Chapter 40
Does Your Friend Have A Dick
Two hours later, and Adrian still is not home. It’s almost time for Jack to get here, so I text Adrian, for the fourth time.
Gemma is rattling around in the kitchen, still pissed at me, when Adrian finally blows in the front door. I jump up, needing to talk to him fast. He rushes to me, wrapping me in a hug, then gives me a quick kiss.
“Sorry, Diane was being stubborn and the boys were being… well, boys.” He smiles down at me. “Did you eat yet? I’m hungry.”
Shit, this is going to be really bad.
“Adrian,” I begin. “I need to talk to you about something.”
He drops his arms from around my waist, grabbing one of my hands. “Ok, talk while we drive.”
I pull my hand from his and take a step back. I’m starting to panic—maybe from fear of his reaction or fear of having to see Jack or both.
Shaking my head, I say, “I can’t.”
He furrows his brow with confusion. “Why?”
I close my eyes and draw in a long breath. “I’m going to lunch with an old friend.”
When I open my eyes, I see Gemma enter the living room. When I glance at her, she’s scowling at me.
Adrian doesn’t miss our exchange. “What’s that? Why are you two looking at each other like that? Who is this you’re going to lunch with?” he asks, sounding panicked.
“I told you, it’s an old friend.” That’s the truth. Jack and I were friends… while we were dating.
Realizing what’s going on, Adrian narrows his eyes at me. “Does this friend have a dick?”
I reach out for him, needing to drag him to my room where we can talk. Before I can say more, there’s a knock at the door.
Are you fucking serious? How is it that this scenario is playing out in all the worst ways possible?
Adrian spins on his heels and rushes to open the door. When he sees who’s standing on the other side, he slams the door closed again.
“What the hell?” I yell as he turns to face me.
Adrian knows of Jack, but he has no idea what he looks like, so why does he look like threatened by the guy on the other side of that door?
Adrian shakes his head, eyes wide in fear. “You’re not going anywhere with him.”
How did this go so wrong? From the minute I decided to meet with Jack, I had full intentions of telling Adrian, I just didn’t get the chance in the last twenty-four hours.
I push past him to open the door, needing to ask Jack to give me a few minutes, but Adrian jumps in front of me and tackles me to the couch. He pushes up on his hands, looking down at me.
“You’re not going,” he demands, which was the way wrong thing to say. I do not respond to demands.
“Adrian,” I say, trying to keep calm. “I was going to explain all of this to you last night, but you didn’t come back. I was going to tell you this morning, but you just got here. It’s not a big deal. I’m only having lunch, and a conversation with him.”
Adrian shakes his head quickly. “Nope, you’re not going anywhere with him.”
What the hell is going on? He doesn’t even know it’s my ex-boyfriend yet.
“Um, should I let him in?” Gemma asks, interrupting Adrian’s temper tantrum.
“Yes,” I yell, at the same time Adrian yells, “No.”
Deciding I need to get control of this situation, I reach up and grasp his entire ear in my hand, and twist. He automatically leans down toward me, trying to release the tension of my pulling. When his ear is an inch from my face, I whisper, “Get up now or I’m going to use this same move on your balls.”
“Fuck, woman,” he spits, as I release his ear. He stands, rubbing his injury, and scowling at me.
I jump up and point a finger at Adrian. “I’ll talk to you in a second.” First I need to tell Jack go wait in his car. I shake my head, unbelieving of the disaster this has become.
I straighten my shirt and open the door. My gaze lands on the hard chest in front of me, so I scan up. The man standing in front of me now looks like the older, improved version of my Jack. His light brown hair is longer than he used to keep it. It’s now long enough that he can tuck it behind his ears. The long stubble of his beard and the mess of his hair emphasizes the bad boy statement of the tattoos covering both of his arms.
He's wearing a tight black T-shirt and old worn jeans. He has his lower lip pierced. If I were to describe what my dream man looks like, this would be it.
His look of confusion is replaced with a huge smile, as he lifts his arms for a hug. “Keegan, you look great,” he says, his arms wrapped tight around my shoulders. I cringe, knowing Adrian probably has smoke coming out of his ears.
After Jack releases me, I step back. “You, uh, look pretty good too,” I say, sounding seventeen again.
I hear Adrian clear his throat loudly.
Jack looks over my shoulder and smiles when he sees Gemma. “Gemma, good to see you too.”
“Really, Jack, is it? Is it good to see me, and Keegan?” Her voice rises as the words rush out, so she’s almost yelling now. “Because you do know you could have called her, oh I don’t know, maybe three years sooner.”
I see Jack cringe before I turn to scold her. “Gemma, that’s enough.” Does she not see the nightmare I’m living right now?
She holds up her hands in surrender, but she continues to stare at Jack with cold eyes.
Then, Adrian decides to introduce himself, but only after stepping up next to me and wrapping an arm around my waist. “I’m Keegan’s fiancé.” Pressing his shoulders back, looking like he’s trying to stand taller.
I resist rolling my eyes, at his ridiculous show of testosterone, as I turn back to Jack. “Could you wait outside? I need a minute, then I’ll be out.”
He gives me a small smile and nods, but not before looking between Adrian and I curiously.