by Laura Pavlov
“I didn’t know where to go,” I said over the lump lodged in my throat.
“You came to the right place. I know a little something about this shit.”
“Well, looky here. Didn’t expect to see you in here without your better half. You want one hot chocolate with extra sprinkles?” Lenny asked.
The fucker knew I didn’t like sprinkles.
“One hot chocolate, no sprinkles.”
“Coming right up.”
I moved to a table in the back. No one else was in the shop, which was exactly why I came here. I’d just had my last day of high school, and I hadn’t heard more than a text from Adelaide since I’d left her standing in her front yard after her mother found us outside three days ago. Coco, Ivy, Maura, and Gigi were touching base with me every day, and none of them had spoken to her. They were receiving the same text I was.
I love you.
She texted it every morning, and that was the only contact we’d had. Apparently, she was spending her days at the hospital, being emotionally blackmailed by Alec and his family. I hadn’t heard anything from Coach Devo at TU, so I doubted the Taulsons had made the call yet. Not that I gave a shit. I wasn’t afraid to tell my story if push came to shove. I’d do the same thing all over again if I saw Alec hurting Adelaide. Even if it cost me everything. Because I loved her that much.
Lenny dropped my drink on the table, and I rolled my eyes when I saw the abundance of sprinkles on the whipped cream.
“It’s a wonder I keep coming back here with you ignoring my requests,” I grumped, taking a spoonful of whipped cream and sprinkles off the top and popping them in my mouth. They were fucking good, but I wouldn’t tell him that.
“I see we’re still in a mood. You haven’t heard from our girl yet, I take it?” he asked.
Our girl? How was she his fucking girl? She was mine, or at least I thought she was. But I didn’t know what the hell to think anymore.
“Just the one text every morning. She’s still at the hospital helping that douchebag.”
“Are you really surprised?” he asked.
“Uh, yeah. I am. We talked a hundred times a day, and now I barely hear from her in three days. She missed her last few days of senior year. Her best friends have barely heard from her. I’m fucking surprised.”
“You shouldn’t be. It’s who she is. Who she’s always been. Hell, the little angel has been coming to my shop for a decade now. Ever since she could ride her bike here on her own. She stayed loyal to me when everyone turned their backs on me for the donut king next door,” he hissed. “My point is. She’s a good girl and that’s what you love about her.”
I stayed quiet while I processed his words. “So where does that leave me, ole wise one?”
“Well, so far it leaves you here with an old man that no one else can stand. Sort of a shitty spot for you, kid,” he said with a chuckle.
“Great,” I hissed.
“The thing about Miss Adelaide is she’s loyal to the core. That means, she’s loyal to you too. You just don’t need her right now. You’ve got to remember, she’s grown up with that—what did you call him? A douchehat?”
“Douchebag, Lenny.”
“Ah. Douchebag. That’s my new word. Anyhoo, Violet was over at the hospital today and she said Alec’s in physical therapy already, and things are looking a bit better for him. His daddy found a way to lock up that blood alcohol report, but everyone in town is talking about the fact that the kid was drunker than a skunk when he got in that accident. He’s real lucky he didn’t hurt someone else, because I don’t think all his father’s money would have saved his ass then. Never cared much for the kid. His only redeeming value was that Miss Addy liked him.”
“Doesn’t that rub you wrong? That he just fucks up and someone keeps covering for him?” I finished the whipped topping and started in on the chocolate.
“Nope. I’m glad I never had anyone doing that garbage for me. It hasn’t helped Alec any, has it? Didn’t make him a better football player or student or even human being. Those aren’t the kind of favors I’d ever want. Just because he has money doesn’t mean he has everything he needs, am I right? But you got everything you need, don’t you, Jett?”
I thought about it. I loved Ma and Gram. I had good friends. Hell, Wren and Lenny had even become people that I depended on. And I had the world’s best girl just a few days ago.
