The Rebound (Girls of Summer Book 2) Read online

  I wanted to lie, but what could I say? I was cold? That was too much bullshit even for me. Honesty never failed me when it counted. “Because this feels good.”

  We moved closer, the workers behind the windows had a clear view of our little display of affection. Adam stepped it up a notch.

  “What if I do this?” His lips brushed over my ear. “Does that feel good?”

  “Mmmm,” I moaned. We were next in line and guess who was working the line we’d chosen? “Game time, slugger.”

  “What?” Adam’s chin left my shoulder for a minute. “Okay. Tell me what you want me to do.”

  “Keep doing what you’re doing. That will be enough.” I lifted my hand and ran it through his hair, eliciting a small groan from him. I smiled and stepped toward the window, laughing seductively.

  Heather’s face went from huge smile to oh shit in less than five seconds.

  “Oh,” I said, feigning shock. “This is awkward.”

  Adam pulled me against him. Thankfully he didn’t say a word.

  “Um, well, anyway,” I said, putting fake cheer in my voice. “We’ll have a large milkshake with two straws.” I held up two fingers just to be clear. “And a banana split. Two spoons.”

  Heather jolted out of her daze and rang us up, giving me the total.

  Adam let go of me and reached for his wallet.

  “I got this, babe,” I said, handing Heather a fifty. “You bought dinner. It’s only fair.”

  Heather’s hands shook as she opened her register. “Um... Mr. Igles,” she said over her shoulder. “Can I get some change?”

  “Oh no.” I pressed my hand to my chest. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t think to bring anything ...” my gaze met hers directly, “smaller.”

  “That’s quite alright,” Mr. Igles said with a smile. “Not a problem at all.”

  Heather’s hand still shook as she handed over my change. I shoved it into my purse without bothering to put it back into my wallet. It was a bitch move. The entire thing was. I knew my family’s wealth would be a sore point for her. I felt bad about it really, but Adam and I had a deal. She needed to know he was over her and he needed to let her go. And regardless of how bad I felt, Heather still threw Vicky under the bus a month ago. Yeah, she did it for the money, but money wasn’t everything.

  We stepped to the side so Heather could take the next order and waited for our custard. Adam’s fingers dug into my waist. Either he wasn’t happy with my little performance or he was stressed about seeing Heather. I needed to make it up to him before he went back on our deal. Turning around, I rose on my tiptoes and kissed him softly.

  His mouth quirked in a smile. “What was that for?”

  “You looked like you could use it,” I said, licking my lips for show and to taste him again. Adam Mitchell was a damn good kisser. “And I wanted to.”

  “Do that all you want,” he said as Heather started to put our frozen treats on the small shelf. “Thanks,” he said to her. She smiled and blushed.

  It pissed me off. Obviously, she didn’t get the point that he was with me. I reached for the shake fast, grabbing it before she let go. My nails dug in just enough to be painful. Her eyes widened, and I smiled.

  Adam tugged me away. We walked back to his truck in silence. He dropped the tailgate and sat the banana split down, took the milkshake from me, then lifted me onto the tailgate. It was surprising, manly, and damn hot. I crossed my legs and waited for him to join me.

  “You okay?” I asked when he settled in beside me.

  He shrugged and ate a large bite out of the split. I waited, wondering if I’d totally misjudged the entire situation. Adam’s throat bobbed as he swallowed. He turned to look me in the eyes. “I wasn’t expecting that.”

  “What?” I asked.

  “I just...” He sat the banana split down and sighed. “The look on her face. It wasn’t what I was expecting.”

  “Oh.” I reached out and took his hand. “I’m sorry?”

  Adam flipped his hand over, entangling our fingers. “That sounded like a question.”

  “It was.” I scooted closer. “I’m not sorry. We set out on this plan tonight for a reason. You want to prove to her that you’ve moved on. So, you can actually move on.”

  “You’re right.” He lifted our hands, kissing the back of mine. I knew it was all for his ex, but I savored the contact, nonetheless.

  “Let’s talk about something else.” I freed my hand, even though that was the last thing I wanted. “Like you.”

