Page 14 of Wrecked

“I’d love some,” he says, entering our house and walking straight past me.

I stomp my foot and then follow them to the kitchen.

As soon as we enter, Luke takes one look at Adam and says out loud, “Oh, shit.” Then, he covers his mouth with his hand to hide a smile.

“Hello, Luke. Mr. Paige.” Adam is so formal. Way too formal for this house. His deep voice croons through our yellow wallpapered kitchen.

Dad nearly drops his knife as he looks from Adam to me and then back to Adam, obviously wondering what the hell he’s doing here. “Hello there, Officer. Can I make you a cup of coffee?”

“Yes, please.” Adam takes a seat on a stool by the kitchen island. “Cream, no sugar.”

“Yes, sir,” Dad replies awkwardly. Even he is a little intimidated.

Mom gives me a raised-brow expression that speaks all the thoughts I don’t want her to be thinking. I shake my head, ignoring her. She clearly doesn’t get the hint.

“So, Adam, how have you been? How’s your mother?” she asks.

“She’s good. Keeping busy at the gas company. Landon is going to college in the fall, so she has her hands full with getting him ready.”

I can’t believe Landon is going to college. When I used to visit their house, he was a little kid with a mop of brown hair and those rubber glasses that made kids look like they were wearing swim goggles. He’d play handball in the driveway for hours, making up these silly games. I’ve seen him around town, but I didn’t realize how old he’d gotten. It’s making my twenty-three years feel ancient.

“My mom asks about Leah all the time,” Adam adds.

My stomach oddly flutters.

“I let her know I’m keeping an eye on her.”

My eyes shoot to Adam, who is acting as if what he just said is normal. Luke is incredulously looking at me from his corner of the room.

Dad nods to Adam and points at me with his paring knife. “Glad to have someone keeping an eye on this one. She can get into an awful lot of trouble.”

“It’s not her I’m worried about,” Adam says. “It’s the men who wait for her outside the bar. A pretty girl walking to her car at three in the morning isn’t safe.”

“How do you know what time I get out?” I ask.

“See, Leah?” Dad interrupts. “I’ve told you, the first thing we’re doing is installing a video camera in the parking lot.”

Mom places her hand back on her chest. “I never thought of that. Do you really think she’s unsafe? Bob, we need to look into this.”

“Guys, I’m fine. I’m—”

“Don’t worry, Mrs. Paige,” Adam says, looking her straight in the eye. “She’s safe.” The way he delivers his words, it’s as if he can assure her of my safety for the rest of my life.

“Well,” Dad says, extending his hand to Adam, “it’s good to know Leah has a good man in her life.”

I slap my hand to my head. Adam is giving them the wrong impression. He’s not in my life at all. He’s just imposing himself for his own sick gratification.

As Adam and my dad shake hands, I swear, my dad looks like he’s going to cry.

I grab Adam’s arm and pull him away. “We’re late,” I say as I walk out of the kitchen.

I’m halfway through the living room when Adam barks at me, “You have to change first.”

I turn around. “What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?”

“You can’t work in those shoes, and that outfit is too nice for a construction site.”

I look down at my romper. Too nice? What does he expect me to be doing today?