Page 36 of The Biggest Secret
“And I’ve got the goods!” Adley announces coming down the hallway holding a Victoria’s Secret bag. My eyes get round.
“And what do you think I’m going to do with that?”
She shrugs. “You two never had a problem in this department. Drive him wild. Let him see what he’s been missing.”
I shake my head. “I stole what he’s been missing, I don’t think he wants to play that game.”
“You’re wrong. The guy is hot for you. Grace doesn’t do it for him, that I know for sure.”
“Britt! Why do you know so much about them?” I’m getting mad at the mere thought of them together.
“The guys talk. And Bobby tells me everything.” She narrows her eyes at Chess and points. “You are a dirty bitch.” Chess barks out a laugh and pushes her shoulder.
“What can I say? Coach Gage is hot,” she winks.
“Momma, juice?” Dom asks as he begins to climb onto the counter and reach for the cranberry Britt left out.
“No, no, baby! Let me put your juice in your cup.” His eyes study all the women in my house.
“Fessa!” he yells when he recognizes Francesca and runs to her.
“There’s my sweet nephew!” She covers him in kisses, and he giggles at her. “Where are your trucks? Can you show me?” He wiggles around, and she lets him out of her hold. He grabs her hand, and they walk down the hall to his room.
My heart bursts at the sight, then simultaneously breaks for keeping this loving family from him for so long.
Like a book, my sister reads me perfectly. “Stop beating yourself up. You’re here now. It’s all going to work out.”
* **
I check the time on my phone. It’s a quarter to eight at night, and Adam should be here soon. After almost two hours, I decided on a dress. A deep maroon with lace overlay, short sleeves and falls just above my knees. Chess did my hair and makeup, and I allowed Adley to talk me into a lacy bra and panty set. Even if Adam doesn’t see it, it makes me feel good to have something sexy on. Nude heels and the love knot ring Adam gave me at college graduation complete the look.
I’m on my second drink. I didn’t want to be tipsy when Adam showed up. I want us to be able to go out and have a great night, good conversation, and try to get back to where we were. After I got over his little ‘tell you what’ attitude, I realized he’s right. We do owe it to Dominic to see this thing through. I never stopped loving Adam. I just let my mind twist my reality instead of letting my heart allow it.
The girls are still here. Chess is going to watch Dominic tonight. Britt says she’s staying until Adam shows because she wants to see him eat his own tongue–her words not mine.
“Momma pwetty,” Dominic says and leans over to give me a kiss. He’s such a sweet boy.
“Yes, momma is beautiful,” my sister replies. “Adam isn’t going to know what hit him.”
“Adam is an idiot for not paying more attention to you in the first place,” Britt says as her phone rings with a text message. She pulls it out and reads it, her brows furrowing. “Oh, hell no.” She starts typing back furiously.
“What’s going on, B?” Chess asks, still playing with Dom, running his cars along the coffee table.
My stomach sinks, and I just know. I watch her eyes lift to mine, then quickly to Chess, before she goes back to her phone.
“He isn’t coming, is he?” I ask quietly.
“I… don’t know. Bobby just sent a text to say he saw Adam and Billy still working over at the house on Gum Drop. So, I politely told my husband to get his ass back to that house and drag Adam home so he can get ready for you.”
“Seriously? He’s never going to learn. What else did Bobby say?” Farrah asks.
I stand, walk to the kitchen and make myself a stronger drink, my nervous energy needing somewhere to go. I gulp down half of it. The thought of him not coming was always in the back of my mind. I considered he might do it to spite me, but I see it’s just the same old Adam, caught up in work and not allowing anything else to take priority.
I take a deep breath and walk back towards them. “It’s fine. I deserve it, I guess.”
“Fuck that! No one deserves to be treated like shit.” Britt yells.
“Britt!” Chess hisses out, covering Dom’s ears. He’s grinning and makingzoom zoomcar noises; I doubt he even knows we’re all upset.
