“Damn. I jumped his car once and the dude texts me daily to let me know all the shit that’s wrong in his world now.”
A wide grin spread across her face. “He likes you.”
“Come on. The sun’s going down. We need to head out.” I started walking toward my bike and she followed.
“This is my favorite part of my day, you know? Hanging out here,” she said.
I glanced over and she didn’t look at me. I noticed a pink hue climbing up her delicate neck and covering her cheeks as the last bit of sun shined down on her. Hell, I understood it. It was the best part of my day when I was with her too.
“Yeah? Well, don’t get too attached to this place. We’re both off to bigger and better things in a few months.” My words came out harsher than I’d meant them to, and they had a hell of a lot more meaning behind them. It wasn’t just this place that we’d grown attached to. It was one another. And we needed to proceed with fucking caution.
“You’re going to miss it here more than you think you will,” she said, turning to face me when she stopped beside her car.
“No time to miss things, Ace.”
She nodded. “Well, I’m glad you’re coming to the party tomorrow even if you refuse to admit that you’re actually excited.”
“Excited is a strong word.” I chuckled. “Your mom will probably be shooting daggers at me, and Lenny will complain about the color of the sky, and I’m guessing all the Magic Musketeers will be there documenting my every move, and God knows what your dad thinks of me.”
Her head cocked to the side and she smiled, raising one brow like a smart ass. “Trust me… the Magic Willows were documenting your every move long before now. My mom shoots daggers at everyone that isn’t in her inner circle, so don’t take it personal. My dad is not who you think he is. He’s goofy and funny and he followed your every stat in football, so he might go all ‘fan-girl’ over you. And Lenny will just be Lenny, which I think you actually like deep down.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. Damn, I’d never been one for laughter, but this girl had me feeling all sorts of things I’d never felt before. Which was exactly why I shouldn’t be going to this party. Hell, the smart thing to do would be to find a new place to hang out. She was invading my world—and it was all-consuming.
“It’s getting dark. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
She hopped in her car and waved as she drove past me. I didn’t know if Adelaide felt the pull between us like I did. Hell, I was a teenage boy with raging hormones. I’m sure this was one-sided. I hoped it was. Because I wasn’t about to act on it. I knew better. I just hoped she did too.
Shaw insisted on picking me and Jax up so we could all drive to the Edingtons’ house together. He knew me well. Knew I’d try to get out of it. These types of social gatherings were not my scene. Not by a long shot.
“I think it’s nice that you’re going to the party. I’ve heard their house is stunning and they go all out on these things,” Ma said as I chugged some orange juice right from the container and set it back in the refrigerator, just as she swatted me with a dishtowel. “Jesus, Jett. Use a glass.”
“Sorry, Ma.” I kissed her cheek.
“Your grandfather always did that too. Not the worst thing in the world. Is that what you’re wearing to the Christmas party?” Gram asked, shaking her head as she looked me up and down.
“Yeah. What’s wrong with it?” I glanced down at my dark jeans with a few tears in the knees, black hoody and leather jacket. Hell, this was as dressy as I got.
“In my day, a gentleman wore a suit to a fancy party.” Gram ran her hands down my jacket as if she were trying to press out the wrinkles. Leather didn’t wrinkle as far as I knew.
“Who said I was a gentleman?” I winked and wrapped my arms around her.
“You may pretend to be a… what do they call that these days? A bad-boy. With your leather coat and your motorcycle. But I know who you are, Jett Stone. You’ve always been soft on the inside,” Gram said, reaching up to pat her bony hand against my cheek.
“That’s our secret.” I teased as I heard the honk coming from out front. “All right. That’s Jax and Shaw. I’ll see you later.”
“Don’t forget the apple pie. Gram made it special for you to bring,” Ma said, handing me the box Gram had packaged the pastry in, and I cringed. I wasn’t about to offend Gram, but this wasn’t a date. It was friends hanging out. Shaw and Jax were going to have a fucking field day when they saw me carrying a pie.
“Thanks, Gram. Love you.” I kissed them both on the top of their heads and jogged out the door with the box in hand.
Shaw whistled when I jumped in the passenger side. “I see we’re wearing our best jeans. And please tell me you brought cookies.”
“Are we trying to impress the Edingtons for some reason?” Jax asked, pushing his head between us from the back seat and poking at the box.
I flipped them both the bird. “Gram just chewed my ass out for wearing these jeans. Definitely not trying to impress anyone.”
Except for Adelaide, maybe.
“And the reason for the baked goods?” Shaw smirked.
“Gram baked them a pie. What the fuck am I supposed to do? Break her heart?”
“Nah. I’d do just about anything Gram asked. But you and Addy sure do hang out a lot these days. Coco told me she goes out to the lake with you every day after school. You sure there isn’t something going on there?” Shaw asked, glancing over at me with a dumbass smile on his face.
“I’m sure. We’re friends. We’re both leaving for school soon. I’m not about to get into something when I’m leaving.” I looked out the window as we pulled up in front of their house. The house was lit up on the outside like something you’d see in a magazine. A huge display of nine reindeer and a sleigh holding Santa sat on their roof. White lights covered the outline of their home. And lit-up candy canes lined the walkway.
Jesus. I was so out of my element here.
“Don’t overthink it, Dude. I’m seeing Coco, and we’re both leaving at the end of summer. So what? Why not enjoy the time you’ve got?” Shaw asked, parking a few houses down from Adelaide’s house.
“I agree. Lydia and I are having a damn good time lately. It’s just something for right now. Doesn’t have to be forever.” Jax unbuckled and hopped out of the car.
Adelaide was not a right-now kind of girl. I’d had a bunch of those over the years. She was definitely a forever type of girl. And that wasn’t an option for me. Nor should it be for her. Hell, she just got out of a lifetime of misery with Taulson. This was her time to figure out who she was and what she wanted.