The Book Shop

Waffles

We zoomed on his motorcycle and my smile couldn't get bigger. It felt like flying mixed with a roller coaster ride. I squealed, only a little. Adam only laughed at me when we got to a fun looking Mexican place. I smiled to myself when he held the door for me and held my waist while we walked to our table. This was not a date I had to repeat to myself to keep sane and calm. Adam flirted with the waitress and got her to bring us margaritas, strawberry for me and an original for him. I nervously looked around and took a cautious sip. Yes, this tasted like an amazing fruit smoothie with a little kick but I had to limit myself. The only way this situation can get worse is if I'm drunk. However, as the nachos come out I realize the waitress is giving me a second. Adam smirks silently at me.
"So, why are you living with Piper?" He stares at me for a moment, debating on whether or not to confide in me.
"I had some issues at school, my mom thought I'd have a better time here. Apparently Smith is supposed to 'guide me' or whatever."
"What kind of problems?" My curiosity urged me to ask.
"What's the issue with your dad?" I faltered at his question, not expected to be diverted. I realized he'd answer a question then I'd have to.
"He left four years ago, then came back, then left again. We had some 'issues' as well. I can't look at him the same and he waltzes in pretending he never left or ever-" I stop myself from finishing. No one needs to know what happened. Especially not Adam.
"Do you like Piper and her dad? Where is your mom?"
"My mom is in LA, she's a movie script writer. She comes in every once in a while, but can't balance work and a kid. That's why she shipped me off." I frown at his answer to only one of my questions.
"What's the issue with your mom?"
"When my dad left she fell apart. She works, drinks and runs around like a twenty year old. She forgets I exist and disappears for brief periods of times." I say honestly and look down at my plate. Just as he's about to respond the waitress comes back to take our order and gives me a third drink. I pass it to Adam but he shakes his head.
"I gotta drive us back. Enjoy yourself, take the edge off." I nod and sip.
"Why do you pay attention to my wrist so much?" I bite the bullet and ask. I know he wants to ask me why I do it. I honestly don't have a whole answer.
"It just freaks me out."
I knew he was lying because he wouldn't look at me and it didn't make sense. If he was freaked out he would have avoided me, not "check in" so constantly. Obviously he knew someone who did it, but I think our question time had ended since he didn't bother to ask me about my reasoning. He silently takes my wrist, tracing random shapes mindlessly.
"Can we be home and scare fucking Elliot." He barks out a laugh at my slurred swearing. Our meals come and conversation becomes light or nonexistent. He holds my wrist the entire time though.
"Weeeeeee!" I scream as we again zoom on his motorcycle. He constantly yells at me to hold on to him. I roll my eyes, what a party pooper. When we finally reach the street I see that damn mustang parked several houses away from Piper's. Oh hell no. I yell at Adam to stop and we jerk to a halt. Sprinting over we smack the clouded windows of the car.
"Pipeeeeerrrrr! Don't screw him he's an asshole!!!" I slur. Adam cracks up at me and holds me so I don't fall. We go back to her house and Adam carries me up to Pipers room but I protest.
"She lieeed to me. I'm not sleeping with her."
"Where are you going to sleep, then?" He asked slowly, like I was a child.
"Can we cuddle?" I pout and look at him under my eyelashes. He huffs and rolls his eyes.
"Okay, but don't yell at me in the morning."
"I won't!"
He carries me into his dark bedroom and places me on his bed gently. I grab him and crush him to my body. He staggers and almost falls completely on top of me. I giggle and nuzzle my head in his chest. Uncomfortable, he rubs my back and his entire body is rigid.
"Dude relaxxxx" I slur and try to rub him comfortingly. This does not seem to work because he jumps back.
"You do that and we'll do something you'll regret." I roll my eyes.
"Are you that easy to rile up?" I smirk at his widened eyes.
"Since when are you sexy?"
"All the time baby." I drawl and laugh, laying down.
"I'm ty-ty. Bed time for Lala." I mumble and hear him sigh in relief. But before I let myself drift off, I feel him lay down next to me. I turn to face him and search his exhausted face. Before I can think it through, I quickly peck his lips, then his cheek. He stops me by saying, "go to bed Layla."
"Okay."
