“Right.” He nodded and cleared his throat, earning my mom’s and brother’s attention. When he flashed a folded piece of paper, she straightened her apron and walked to his side.
“What’s happening?” Adam asked.
“No idea.” I popped a pizza roll in my mouth. When they faced me, I froze. “What did I do?” I asked. “Besides being the perfect child.”
“We have something for you,” my mom answered. She bounced across the kitchen, grinning as she handed me the folded piece of paper. “It’s from your dad and me.”
Slowly, I unwrapped it. When my eyes found Alabama, my adrenaline rushed. “Is this … Are we…”
“We’re going to Auburn,” my dad replied.
Shocked, I looked at the paper again. Joy flowed down my cheeks. “Thank you!” I cried, running across the kitchen for a hug. “Thank you so much! This is … I just … is this real?” I scanned the paper. My name was there in black and white. It had to be real.
“We fly out in two weeks,” my dad said, his arms crossing his chest. “We’ll leave on Saturday and return Monday after school, so both of you need to bring your makeup work with you. You can do it on the plane.”
“Both of us?” I repeated. I blinked, confused, as my dad handed Adam a paper that matched mine. No. No. No.
“It’s a bye week, so I’m meeting with scouts,” Adam explained.
My stomach curled.
“It’s Auburn this month, the University of Tennessee next month, and—”
“Clemson wants to see you, too,” my dad interrupted. “Got the call on my way home from the field house.”
Adam smiled. “They’re one of the best teams in the country!”
“No kidding. All we need is the University of Alabama to call, and you’ve got your pick of the litter.”
Adam moved closer to my dad. Talk of national championships became their focal point, but I tuned them out. A trip to Auburn meant a lot of time with Adam. I couldn’t decide if I was excited or concerned.
“Your dad and I talked about bringing you to visit Auburn in the spring,” my mom said, taking a spot beside Case and me. “When he got the call for Adam to talk to the coaches, to tour campus and their facilities, we talked about getting you a ticket, but decided it would be better to go in the spring. We weren’t sure we could swing a trip to Baker Heights and a trip to Auburn.”
“Auburn will always trump Baker Heights,” I said, glancing at her. “That’s a no-brainer.”
“Then I’m glad it worked out this way,” she replied. She paused, studying me. “I know you didn’t want to move here because of Seth—”
“Mom.”
“—and I know how hard the breakup was on you, but I’m proud of you for moving on. There’s a guy out there who will love you regardless of the distance. Who knows, he may even be in this room.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose, wishing the embarrassment away. This wasn’t happening, not with Adam in earshot. Case thought it was hilarious. He cracked up as soon as she stepped away.
“You’re just so grown up,” he said, grinning.
“Shut up, Case.”
He chuckled and leaned over the counter, grabbing another pizza roll. “So, Auburn with Meade?”
I shifted my face from his view. Case was a master at reading through my crap. He’d caught my hesitation and wanted to bug me about it.
He crammed the pizza roll in his mouth, then studied Adam across the room. “Be careful,” he said, his voice dropping.
I glanced at him. Something about the way he said it set me on edge.
“What does that mean?” I asked.
Case’s expression was neutral, but his eyes flickered from Adam to our parents, calculating.
“Case, what does that mean?” I repeated.
He took another pizza roll and turned so his back was to our parents. Adam was out of sight, covered by Case’s graphic tee and towering form. “I’m not saying it’s true,” he said, “but I know Adam’s reputation. He has it for a reason, Claire. Watch out. Okay?”
I nodded, and Case exited the kitchen. Most of the time Case was a moron, but he was usually right when it came to guys. He worried about my relationship with Seth, and it ended just like he said it would, with me heartbroken. I would be an idiot to ignore him and let the same thing happen again.
“Question.”
I glanced at Adam as he crossed the kitchen, grinning with the paper tight in his hand.
“How would you feel about a game of Scrabble and some homemade peach cobbler?” he said. “I caught a better look at that spaghetti. Pretty sure it’s inedible.”
