A Betting Man

Chapter Four

Adelaide's Point of View

Holy...fuck...

I lean against the door, breathing heavily. What the hell was that? He was about to kiss me and I... wanted it. Jesus Christ! You're a bet, Addie! A bet!

I obviously lost it out there. I can't let that happen again. I turn and peek out the peephole. He's gone.

Phew...

I'd promised Fey I'd call her as soon as the date was over to divulge all the details - it had been her idea to do the whole finger-sucking thing. It totally wasn't something I'd do. She claimed she did it once to a boy in high school and they nearly went at it right there on the table. Little slut - God, I love her. Her information is so valuable right now.

I feel completely sobered since that near kiss in the hallway. I need... something. I fish some Merlot from my closet and pour a healthy glass before ringing Fey.

She answers on the first ring and without so much as a greeting exclaims, "Oh, thank God. You're still pure."

What??  

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"I just worry about you sometimes, Addie. I'd hate to see you get lured in by evil."

I roll my eyes. "There was no luring. I'm fine. I'm at home... alone. You really need to give me more credit."

"I give you tons of credit; otherwise, I wouldn't let you go out with him."

Let me? Hold up! "I wasn't aware that it was your decision."

"Sure it is - I could've called you both out at the club and completely ruined everything."

"You wouldn't dare."

"Okay, I need some details, stat - I'm coming over."

"Wait - where's your boy toy?"

"He just left." Ooh...interesting! "I'll be there in ten. You got wine?"

"Already on it."

I change into pajamas while waiting for her to arrive. I'm standing barefoot in the kitchen pouring her a glass of Merlot when I hear the door knob jiggle - I usually leave the door unlocked - and she just flies right in. This time, I realize I subconsciously locked it after the near kiss, lest Justin should barrel inside and have his way with me... or the other way around. Fuck!

She immediately starts pounding on the door. "Addie!"

"Coming!" I shout. I swing the door open, wine in hand as sort of a peace offering. She looks highly affronted at being locked out. Is it a crime to lock my door now? Shouldn't I be playing it safe?

"Why is your door locked?" she asks. She steps inside and takes the wine. She's wearing jeans and a t-shirt, her hair pulled up in a sloppy ponytail, yet she still looks like she just stepped off the runway.

"Um, it's kind of a long story."

"All right, you should probably get started then." She takes a long sip of wine and sits at the barstool, eyeing me...sheesh! Always so demanding.

"I'll need you to spill some goods, too."

"What do you mean?"

"Cayden. I need to know what the hell you guys did all day."

"You first."

"Well, I learned he's a CEO of a company in Olympia."

"Yeah, Cayden told me that."