Page 39 of Lost Summer
She wouldn’t have a leg to stand on if she took me to court, but I could see her doing it for the media attention.
Fuck.
The river was located in the heart of the city, the water shimmering under the burning sun. The air was filled with the scent of freshly cut grass and the faint hint of exhaust fumes from the nearby streets. The sound of distant traffic and the soft lapping of the water against the shore created a soothing backdrop to the chaos in my head.
I drove on autopilot, unaware of the traffic lights that eased my way to Adele, my car dragging my hollow soul to hers. Together, we would be okay; together, we could face anything.
But apart?
Apart…I felt like I was dying.
Once you’ve lived a life—I mean, really lived a life—the taste of sunshine on your tongue and the air that wakes you from your otherwise mundane existence changed everything.
Music spoke to you in ways you never thought possible; the lyrics you’d sung along to pissed in pubs struck you differently when you were in love. Soft kisses, mumbled words that made zero sense to anyone but you, stupid giggles as your lips collided repeatedly; it all came together like a jigsaw puzzle you didn’t realise was missing a piece.
I saw Adele, her hair whipping in the breeze, her arms hugging her coat to her body, which was stooped over the brick wall overlooking the river. I parked, probably illegally, and ran to her without locking my car.
Mercedes? Take it.
I wrapped my arms around her waist and buried my head into her neck, inhaling her scent.
“Adele.”
I closed my eyes when she stiffened, her fingers lacing through mine as she rested her head against my shoulder, exposing her tear-streaked cheeks.
“Ted.”
Broken. My girl was broken. Broken-hearted lovers wrote the best songs, but right now, I’d rather be without music than ever sing again.
“Dell.”
I breathed her name into her hair, pulling her close to me.
“I’m so sorry.”
Adele shuddered in my arms, but together, we shifted so she was facing me. Her eyes took my breath away, as they always did, but her lower lip quivered as she tried to suppress a sob.
“Please, don’t cry.” I stroked her face, resting my forehead against hers. “I can’t bear it, love.”
“I love you, and it’s hard to love someone tied to another for the rest of their life.”
Her words hit me deep.
What could I say?
“Let me...I can’t...fuck—Adele, I want you. I want you.” I knew I barely made sense, but words were bumbling together without structure.
“You’re going to be a daddy; that’s great.” Adele swallowed, forcing a smile through her tears. “I’m just so fucking sad it’s not with me.”
My heart broke then, shattering into pieces right beside hers. But if we shattered, we’d shatter together.
“I’m not losing you again,” I vowed, my throat swollen with emotion. “I won’t let you go.”
Adele dropped her gaze, her hand caressing my skin as she nodded.
“It won’t be easy. It will be?—”
“Entirely possible,” I finished for her, stroking away fresh tears. “I can’t be without you, Adele. I don’t care what I have to do; you’re the rest of my life. Living without you...” I stopped, choking on my words.
