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.”