“I guess you’re right. But it still doesn’t make him less of a douchebag that he’d get behind the wheel drunk. That’s his problem, he’ll blame his father now for covering his ass. He always blames someone. I just hope Adelaide sees him for who he is.” I wouldn’t mention the fact that he’d put his hands on Adelaide. It wasn’t my story to tell, and I respected her too much to say it just to hurt Taulson.
“Why wouldn’t she? She’s one of the smartest ladies I know. Don’t you agree with me?”
I nodded. But she also had a way of seeing the good in people who didn’t deserve it. A sick feeling settled in my stomach at the thought of it.
“Hey there, Jett.” Ellis Edington stood in the motor shop looking down at me as I rolled myself out from under Wren’s Mustang.
I pushed to my feet. Surprised to see him with all that’s going on. I wiped my hands on a towel and faced him. “Hey. What’s up?”
“Not much. Just in the neighborhood and thought I’d stop by and see how you’re doing. Are you getting ready for graduation next weekend?” he asked.
Did he really stop by to make small talk?
“Yeah, sure. Is Adelaide going to be attending graduation or will the Taulsons not allow that because Alec can’t go?” My words were seeped heavy in sarcasm and anger and I didn’t give a shit.
I missed my girl. I missed everything about her.
And this shit wasn’t right.
He scrubbed a hand down his face. “She’ll be at that graduation if I have to drag her there myself. If it makes you feel better, she’s just as miserable as you are.”
“Oddly, that doesn’t help.” I rolled my eyes. “What is it with this shit? The dude is sitting in a hospital bed because he made a really dumb choice. Why is this her job to fix him?”
“It’s not, and you’re right. This whole thing with my wife and Alec’s mom started out as two best friends wanting to see their kids together, and I didn’t have a problem with it until I realized my daughter wasn’t happy. And do you know when I realized that?”
“When you realized she wasn’t a robot and had a mind of her own?” I said with one brow raised in question.
He nodded. “I understand your anger, son. I do. I never realized that Ladybug was doing everything her mama wanted just to please her, until I saw my girl with you. I saw her come alive. She started talking about her dreams and her future. I’d never realized how stifled she’d been until you came along. And I wanted to thank you for pulling Alec off her and making sure she was safe that night.”
I studied him. Hadn’t expected him to know about that. “She told you what he did?”
“She did. And my wife saw the bruising. We aren’t okay with it.”
“Yet Adelaide remains at his bedside.” I shook my head with disgust.
“My daughter is at his bedside because she feels she needs to be there right now. It is not at the insistence of my wife or me at this point. Savannah is devastated hearing what Alec did to Addy, but she’s also saddened to see her best friend in pain over her son’s injury. We’re all just doing the best we can right now, but I came here to tell you that I see you, Jett. I see a young man who protected my daughter. A young man who was raised right and has a good head on his shoulders. A young man who loves my daughter and has a bright future. A young man who my daughter happens to love. So, give her time to find her way. I believe she will, and I wanted you to know that I’m rooting for you.”
I stared at him with surpri
se as I gathered my thoughts. “Thank you, sir. That means a lot to me.”
“It’s the truth.”
“So, your wife and Lila Taulson aren’t forcing her to be in that hospital right now?” I asked. “Because even Coco and those crazy Magic Musketeers only get the one text from her each day, just like I do.”
He chuckled. “We don’t chain her up if that’s what you’re asking. But Adelaide is as loyal as they come and she sees a boy she’s known her whole life in pain, and her instinct is to help him. It doesn’t mean she’s choosing him over you, I think everyone knows we’re well beyond that.”
“So, what does it mean? Why isn’t she talking to anyone?”
“I’m guessing it’s because for the first time in her life, she is tuning out all the noise and trying to find her way on her own. She told me that you’re the one who encouraged her to do that. To find her voice and her way—figure out what she wants. Kind of hard to do that with everyone trying to tell you what to do. She goes to the hospital every day and supports a kid she’s known her whole life because right now he’s drowning, and that’s who Ladybug is. Regardless of the mistakes he’s made, she’ll be there to help him find his way and encourage him to do better. And I believe that’s what she’s trying to do with her mama. Because she cares so damn much, and isn’t that what we both love about her?”