  “Me?” Adam laughed. “I’m not that interesting.”

  “Nobody thinks they are, but they’re always wrong.” I sipped from the milkshake, surprised it was already empty. “And if we’re going to be fake dating, we need to learn about each other. So, tell me something a girlfriend would know.”

  We talked, touching each other for the sake of his ex-girlfriend, but nothing outrageous. At least I kept telling myself that’s what it was. Every little press of skin sent my heart racing. I wanted more. Instead I focused on him, his life, everything he shared with me. Mostly he talked about his friends and school. And I found myself doing the same, keeping it equally superficial. It was necessary for a fake relationship, and since I’d never been in a real relationship, it seemed unnecessary to open the closet door and let him see any secrets. Like why I ended up at Xavier and how much I miss playing basketball on a regular team. We talked very little about our families, but I told him a bit about Dad and a lot about Joanne. But not my mother. Never my mother.

  “Hey, you kids need to get off the lot We’re closing up,” Mr. Ingles shouted from the back door.

  We looked around. Nobody was left eating their frozen custard at their cars. My eyes widened when I met Adam’s gaze. We started laughing.

  “Let’s go to your party,” he said as he slid off the tailgate.

  “There will be another one.” I shrugged. “At this point, it’s already past into overdrive. Nobody would remember us being there. But they will remember that I wasn’t there with my new boyfriend. I’ll spread a rumor that we were preoccupied.”

  He put his hands on my waist and helped me down. I didn’t want to leave. But all good things must come to an end, and our night was over. We’d accomplished our goals. There wasn’t any reason to keep up the charade. Next time, we’d pick up where we left off.

  The next afternoon, my phone chimed again as I parked in the garage. It was from Adam. We’d been texting all day, but we had a long break while he was at work and I was at practice. Not that he knew about basketball. It was something I didn’t want to share yet. I felt a little foolish keeping it a secret, but I also didn’t want to let him into that part of my life. If our relationship was real, it would be different.

  We chatted about nothing, or we should do for our next date. He wanted to meet up tonight and go to some bowling alley near his house. Fortunately, it’s my Saturday dinner with Dad. It’s a tradition for us. Since I was eight, we’ve had dinner together the first Saturday of the month. Nothing ever interfered.

  Sure you can’t bowl? Adam asked.

  I smiled. He’d brought it up three times already. Dinner plans. Sorry.

  Mystery man? Should I be jealous? ;)

  LOL. I told you. Dinner w/ Dad. I held back from adding an emoji. We really weren’t there yet, even if he sent me a winky face.

  How was your spa day? he asked.

  Heavenly. This would be easier on the phone. As many texts as we’d sent, we could’ve had a twenty-minute conversation instead.

  Still at work. Long day. Boss left 10 minutes ago so I can text at the register.

  That sucked. He’d gotten to work when the hardware store opened at nine and it was almost six. When do you leave?

  7. How was the spa? Entertain me. I’m bored here.

  I laughed and opened the car door. Dinner was at six-thirty. I had half an hour to make myself somewhat presentable We weren’t like some old Victorian family who wore tails to dinner. Dad and I p
referred shorts, pizza, and soda. It was the one day of each month that neither one of us worried about what we ate or how other people perceived us. This was our day to have fun. I loved every minute of it.

  It was great. The massage worked out knots I didn’t know I had. I walked into the quiet kitchen. Joanne was also granted this day off. I dropped my bag onto one of the three barstools at the kitchen island. Texting with one thumb, I went to the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge. The mud bath was gross, but it felt great once I got out.

  Actual mud? I thought that was just something Hollywood stars do.

  Nope. My reply was fast, because anybody can get a mud bath. Silly boy.

  I grabbed my bag, waiting for him to say something else. He went quiet. I shoved my phone in my pocket and took the stairs two at a time. Dad wasn’t home yet. It was unusual, but not unheard of. Maybe he’d stopped for the pizza and ice cream feast on his way home. He’d done that before too. Saturdays weren’t a usual workday, but sometimes he took the opportunity of a quiet office to get things caught up. He enjoyed the silence in the massive building. I thought it was creepy.