“You’re learning quick,” I replied. I cocked my head. “But are you sure about the cobbler? I thought you said you didn’t share?”
“People change. Even me.”
“You sure about that, Meade?”
“Positive.”
* * *
“I’m telling you she likes me more than you,” I said, noshing on a cookie. “You can deny it all you want, but I’m cooler. These cookies prove it.”
“Those were my cookies, and you stole them.” Adam pulled his truck down Tate’s road, nothing but darkness and stars visible from the windows. “Besides,” he said, “it was a test recipe for some guy she met at the VFW dance. She gave you the crappy batch and left the good ones on the stove.”
“Someone sounds bitter,” I said. I bit into another chocolate chip and sighed. “So, Wanda has a boyfriend?”
“Wanda has someone calling her up,” Adam answered. “Wouldn’t say they’re serious. They’ve bonded over Scrabble Club, but I think he’s faking. The guy probably hates Scrabble. He seems like a domino lover.”
“Old people scandals. The horror.”
He gave me a look, one somewhere between amusement and annoyance. “Don’t make me pull this truck over, Claire Collins. I’m likely to throw you into the Macks’ pond. You’ll be the town’s newest ice statue.”
“And I’ll die of hypothermia and come back to haunt you.”
“Or you’ll have to strip and cuddle with me for body warmth,” he replied. “It’ll be a life or death thing. I’ll totally help you out.”
“Do you ever think with your upper head?”
“Yes, but it’s rare.” I shoved him and he pointed a finger at me. “That’s called distracting the driver, sweetheart.”
“Call me sweetheart one more time and I’ll—”
“Kiss me senseless, then blame me for your unprovoked actions?”
“You’d like that too much.”
“I definitely wouldn’t complain.” I rolled my eyes, and he laughed. “Just saying, there’s still a good mile between us and Tate’s house. We’ve got time, and I know the back roads. If my truck accidentally gets stuck…”
I shook my head. That would be like Adam to know the back roads. He probably used them for all the wrong reasons and would get stuck on purpose.
“You’re considering it, aren’t you?” he asked.
“Nope,” I answered. “I already told Riley we’d be there soon, and I’m not the kind of girl who ditches her friends for a guy. You want my time, you’ll have to take a number.”
Adam’s jaw dropped as he pulled the truck to a stop. “Take a number?” he replied.
“You could be number two?”
“Number two?” he said, taking the keys out of the ignition. “I’m sorry. Number two won’t do.”
He shut his door and walked around the truck. When he reached my side and opened the door, I caught the mischief in his eyes.
“Adam, don’t do anything irrational.” He motioned for me to get out of the truck, but I shook my head. It was chilly, and the truck was warm. This didn’t seem like the best-thought-out plan.
“Claire, you have to get out of the truck.”
“No. I’m perfectly happy right where I am.”
“It’s my truck. Get out.” I gave him the same look my mom gave my dad when he was being an ass. When he contin
ued with “Get out of the truck, please,” I knew I’d been successful. I needed to use that more often.
Adam grabbed his letter jacket from the back seat and tossed it to me. “You’ll want this.”
“Why? What are we doing?”
“Don’t worry about it,” he answered. “Quit asking questions and go with the flow. It’s a bit of a walk, but it’ll be okay. I promise.”
I followed him across the grass. Beneath the full moon, it was easy to spot the abandoned barn on Tate’s property. It loomed far in the distance, with small buildings farther behind.
“If I get bit by a snake, I’m going to be mad,” I said.
“If you get mad, you’ll be stuck in the country by yourself.” He grinned at me over his shoulder and extended his hand. I took it, my fingers linking with his. “You always like this when a guy takes you out?” he asked, looking ahead. “And I mean whiny. Not in a good way.”
I extended my boot and caught his ankle. He stumbled in the grass, laughing as he straightened to full height.
“I’m not whiny,” I answered, “and no, I’m not always like this. If you’d quit being a jackass, maybe I’d be nicer.”
