Aching for Adam

Chapter 22

I woke up to eleven missed calls from Adam. He was probably worried sick, and he had done nothing to deserve this. Since I wasn't a monster, I had at least texted him last night to say I wasn't coming home—that I needed space.

I didn't know what to think or how to process what Danielle had told me the previous day, so I decided that until I figured it out, I would stay here. I couldn't talk to Adam, because I knew he would convince me to forget the whole thing, and I knew that would only drive him further away from his parents. This time, I had to put him first.

So, I ignored his calls and messages and phoned my office to let my assistant know I would be working from home for a few days. With the move having been just a couple of days ago, she didn't even question it.

ADAM

It had been three days. Three days since Elle left without an explanation, and three days of unanswered calls, texts, and emails.

I was freaking out. Not only did it sting because it felt like she was abandoning me all over again, but I just didn't understand what had happened. Everything had been amazing, and then she disappeared. I couldn't take it anymore.

I had called her office, Tamara, even her mom—but no one would tell me where she was or what was going on.

When the phone rang, I didn't even look at the screen. I answered instantly, hope choking me.
"Elle?"

"No, it's your sibling," Suzie huffed.

I sighed and forced myself to stay composed. "What?"

"Okay, I'm not going to take that personally, because I imagine things must be rough with Elle right now. I was calling to ask how you were. I know Mom and Dad can be a lot, but I'm on your side, if it makes you feel better. You'll always have me." Her voice softened into the tone she used when trying to talk me down.

"What? What are you talking about? How do you know?" I pinched the bridge of my nose. Had she spoken to Elle?

"I mean, I don't mean to pry, but... I spoke to Mom. She told me everything. Well, not everything, but I can still imagine. And I'm really not on board with any of it," she added sternly.

"Suz, I'm not in the mood. Please explain. I have no idea what you're talking about. What happened with Mom?" I tried to stay calm, but anger was already building hot in my chest.

"Oh, shit—you don't know. Um... so Elle went by Mom and Dad's house on Monday to try and talk them into backing down. But you know Mom. She told me she hadn't said anything to upset Elle, but we both know she must have exploded. I'm not sure what she said, but Dad called me afterward to tell me Elle had run out crying, and that I should check on you just to make sure you didn't do anything stupid."

I stayed silent for a moment, letting the words sink in. And when they did, I wanted to punch through the wall.

"Elle left, Suz. She left and didn't tell me anything. She hasn't returned my calls. Everything was going great, so for her to walk out like this—Mom must have said something bad. I just—" My throat tightened. "I'm sorry, I have to go."

Before I lost it, I hung up and hurled my phone across the room. It shattered into pieces with a loud crack, but I didn't care. Rage pulsed through me, hot and blinding. How dare she?

I stormed out the door without a second thought. I didn't care that it was past midnight. 

"Oh my god, Adam? What are you d—"

"How dare you?" My voice thundered through the night, echoing in my parents' home. 

"What?" My mother's eyes narrowed, heavy with sleep.

"What did you tell her? Answer me." My voice was a command.

She tied her robe and came halfway down the stairs, my dad trailing behind her. His expression said he was already trying to figure out who to calm down first. She might have looked innocent in her robe and tired eyes, but I knew her fury was never far behind.

"How dare I? How dare you? Barging into our house at this hour?" she snapped. "Go home, Adam. We'll talk in the morning. She isn't worth your worry." She rolled her eyes and turned back up the stairs.

"You know what? I don't even care. You've crossed the line. And if you want to be out of my life—and never see your grandchild—then so be it. That's your decision, not mine. I thought we could reconcile, that this would pass. I thought you'd want to be part of the big steps your son is taking—buying a house, getting married, becoming a father. But you only care about yourselves if you can't see that this is what makes me happier than I've ever been. Elle and I were destined to be together, and things will work out because we love each other. Always have, always will.

You've made your choice clear. And I hope, whatever petty reason you have for being against her, it's worth losing your son and grandchild over. See ya."

Without looking back, I walked out of the house—and out of their lives.