  When I got out of the shower fifteen minutes later, I had three more texts from Adam.

  I’d like a mud bath.

  Is that a couples thing? Or would that be too weird?

  I’m in unchartered territory here.

  I knew what he meant. I thumbed out a quick response. Me too.

  Is this all a little too weird? he asked.

  I wanted to tell him it wasn’t strange at all. People do this kind of stuff all the time. Just usually on TV or in the movies, but it has been known to happen. Dad and Mom went to the spa together when I was a kid. I shook that thought out of my head as my phone chimed again.

  Sorry. I’m making it weird.

  I smiled. No, you’re not. Gotta go. Dinner soon.

  Bowling after?

  I snorted and sent him an emoji with a stuck-out tongue then I went downstairs. The dining room was dark, so I turned on the light and set the table. Then I waited. And waited.

  When the grandfather clock in the sitting room announced that it was seven, I called him. Dad didn’t answer. My heart sped up in my chest. Where was he? Was he okay? Was he hurt? I tried his number again, but he still didn’t answer. I tried the office number. Nada. His assistant. She always knew where he was. I pulled up Angela’s number and hit send.

  “Hello?” she said a little too cheerfully.

  “Angela, it’s Rachel. Have you seen Dad?” It was as if I was begging her for the information.

  “Of course, I know it’s you, Rachel, dear.” She laughed. It was as fake as her nose. “Your father is at Stephenson’s charity event tonight. Surely you checked the calendar before you panicked.”

  I didn’t. There wasn’t any reason to check the calendar. This was always our day. “Thanks,” I mumbled then ended the call

  The calendar hung on the fridge in the kitchen. Angela had tried to move it several times, but that’s where it had always been and that’s where it was going to stay. I didn’t think I’d see anything on it, but there it was on the first Saturday. In fact, there was something on every Saturday this month. It was as if Dad forgot about our Saturday. About me.

  I reached for my phone to tell Adam things had changed, but I hesitated. Why should I make myself available for him? I didn’t want to fake happy. So, I opened the freezer and grabbed the last of the gelato. At least I had that.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  After my disastrous non-dinner with Dad, who didn’t even acknowledge it the next morning, I texted Adam to see if he wanted to go to the lake with me. Then I asked Vic, Daniel, and a few of our other friends to come with. They jumped at the chance. Adam didn’t. At least not right away. He said he had to work.

  That wasn’t going to stop me from going. I packed my bags for the day, loaded up the cooler, and put it in Dad’s Range Rover. He didn’t care if I took it, as long as I let him know. So, I sent him a quick text.

  Sure, Ace. See you tonight. That was his response.

  Sunday’s at the lake were great. It was only an hour and a half drive from St. Louis, but it felt like more. Once the roads started to wind down to the lake below, it was like being in another world. The green trees, the fresh air, the smell of the fresh water, all a different life for me. I couldn’t wait to go, even if it meant driving by myself. Just as I finished packing, my phone dinged a text.

  I can make it. Adam added a smiley emoji.

  Instead of texting back, I called him.

  “Hey, Rach,” he answered. “My boss gave me the day off, but I have to work a double on Wednesday to make up for it.”

  “Is that a good thing or a bad thing?” I felt like an idiot not knowing much about his job. Or anything. That needed to be remedied.

  “Both?” he asked then laughed. “When are we leaving?”

  “I was getting ready to head out. How long will it take you to get ready? I’ll pick you up.” I bit the edge of my thumb. I hadn’t been to his house yet. Or met anyone from his family. We’d only had the one real date and a lot of texting. “Or do you want to meet me somewhere?”

  “You can pick me up. I’ll be ready.” He rattled off his address in south city. “And, Rach, thanks for inviting me.”

  “You’re welcome?” I said as a question. Maybe I hadn’t made it clear. This was part of our deal. He acted as my loving boyfriend and not my fuck buddy.

  I shook off the feeling that this was a real date. Again. The line blurred for me the first time, but I wouldn’t let that happen this go around. Changing my reputation was the only goal here.