“I’m being a perfect gentleman, Collins. I gave you my jacket. I’m holding your hand. I happen to know most girls like both of those things.”
“How many girls did you ask?” I replied.
“More than I should probably admit.” I squeezed his hand, and his laugh carried on the breeze. “You know how I am,” he said. “It’s not like I’ve tried to keep it a secret. As a matter of fact, I’m the only one whose personal stuff is out there in the open. What about you? When are you planning on sharing your past with me?”
“I don’t have a past,” I lied.
“Yeah, not buying that for a second.”
I pulled my lip between my teeth and tried to figure out where to start. This conversation had to happen eventually, I just didn’t expect it this soon. I needed time to prepare. Where did I even start?
“I have one ex,” I said, looking at Adam. “And it’s complicated.”
“I’m sure I can keep up.”
“Okay,” I answered. “My ex and I dated. We broke up. The end.”
“I need more than that, Collins. Nice try.”
I groaned and scowled at him. He held my gaze, a smile still present on his face.
“What do you want to know?” I asked, my tone taking on an edge. “It was good, and then it wasn’t. We started dating when we were sophomores, and we broke up this summer.”
“You don’t sound like you’re over it.”
“I am.” Adam shot me a skeptical look, and I shook my head, my cheeks heating despite the cold. “What do you want me to say, Adam?” I asked, stopping. “He broke my heart. He told me he didn’t care if my dad took this job. He told me we’d make it work because he loved me. I trusted him. I thought he meant what he said, but he didn’t. He lied. He told me everything I wanted to hear, but when the time came to move, he was done. He wanted his freedom.” I paused. “He didn’t want me.”
Ahead, a flashlight beam flickered on. Adam paused, frowning as he turned toward me.
“And it hurt,” I said. “I was in love with him, but it didn’t matter. It wasn’t enough.”
“Are you still in love with him?” Adam asked, his face void of expression.
“No,” I answered. “I’ve moved on. I’m happy for the first time in a long time, and you’re a big part of that. I care about you. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be here.”
Adam nodded and pulled me into a warm hug.
“And I don’t want to talk about Seth,” I said, looking at him.
“His name is Seth?” When I nodded, Adam cupped my cheeks in his hands. “Well, Seth sounds like an asshole anyway,” Adam replied. He kissed me as Tate’s voice echoed across the pasture, but pulled away before they were close enough to see.
Riley and Tate came to a stop in front of us, Riley smiling as she eyed the letter jacket I wore. “Tate, have you ever seen Adam let a girl wear that jacket?”
“Nope,” Tate answered, shaking his head. “I’ve seen many try, but all have failed.”
“Adam’s standing right in front of you,” Adam replied. He crammed his hands in his pockets and looked around the space. “You bring your clubs?”
“Brought mine and borrowed my dad’s,” Tate said. “Everything is set up and waiting on us to get there.”
“Clubs?” I repeated, looking at Riley for insight.
“Night golf,” Riley replied.
“You golf?” I asked Adam.
“Heck yes, I golf. I’m a man of many wonders, Collins. I golf. I play baseball. I do it all.”
“We’re triple threats,” Tate explained. “The best athletes to ever come through Pader.”
“And when one of you ends up in the hospital with a concussion, I’ll remember you said that,” Riley said. “Because it isn’t night golf until someone gets pegged in the head. I just hope it isn’t Tate.”
12
Distractions
“You don’t get back until Sunday?”
“Monday afternoon,” I clarified.
I closed the locker, and Riley followed me through the school’s back doors. On Fridays, cheerleaders wore their uniforms to school. The bells on her shoes clinked with each step, drawing attention as we crossed the parking lot.
“And is this only a football thing, or do the pair of you plan on hanging out alone?” she asked. I gave her the side-eye, and she grinned. “Just wondering,” she said. “Things haven’t been the same since the two of you disappeared during hide-and-go-seek. You seemed pretty friendly the other night.”
“Nothing’s changed,” I said. I stopped at my car and tossed my backpack in the trunk. When I turned, Riley was wide eyed.
