Road to Evergreen | #Wattys2016

t w e n t y - t w o

I hurry to get Harry from the apartment as Adam and Max wait downstairs. I turn the key on the lock and enter the apartment. It's silent and everything is neat. I call out for Harry but he doesn't answer. I find him in his room, lying on his bed, staring at the ceiling. He's wearing his favorite varsity jacket of black vest and white sleeves. As I sit next to him on the bed, he doesn't move.

"Hey Kiddo, how's it's going?" I ask him.

"Fine, I guess," he sighs.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing," he bits down on his words. I know Harry enough to know that I can't force him to talk. When he's ready he will. I just need to give him some time.

"So, my boyfriend and a kid younger than you are waiting down in the car. I came up to invite you to go for ice cream with us," I explain.

"You have a boyfriend?" He asks as he arches his eyebrow.

"From all that I said, you caught that?" I eye him. We do a staring contest until he loses. I always win so.

"Ice cream would be nice," he answers.

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In the car, I glance at the rearview mirror to see Harry and Max hitting it off. I glance at Adam, and again, he's lost in his thoughts. I really ponder what goes through his mind.

We enter the shop and wait in line. The store has white ceilings and white floor with an exception of colorful tables and chairs that brighten up the mood. As our turn comes, Max says with excitement, "I will have 2 scoops, one peanut butter and the other one strawberry jelly. Oh and in a cone!" We all laugh at Max's order. But after that, Adam orders chocolate and vanilla. Harry orders bubblegum and hazelnut. I order strawberry and giotto. After the lady hands us our orders, we sit on the pink table, next to the window that looks over a street.

I turn to Adam as Harry and Max are burrying their faces in the icecream, "so how do you know Max?"

Adam takes a bite and says, "we live in the same building, and his mother and I are pretty close. She's like my aunt and once in a while I babysit Max for her. He's like my little brother." I nod.

"So Harry, do you have a girlfriend?" Adam

asks. Harry's eyes widen and he chokes on his ice cream. After several coughs he replies, "that's not of your business."

"What's a girlfriend?" Max fires back.

"It's a friend that's a girl," Adam tries to explain but Max is just too busy with his stomach to care. I eye Adam, "so I'm a friend that's a girl."

He finds my hand under the table and holds it firm but gentle. "We both know you're more than that," he winks. My stomach flutters. And then continues his chat with Harry. "Ahh, so what's her name?" Adam pushes.

Harry narrows his eyes, "are you trying to make me hate you?"

Adam arches an eyebrow and waits. "It's Valerie," he gives in.

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I drop my stuff on the counter and hurry to the shower. I have work in a few. I step into the shower and allow the hot water to sooth my aching muscles. The steam from the shower is thick and fills the air as I wash away the grim from the day. I run my hand through my hair and attempt to undo the knots by applying some conditioner. I give up and head out.

I put on some tshirt and jeans. But end up wearing a hoodie instead. It's freezing out there. My thoughts are interrupted as my phone vibrates on the counter. I go and retrieve it only to find a text message from an unknown number.

Unknown number: Hey beautiful.

Me: Who's this?

Unknown number: the love of your life.

Me: knock it off Adam.

Unknown number: Actually it's Jeremy ;)

Me: how did you get my number?

Jeremy: I pulled some strings lol

I go out of the chat and text Megan.

Me: hey meg did you give Jeremy my number?

Megan: no I swear I didn't.

I get another text from him.

Jeremy: you're not annoyed or anything right?

I'm not annoyed but I really didn't want him to have my number. He's a nice guy but I feel uncomfortable around him. It's super creepy that he stalked. I make a mental list of who could've gave him my number: Megan and Adam. But Megan is out of the list so Adam is left. However, Adam wouldn't give him my number because he doesn't even have it. That's just creepy.

I decide to ignore Jeremy, and head to work. As I arrive, my phone buzzes again.

Jeremy: I know something you don't

Me: why should I care?

Jeremy: cause it concerns your Adam babe

Did he just call me "babe"? And did he just say "your" Adam? What does he know? I'm curious more than ever but I know that it will drive Adam mad. I'm torn between my heart and mind. But before I know it, I'm texting him again.

Me: what's in it for you?

After several minutes, my phone vibrates again. I glance around in the store to see if there is any costumer. My boss has a big fat rule about texting in the store: Prohibited. I check my phone.

Jeremy: the pleasure of it.

What does he mean by that? The pleasure of what? The pleasure of betrayal or guilt? The pleasure of coming between Adam and I? That's been his whole plan then? I feel utterly stupid.

Way to go, Lesley.