Take a Chance

Harlow

Adam acted as if nothing had happened. Even after I started missing every ball he sent my way. I couldn’t concentrate. Grant’s words were replaying over and over in my head. He was so determined to make me believe he had called me. Yet he didn’t think about the fact that his comment about sleeping with Nan was like sticking a blade through my chest. I just stopped trying. Adam stopped hitting and we stood there, staring at each other.

“I’m sorry. I don’t think I’m going to be able to finish today,” I told him. He didn’t need any more explanation; I knew he’d heard us. We weren’t exactly whispering.

“I’m free for another hour and twenty minutes. Want to grab a cup of coffee?” he asked, surprising me.

I wasn’t sure if that’s what I wanted. I didn’t really have a lot of friends. My books were my friends.

“I won’t ask about what happened if you don’t want me to. I just thought coffee sounded good, and I’d like some company,” he said when I didn’t respond.

I needed to do this. It was time I got a life. Dad had sent me here and made it impossible for me to hide in my bedroom. Staying at home meant being near Nan. “I’d like that,” I replied.

Adam seemed relieved when he shot me a smile. “Good. I thought I might have to beg.”

I wasn’t sure what he meant by that or if he was teasing me. I waited while he used his towel to dry the small amount of sweat he’d worked up and take a long drink from his water.

When he turned back to me I decided that I liked Adam. He was attractive and he was nice. And he hadn’t slept with Nan . . . or at least I didn’t think so.

“Before we have coffee together, do you have any relationship at all with Nan?” I asked. I knew this was ridiculous but I was protecting myself. If he had then I was better off not spending any time with him off this court.

Adam laughed. I guess I sounded like a child asking something like that. But I didn’t care. “No. Nan is the kind of girl I keep my distance from. She’s also messing around with August Schweep. He’s the club’s new golf pro.”

Awesome. Grant was sleeping with her while she was sleeping with the golf pro. Ew. Just ew. “He’s not the only person she’s messing around with.”

Adam’s eyebrows shot up. “Like I said. Not my type.”

Yes, we could be friends.

“Good. Not that coffee means anything. I just prefer not to waste my time with people who have had any relationship with Nan.”

“Hate her that much?” he asked.

I shook my head. “No. It’s just a big red flag that the person lacks something.”

“Really? What would that be?”

“Integrity,” I replied before snapping my mouth shut. I shouldn’t have said that.

Adam, however, burst into laughter again.

We walked into a small café area just inside the doors on the large wraparound porch. My eyes immediately found Rush standing at what looked like the entrance to a larger dining room or restaurant. He glanced from me to Adam and raised his eyebrows slightly, then nodded a hello before turning his attention back to a guy whom I recognized from the wedding.

“Is it okay if we get coffee in here? The dining room is packed this time of day. Or would you rather go in there and get something to eat?”

It was lunchtime but the idea of walking in there while it was full of people didn’t sound appealing.

“Can we get a sandwich in here?” I asked

“Sure can.” He pulled out a chair for me. “Have a seat and I’ll grab a menu. They don’t normally bring them in here.”

I started to tell him not to bother, that coffee was fine, but he had already headed for the door. I didn’t look to see if Rush said anything to him. I kept my attention focused on the windows overlooking the courts. Letting myself think about this too deeply would make me nervous. There was no reason to be nervous. Adam was a nice guy. He played tennis. We already had something in common.

“I like Adam.” Rush’s voice startled me, and I turned around to see he’d walked over to my table.

“Me, too,” I replied, wondering if he knew much about me and Grant or anything at all.

“Nan treating you okay?”

He would be worried about that. Rush knew more than anyone how bad it was between us. “Haven’t seen her yet. I’m avoiding her.”

Rush smirked. “Not a bad idea.”

“How’s Blaire and the Nate?” I asked.

A glow touched his face and his smirk transformed into a smile. The genuine kind that you knew went deep. “They’re perfect.”

He never was a man of many words. “I’d like to come see them.”

“Blaire would like that. As soon as I tell her you’re here, she’ll be hunting you down.”

That made me smile. I really liked Blaire. She was the kind of person you couldn’t help but be drawn to. “Good. I look forward to her finding me.”

Rush glanced up and then back down at me. “I’ll let you enjoy your lunch. Don’t let Nan take control. Stiffen your spine.”

He didn’t say any more; he just walked off. I turned to see Adam walking back into the room. He and Rush greeted each other in passing. Adam set the menu in front of me before sitting down across from me and glancing back at the door.

When he turned back to me he looked like he was thinking about something. I decided to wait and let him build up the courage to ask me. Opening my menu, I studied the selections of salads and sandwiches.

“So you’re friends with Rush but not Grant. Aren’t they close or brothers or something?”

Ah. He was finally going to ask about the scene Grant and I had caused earlier. I wasn’t ready to give him details. We’d just met, and what had happened with Grant was too personal.

“Rush is a friend. He has been since we were kids. Grant is someone I met a few months ago and made the mistake of trusting. That’s about it.”

Adam nodded and then turned his attention to his menu. He was going to be satisfied with that explanation. Good. I wasn’t going to tell him more.