before he cheats | a.cole

nine

Adam opens a tab for the night and orders an old fashioned for himself, which is basically whiskey with sugar. I order a gimlet, which is gin with a bit of lime. We're served our drinks then Adam walks off. I follow him. We work out way out to the outdoor balcony area. Lights are strung above our heads.

I find that we're right by a lake. "Woah," I gasp, taking in the sight. Adam walks over to the wooden railing and leans against it, facing the crowd of people outside. I follow him, looking out at the lake.

The moonlight lights up the large lake. I can faintly see the ripples on the water. It's a very pretty sight. It's not as loud out here, and it's not as crowded either.

"It's amazing, isn't it?" Adam asks. I look up at him and find him looking at me. I smile up at him and nod.

I say, "It's incredible. It's a very pretty view."

Adam smiles and takes a sip of his drink. I take a sip of mine and Adam says, "This place is one of my favorite places because of this view. It calms me down a lot. Plus, it's easy to get in because of Luke. The drinks aren't terribly expensive either, which is a benefit."

I laugh softly and say, "Who knew that Adam Cole has a favorite place that calms him down." Adam laughs a bit and rests his drink on the top of the railing.

"Britt hates it out here," he says. "She'd rather be inside, mingling and talking to people. Most of the time, she finds me out here because I feel suffocated inside with all the people."

I look at him as he talks. I wait until he's done to say a word. "I love it out here," I say. "I'm not a fan of big groups of people. Not unless I'm completely drunk, which I'm not yet."

Adam laughs and says, "I have to stay somewhat sober because I do have to drive you home."

I smile and say, "What a gentleman. Tell me, how did a girl like Britt get a guy like you?"

He smiles and faces me, his side now against the railing. "She wasn't always like how she is now," Adam says. "She used to be less possessive and rude. When we first met, I thought that she was it but now, I'm thinking that 'it' is someone else."

I take a second sip of my drink and ask, "Do I know her?"

"Maybe," he says. "She's about five foot four, brown hair that has a bit of blonde in it that falls halfway down her back. She's a badass professional wrestler who also happens to be the NXT Women's Champion and isn't afraid of a fight. She looks very beautiful tonight."

I feel a rush of heat to my cheeks and I smile. I say, "Hm, I don't think I've ever met her but if I see her then I'll have to tell her that you think she's it for you."

Adam laughs softly and tucks a loose piece of hair behind my ear then his hand rests on my cheek. I look up at him.

That's when I notice exactly how close we're standing to each other. Our bodies are almost pressed against each other, our faces are inches apart. I lean into Adam's touch a bit and smile up at him.

He says, "I'm not going to rush this, Angelina." He looks down at me.

"What is 'this'?" I ask. "You do have a girlfriend, remember?"

Adam says, "I vaguely remember you saying this to me last night but you still let me kiss you." He glances down at my lips.

I say, "You do know she will kill me if she ever finds out how close you're standing to me right now. She will bring me back to life and kill me again if she finds out about last night's kiss."

Adam laughs and says, "If I didn't know any better then I'd say you're scared of her."

I scoff and say, "As if. She doesn't scare me. I've handled her before and I'm doing it again next week."