“Do you seriously think I haven’t noticed you two sneaking time away?” she asked.
“What time?”
“Um, lunch.”
My cheeks heated. Okay. Fair enough. “I had to print out more scholarship applications,” I said. “Case broke the printer at home, and I wanted to work on them during the plane ride tomorrow.”
“Right, because printing out applications is the same as sneaking out here and chatting in Adam’s truck,” she said. I paused and darted a glance around the parking lot. “The sun’s more likely to crash into the earth than Adam is to give up half a cheeseburger. If you don’t want people to know what’s going on, be more careful. That piece of info was courtesy of a member of the cheer squad who asked me if you two were dating.”
“Someone asked you about us?”
She nodded.
I cringed and continued walking. Adam and I weren’t official, but we were kind of committed. I don’t know. It was a big mess that needed to be sorted sooner rather than later. Adding nosy people to the mix wouldn’t help.
“I’d bet money you come back as a couple,” Riley said. “Watch.”
“Who’s a couple?” Tate asked, meeting us as we passed through senior parking. He wore his game day attire and a duffel bag on his shoulder.
“Her and Adam,” Riley told him.
Tate glanced at me and shrugged. “Not getting involved. Adam’s my bro, but his personal life is his thing.”
“What a great way of thinking,” I remarked.
Riley deflated. “You’re supposed to be on my side, Tate.”
“I am on your side.” He kissed her cheek and pivoted. “Just because I don’t meddle doesn’t mean you can’t. One of us has to get the info.”
He waved good-bye and jogged to the field house. Guys were already filing onto the bus. Their conversations drifted through open bus windows into the cool afternoon. I didn’t catch Adam’s voice, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t on board.
“Just know I support you as a pair,” Riley said, “and if he’s a jerk to you in any way, call me. I’ll take a pair of fingernail clippers to his hair. He likes his hair. It’s the quickest way to inflict pain.”
>
“Noted.”
I waved at her and walked to the bus.
Adam sat in the seat behind the driver. His mouth was twisted as he quietly scanned a page of x’s and o’s.
“This seat taken?” I asked, stopping beside him.
“I’m actually waiting on the water girl,” he said. “Pretty sure she stood me up, but you’re a good alternative.” I arched a brow, and he shifted to let me in. “Okay fine, but don’t tell her I let you sit with me. Her dad’s the coach.”
“Yikes. Heard you run sprints if you piss him off.”
“Crap. Maybe you should find another seat.”
I elbowed him in the side, and he chuckled, returning to the playbook. A few minutes later, my dad boarded, and the bus pulled away from the school.
Through the window, trees passed in blurs of green and gold. The leaves had changed within the last week, carrying the onset of autumn and cooler weather.
I relaxed into the seat and leaned against the window. Acoustic music played through my earbuds, drowning all other noise until it was halted by the ping of a text message.
I glanced at the screen, annoyed as I read the text.
Seth: What are you doing?
I deleted the text.
Seth: We aren’t talking anymore?
Adam shifted beside me, his arm warm through his button-down. He tucked the playbook into my dad’s briefcase, and I removed my earbuds. My phone buzzed, but I put it under my leg to muffle the sound.
“You excited about tomorrow?” he asked, poking my Auburn bracelet.
“Yeah. Excited, but nervous.”
“I get it,” he answered. “College prospects are awesome, and I’m glad I have them, but it’ll be weird moving out of my grandma’s house. Been with her since I was twelve. Don’t know how she’ll function without me.”
“Think you’ll go as far as Alabama?” I asked. “Or leaning toward staying closer to home?”
“Anything is possible, Collins.”
“Sounds like your way of avoiding an answer.”
“Ask me after we visit Auburn,” he said, chuckling.
“Okay. I will.”
* * *
“I’m so tired,” Adam groaned.
“Same.”
I smudged mascara from beneath my eyes and stared at my dad. He was just as exhausted as everyone else, but it was his fault. Who schedules a flight at six a.m. on a Saturday?
Surviving Adam Meade Page 11