***************
I wake to shouting. "What the hell do you mean she's in your room? What the fuck did you do!"
"Nothing! She was all over me but I stopped anything from happening. She didn't want to stay in your room because you're a shitty friend. And it's not like I could take her home to an empty house."
While they argued I gathered my belongings, hoping to sneak out. It occurred to me that that would be pointless because I needed a ride.
"Oh, you're up." I look over to my best friend and shrug.
"Can we please work this out? I think we both have some explaining to do.
"Well Lucy I don't have time. I have to get to work." She ignored my tv reference and refuted "you're hungover, don't go to work."
"I feel fine." I lied.
"Layla. It's two hours past your shift. Relax."
I pause and look around me. My face heats in embarrassment, when I realize that I was indeed in Adam's room. What the hell did I do? I looked and saw my bra next to his bed and cringed. Piper followed my gaze and her expression hardened.
"I'm going to kill him."
"No, it was my fault. I was mad at you."
"Did you-did you guys-?"
"Honestly I don't think we did anything but my head's fuzzy right now, so I'm not sure."
"Oh."
"How about you and Elliot?" I bit and she looked down.
"He's really not that bad. I-I really like him and if I'm willing to give him a chance you should too. Remember I hate anyone who hurts you, so it took a lot from him to get me to go out."
"I'm sure it did."
"Layla-"
"I'm sorry. I will give him a chance because you're my best friend." She smiled and nodded.
"Now you have to give Adam a chance because we're going to seriously date." She widened her eyes in horror and I couldn't keep my face strait. I burst out laughing, almost falling. She glared at me and shoved my shoulder.
"I have to go apologize for being ridiculous. It was nice of him to bring me here safely."
"He brought you to his bed Lay."
"Upon my request. There are few places worse I could have ended up." We both shiver and walk out of the jackass's room. Immediately I smell waffles and my stomach growls. Adam looks up from his book and stares at me. His eyes travel all around me and finally rest on my lips. My cheeks redden when all my memories come back. When I look down I realize I'm only in his tshirt. I pull it down awkwardly and avoid looking at him. Tension takes over the room and I can feel Piper glaring at her stepbrother. The fridge is stocked with a million juices and I stare at all my options. Quickly I take out a galloon of Apple juice and poor myself a glass. Adam smirks at me and gets up. He approaches me and I freeze unsure of what he's going to do. I sip my juice anxiously as he leans over me and whispers huskily in my ear, "can you move? I have to flip the waffle maker." I jump away and almost light myself on fire. Then I remember not too long ago this scene had already happened, but we had been much closer and my best friend wasn't staring at us. Adams blue eyes capture mine and he smiles softly. And suddenly I realize that I'd do anything to get that smile again. It was so rare and fleeting I forgot about everything around us. Until a loud fake cough burst my bubble of concentration.
"The waffles are going to burn." Piper glares at us and Adam flips her off. He winks at me and takes the waffles out. I walk back to my seat beside Piper and place napkins and utensils down. Adam comes and sits beside me plopping a heaping platter of golden waffles with strawberries. We all load up and at some point I realize Adams hand is laced with mine under the table. Piper doesn't say anything, probably oblivious. She chatters about how "fucking annoying" Dara is and how football players are awesome. I lose focus because Adam lets go of my hand and starts to trace patterns on my thy. I try not to visibly squirm. Eventually he halts and just rests his warm hand on my leg. It was worrisome to realize that this gesture felt completely comfortable. In the middle of Piper's on going rant my phone blared and I smiled at Stan's contact. Adams grip on my thy tightened. I push his hand off and move away from the table.
"Gibs where have you been!"
"I miss you too Lala."
"Do you miss me enough to buy me donuts?"
"I have a dozen sitting in my car."
"Aw, I just had a huge breakfast."
"Will that really stop you?" I laugh.
"Of course not! Where are you?"
"Sitting in Piper's driveway. I got a creepy text from your brother saying you and I quote, 'need to get your ass home.' So hurry up." With that he hangs up on me and I scurry to change and grab all my stuff. I return to the kitchen and only find Piper.
"You gotta go?"
"Yeah."
"Okay. We need a girls day. Shopping, gossiping, painting nails, Ryan Reynolds movies etc."
"Next Friday?"
"Absolutely."