Except... he did.
Adrian Campos.
The other reason why I want to get the hell out of dodge.
A swell of excited cries and snaps me back to reality. My eyes dart over to the entrance, clocking the dozens of tall, stocky men rushing toward it. My default guess is that an old coach or gym teacher popped in for a brief cameo. When I see those familiar tendrils of fine, wavy black hair, the kind of shaggy hair that you want to run your fingers through while cooing, my heart stops. My blood, warm as it flows in my veins, runs ice cold.
“Big D!” the men sing out in a deep, jovial chorus. Everyone’s eyes flick over to the entrance, smiles all over their faces. Jenna, on the other hand, volunteered a stare that, if possible, would incinerate him where he stood. “What’s up, man?”
The man of the hour is here.
I wish I could be anywhere but here.
I don’t hesitate. I throw my money on the counter before rushing for the balcony. The bartender cries out to me, but I can’t be stopped. Pretty sure twenty bucks is enough for a Shirley Temple and a tip. I rush out to the balcony, the cool evening hair drying the beads of sweat forming on my brow. I forget what steady breathing is. I quietly hope that all those jocks with their broad shoulders and stocky builds provided enough cover to prevent Adrian from spotting me across the room.
I chastise myself for being so dramatic about all this. Ever since George roped me into coming to this reunion, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about the pact we made on the beach an eternity ago. I’m not sure I ever took the pact seriously. He wasn’t the type of man who stayed single for long. I can count on one hand the times he was single throughout our time at Peterson. One hand. There was no way in hell he’d be single now. I believe that wholeheartedly. And even if by some small miracle he wasn’t married, he was still out of my league.
Still, knowing there was a good chance he’d walk through those doors with his beautiful wife in toe threatened to shatter me. But that sounds stupid, doesn’t it? If I never took it seriously then why does the threat of its nullification bother me so much?
Coming here was such a dumb idea. I should have stayed home.
I’d be safer there.
“Wow, of all the things I expected to happen, watching you run away at the sight of me wasn’t one of them.” The moment that deep voice flows into my ears, my knees threaten to give out. I swallow hard, oscillating between terror and mortification. All those stocky guys surrounding him, and he still managed to spot me. Yet as I turn to look at him, the corners of my mouth lift into a small smile. “I don’t look that bad, do I?”
“What can I say?” He’s a little older, and he’s cleaned up nicely in his black sweater with the collar of a black dress shirt popped out. Just as I remember him. “I saw trouble walking in, so I ran.”
Chapter Two
The Richmond Hotel has an outdoor balcony where patrons go to get some fresh air, drink in hand. The balcony is all ours for the event and sure enough, there are groups of people standing out there, toasting to the past and present. Still, Adrian and I manage to find a quiet corner far away from the loud, festive revelers. Two minutes in and I wonder where all that anxiety I had before disappeared to. Ten years passed and yet it feels just like old times. A little awkward but wholesome, full of smiles. And ease.
“Holy crap, you can see all of downtown from up here.” The hustle and bustle of the city center spread before me, from the bright streetlights to the rows of car lights blazing bright red, waiting for the traffic light to change. Buildings are dressed in a veil of darkness, gray blocks of differing heights haphazardly cobbled together. The hotel towers above many of those buildings, but it’s also dwarfed by others. “I didn’t realize we were that far up.”
“It’s a boutique hotel in the middle of downtown. Of course, it’s going to be tall.” When he says it that way, I feel foolish for stating the obvious. But then he smiles and I can’t help but smile too. “I’m on top of the world.”
“Are you sure it’s not because you’ve made your triumphant return as the big man on campus?” I regret the words the minute they escape from my mouth. Not because it isn’t true, but because of George’s revelation of Adrian’s so-called nickname. It put a perspective on things I didn’t need. “What I mean is, it must be nice, seeing all of your old friends again. I thought you might not make it out here because everyone practically swarmed you.”
“I guess it’s nice to be remembered. But it’s definitely good to see you again.” I can’t stop myself from cracking another small smile, but I won’t let it get to my head. “I didn’t think I’d see you here.”
“Well, I didn’t come alone.” A long, pregnant pause. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say that the color seemed to drain from Adrian’s face. But I know better. “I’m here with my friend Georgia.”
“Ah!” I watch as he exhales deeply, smiling. Wait... is he relieved? “Hold up... Georgia? As in Georgia Sweet? Jet black hair? Always reading a book? Kept to herself?”
I nod. “You know her?”
“Yeah, but I didn’t think you did.”
“Well, we became friends about two years ago. We only discovered that we’d gone to the same high school when I spotted a yearbook at her house.” Best to leave out the part where, with a glass of wine in hand, she proceeded to roast a ton of students and teachers for two hours. It was glorious. “She’s much different now.”
“So are you.” I feel myself shrinking as he looks me over. It’s innocent enough, but I was never good at enduring his gaze. Standing on the balcony, the city spread before me, I feel small. His gaze makes me feel even smaller. “You look amazing.”
“Th-Thank you.” I’m not sure I believe it but I’m sane enough to accept the compliment. “You look great, too. But I mean, you always look great.”
He lifts an eyebrow. “Is that right?”
“Y-You know what I mean.” I’m not sure I know what I mean. Or rather, I don’t want to know. “You were always pleasing to the eyes.”
“If you say so.” Thankfully, he doesn’t ask me to elaborate. Good thing too, because I’m tongue-tied. Not a good start. “So, do you want me to ask the nosy questions now or later?”
“Now is fine.” I can’t stop myself from giggling. It’s so silly. Knowing a guy has such an effect on me. Yeah, he’s the epitome of tall, dark, and handsome, but still. I’m not in high school anymore. “I’m a real pharmacist now.”
“Seriously?” The way his eyes sparkle. Wow. “That’s great!”
“Took a lot of work, though. And a lot of money.” An unspeakable amount of money. “I work at the Wilson Drugs in University West. Been there almost three years.”
“Holy sh—er, crap!”
“Yeah. It’s kinda crazy. It can be stressful at times and I work ten-hour shifts, but I like it. It’s good, honest work.”
“Nothing wrong with that.” The look on his face reminds me of the look Coach White gave before I picked Adrian up and carried him out of the gym. Pure pride and joy. “You really are amazing.”