tattoos. A shiver rocked him, and he swallowed hard. My eyes flashed to his. They were trained on me, filled with heat.

  My pulse skyrocketed. That my touch could affect him so strongly was maddening. “It’s not too late,” he whispered. His voice was breathy, almost a gasp. “We could still have our prom. I brought your movies back. We could watch them here. I’ll even dance with you, if you really want me to.”

  As I stared into Adam’s hopeful eyes, my heart seemed to take a breath with me. Adam was everything I’d wished Owen would be. When I’d told Owen the things I was looking for, what I wanted from a relationship, I’d described everything Adam wanted to offer me. And now I understood that I didn’t just want love and respect, and a relationship. I wanted those things with a guy who wanted them, too. Not just any guy: I wanted Adam. Specifically. But I didn’t understand how he could still want those things from me when I’d hurt him so badly. My train of thought effectively broke the spell I was under, and I pulled my hands back to my own lap. “Why would you give me another chance?”

  He sighed. “People screw up, Libby. Addicts relapse. It’s part of the process. No one’s going to be perfect. The important thing is that you recognized it. You didn’t put up with his bullshit this time, or you’d still be at the dance. Or worse: in his hotel room right now. You didn’t give in to the addiction and let it rule you. You recognized your mistake and fixed it on your own. That’s progress. Huge progress.”

  He was right. That was better than nothing. I didn’t have to look him in the face tonight and tell him that I’d slept with Owen and had only come crawling back after he disappeared and hurt me again. I was grateful for that, but it didn’t make me feel too much better. I’d still screwed up. Supersize.

  “Plus, the fact that you dumped the guy and admitted you don’t want him anymore makes it really hard to stay mad at you. Especially when you weren’t the only one who messed up tonight.”

  Well, when he put it like that… Man, he sure had a way with words.

  Giving my hand a squeeze, he lifted a DVD case off the nightstand next to my bed and gave me that nuclear smile of his that he saves for rare moments when he’s feeling especially good. “So, how about it, Libby Garrett? Will you go to the prom with me?”

  My heart did a somersault, but my eyes threatened to well up with tears at the same time, because I knew I couldn’t say yes. “I don’t think that’s the best idea.”

  I hated myself for saying it, because in all honesty it sounded like the greatest idea ever. I prayed I wasn’t making the biggest mistake of my life.

  Adam’s face smoothed out. It was an excellent poker face, but the fact that he was working so hard to keep his emotions hidden was proof of his disappointment.

  “It’s not that I don’t want to,” I promised. “Trust me, Coffee Man; I really, really want to. But clearly I’m not ready to handle anything real yet. What you said when we kissed—I understand now, and you were right. We shouldn’t rush this thing between us—electric, magnetic, amazing, and special as it is. If we only get once chance, then I don’t want to screw it up, either. You aren’t the kind of guy that should be wasted on a rebound.”

  Surprise broke through his careful expression. I took a breath and forced myself to say the exact opposite of what I was feeling at the moment. “I think we should wait until we’re sure I’m through with Owen Anonymous. Give me some time to get my head on a little straighter so that we know I’m not going to make another mistake and hurt you again. Or myself.”

  After suffering a healthy dose of shock, Adam stared at me with something that could only be described as pride and respect. “You’re the strongest girl I know, Libby.”

  Grinning that smile that had disarmed me the first time I saw it, he sat up and lifted my hand to his chest, covering his heart. “I’ll give you all the time you need.” He leaned closer, his smile turning mischievous. “But I think I need a kiss to tide me over until you’re ready.”

  He didn’t wait for an answer before brushing his lips across mine. I shivered and his free hand came to my face, cupping my cheek as he pulled me slightly closer, pressing us more firmly together. His lips eagerly captured mine, but he didn’t push for anything more. There was no tongue, no gasping for breath, no laying me back on the bed we were seated on. He even kept our hands captured against his heart.

  It was the softest, sweetest kiss I’d ever had. It may have even been the first sweet kiss I’d ever had. It didn’t ignite my lust the way I’d always thought a kiss should, but surprisingly, it was more impactful. Instead of burning in my belly, it calmed me and warmed my heart.

  Adam pulled back before I was ready. Sucking a deep breath into his lungs, he held it a moment and let it out slowly. “I’m going to go now, because I promised you time, and I believe we’ve just hit the limit on my self-control.”

  He hesitated, his gaze falling to my mouth, and then pushed himself to his feet. I forced myself to stay sitting on the bed, because if I stood with him, I’d drag him back and not let him leave. On his way out, he smiled at me from the doorw
ay. “Don’t beat yourself up over what happened tonight. Maybe you took one step back, but you also took ten steps forward. You’ll be ready for something real in no time, and I don’t mind waiting.”