I leaned back against the wall and nodded before crossing my arms over my chest. “And what if she gets lost there and never comes back?”
“Then that will be her choice. But I’ll make damn sure no one is making those choices for her. I give you my word on that.”
“I appreciate it.”
He offered me his hand and pulled me into a hard hug and held me there. “She’ll come around. Just be patient with her.”
That wasn’t something I had to ponder.
Because I’d wait forever for Adelaide Edington.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Adelaide
I got to the hospital and responded to the Magic Willow group text the same way I did each morning with just three simple words.
Me ~ I love you.
I sent the same text to Jett. I never responded with any more information than that, because right now I was drowning in life. I’d missed my last few days of senior year, but I was due to speak at graduation. I had dreamed of giving my salutatorian speech for months, but I hadn’t written a single word of it yet. I’d been coming to the hospital every day for a week now, and he was making progress.
Alec was hoping to attend graduation in his wheelchair, as they’d gotten him up and in his chair several times yesterday. Today I was going to be there when he did his upper body exercises with his physical therapist. His parents were driving him crazy, wanting him to get up and walk, wanting him to be back to normal, and talk about housing for college next year—when he didn’t know what tomorrow would hold. I understood it.
I paused outside his hospital room when I heard my mother’s voice. She didn’t sound happy, and I froze in place.
“It’s enough. All of it,” Mama said. “I’m ashamed of how we’ve behaved.”
“So now that my son isn’t walking and isn’t a football star, you don’t think he’s good enough for Addy?” It was Lila Taulson’s voice now.
“Oh please. If you believe that, then you don’t know me at all. But we’ve taken this too far, Lila. And some things have come to light, and I need to protect my daughter. I’ve failed her miserably, and I have to live with that.” Mama’s voice broke on a sob, and my hand flew to my chest. Were they having this discussion in front of Alec? Maybe he’d gone to get some tests done.
“Failed her how?”
“Alec was drunk that night he left the party. I know Boone knows and I’m guessing you know it too. He was angry with Addy, and he pinned her to a wall, leaving marks on her arms. I saw the bruises. Jett only hit him because he’d found him hurting her. And Alec got behind that wheel drunk. He needs to start taking accountability for his actions, Lila. You know I love him like he was my own son, but he has made some mistakes. And he’ll have to work hard to fix them. But it is not Adelaide’s job to fix Alec. It’s his job.”
My heart raced at her words. Never in a million years did I expect my mother to see the light. To defend me and to call Alec out for his choices.
“Boone told me he was drunk,” Mama T said as she broke down in sobs. “Do you know why I always wanted Addy and Alec together? Because she’s so good for him, Savannah. He’s spiraled since she left him.” The sadness in her voice caused a sharp pain to settle in my chest. I swiped at the tears that ran down my cheeks.
“She didn’t leave him, Lila. He cheated on her. Repeatedly. And you know what? I’m proud of her for walking away. For demanding to be treated better. And I’m ashamed that I pressured her to stay with a boy who mistreated her just because—because he’s my best friend’s son? How could I be so blind?”
“But he’s young. Kids make mistakes,” Lila said, and I didn’t miss the desperation in her words.
“Yes. They do. And so do adults. You and I have made our fair share. And we’ll support Alec as he fights to recover. But my daughter is not going to be the sacrificial lamb. She’s not going to be his caretaker. She didn’t do this. He did. And because she’s got a good heart, I know she’ll remain supportive of him when most would turn their backs after what he’s done. And you need to be grateful for that. No more pushing. No more threats about calling TU on Jett. He’s a good kid. A fine young man. And we’ve treated him and his family horribly. So, it looks like we all have work to do.”
