Authors: Jennifer Ann
“That’s
not
what I’m hinting at. Seriously, we’ve only known each other a few weeks.
The questions don’t have to be personal. I just want to know more about you.”
“Fine. I’ll go first. You’re in the hot seat.”
I sit tall, clapping my hands excitedly. “Okay, this is good! Fire away!”
“Why did you have to lie to your parents about coming on this trip with me?”
I roll my eyes and look out the window. “By all means, don’t hold back.”
“This is
your
game. If you want rules—”
“Okay, fine. I lied because they’re really protective. I knew they’d never go for it. And part of being an adult is getting to make your own decisions, right?”
He glances at me. “Why are they protective?”
“That’s another question.”
“Fine. Second question. Why are your parents so protective? Do they have a reason to be that way?”
Eyes narrowed, I wrinkle my nose back at him. “That’s three questions.”
His teeth flash with a wide grin and he chuckles. “It’s
your
game. Answer the questions.”
I ruffle my wild locks, wishing I had a ponytail holder. Wishing I had some excuse to keep my hands busy. I wasn’t ready to tell him about my dark past this soon. I ball my hands into fists at my sides. “I had a hard time in school last year...I had a kind of mental breakdown.”
He glances over his shoulder, his eyes worried. “I’m sorry. I had no idea.”
I look away when our eyes meet. “How could you? I never told you about it until now.
Anyway, I guess my parents are protective because they’re worried it will happen again.
But I swear to you, it won’t. I’m okay now.”
It’s not the total truth, but I’m not lying either. If I tell Adam about my stay in the hospital, the drugs I have to take every day to keep from falling into a funk, the reason my mom wants me to check in with her every single day, he may have second thoughts about this trip. He may turn around before we’ve even left the state. And I’m starting to think checking off his list will be as therapeutic for me as it will be for Adam. I’ll be proving not only to my parents but myself that I can function like anyone else.
“Are you hungry?” Adam motions to signs for restaurants as they pass. “I should’ve asked if you grabbed breakfast when I picked you up.”
“I’m good, unless you want something. I brought a little cooler of water and snacks if you’d rather wait a little longer. And you still have two questions left.”
“We don’t have to play anymore.”
I shake my head. “It’s part of the game. Don’t worry, I promise not to be as brutal.”
“Okay. Dogs or cats?”
“Seriously?
That’s
your question? My preference to four-legged, domesticated creatures?”
“It’s not your turn to ask questions yet. Just tell me. I think it reveals a lot about a person.”
“Well, that’s easy. Dogs all the way. They’re loyal and show their emotions on the outside. Cats stare at you with that creepy look, like they’re constantly plotting against you. My family had a dog while I was growing up. A little white and chocolate cocker spaniel named Bailey. We had to put her down when she started walking in circles. My mom said she’d never have another dog because it was too hard to sit with Bailey while she died. Someday when I have my own house it’s the first thing I’m getting, before furniture.” I twist around to face Adam. “What did that reveal about me? You were a philosophy major, you must have
some
idea of why a person hates cats.”
“You’re not allowed to ask me any questions when it’s my turn.”
“I never said that.”
“New rule.” He gives me a triumphant look. “Last question. Why did you agree to go with me on this trip?”
I slip my legs underneath me, huffing. “I thought you said you were going to take it easy on me.”
“Never said that either.”
“Man, this is cruel.” I watch the little yellow car pass us on the interstate, a mom driving with two little kids bouncing in their car seats in the back. “When we first met there was...something about you. The more I got to know you, the more I couldn’t wait to see you again. At first I thought you were really crazy to ask me to go on this kind of a trip when I didn’t even know your last name. Then I realized when we’re together, it’s effortless for both of us. We get along without it being forced, without there being any awkward moments. I wanted more of it. I’m not going to lie, a part of me really wanted to get away from my parents, too.”
Adam clears his throat, looking over his shoulder before turning into the passing lane to clear a car that’s half a mile away. “Okay, your turn.”
I cross my arms, smirking. “You know you could’ve taken it easier on me, and maybe I would’ve been nice to you. Just remember you set yourself up.”