  The drive to Adam’s house took less than thirty minutes. The GPS had to reroute me three times because of construction. South city’s one-way streets weren’t easy to navigate when they were constantly blocked off. I pulled up in front of building with four doors under the small overhang. That wasn’t right. Adam hadn’t said he lived in an apartment. I lifted my phone to call him when he came out of one of the doors. An older version of him stood at the threshold and waved.

  “Be safe,” she said, her arms wrapping around herself.

  “I will,” Adam said over his shoulder.

  A bang of jealousy filled me, but I shook it off. Adam ran to the Range Rover and waved one last time before climbing in the front, tossing his back into the back seat. He leaned over and kissed me on the cheek.

  “Hey,” he said, settling back onto his side even though I didn’t want him to. “Thanks again for inviting me.”

  I put the SUV in gear and pulled out, careful to make sure I didn’t hit any parked cars on the narrow street. After an awkward silence, curiosity got the best of me. “So, you live in an apartment?”

  “Yeah, why?” he asked, his voice tightening like a piano string.

  “I ... well, I guess I thought you lived in a house or something.” My face burned and I was sure I looked redder than a bruised apple.

  “Mom can’t afford a house.” Adam clenched his hands together on his lap.

  “Oh,” I said. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have assumed.”

  “No, you shouldn’t have.”

  The tension thickened. I hadn’t intended to offend him. Vic had told me about Daniel’s family, and I figured Adam’s was the same. It didn’t change anything though. He was still a great guy.

  “I’m sorry,” I whispered.

  Adam reached over and squeezed my hand. “It’s okay. I get it.”

  My face burned. “Really?”

  “Yeah.” He let go of my hand and stared out the window. “Never been in a Rover before. This thing is huge.”

  “Dad loves his Rover. He only drives it when he goes to the lake.” I rolled my eyes, remembering when he brought it home. He already had a Jaguar, BMW, and a Lincoln. A week before he bought the Rover, he bought the Mercedes. It seemed excessive even for me, especially when I’d had my license for six weeks and didn’t have my own car. We drove to the dealership in the Mer
cedes. He came home with a black Rover that he paid cash for and gave me the keys to the silver Mercedes.

  “How often does he go to the lake?” Adam asked.

  “Once or twice a year.” I glanced at him before looking back at the road. He continued to gaze out the window with his elbow propped on the ledge and his chin on his hand. My stomach clenched. “Why? What’s wrong?”

  He dropped his arm and twisted toward me. “Just learning more about you.”

  More like my dad. I shrugged it off. Dad was the only person who had been there for me. But I didn’t want to talk about him. I didn’t want to talk about anything really. The only thing I wanted was the same easy comfort we fell into at the custard place. We didn’t talk about much of anything then, but we didn’t stop talking. I reached for the satellite radio when Twenty-One Pilots came on and turned up the volume.

  Adam joined in, singing loudly and off-key. We sang the next song. Then the next. By the time we turned off then interstate, the tension disappeared.

  “I’d love to see any of those bands in concert,” Adam said as I turned down at the station break.

  “We should go,” I said. “Dad gets tickets to shows all the time and gives them to me. Whatever concert you want to see, let me know.”

  Adam smiled, but his eyes dipped. At first, I didn’t get it. I thought it was about the money. Concert tickets weren’t cheap. Then it dawned on me. The next time any of those bands would be in St. Louis, his rebound ‘girlfriend’ wouldn’t be around anymore.

  “Even if it’s just as friends,” I said, glancing over. His eyebrows furrowed. Maybe he wouldn’t want to be friends after I was done being his fake girlfriend. Use me, then lose me. I was used to it by now. Even if it hurt like hell. I opened my mouth to change the subject when his cell rang. He looked at the screen and frowned. “Just answer it.”

  “What?” he answered. His face darkened.

  I wanted to turn the stereo down, but it wasn’t right to eavesdrop. Instead, I leaned onto the console like I was getting comfortable. I still couldn’t hear a word from the other end.