“Agree with everything my mother says and you’ll be fine,” she said under her breath when she leaned close to me. “And if not, I’ve got your back.”
I nodded and fought back the urge to laugh because she was funny as hell the way she conspired against her mother.
“Sweetheart, you remember Jett. He was here last night for the party. He and Addy are going to grab lunch at The Rusty Pelican,” her father said. He appeared to be a nice dude. No airs about him.
Her mother was a different story.
“Ah, yes. The football player, right?”
“Sure,” I said, trying to hide my irritation. I was more than a football player, but I wasn’t about to debate that with Adelaide’s mom.
“Your mom is a waitress at the diner, I believe?” she asked. She knew my mom worked at The Rusty Pelican. This town was small, and Ma had worked there for as long as I’d been alive.
“Mother. She is a food server, not a waitress. Jeez. That’s so 1990s of you,” Clementine hissed, and I wanted to high five her for sticking it to the ice queen.
I cleared my throat. “Yeah. She’s worked there for years. Pretty sure you two know one another. She said you used to babysit her when she was young.” Before you fucking dropped her and judged her for bringing a child into the world on her own.
“Yes, I knew Mae before—you know, before we both had families of our own.” She crossed her arms over her chest as if she were preparing for battle.
“I love Mae. She’s the reason I even go to the diner. No offense. The food’s just okay. But your mom is super cool,” Clementine said. “I didn’t know you knew Mae when you were young, Mama. You never said anything.”
Damn straight. I wanted to hug Adelaide’s little sister for calling her out.
“There she is,” Ellis Edington said as his oldest daughter entered the room and I finally took a full breath. She had a way of calming me. Just her presence. It did something to me.
Her gaze ping-ponged between her mother and me, and I didn’t miss the concern. “When did you get here? Why didn’t anyone tell me he was here? You didn’t have to come in.”
She reached for my hand and led me out of the kitchen.
“Will you be gone long?” her mother asked, as they all followed us to the door. Jesus. They were so involved. I wasn’t used to that. Sure, Ma and Gram were in my business, but not to this extent. Not even close. I wondered if she did this when that asshole Taulson was around.
“I don’t know. I’ll call you. Love you.” Adelaide led me out the door and they followed. Her fingers intertwined with mine.
“Nice to see you,” I said, waving with my free hand and winking once more at her little sister.
“Wait. Are you driving on that monstrosity?” Her mother hissed as we made our way to my bike.
“Mom. I’ll wear a helmet. We’re taking side streets and only going two miles away. Relax.”
“They’ll be fine,” her father said, waving at us as she slipped on my bike. It was awkward as fuck having them stare at us as I fastened the helmet beneath her chin.
“I’m down for a ride anytime you want to take me around the block, Jett Stone,” Clementine shouted, before her mother pulled her in the door and closed it behind them.
Thank Christ.
“Sorry,” Adelaide said, searching my gaze.
“Don’t be.”
I climbed on, and her arms wrapped around me. Her hands slipped beneath my leather coat and fisted my hoody, while her head rested against my back. I took off for the diner, pushing away all the negative thoughts I had about her mother. About the way she looked at me when she spoke of my mom. A reminder of why I wanted out of this place. The irony was not lost on me.
People like Savannah Edington were the reason I hated this town. But her daughter had quickly become one of my favorite things about Willow Springs.
I pulled in front of The Rusty Pelican and climbed off my bike, before leaning down to help her remove the helmet. Her dark eyes locked with mine and she didn’t move from the seat.
“Did my mom say something?” she asked, reaching for my hand.
“No. What little she said your sister put her in her place for.”
She smiled. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why she’s like that.”
“Don’t apologize for your mother, Ace.”
She pushed to her feet and we made our way inside the diner. My mom hugged us before leading us to my favorite booth in the back. “So, this is a nice surprise. I didn’t see you last night. You got in late. How was the party?”
“It was great,” I said and turned to see Adelaide’s cheeks all flushed.
“It was fun. Nothing out of the ordinary happened. It was all—ordinary. Very normal,” she said, and my mom and I gaped at her.
I doubt my mother suspected anything was going on before now, but it was impossible to miss how nervous Adelaide was at the moment.
My mom chuckled. “Good to know it was all very normal. I love a normal party.”
“Oh my gosh,” Adelaide whispered and shook her head. “I mean, it was good. Really good.”
Her gaze locked with mine and I couldn’t help but laugh along with my mother. She’d managed to make things worse. Her cheeks were bright red, and her tongue dipped out to wet her bottom lip.
“Okay. Let’s do two burgers and two chocolate shakes,” I said, trying to rescue her from herself and end this conversation. She’d already told me that’s what she always ordered when she came here for lunch. And I was a damn good listener when it came to Adelaide Edington’s likes and dislikes.
“Two very normal burgers and shakes coming up.” My mom winked at Adelaide before walking away.
“Oh my god. I don’t know why I said that?” she whispered, shaking her head and laughing.
“Don’t sweat it. It’s an acceptable reaction after kissing me.”
Her cheeks flamed even brighter, and I laughed harder.
“Whatever. I barely remember,” she said, smiling up at my mom as she set down two chocolate shakes with whipped cream and sprinkles.
“Hey, I have an idea. I mean, you had Jett over last night. Why don’t you come by for dinner with Gram and me tonight? I know she’d love to see you.” Ma stood there with a big smile on her face and I rolled my eyes. Normally I’d be pissed if she pulled a stunt like this, but I didn’t mind if Adelaide came over for dinner tonight or any night honestly.
“I’d love to. Thank you.”