Page 13 of The Biggest Secret
Jackson eyes me for a moment. “You good?”
I take the last gulp of my coffee and toss the cup in the trash a few feet away, taking the time to search my mind for an answer. “I’m not sure. Seeing her was… it was something. I was shocked, honestly. I mean, it’s been so long. No text, no calls, and then she’s standing in front of me.” I sigh, taking my hat off, running my hand through my hair and sliding the hat back on. “And friggin’ Grace, trying to claim me in front of her. I don’t know what she was trying to pull.”
“Want me to be honest?”
I lock eyes with him. “Of course, and before you say it, I know I’m a dick.”
“As long as you know it,” he chuckles but continues. “Grace has been hanging around for a long time. To anyone else,but you, it looks like you guys are together. If that’s not where you want to be, you need to end it. Don’t settle because you’re lonely. It’s not fair to you or her.”
Making a noise in the back of my throat, I say, “Jesus, my sister got you reading those love books again?” We begin walking towards his truck. I need this conversation to end.
“They come in handy,” he says, his eyes taking on a weird shine.
“Don’t fucking go there, Gage,” I growl out.
He throws his head back and barks a laugh. “When are you going to get over this, Adam? I love her, she loves me. We’re going to get married; I’m going to be your brother-in-law, and soon we’re going to have kids!”
“By immaculate conception!” I cut in.
He doubles over again. “Whatever gets you through the night, bro.” He sobers and continues, “Listen, go talk to her. There’s obviously something going on if she came back, if she camelookingfor you, because let’s be real, last night? She found you. And I think you wanted to be found.” He claps me on the back “Now get back to work, you look like you’re falling behind here,” he laughs and I push him into his truck.
“Stop coming by my job sites and fucking up my timelines,” I say with no malice at all. “I’ll talk to you later, Gage.”
He nods, pulling out of the drive and heading back home as his words ring in my head.
I’ve been hiding for too long. It’s time I was found.
Chapter Twelve
Chelsea
Seven years earlier
It hasn’t been an easy adjustment settling into Christmas. The day after we had moved into our new homes, Adam went right to work with his dad. I expected him to do so but I didn’t expect it to be twelve-hour days where Adam would stop by for dinner and then fall asleep on my couch.
I didn’t expect to be sitting around waiting for him to call or text me all day. I knew better than to do that, but I found myself waiting anyway for contact that never came.
In order to feel useful and have some kind of tie to him, I’ve been spending the days with his mom. Janet has been teaching me the administration part of the business, invoicing and reconciling the books. I was a business major, so I enjoy the work. Finding discrepancies or streamlining processes for the business is a specialty of mine. I also really enjoy spending time with his mom. She has stepped right into a motheringrole for me, and it’s been more than comforting, especially since I’ve lost my connection with Adam in the few weeks we’ve been here.
Francesca has been coming home at least one weekend a month from college, so we’ve been spending time together. She’s filled my friendship needs and I love learning more about her family. She introduced me to her best friend Farrah. Add in Britt, and when Adley comes up on weekends, we’re quickly turning into the Fab Five. It’s comforting when I’m missing Adam.
Tonight is our anniversary. I know where our relationship is leading, I’ve been staying at his house more and more. I’m not really sure why I still have my house but with Adam working all the time, I’m afraid to make that permanent move, afraid to tie that last piece of myself to someone else. I can hear my therapist telling me I still haven’t learned anything.
‘The smartest thing a woman can ever learn is to never need a man. Remember that, Chelsea.’
Moms’ words linger in my mind. I allowed myself to need Adam when I moved here and it’s beginning to backfire on me now.
Adam sent me a text earlier in the day to say he’d be home around seven tonight, so I ran to the store and got all the fixings to make his favorite–lasagna and garlic bread. I’m not a great cook but Janet is very patient in teaching me. I’ve set the table, lit some candles, music is on, and I’m wearing a special set of lingerie I purchased a few weeks back just for tonight.
I wait.
At ten minutes to seven I prepare to hear his big diesel truck coming down the road.
I wait some more.
“Adam, don't do this. Not tonight,” I whisper as I make myself busy, rearranging the silverware and checking the wine in the fridge.
7:33 Adam: I’m sorry CJ, I’m just packing up and will be home shortly.