  I grinned. “Thanks, Coffee Man. Avery’s right. You’re the best.”

  Adam

  The next morning I had a day off. I don’t normally sleep in—too used to having to be up before dawn for work—but I’d been too geared up after my talk with Libby to sleep. There was a faint glow of light seeping through the blinds before I finally drifted off.

  I’d needed time to process everything. Last night had been a roller coaster. I’d been excited all day, and then been crushed when Libby ditched me. But things had ended better than I’d have thought possible. Libby was right that, though it had sucked, she was better off now. We both were.

  It was close to ten when I woke to the sound of Kate’s bedroom door slamming. “Okay, that’s it,” she grumbled, snatching the blanket off me. “I’m sick of waiting around. Get up.”

  “Bite me,” I groaned, rolling over and burying my face in my pillow. “It’s my day off.”

  The next thing I knew, Kate jumped on top of me and this sharp, stinging pain pinched my arm. “Ow!” I shoved her off me hard enough that she fell on her ass on the floor. “What the hell!”

  She laughed. “You said to bite you.”

  I kicked out at her but she scrambled away, laughing hysterically. “Come on, sleepyhead. Get up and come to the skate park with me.”

  Libby often called me Mr. Grumpy Pants. Right now, it was an accurate description. I glared at my sister. “Why? You not a big enough girl to go by yourself? Do you need me to hold your hand while you cross the street?”

  Kate rolled her eyes. “Shut up. Maybe I just like the company of my big brother and I’m too cool to admit it.” When I didn’t break, she busted out her puppy-dog face. “Please come with me?”

  You’d think I’d be immune to that pout by now, but I wasn’t. Kate grinned and clapped her hands, knowing I’d caved before I actually did. “You are so annoying.”

  I didn’t need eyes in the back of my head to know she was sticking her tongue out at me as I made my way to the bathroom. I grinned at the muffled “hurry up” that came through the door as I turned on the hot water. There was no way I was taking a quick shower.

  . . . . .

  After talking me into stopping at Jo’s for a cinnamon roll, we finally made it to the skate park around eleven. I’d never admit it to her, but I was glad Kate dragged me down here. I’d have come eventually anyway, but lunchtime was a great time to use the park. Everyone left to go eat, so Kate and I had the run of the place.

  We skated for a few hours, and it was just what I needed. Kate called it quits before I did. “Okay, big brother, it’s 3:00 p.m. I’m officially exhausted and starving. Let’s call it quits and hit up the Taco Bell value menu.”

  I gave her a look and shook my head. “I know what you’re doing, Kate.” It had taken me a while to figure out why she was acting so weird today, but I finally got it, and I shook my head. “I appreciate it, but it’s not necessary. I’m fine.”

  Kate frowned at me with a pout that works on me a good ninety percent of the time. “What? I’m not doing anything. I just really need a burrito.”

  “You need a burrito?” I kicked my skateboard up into my hand. “Like you needed a cinnamon roll this morning?”

  Kate nodded and patted her stomach. “PMS cravings. You know how it is. Better to just give me what I want.”

  I snorted. “You’re not PMSing.”

  “How do you know?”

  “Because I live with you, and you’re a raging hormonal psycho when you’re PMSing. You’ve been too normal this week.”

  She scoffed. “I bit you this morning.”

  “Okay, so you’re psycho. But you’re not PMSing. This is some warped Adam-just-got-dumped suicide watch. But I’m fine, Kate. I’m not even mad. Libby and I made up last night.”

  Kate glared at me.

  “Stop giving me that look. I taught you that look.”

  She didn’t stop with the look, and she added the no-nonsense stance as she said, “Sucks to be on the receiving end, doesn’t it?”

  It really did. But I was proud of my baby sister at the same time. She was strong, smart, and stubborn—like me. And even though she was annoying the crap out of me, her heart was in the right place.

  I threw my skateboard to the ground pointed in the direction of home, but Kate grabbed my shoulder before I could take off. “What do you mean you and Libby made up? You’re supposed to be avoiding her now. We decided you weren’t going to be her sponsor anymore.”

  I shook my head. “You decided that. I’m not even sure she needs a sponsor anymore. She didn’t go with him last night. She turned him down. She said she realized that she doesn’t want him anymore.”

  Kat’s jaw dropped. “Adam, she bailed on you for him. She broke your heart last night!”

