Page 8 of A Little Luck
For five years he was off flying planes with the Navy, and when he came back, he was even hotter than when he left. He was also healthier and very different, in some ways.
Now he’s more focused on helping others as opposed to breaking the law, and he wastes no time coming to where we stand, giving me a hug, and catching Britt by the chin.
“Uh-oh.” His eyes narrow. “I recognize that face. My little sister tossed her cookies.”
“Don’t be mean.” Britt pouts, but Adam pulls her into a hug, rubbing her back.
“One of the ladies at the food pantry gave me a box of her special ginger tea. I’ll drive you home, and we can pick it up on the way.”
“That sounds really good, but you just got here.” Britt’s voice is weak, but she’d let him do it.
We’ve all been friends since middle school, and now that she’s married to Aiden, they’re basically siblings.
“It takes less than five minutes to get anywhere in Eureka,” Adam replies. “I’ll be back before the next person finishes singing.”
Aiden grips his shoulder. “I’ve got her. Just tell me where it is, and I’ll get it on the way home.”
The two of them walk to the door, and I head over to where Alex and Cass are canoodling in the booth we all abandoned. I expected it to be a slow night, but the place is filling up fast.
Doug, Aiden’s ancient deputy, takes the stage to do his rendition of Bruce Springsteen’s song “I’m Goin’ Down.”
It’s kind of a silly song, but Doug sings it when he’s in the dunking booth every year at the annual Founder’s Day celebration. It’s become his theme song, and he really gets into it.
I’m hanging back, not wanting to interrupt Alex and Cass’s love fest, when an arm slips around my waist from behind. My chest jumps, and my pussy clenches when Adam’s lips graze the shell of my ear.
“Oy, with the PDAs, already.” He gives me a wink, his tone teasing. “Who knew my brothers could be so affectionate?”
I step to the side, doing my best to reestablish the control I try to maintain with him, although, lately, I’m trying to remember why I still need it. He’s changed so much from the Adam who left eight years ago.
Still, my baggage unfortunately remains stubbornly the same. I’ve survived too much, and I’ve been burned too badly for my past to loosen its ironclad hold on my heart.
I used to imagine how my life would’ve been different if only Adam had stepped forward that day so long ago instead of Rex. I would pretend he was my handsome knight, and if only we weren’t so loyal, we might be together now. I might not be broken.
When he left, I realized I was using him as an excuse not to act. I had to learn to save myself. Fate might have removed Rex, but I’m still learning to trust my instincts and to hear my inner voice.
Clearing my throat, I put these thoughts aside for my next therapy session.
Focusing on his brother, I arch an eyebrow. “Aiden was unexpected, but I had a feeling Alex was just looking for someone to lavish with affection. He’s so sweet with his daughter.”
“Women’s intuition?” Adam grins like he doesn’t believe me.
Crossing my arms, I lift my chin. “I’m a newswoman. It’s my job to sniff out the truth.”
“What else are you sniffing?” He leans closer, and I swallow hard.
Plucking at his sweater, I frown. “You’ve been cooking.”
“That’s a miss.” He waves to the bartender and orders a Corona and a Modelo before reaching for my bottle and taking a long drink.
“Hey!” I reach for my drink.
“I just ordered you another. We’ll share this one.” He hands me the bottle, and I take a sip.
“If you weren’t cooking, why do you smell like shrimp and grits?”
“I was teaching one of the kids down at the community center how to make it.”
“So, I was close.”