“So, we can stop this?” He sighs, resting his scratchy chin in my hair.
“What?”
“We can tell people about us? Come clean?”
Oh no, he’s serious. I thought this was like one of those conversations where one person wishes it was summer and the other person says “I know, right?” and they both laugh until the snow slides off their parkas. But Adam isn’t wishing for summer in January. This feels more unrealistic, somehow.
“How?” I pull away from his warm chest, peering up at him.
His dark eyebrows pull together. “We tell people we’re together, and that you—”
“—lost the bet.” I finish his sentence with a pout. I hate losing.
He winces. “I was going to say that you have a boyfriend.”
Do I care about the bet right now? I can’t think of anything except what Adam just said. “Do Ihave a boyfriend?”
His incredulous look makes me laugh. He shakes his head. “Stevie.”
“What?” I’m begging him with my eyes:say it again.
“You have a boyfriend, but I want to be your very public, embarrassing, brings-flowers-to-you-at-work boyfriend.” He shakes his head again, and the heat crawling up his neck tells me this cost him a lot. “Can we come clean?”
I’m hyperventilating on the inside, and how can I say no to that face? Adam knows exactly what he’s doing with those puppy dog eyes. “Y-yes. Let’s do it. I’ll tell everyone I have a boyfriend. I can admit that I lo—” My stomach flips. “I los—” Why can’t I say the word? “I lost.” It finally comes out sounding strangled and desperate. Do trains have airsick bags? I need one.
The corner of his mouth hitches. “You like to win, huh?”
“Doesn’t everyone?”
Adam chuckles, tipping his head to the side in acknowledgment. He peers down at me with those eyes that got me into this mess. “I’m sorry I made you lose.”
“Don’t apologize.” I brush off his apology with a shaky laugh. “You didn’t do it on purpose.”
How am I supposed to fess up, though? I have a whole podcast centered around the fact that I’m determined to win this thing. My brothers will never let me hear the end of this. I can’t do it, but I can’t say no to Adam either. I like him way too much.
This is it.
We’re doing it. I don’t know how, but it’s happening.
“Okay. We can come clean.” The words fill me with dread and relief in equal measure. I need to stall him while I figure out how to do it. And if I’m honest, it’ll buy me a couple of days to search the woods. “Just give me a day or two to think about how to tell everyone, okay?”
“Of course I can wait.” He grins down at me, his eyes full of so much affection it makes me melt against his chest again. “If you’ll admit you’re using those two days to find Bigfoot.”
Chapter 30
Stevie
Today’s the day. After the talk I had with Adam last night, it has to be. I’m ready for things to be out in the open with my secret boyfriend, but I’d love to not have to lose a bet to do it.
Luckily, I have another tour scheduled with Crispin, and Adam’s sister surprised him by showing up in town this morning. This is good. When Adam comes with me we’re too busy canoodling to take anything seriously. I’m focused now. I’m going to get the proof I need today.
Of course, it rained all morning. I was worried Crispin would cancel on me. Besides the terrible weather, he knows I don’t have anything new to show him. I’m not about to turn down a gig, though, and he confirmed he’s meeting me at the diner. He should be here by now, and the rain is dying down.
I tap my toes under the table while I wait, finishing off my bacon cheeseburger and chugging my Diet Coke. I was famished after a full day of worrying about how I’m going to own up about Adam to the whole town, plus a few thousand listeners. The extended goodbye in Adam’s truck last night also burned some calories.
I slurp the dregs of my Coke, smiling stupidly around my straw. This isn’t the worst pickle I’ve been in, but it’s up there.
“Did you eat without me?” a male voice asks from behind.