He shrugs. “Do what you have to.”
“Okay. How many girlfriends have you had?”
His head swings over to me. “Seriously?”
“You don’t get to ask any questions when it’s my turn,” I remind him.
He looks back to the road, grumbling under his breath.
“What’s that?” I ask, cupping my ear. “Didn’t catch your answer.”
“I’m counting,” he snaps.
And suddenly I’m wishing I didn’t ask.
How many girlfriends could he possibly have
had that he needs to count?
“I don’t know. Maybe five?”
“Since high school?”
His eyes flicker to mine. “That’s question number two. And no. Since middle school.”
“So I’m not the first girl you’ve pushed away?”
“That’s three. Why would you say that?”
I wag my finger at him. “Nuh-uh. No questions for you, remember? If that one counts, you still have to answer.”
His gaze seems transfixed on the traffic. “Yeah, there were others. I’ve never had much time for dating.”
I raise my eyebrows. “Too busy doing nothing?”
“That’s four. And if you’ll remember, I only recently quit school.”
Knowing he’s only giving me one more question, I pause to think about what I want to ask. A big part of his life still sits beneath a big question mark. But how much of it do I want to know? If I uncover one secret, will it all come unraveling around us? We’ve barely started this trip. I don’t want to ruin the fun.
“Favorite actress?”
I see his shoulders drop a little when he smirks. “That’s easy. Kristen Bell. Beautiful blonde, funny, smart, a ball of fun. She’s the whole package. Everything I would want in a woman.”
For a minute I can’t swallow. From the tone of his voice, it’s like he’s referring to me rather than Kristen Bell. “Good answer,” I finally say, reaching for a bottle of water.
A long silence follows the completion of our game.
We planned to stay in a hotel the first couple nights so we wouldn’t have to worry about driving the pickup through Chicago after the concert. Adam insisted on making arrangements, so I’m both impressed and freaking out when we enter the extraordinary lobby of the Drake hotel. The giant chandeliers hanging from the metal ceiling make me feel small and insignificant.
“
I thought you said we were going to stay somewhere practical
,” I hiss under my breath. “
I can’t imagine ceilings incrusted in gold really fit into anyone’s budget unless
you’re Gatsby
.”
He chuckles as he hands me his bag. “You’d be surprised the kind of perks the son of a beer mogul can score. Stay here. I’ll check us in.”
Adam approaches the front desk flanked with curtains. I watch the middle-aged woman perk to life, her smile a mile wide as she pushes a strand of her dark hair over her shoulder. Rather than watch her flirt, I stroll away, taking the view of the lobby in further.
Although I’ve never been to this hotel, I’ve been to Chicago at least a dozen times with my parents and twice with Jason. My great aunt lived near downtown in a rather posh apartment, and she was exceptionally close with my mom. The last time I was here was for her funeral right before my high school graduation.
“We have connecting rooms,” Adam tells me, suddenly back at my side. He hands me a card before we follow signs to the elevators.
We’re alone in the elevator. I let my imagination grow wild with thoughts of hitting the emergency stop button. There’s no way I can let this friendship thing continue on for much longer. He’s the one who’s so big on life being short, and I think it’s definitely too short not to discover what it’s like to have sex with Adam Murphy. I already know he kisses like a pro. I can’t imagine what he’s like in bed.
“This is our floor,” he tells me, holding the door.
Snapping out of my fantasy, I step out ahead of him. My room’s just four doors down.
Adam stuffs his hands in his pockets, looking past me to the empty hallway. “We have a few hours before the concert. You want to grab a bite to eat first?” His eyes roll back onto mine, anxious, yet afraid. I swear he wants to come into my room and do things to me just as badly as I want him to. What’s he so afraid of?
My eyes fall to his lips and I grow warm from head to toe. “Give me an hour to get ready. I’ll meet you in the lobby.” I snatch my bag from him and dart into my room before my willpower breaks.
The ostentatious lobby clamors with the night crowd, many of them men and women in business suits, probably representatives from Fortune 500 companies checking in after a day of meetings. Considering the luxurious rooms Adam scored, I imagine anyone staying here makes a ton of money.
