And I fell a little more in love with him for it.
“It’s not much, but I love old Bertha.” Adam lovingly pats the dash, and my grin grows. “Took me years to save for her. Although she’s old, she’s never let me down.”
“Why Bertha?”
“The old dude who sold her to me made me promise I’d continue to call her by the name he’d christened her.”
I roll my eyes even though I love the story. “Men and their trucks.”
“You want to listen to the radio?” he asks, his fingers reaching for the old-fashioned stereo.
I shake my head. “I’d rather talk. We haven’t had much time to get to know one another.” I bite down on my lip as I glance at him. “And I’d like to know you better.” Butterflies scatter in my chest, reminding me I haven’t been this excited about anything in ages.
“In the biblical sense?” he throws out, a grin spreading across his mouth.
I slap his arm. “You know what I mean.”
“I’m only teasing. What do you want to know?”
“Have you always wanted to play football?” I angle my body so I’m looking at his beautiful profile. There’s a thin layer of scruff on his chin and cheeks that I’m itching to touch.
“From the time I was little.” He drums his fingers off the steering wheel. “Mom jokes I came out of the womb with a ball in my hand.”
“I can tell you’re close to your mom and your sister. But what about your dad?” I tentatively inquire.
“He’s not on the scene anymore. Abandoned us when I was ten.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I’m not.” A muscle clenches in his jaw. “He was a worthless piece of shit, and we’re better off without him.”
“Some people aren’t suited to parenthood,” I truthfully admit, tucking my hair behind my ears.
He glances at me briefly. “It sounds like you’re speaking from personal experience.”
I shrug. “Mom admitted as much to me when I was a little girl. She never wanted me, and it shows.” I’m usually guarded around people, and I would never admit that to just anyone, but I feel myself around Adam. Like I could share anything with him, and I just know he’d keep my confidence.
Or perhaps it’s because we both have secrets we’re guarding for one another that leads me to trust him when I don’t trust most others.
“She said that to you?” Disbelief drips from his tone.
“Yes. And she continually points out all the ways in which I’m a failure and an embarrassment.”
“That is so wrong. I’m sorry you have to deal with that.”
“It’s all I’ve ever known,” I admit, tugging on a loose thread at the end of my blouse. “She’s never been much of a mother to me. Her career is her real baby, and I’m an inconvenience. She has never been there for me. Especially when I’ve needed her the most.” Tears prick my eyes, and a tightness spreads across my chest as my mind meanders into the past.
“Did something happen?” His voice is low, his face etched with concern as he looks across at me.
I gulp over the sudden lump in my throat. “It’s not really something I like talking about,” I whisper. I haven’t told anyone about what went down that night, and I’ve successfully banished all thoughts of it from my mind. Lately, though, with everything that’s happened, the memory has been trying to resurface. But I refuse to go there, instantly shutting that shit down anytime a thought rears its ugly head.
“If you ever change your mind, I’m here for you.” He reaches across the console, squeezing my thigh.
“You really mean that.” It’s not a question, because I already see the truth in his eyes.
“I do.” He removes his hand, replacing it on the wheel. “I’m sensing you haven’t had many people in your corner, Emily, and I want you to know I’m firmly on your side.”
“Why?” I’m genuinely curious. “Why would a guy like you want anything to do with a girl like me?”