  “Yeah, but you don’t understand. It’s not…”

  My voice trailed off when a familiar tricked-out Escalade pulled into the parking lot near the edge of the park.

  “Don’t even think about it,” Kate said, glaring at the Escalade she’d also recognized. “Let’s go.”

  She tugged on my sleeve, but I didn’t budge. “Kate, come on. I swear. If you’d just let me explain—”

  “You don’t need to explain. I know what happened. Libby did the same thing Mom always did. She screwed up, hurt you, and then tried to do something that was just enough to get you to keep playing her game.”

  I grimaced, but shook my head. “That’s not what Libby did.”

  “You always defended Mom, too.”

  “Kate!”

  “Adam!”

  We were glaring at each other when Sean Garrett jumped out of his car and called out my name. “Adam! Just who I was hoping to find.” Kate and I exchanged surprised glances as he trotted over to us. “I’m glad I caught you. Do you have a minute?”

  Curious as to what he wanted, I nodded, and nearly had a heart attack when Kate said, “Not for you.”

  She was giving Sean a death stare.

  “Kate!” I elbowed her so hard she stumbled over the skateboard at her feet, then cringed at Sean. “Sorry. She’s a little upset at Libby.”

  Sean’s smile was both understanding and sad. He started to say something, but didn’t get the chance. Kate poked me in the chest. “I’m not mad at Libby, I’m mat at you. This is what you do. You’re too nice and you let people walk all over you.” She took a breath and turned to Sean. “Look, you’re a cool guy, but my brother can’t help Libby anymore. Not if she’s going to jerk him around.”

  I wanted to kill my sister. I was sure I’d just lost whatever respect I’d earned from Sean.

  “That’s not true. Libby and I are fine. I’m still happy to help—” I started to say, but Sean cut me off.

  He lifted his hands in surrender and smiled at Kate. “Hey, preaching to the choir.”

  I wasn’t the only one stunned by the response. “What?” Kate gasped. “You’re not mad? You’re not here to defend Libby and beg Adam to give her a second chance?”

  Sean sighed. “Libby’s got to learn. She won’t do that if people keep letting her get away with her bad behavior.” His eyes shifted to mine. “I don’t know what happened last night. Libby didn’t want to talk about it. But whatever you said to her when you came over, it worked. Something’s different. I’ve never seen her so determined.”

  That made me smile. “Good.” I shot Kate a smug smile. “See? Everything is fine.”

  Kate dropped the hostility, but eyed Sean warily. “If you aren’t here about Libby, then what did you want to talk to him about?”

  “I wanted to talk to both of you, actually. Would you mind coming over to my shop for a while? I’d like to show you some stuff and talk a little business.”

  “Business?” I asked, while Kate said, “Take us through t
he Taco Bell drive-thru first, and you’ve got a deal.”

  “Kate!” Could she be any more mortifying?

  “What? I’m starving, and you owe me a burrito.”

  I slapped a hand over my face, ready to both kill my sister and crawl into a hole and die of embarrassment, but I didn’t have to do either, because my unbelievably good luck continued. Sean burst into laughter and said, “Burritos sound excellent. You like Habanero’s? We’ll order takeout and bring some back for Kendrick. He’s at the shop, and I’m sure he’d appreciate the break. And don’t worry about lunch. It’s on us—it’s a business thing, so you can’t say no.”

  I opened my mouth to ask more questions, but Kate was faster. “Hell yeah. I call shotgun!”

  She ran across the grass and jumped into the front seat of Sean’s Escalade without waiting for an invitation. “I’m sorry,” I said to Sean as we headed to his car. “There’s really no excuse for her. She’s…”

  “A teenager.” Sean laughed and clamped a hand on my shoulder. “Parenting’s fun, isn’t it?”

  “That’s one word for it.”

  “Hey, my hat’s off to you, man. I can’t imagine having to raise a teenager at your age. Hell, I can hardly manage it now. Come on; let’s go before she drives off without us.”

  . . . . .

  Sean’s new board shop was only about a block and a half from Jo’s. It wasn’t open yet, but it had to be close, because save one empty section of the store, everything looked ready to go. Half the store was dedicated to snowboarding, and the other half was filled with all sorts of skateboard and freeboarding stuff. It was huge and had everything—boards, shoes, wheels, clothes, accessories, decals—you name it. They had everything you needed for either sport. The only thing missing was the décor and the shop sign out front.

  “Great place,” Kate said, gawking like a kid in a candy shop. It made me smile. She loved the sport as much as I did. A store like this was basically her heaven on Earth. “All it needs is a ramp, and I’d never leave.”