My stomach twists nervously as it takes a little longer to find Adam among the chaos. I pull at the hem of my short sequined skirt, feeling a little skeezy among the business attire the way my long legs covered in self-tanner are exposed. The soft, fluttery tank-top in my favorite shade of aqua blue was another purchase made on my shopping spree with Kelly. Though I didn’t get something that dips down in front as she suggested, I think it does flattering things to my figure and looks great against my blond locks I spent an hour on to get the large, loose curls. A little makeup, dangling earrings, an arm full of bangles and I was ready.
Only not really. I sat in one of the leather chairs in my suite for a good twenty minutes trying to recover my breath. Concerts have been my favorite guilty pleasure ever since my dad took me to see his favorite 80s band when I was little. I get caught up in the pounding base, the explosive beats of the drums and guitars, the electric excitement of the large crowd. I’ve never gone to one with a guy I’m majorly attracted to.
It’s going to be harder than ever to keep my emotions in check and my hands off the guy I’m falling for like a lead ball.
I finally discover Adam leaning against one of the leather chairs, wearing something casual that’s similar to the night we met. Arms crossed, he watches the people come and go, a curious expression lighting his eyes. Why would someone like him choose to stay single for so long? He obviously enjoys having a good time, although he has a habit of shutting down the minute any conversations turn serious. I’m swaying on my cork wedges, gaping at him, when his head turns around.
“
Jewels
.” He says my name in a mere whisper, his eyes spreading wide. It’s way better than the annoyed look he gave me at the sight of my low-dipping bikini top, because I can see the heat of desire burning in his eyes. The way he adjusts his lips it’s obvious that he wants me, regardless of whatever he keeps telling me. “You look...” He blinks in languid movements.
“Hey,” I cut in, letting him off the hook. I finger the white wristlet containing my ID, phone and cash, trying to ground my thoughts. To forget the way he’s leering at me.
“Ready?”
His throat bobs as he swallows hard before nodding. “The woman at the desk said there’s a great seafood place nearby. Want to check it out?”
“What about
you
? I thought you weren’t a big fan of stuff that crawls on the ocean floor.”
“If it’s something that’s been in the freezer for a few months, not so much. A high end restaurant with professional chefs, definitely.” He tips his head to the doors. “You okay to walk a few blocks in those heels?”
I nod, stepping close and looping my arm through his. Because that’s something I would’ve done before things became complicated. If nothing else, maybe I can curb my sexual appetite by allowing myself to touch him in some way.
We break out onto the sidewalk, finding the early night air pleasantly warm. Traffic looks to be a nightmare this time of day with everyone getting off work. Although the sidewalks in downtown Chicago aren’t quite as busy as the streets of New York, our causal stroll is passed up every few seconds by someone appearing to be on a mission.
Adam’s hands return to his pockets. “Are you going to at least give me some kind of hint of who we’re seeing tonight?”
I giggle. “And spoil all the fun? I’d rather see you squirm. Just know it’s going to knock your socks off.”
“Then I’m buying your dinner. You did most of the planning for this trip. It’s the least I could do. Unless, of course, you want to give in and tell me.”
“Not a chance.”
Adam’s face lights up when the members of Coldplay take the stage among the glowing props, blowing us away with their first song. So he
does
know good music when he hears it
.
We both gasp when the wrist bands they handed out at the entrance begin to glow in the dark. The LED lights in various colors blink to the beat along with the thousands of other fans in the audience, making for the most beautiful visual I’ve ever seen in my life. Everyone around us grows wild with applause, so we join in.
There’s always been something magical about seeing my favorite bands in person that leaves me breathless, and even a little teary-eyed. Watching Chris Martin hop around the stage with infinite energy, I’m rendered speechless. The audio and visual displays are completely off the charts, trumping any concert I’ve attended in the past.
I’m as still as a statue, watching the band with tears filling my eyes when Adam brushes my hair away from my face, smiling so widely it’s as if his cheeks will split in two. Our eyes lock, and I feel something inside of me click.