Always Adam

Chapter 46

We decided to leave for the hotel around three. We planned to check in at the hotel, grab some dinner and then get ready for the party. Justin and I play fifty questions with each other trying to get to know each other better. We wanted to be prepared if any questions came up at the party. Our plan was to say Brett introduced us a few months before I came down and we'd been talking since. I learned Justin's parents moved to Florida after Jenna and Justin graduated. They decided to spend the summer with Brett's family since Jenna and Brett didn't want to spend the summer apart. They have an older brother Julian who lives in California and an older sister in Texas. I know more about Justin than I ever needed to know by the time we reach the hotel.

Justin easily carries my bag along with his to the room. We got one room with double beds. Looks like Justin and I would be sharing a bed. I knew there was no way Jenna and Brett would agree to sleep in separate beds. I just hoped they didn't plan on trying to have sex while Justin and I were trying to sleep. That would be awkward. Justin tossed the bags to the floor and hopped on one of the beds. He bounced up and down a few times before deciding it was alright. Brett tossed Jenna to the other bed and jumped on her. She squealed. "No sex tonight you two," Justin said looking at them. Brett gave him a look. "Dude it's my sister. You can't be that cruel." Brett turned to Jenna and kissed her.

"Let's go find somewhere to eat," Justin said standing. I grabbed my purse and we both walked outside to wait for them. They finally came out about ten minutes later. We found a local Italian place with minimal wait time. "My pasta is good," I said wiping my mouth with a napkin. I watched as Justin reached for a piece of garlic bread. He looked over at me and offered me a piece. "Thanks," I said taking the bread and smearing it into the pasta sauce. I unintentionally moaned as I chewed the bread. "So good." Justin looked to Brett and they both laughed. Jenna elbowed Brett. I ignored them. When we finished eating and it was time to divide the check, Justin stopped me. "I got your meal. You're doing me a huge favor so it's the least I can do." I smiled. "Thanks, but it isn't necessary." "I know, but I want to." I thanked him again and put away my wallet.

Since we had time to kill before the party, Justin gave Brett directions to their old house and high school. We did a drive by the house and Jenna groaned. "They cut down the trees that were planted when we born. That's so sad Justin." I look to where Jenna is pointing. She slumps in her seat. "It sucks Jenna, but life goes on. Things change." She gives him a pouty look. "I don't know why mom and dad were in such a hurry to move. We still have friends around here and can't even spend time coming home to see mom, dad or any of them." We circle the block a couple times before Jenna says it's fine to leave the neighborhood. The trip to the school was uneventful. We arrive at Austin's a little before nine. Justin was hoping to arrive before Tyler and Veronica show up.

The house is a rental that Austin and two other kids are living at. It's a decent size and I'm surprised to find it very clean. Austin greets Justin with a giant hug. He's a few inches taller than Justin and has a bit of extra weight on him. His brown hair is short and messy looking. Once he pulls away he does the same to Jenna. Jenna quickly introduces him to Brett. She let's Justin introduce me. I wait to see what he will say. "This is my girlfriend Carly," he says pulling me to him and sliding his arm around me. Austin takes a minute to check me out. "Nice to meet you," he says and turns to Justin. "Veronica is going to lose her shit." Justin kisses the side of my head and says, "Fuck her." Austin laughs. Austin then introduces us to his two roommates when they find their way to the living room. The dark haired kid is Alec and the dirty blond is Brody.

We follow them out to the back yard. It's a decent size. They have a keg set up in the corner of the porch along with a table of various alcohol selections. Red solo cups are stacked next to them. The boys have a fire pit set up with chairs circling it. "How many people are you expecting?" Justin asks Austin. "Both Alec and Brody invited some people so maybe thirty. We're hoping to keep it small. But you know how it goes when word gets out." Jenna and I help Austin put out snacks while Justin and Brett start a fire in the outside fire pit. Alec had to run out to pick someone up and Brody was in his room with a girl. It wasn't long before the house was filling up with people.

We were outside by the fire. I was sitting on Justin's lap and Jenna was next to us on Brett's lap. They had a good view of the door to go inside. I noticed Jenna tense. "They're here," she whispers. I want to turn and look but I don't. I don't let Justin look either. When he tries to turn his head, I lean down and whisper, "Don't look. You don't want them to think you were waiting on them." I kiss the top of his head. "Be cool. We got this." He nods. "They got a drink and went back inside. They defiantly saw us. Saw you and Carly," Jenna says. "You're here to have a good time. Don't let them bother you," I tell him. He nods again. I tip his head up and kiss him. I kiss him long and hard. After he pulls me to him in a hug. I suddenly feel protective of him. He's a good guy who deserves a good girl.

It's not until later we make our way inside. Jenna and I didn't want to force a Tyler and Veronica faceoff before we were sure Justin could handle it. Inside we find a group of people playing beer pong. Among those people are Tyler and Veronica. When we enter I'm holding Justin's hand. We're laughing at a non-existent conversation. Jenna and Brett laugh to. Once we enter Justin leans down to whisper to me. "Should we stay here or go into the living room," he asks. I can tell he's a bit nervous. I smile up at him and pull his lips to mine in a soft sweet kiss. When I pull away he mouths an I love you. Just then we here Tyler say "You should have had that Veronica. What the hell." We look over and she's watching us.

Justin nods a hello. Tyler looks to where Veronica is looking. Justin nods a hello to him also. Looking uncertain, Tyler nods back. I pull Justin into the living room. "You did great," I whisper in his ear. He pulls me into a hug. "That was brutal," he whispers in my ear. "I'm sorry Justin. Maybe we should go." He holds me tighter. "No. I won't let them win. Dance with me he says." I look around and there aren't many people dancing, but I dance with him. We dance slow even though it's a fast song. His eyes are closed. I close mine and just let him hold me while we sway. After several songs he pulls away. He cups my face with his hands and softly kisses me.

It's later that I'm coming out of the bathroom and there she is. Veronica. She blocks my way. "Excuse me," I say. When I try to go around her, she grabs my arm. "Remove your hand. Trust me I can take down in the less five seconds if I want." She lets go of my arm. "Do you love him?" she asks. "Not that's its any of your business but yes I do. He's a great guy." She looks like she's about to cry. "He is a great guy." With that she hurries into the bathroom closing the door. I shake my head and walk away. I do not plan to tell Justin about that. I saw regret in those eyes. There was no way I wanted Justin to think there was a chance Veronica regretted her decision and wanted him back. He deserved way better than her.

Back at the hotel, Jenna tells Justin that Veronica was watching us dance. "You two looked so hot together. If I didn't know better, I would swear the two of you are a real couple." I'm lying next to Justin on the bed. "And the Emmy goes to." "Carly Harris and Justin Reed," he finishes. We give each other a high five and laugh. "I saw Tyler and Veronica arguing not long before they left. I have a feeling Veronica was upset at seeing you and Carly together." Talk of the party dies down and we decide to get some sleep. Justin offered to sleep on the floor, but I wasn't about to let him do that. I told him it was no big deal to share a bed with a friend regardless of their sex. When I woke the next morning, I was lying on Justin's chest and his arms were wrapped around me. This was something I missed. I feel my mind going to a place I don't want it to and quickly shut that door.