“Are you serious? I don’t have to ride over with the old folks?” She clapped her hands together and Adelaide giggled.
“We heard that,” her father said, and I waved before opening the back door for their youngest daughter and the front passenger door for Adelaide.
“Thank you,” my girl whispered in my ear and kissed my cheek.
The pictures seemed like they’d never end, but I didn’t even care. Adelaide never let go of my hand as we smiled and laughed and posed for endless photographs. We took several pictures with all of our friends, some in large groups, some in small groups, and some with just us. I was forced to let her go when she took a few photos with her best friends, and I smiled as I watched them hug and laugh and pose for different pictures. No wonder she loved this fucking town so much. She had so many good memories here. It surprised me when I realized that I did too. I looked around to see all the friendships I’d formed over the years. I caught my mom staring at me with watery eyes and I nodded. She’d sacrificed a lot to get me here, and I was damn well going to make her proud as I moved on to the next chapter.
“Hey Jett, do you mind if I get a photo with you and Addy? The Three Musketeers,” Sherman asked, and my fucking chest squeezed. I loved the dude. Never in a million years thought that would happen.
“Of course,” I said, pulling him in for a hug as his parents and his girlfriend, Sadie, laughed. We waited for Adelaide and the three of us posed for a few photos together.
“I’m happy for you two,” he said. “You guys have become the best friends I’ve ever had. And Addy, I hope you go to TU. Don’t sell yourself short. Get out of here for a little while and spread your wings.”
Damn. Who knew Sherman Saxe had such a way with words?
They were equal parts nasally and brilliant.
“Thank you, Sherman. It’s been an honor being pushed by you the past four years.”
“Right back at you. I plan on coming to at least one game next year to see you play, Jett.” He fist-bumped me.
“I’d be honored. Text me and let me know when you’re coming, and I’ll do what I can to get you a good seat for the game.”
“Sounds like a plan. See you guys at the dance. Will you be attending the after-party?” he asked.
Adelaide’s cheeks pinked, so she was obviously thinking about what we’d be doing after the party. “Yeah. We’re going to go for a little bit,” she said.
“Just for a little bit, Ace.” I winked, and she squeezed my hand. I couldn’t wait for her to see it all set up with the tent and the candles. And just to get to spend the whole night together. That’s how it would be if we went to the same college and fuck if I didn’t want that to happen, but I’d be dammed if I’d be just another person pushing my hopes on her. This was her choice, and I’d support her no matter what.
“I’ll meet you there,” Sherman said, pulling her in for a hug before turning to high five me.
“Jett, Addy,” a voice called, and I turned to find Lenny Balsalcki standing there. At our senior prom photos. What the hell?
“Lenny, hey. What are you doing here?” I asked as Adelaide rushed toward the crazy old man and hugged him.
“I heard you were down here taking pictures, and I was in the neighborhood. Thought I’d stop and get a photo of my two favorite young people. Heck. You just might be my two favorite people, period, seeing you’re the only ones I even like.”
He was in the neighborhood? Willow Springs was fairly small, so I guess you could be in the neighborhood of anything you wanted to attend. The dude had become a permanent fixture in my life. He stopped by the auto shop often for bullshit reasons, and Adelaide and I went to his shop for hot chocolate at least once a week.
I laughed. “You like a lot more people than you let on. Nice of you to come here, though. Are you going soft on me, Len?”
He rolled his eyes. “Not a chance. Although if you ask Dr. Peabody, he’ll tell you a different story. That man finds every reason under the sun to run tests on me. Claiming my bones are brittle, my heart is weak, and my cholesterol’s high. That bloodsucking scoundrel is robbing me blind with his nonsense. Just a way to charge up my bill.”
Joseph Peabody was a doctor in town that I’d grown up with. Hell, the man was older than dirt and probably one of the nicest, most honest men in town.
Lenny held up a camera that looked like it was from another time period. “Okay, get together, you two. God knows I won’t be around forever. Hell, death’s been knocking on my front door for years. I don’t have all day.”
We laughed as he took a few pictures.
“Wait. Mama, can you take a picture of me, Jett, and Lenny?” Adelaide called out to her mother, who didn’t look pleased with the request.
“What? No. I don’t take pictures.” Lenny shifted on his feet.
I raised a brow and tried to hide my smirk. “Get in the photo, Len. We’re leaving for college soon, and we need a picture together.”
The old grump moved to the other side of Adelaide, putting her in the center. “Fine. But I’m not smiling.”
Adelaide’s head fell back in laughter, and I’m sure I was looking at her instead of the camera, but it was a photo I’d be taking with me to college nonetheless. The man had grown on me. Hell, this whole damn town had grown on me more and more this past year.
The party was packed, and a group of us had settled in the large backyard at Ty’s house. His parents had gone out of town, and their home was massive. The large yard had views of the lake, and brick pavers covered an oversized patio with a U-shaped sofa and a firepit. Large trees surrounded the patio, and white lights were strung over the sitting area. Music trickled through the speakers, and I sat with my arm around Adelaide, rubbing my hand up and down her arm. The temperature had dropped as the night sky blackened, and I hoped we wouldn’t be too cold out in the tent. I leaned forward and pulled off my suit coat and wrapped it over her shoulders.
Shaw and Coco sat beside us, and Ivy, Maura, and Gigi were sitting on the other side of the couch. Ty was in the house making sure things weren’t getting out of control, and Jax walked outside and dropped to sit on the other side of me.
“Where’s Lydia?” I asked.
“Her friend Breanne just puked in a potted plant in the living room, so she’s trying to get her to the bathroom. I don’t think Ty is all too happy about it.” Jax shook his head and chuckled.
“I knew this was a bad idea. Of course, Alec pressured him into having the after-party because his parents were going out of town. I need to go help him.” Ivy pushed to her feet.
“I’ll help you,” Maura and Gigi said at the same time and everyone laughed as the three girls made their way inside.