Hanging On (Jessica Brodie Diaries #2)(46)

“We’ll see.” Challenge was on. Adam would get a rude surprise. Claire would end up so drunk she couldn’t stand, and while Adam would surely beat her—the man could hold his liquor something fierce—he would absolutely get drunker than he meant to. She’d keep going even though half dead, and he would definitely give up. Growing up in a place that had the mentality, “Eating is cheating,” the Irish knew what they were about.

“That's Lump,” William continued. “No one knows why she’s called such a feminine name, but if her martial arts experience is anything like her name, she fights as dirty as her name sounds. Also, as Jessica says, Lump is the classic LA beauty, which I can only assume means dense.”

Lump looked at William in surprise, her mouth dropping open.

Adam said, “Aw man, that ain’t right. I’m sure—“

Adam was interrupted by every girl, including Lump, laughing uproariously.

Flem pointed at her and said, “Only funny ‘cause it’s true!”

All the guys had uneven smiles, hesitant to laugh at a woman they’d just met, but understanding the humor. Or maybe just slightly unnerved that we were so wild and carefree about showing it; they knew me, and were slightly afraid of me, and now I was multiplied by five. Dangerous.

When our laughter died down, for the moment, William went on with Flem. “Flem, another delightful name, is one of our own—of sorts. She’s from Arkansas, but she hates when you mention it.”

Big smiles from the men this time.

Moose smirked. “You know what they say: literacy ain’t everything.”

“Now, you know,” Adam said, trying to be the good guy again, “Arkansas ain’t like it used to be. There’s three million people now…”

Flem looked at Adam with a relieved smile, until Adam continued.

“And I hear they’re up to, what, fifteen last names?”

I nearly threw up I was laughing so hard! Flem had her hands on her hips, trying to hide her smile while shaking her head.

Adam stepped closer and threw an arm around her shoulders. “All in fun. Don’t take no offense. Ask Jessie-girl, we’re a bunch o’ fools.”

“Tools, Adam," I clarified. "You’re a bunch of tools.”

Flem’s humorous outrage turned to startled when she felt Adam’s body. A second later that look became one of pure pleasure. The wicked grin was back.

“Next is Jane. Book worm. Apparently sweet, though I heard a story where she once made a grown man cry.”

“You told him that?” Jane exclaimed.

“Aw lads, that was pure class!” Claire said, remembering.

“It wasn’t my fault!” Jane defended. “He had it coming! He was trying to arrange a ménage-a-tois with Lump and Jess. I merely reasoned that a man like him had no hope of ever getting one girl to willingly see him naked, let alone two hot ones!”

“And last, my girlfriend Jessica, who is as pure as a saint.” I got a lot of scoffs for that one.

I also noticed he called me his girlfriend! It was the first time that name had been breached. I looked up in surprise and met penetrating, deep blue, twinkling eyes. He winked at me, and looked back to the group.

Okay, so that’s that, then.

I was exploding with thrilled butterflies. On each beating wing sat cupid, piercing my heart with a million tiny, love soaked arrows.

“Down girl,” William whispered in my ear.

“Ew, you guys are gross.” Jane rolled her eyes.

“I’ve been sayin’ the same thing for months! Did anybody listen to me? Noooo,” Adam said, having stepped back from Flem.

“Like I said, you whine,” I admonished.

Chapter Ten

“Can I get y’all a drink?” Adam asked, squinting at me, “It’s usually the only way to shut her up.”

“Always the gentleman, Adam,” I said over the chorus of yes’s.

We told him what we were drinking and he left to get it for us. I went to help him, patting William on the butt as I walked by.

“Need help?” I asked Adam good-naturedly as I approached the bar.

“Nah, you’re alright. Enjoy yer friends.”

I ignored him. “You never told me you were going to make a play for me...”

He was surprised but tried to hide it. He shook his head.

“Look,” I said, “I will just bring it up when I get drunk, so I thought I would do it sober. I hope I didn’t treat you badly or anything. I didn’t know.”

“Jessica, no, of course... Willie was into you long before I even saw you. Given the opportunity, sure, who wouldn’t go after a beautiful girl? And you are, you know. Beautiful. One of the most beautiful girls I ever seen. I wanted to tell you that on occasion, but didn’t want you to take it wrong-like. But you made your choice like Willie did. I knew that. But yeah, if he passed, his loss... so to speak.” Adam blushed and shrugged.

“Were you gearing up for it that night at Froggy’s?” I pushed. I wanted this all out on the table. I didn't want any closeted feelings or anything that might crop up later and put a damper on our friendship. Or worse, his and William's.

Adam shrugged again. “Maybe. Just gettin’ to know you, was all. You’re a handful. Pure evil on occasion, then sweet as pie the next second. Too much of a whirlwind for this country boy. It worked out like it shoulda. Willie needs a strong hand to keep him in line, and you need a guy that won’t backhand you.”