Reckless Abandon (November Blue, #2)(16)

“Please, Adrian, call us by our names.” Ashby breaks his stunned silence and shakes Adrian’s hand once more.

As soon as Adrian’s car pulls away from the curb, I offer my defense.

“I’m sorry I haven’t called you guys. This week I got back to work, and today we had our meeting in Concord.”

“Your what?” Ashby asks.

“Ash, my organization is still collaborating with Bo’s. I’m a grant writer; I’ve got a job to do.” I plunk down next to my

mom, who starts absentmindedly playing with the ends of my hair.

“Can you back up and tell us what happened?” Raven chimes in innocently.

I tell them about my time in Concord and how it ended. My dad starts wringing his hands when I tell them about Bill coming after

me, and me falling flat on my face in front of Adrian on the sidewalk. I reference my conversation today with Monica, and am honest

when I say I don’t know how I would have handled it had Bo told me everything earlier on, but remind them that it’s a moot point.

Ashby walks to the couch and sits next to me. “I’d hate to think what could have happened if Adrian wasn’t there.”

“Yeah, I know, Dad.” I sigh as I rest my head on his shoulder. He doesn’t correct me on calling him Dad. I need him to just be

my dad right now.

“So have you and Adrian been spending a lot of time together since then?” Raven asks.

“He was here a lot last week, but we haven’t seen much of each other this week. He’s not contracted with DROP anymore, so we won

’t be seeing each other at work. I still want to spend time with him.”

She sighs. “He’s a good boy, November, always has been.” Raven and Ashby share a look over my shoulder. They’re being less

colorful than usual.

“Guys, what’s going on? You’re being weird...normal.”

Raven’s eyes mist over.

“Seriously, Mom, what is it?” I sit forward.

“I feel like some of this is my fault. I encouraged you ...”

“You encouraged me to listen to my gut. I did. I really feel like I loved Bo, but it was more of a firework than anything else. It

was hot, heavy, and just too fast. I learned a lot about myself. It’s OK, promise.” I gulp when I realize that I now completely

believe the things I’m saying about the end of our relationship. Maybe I’m right after all, it was just a fling.

“OK, Honey. You seem like you’re doing fine. I just want to make sure you’re not bottling it all up.” Ashby knows my bottling

tendencies.

“I really am OK. Where are you guys off to now?” I hope a change of topic brightens the heavy mood.

“Well,” my dad’s tone abides, “we’ll be in town through the weekend, but then we’re heading out to San Diego. Six wants to

hit the studio again.”

“Are you f*cking serious?” I half-laugh at the thought of my parents and their friends in the studio once again.

“Watch your mouth,” my mom teases, “and, yes, we’re serious. We’re all at a point in our lives when our kids are out of the

house, and we have experienced a lot more life than the last time we recorded.”

“Well, if you’re going to be here tomorrow do you want to come to Finnegan’s and hear me sing?”

My parents smile and hug me simultaneously. “We’d love to! Now, we’ll get going so you can have some quiet time with Adrian. See

you tomorrow, hun. Oh, Ember!” Raven interrupts her own exit. “Yoga tomorrow morning on the beach, just me and you.” She smiles.

“Was that a question or an invitation?” I lean against the doorframe.

“Neither, see you then.” She kisses my cheek and turns away.

Raven and Ashby walk hand-in-hand away from the apartment. I hear them say good-bye to Adrian, who is walking up the stairs.

Suddenly my heart is racing, and I feel warm all over. I could use a yoga session right about now. When Adrian enters my apartment,

he seems to study the look on my face—I’m sure I’m as red as I can be.

“Did they leave on my account?” he asks as he crosses the threshold.

“Sort of,” I barely let out. My throat is suddenly scratchy. I take a step back and dig my hands into my back pockets.

Adrian’s espresso-colored eyes steam into mine as he blindly closes the door behind him. I’m sure the lights are dimming; the

charge between us is audible. Fireflies of memories illuminate my living room. Each flicker begs, “Go.” My heart gallops me

forward as a heavy sigh takes the reins. Almost on command, he meets me halfway. Lightning’s been striking around us for weeks,

and until now I’ve been running for cover. I can’t deny his pull any longer. Our mouths collide, his tongue tentatively tasting

my lips before I open my mouth and let him all the way in.

“My God,” he whispers as he pulls back for a brief second. His hand glides up the back of my neck and tightens through my hair as

we resume our kiss.

Five years burns like wildfire between us as my hands run along his sharp jaw line and hold his face in place. This feels so good I