Chapter 9
Adeline
Iwake up to the sound of incessant buzzing. Max begins to stir and starts to bark.
“Okay, Okay I’m up.” I mumble as the dog continues to make noise. “Jesus Christ Max, stop barking.” I complain. I roll over on the couch to find my buzzing phone expecting Gideon but it’s not him.
“Hello?” I shoot up in surprise as my heart races out of my chest.
“I’ve been gone a month and you’re already sleeping around?” Jaimie bites out. My heart thunders away at the sound of his voice.
“What are you…” my voice comes out in fast pants.
“I saw the goddamn pictures, Add’s.” His harsh words sting. I can’t even wrap my head around the fact that he called, my responses are delayed.
“What are you even talking about?” I finally find my voice. The grogginess from my nap earlier disappears completely.
“I saw the goddamn pictures of you and Jake, Add’s. I didn’t think you’d go whoring around with my best friend as soon as I fucking left.” His words feel as if they’ve come through the phone, strangling me one by one. My heart constricts with anger and most of all hurt. “And with that jackass Scott, seriously two guys in one night?”
“I didn’t sleep with anyone!” I yell into the phone. “I don’t know what you think you saw but you’ve got it all wrong.” I try to plead with him, but I can hear him seething through the phone.
“Yeah you’re right Add’s. I do have it all wrong. All this time, you’ve been playing me and I was just too fucked up to see it.”
“What the fuck does that even mean?” I screech. Tears brim at my eyes. I’ve never once had an argument of this size with Jaimie before, and it’s literally taking a heavy toll on my already fragile heart.
“What I’m saying is, I don’t want to be friends with a fucking slut anymore.” He screams into the phone. His words knock me backwards and it takes all I have not to break down right here and now.
“You don’t mean that Jaimie.” I whisper.
“Yes I do.” He lets out a heavy breath. “I don’t think we can be friends anymore, Add’s. You’ve clearly moved on and so have I. I’ve met someone else, and I think it’s best if we don’t talk anymore.” The line goes dead, and I swear I can feel my heart shrivel in two. I feel a tear trail down my cheek leaving a river in its wake.
Max sidles up to my legs in front of me and rests his head on my lap, his eyes full of remorse. “I don’t know what do Max.” I say as I run my hands through his thick fur. He whimpers in response, leaning further into me as I wipe my tears away.
Just then a loud noise sounds from next-door. As I make my way closer to the window it becomes clear it’s music. Cars and trucks line Tim’s driveways reaching all the way to the end of the cul-de-sac. My mother always said the best cure for a broken heart was alcohol and sex. I know where I can get at least one of those.
∞∞∞
Tim’s house is literally packed floor to ceiling. As I make my way into the kitchen I’m practically pushed and shoved from all around by kids half-drunk off their asses dancing to the heavy beats. The rhythm flows through me as my chucks bring me closer and closer to paradise.
“Addy!” I hear my name yelled from somewhere but keep my eye on the prize. All I need is a few shots and I’ll be good. My hands wrap around a crystal clear bottle of tequila and I swear I feel my body shudder in excitement. As I lift the bottle to my lips, Gideon’s face flashes in the background, making me feel guilty for about a second. The liquid gold is cool at first, but burns as it slides down my throat in waves.
“Addy!” Jake comes to stand in front of me and a smile forms across my lips. “What happened to you the other night? You just kind of bailed, you alright?” he brings me in for a hug and I nonchalantly inhale his beautiful man scent.
“After what happened upstairs I decided to call it quits for the night and went home.” I lie. I bring the bottle up to my lips once more and pass it to Jake. “Here, you look sober.” I remark.
“You wanna dance?” he asks, a mischievous smile forming on his luscious lips. Everything seems so much easier when you’re drunk. The alcohol flowing through my veins has my body on fire, and my head in a fog. I guess technically I’m a light weight for getting drunk so quickly, but if anyone knew how much I could consume in a one minute span they’d be shocked.
“Lead the way.” My eyes feel glossy as I follow Jake through the tight crowd, until we make it into a corner. “Where’s Tim?” I ask. I’ve been here almost ten minutes and haven’t seen my favorite redhead anywhere.
“Outback with Candy.” He wiggles his eyebrows causing me to giggle.
“Seriously? He’s been trying to get with her for ages!” he pulls me in until our bodies are glued up against each other.
“Yeah well, everyone needs a little fire in their life.” He jokes. The song changes and the beat drops. Couples start grinding; practically dry humping to the dirty lyrics. Our bodies start to sway together, rubbing in all the right places. My legs tingle and my arms wobble as I begin to feel the effects of the alcohol. I feel Jake’s arms wrap tightly around my back, holding me up steadily against his rock hard frame. We stay locked together for what seems like forever, until my head begins to swim like a sea of fish. Sweat beads at the top of my forehead. I lift my head off of Jake’s shoulder and come face to face with his stormy eyes. I lift my head up just an inch as he moves his down. We’re a hairs breadth away I can literally feel him hovering over my waiting lips.
