“No…”
The question seems to land awkwardly.
“A boyfriend, maybe?” I correct myself.
“Nah, I don’t swing that way. I mean, I don’t think I do, anyway. I probably need to sleep with a girl before I can be a hundred percent sure.”
“Wow. I didn’t know you were…”
“A virgin?” he finishes for me. “Surprise!”
“Are you waiting for marriage?”
“It’s not that. It’s just that I’ve never been with a girl long enough to actually want to sleep with her.”
The more I get to know the guy, the more I like him. Adam has integrity. He goes his own way, walks his own path, without giving a damn what anyone might think. Why does he hang around with jackasses like Lane, Lewis, and Donovan of all people?
“You’re not like the other three,” I tell him. “You seem sonormal—no overblown ego, no shady jokes or paranoia. How did you meet those complete freaks?”
He laughs. “Didn’t Don tell you? Lewis and I grew up together.”
“Really?”
He pulls an offended face. “You guys never talk about us?”
“Donovan only talks about himself. Didn’t you notice?”
I’m being a bitch, but deep down, I don’t mean it. It’s a dig at the guy IthoughtI knew, back before I started hanging out with him.Back in the good old days!
“So, you and Lewis—”
“We’re like brothers. We were even born on the same day,” he adds.
“That’s crazy!”
Adam glances at me. “You think people have to be alike to get along?”
“Definitely not,” I say, realizing how stupid my comment was. “Go easy on me. My people skills aren’t great.”
“You’re doing a good job with Don…”
He keeps his voice neutral, but something about the way he says it tugs at me.
“It’s not like I have a choice.”
Sure you don’t.I glance at Adam. He looks about as convinced as I am.
“Yeah, Don can be pretty persuasive.”
“Not exactly the word I would’ve used, but—yeah.”
“Oh, before I forget…” Adam reaches around to the back seat. “He told me to give you this.”
He tosses a jersey into my lap. A huge number nine is printed on the back, and above it, a name. WOLINSKI. His name, but my mine too—it’s perfect for me.Girl, get your shit together!I ball it up and stuff it into my bag.
“I think you’re supposed to wear it.”
“I don’t think so!”
