Hanging On (Jessica Brodie Diaries #2)(95)

“Eh.” I waved the comment away.

“Stop being so haughty. She’s cute. You just don’t like her because she’s competition.”

“She’s not competition.” Was she? Did William prefer the small, sweet, delicate types?

“He doesn’t,” Lump said, reading my mind before going back to her beer with an indifferent look.

“He doesn’t what?” Brad asked.

“Jess was wondering if William wanted one of those types of girls instead of her.”

“Oh no way,” Brad said, “That’s not at all what I was talking about. You’re hands down hotter. I’m just saying that women think other women are competition.”

“You need to hang out with more quality women,” Lump reflected.

It was then that Adam joined us. He stood behind Lump with his girl lightly pulled into his body. She barely came up to his chest.

“Jessica, may I introduce you to Elise?” Adam asked politely, and completely unlike himself.

“Uh…sure?”

“Eloquent response,” Lump muttered at me with a smirk.

“Jessica, this is my friend Elise. Elise, this is Jessica, William’s girlfriend.”

Since when did Adam call William by his full name?

“Charmed,” the pixie said, nodding delicately.

Charmed?

“Hi. Nice to have you join us.” I nodded. I probably should have stood up…but I didn’t. Too lazy.

“You know Brad, of course,” Adam continued.

Was it just me, or was Adam trying to speak with less of an accent, and with more literature approved sentences and words? Where was the ain’t I knew and loved?

“Yes. Hello Bradley.”

Bradley?

Lump smiled wickedly and looked up at Brad through her eyelashes. Brad noticed and turned a fantastic shade of tomato-red.

“And this is Betsy, but we call her Betz.”

Lump did a quick eye-roll, but stood up, turned with the grace of a ballerina, and extended her hand. She dwarfed Elise in both height, grace and beauty! Plus, if all else failed, she could totally kick her ass. I was proud of my friend.

“Hello Betsy.” Elise nodded her head slightly and smiled.

“If you wouldn’t mind, I would prefer to be called Betz or Lump. I got picked on often as a child with the name Betsy.”

“Oh!” It was more a breath than a word. Elise put her hand to her chest as if she insulted royalty and couldn’t bear it. “I do so apologize!

Lump smiled. “Think nothing of it.”

“But… Lump?”

Lump smiled again. “Would you care to sit down? I will tell you the story.”

Adam was looking at Lump like she was a puzzle. It seemed like he sensed a trick. Being that he also didn’t want to separate from his woman for some reason, he pulled the chair out for Elise, which she expected, then sat beside her. Brad nodded in welcome.

Lump settled back down and explained, “I hated my name since I was old enough to know it. My mother loved it for some completely unknown reason, and my two brothers thought it was the most terrible name on the planet. My father hated it, too, which allowed my brothers to get away with all the name-calling. One day, when I was old enough to fight back, though still not big enough to win, I gave my oldest brother the meanest black-eye anyone could remember. My father was so proud of me for fighting back—for giving my brother the lump he deserved—I was called Lump by everyone in the dojo. I wore it like a badge of pride. And because I also hated my real name, I kept that name.”

“My goodness—quite a violent past,” Elise responded, hand still to her heart.

Lump kept herself from looking at Adam, but I didn’t. He was slightly ridged and definitely uncomfortable. But holding.

“First time I heard that story,” I said to cut the tension.

"And here I always thought you more curious than that," Brad reflected.

“I didn’t realize,” Adam said around his woman, ignoring Brad and me. “I should be calling you Lump.”

Lump shrugged. “Betz is fine. Doesn’t sound so bad with a twang.” She laughed, ignoring Adam’s sorrowful eyes. “Plus, if I told Gladis not to call me Betz she’d throw a cup at me.”

“Another cup at you,” I added, laughing with her.

“Speaking of cups. Adam? Would you be so kind as to get me a drink?” Elise asked.

“O’course,” Adam said, jumping up immediately. “Would anyone else care for a drink?”

“I would care for one a great deal, thank you, sir,” Brad responded with a grin.

Adam flashed Brad a frown, which had Brad rethinking his taunting.

“Yes Adam, if it wouldn’t be too much trouble, I would also greatly care for a drink. Thank you, kindly,” I wasn't worried about taunting in the least.

“Yes please, Adam. Thanks,” Lump said without a hint of mocking in her voice, but with that wicked twinkle in her eye.

Adam walked away, shaking his head.

“So, what do you do, Elise?” Lump started.

“Oh, I do a lot of charity work. I am also the head planner for fund raisers at my social club. It keeps me busy!”

So… she had a ton of money, then. Didn’t need to work. Figured. Adam slummed it with us poor gals, talked about working hard, but for girlfriend material he went for the wealthy. It was a reminder I didn’t need or want. It was a different world, and even stinkin’ Adam was in it.