“Hey, what are you doing out here?” Alec asked as a nurse pushed him in the wheelchair down the hall toward me and I startled and turned around.
“Hi. Just got here. Where were you?”
“More tests. But they think I might get out of here soon, and Dr. Toby gave me the go-ahead to attend graduation.”
“That’s awesome, Alec.” I followed him into the room, as my mother used a tissue to swipe at the moisture beneath her eyes.
Mama T had her back to us, and I heard her clear her throat before she turned around. Eyes wet with emotion and her face puffy.
“Thanks for being here, Addy.”
“Of course,” I said, and my gaze locked with my mother’s. She looked at me with so much adoration my heart ached. I hurried toward her and wrapped my arms around her. “You okay, Mama?”
“No,” she whispered in my ear. “But we’re all going to be okay. I’m going to make things right.”
I pulled away and nodded.
“We’ll leave you two alone. We’re going to go grab a coffee,” my mother said, grasping Lila’s hand and leading her out of the room.
“What did I miss?” Alec said, and the nurse chuckled before pulling up the side table beside his chair and filling his water cup and excusing herself.
“I’m not sure. I think they are both just trying to figure things out.”
“Yeah?” he asked. His gaze landed on my wrist as I fiddled with my charm bracelet from Jett. “Where’d you get that?”
My heart ached every time I thought of him. I missed his voice. His words. His touch. He’d become my best friend. Someone I depended on. But he was right, it was time for me to figure life out on my own. I didn’t need anyone to tell me what to do anymore. I’d found my voice and I was happy to use it now.
“From Jett. Both of them, actually.” I laughed. “The rope bracelet is a reminder, you know. That it’s okay if the edges fray a bit. That’s part of life.”
He nodded. “I guess you could say my entire rope frayed, huh? God, Addy. I’ve really lost my way.”
We hadn’t had the deep talk yet. We’d skirted around all the issues. He was processing his recovery, and I’d given him the time he needed to accept his new normal. But there were things that needed to be said.
“You did. And that’s part of life. But it’s all about what you do after you fall down, right?”
“Did you just give me a football metaphor?” he teased.
I smiled and reached for his hand. “What happened that night isn’t okay. Not any of it. You know that, right?”
He nodded. “I’m sorry.” He pulled his hand away and covered his face. “I was horrible to you. Jesus. I lost my shit.”
“I had bruises on my shoulders, Alec. A huge lump on the back of my head. And then you blamed Jett to your parents. Do you know your mom threatened to call the coach at TU and report him for hitting you? You could have cost him everything he’s worked for.”
He closed his eyes and let out a long-labored breath. “I already talked to her about it and cleared that up. She was appalled with me. I didn’t tell her I left marks on your body, because I didn’t know that at the time. I’m sorry, Addy. It’s inexcusable. My drinking somehow has gotten out of control. I’ve used it as an escape, and it has certainly not made things better.”
“What are you escaping from?”
“My parents are definitely separating. I’m pretty sure my mom’s kept things hidden from your mom. She’s embarrassed, I think. Wants everything to be perfect all the time. And it’s not. It’s so fucked up, Addy. Karina’s pregnant. That’s what we fought about that night. I’m pretty fucking sure that it’s mine. And I treated her horribly.”
He shook his head and tears streamed down his face.
“You can’t change the past, Alec. But you can change how you handle things moving forward. Stop drinking and clean up your life. Take ownership for your mistakes. You drove drunk. You’re here because of that choice. My god, you could have killed someone. Killed yourself! And you have a child on the way. It’s time to grow up,” I said as I reached for both of his hands.
He nodded. “I want to be better, Addy. I just don’t even know where to start.”
“Start with owning your mistakes. Every one of them, Alec. Start by telling your parents the truth and asking for help. I’ll support you. I’m not turning my back on you. But it will be as your friend. As someone who knows there’s good in there and wants you to find your way out of this.”