“I want to kiss you.” Even with how loud it is I can still hear him whisper into my ear. I feel his hands dip lower and land on my ass, gently kneading the flesh. A moan escapes my lips and his eyes light up like fire.
“So why don’t you?” I practically pant. As soon as his lips make their decent towards mine, my boobs begin to buzz. “What the hell?” I say looking down towards my bra breaking contact completely. I take my phone out of my bra and see Gideon’s name flash across the screen. “Shit!” I say pulling away from Jake to make my way outside.
“Addy?” Jake yells over my shoulder, but it’s too late I’m already out the back door.
“Hello?” I slur into the phone. The cool air feels nice against my hot and sweaty skin.
“Snow?” Gideon questions. “Are you drunk?” he asks, tone demanding as all hell.
“No.” I lie giggling to myself.
“Are you laughing?” whoops I must have done that out loud.
“Maybe.” I smile.
“Are you drunk Snow?” he demands and I can’t help but picture his beautiful face with frown lines etched above his brow.
“Maybe just a little bit.” I burp into the line.
“Where are you?” he asks. His voice has changed and I can’t quite figure out what he’s feeling.
“Timmy’s house.” it comes out in a jumbled mess, but makes perfect sense in my mind.
“Next-door? I said no parties!”
“You sound mad Gideon, don’t be mad at me. Everyone hates me.” I whine into the phone. For a minute I’m reminded of the pain I felt before I came over here, before the alcohol made me forget. “I don’t want to be sober, it makes me feel too much.” As soon as the words come out I feel myself begin to gag.
“Shit! Adeline? Adeline are you okay?” I hear him speak into the phone as I double over.
“I feel sick.” I mutter around a mouthful of vomit.
“Adeline go back to my house, I’ll be there shortly.” He commands.
“You’re lying, you left. You left me all alone. Everyone always does.”
“Just get home okay?” he speaks to me calmly now, as if speaking to a small child.” I don’t have a home, is what I want to say but all I can manage to do is nod my head weakly. I end the call and weakly manage to make my way over to Gideon’s house. I swear I stumble and fall a dozen times until finally I make it to the small steps in front of the door.
I sit down for what seems like minute. The cool cement feels nice against my hot body. My bare legs stick to it like glue. I lean back for just a second, closing my eyes and breathing in the crisp summer air.
“Snow?” I hear someone whisper. I must be dreaming, when I see a pair of perfect chocolate brown eyes stare back at me. “What are you doing outside?” he asks. I smile at his beautiful face. He looks like an angel. I reach my hand out and touch his cheek. It’s rough to the tough, filled with a day’s worth of stubble.
“You’re so pretty.” His arms wrap around my body and lift me up in one swift move. He smells of cologne and body odor mixed in one. I breathe in his scent, tucking my nose in his neck.
“Why were you sleeping outside Snow?” he questions.
“This is a weird dream.” I say out loud. My head is swimming and my stomach churns.
“It’s not a dream baby.” I feel his lips brush against my forehead and close my eyes. “Are you okay?” He asks.
“I don’t feel good.” He brings a hand to my forehead and pulls away fast.
“You’re burning up, how long have you been outside for? “
“I just needed to sit.” I keep my eyes closed as a severe case of spins takes over my body. “Are you really here?” I squeeze out. I open my eyes just enough to see he’s walking down the hallway to the bedroom
“Yes, I’m here.” He opens the door with his foot, shutting it just the same.
“He called me a slut.” My words are still slurred and I watch as his eyes shoot up in confusion.
“Who did?”
“Jaimie.” I feel tears fill in my eyes and close them once again. “I’m not.” I look up to him. “Gideon, I’m not a slut.”
“I know baby, I know.” He sets me on the bed and I feel my body instantly relax. “Let’s get you changed, Snow. I’m gonna grab you new clothes just stay right there.” he’s back in an instant and I feel his hands begin to undress me.
“Everyone hates me.” I whisper as a tear slides out from the corner of my eye. I watch in fascination as Gideon brings his finger to the droplet and wipes it away completely.
“I don’t hate you.” He says as he lifts my T-shirt up and over my head. I hear his sharp intake of breath as the cool air hits my bare nipples. “Jesus Christ.” It’s almost inaudible, but he speaks loud enough for me to hear.
“You will eventually.” I lay down on my back as soon as I have a clean T-shirt on. “Everyone does.”
“Get to sleep Snow.” I feel the blankets come up to about my waist, leaving me room to breathe a little.
“Gideon?” I say just before he leaves the room.
“Yeah?”
“Where’s Max?” I’ve come to only feel safe with that big fur ball tucked right into my side.
“I’ll go get him.” I watch his shoulders slump as he retreats down the hallway. A few minutes later I feel the dip in the bed beside me as Max settles into his side. For a minute I feel guilty Gideon has to sleep on the couch, but it’s gone almost as quickly as it came. My head wonders in all different directions as I try to force myself back to sleep. My body aches and my head pounds. Sooner or later I’m going to have to figure something out. I can’t keep living like this. Somethings gotta give.