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“Gavin, a word before you take off,” Adam says. He motions with his head for Gavin to join him a few steps away. They chat for a moment, Gavin nodding at whatever Adam says to him, then Gavin trots back over to our little group.
“Bye El, good to see you again.” Adam is next to me, holding out his hand.
He wants to shake hands? After everything we’ve been through? This may be my last chance, so I go for it. I take his hand and shove it away, then wrap my arms around his neck and yank him into an embrace. I can’t see his face, whether he’s happy or angry with me for hugging him, so I take this moment and do something purely for myself. I turn my head into his neck and inhale his scent, the scent that drove me crazy as a naïve teenage girl. The scent that I’ve been dreaming about nightly for the past six years. The scent that I try to find on my pillows after sex with James and feel like I’m falling apart all over again when I realize it’s not there.
God I’ve missed him.
“Take care El,” Adam whispers in my ear before releasing me and stepping back.
Adam doesn’t say anything else. He gives me one last lingering look then spins on his heel and disappears into the bustling backstage crowd, taking my heart with him.
“Good to see you El,” Dax says. “Nice to meet you, James,” he nods at my fiancé then follows Adam.
“Bye El. You look great.” Hawke gives me one last, brief hug and goes with the other men.
“Well, let’s do this!” Gavin says, trying his best to infuse some cheerfulness into what has been an excruciating reunion.
James is delighted with our tour, asking Gavin loads of questions at every turn. Gavin, being the kind, generous man that he is, patiently answers every last one of them. By the time we’re done, I’m a nervous, sweaty wreck from my encounter with Adam. All I want right now is to be alone, so I can think about everything that I felt between us and what it means.
“So El, are we friends again?” Gavin asks quietly.
I scan the room for James, finding him chatting with the guy who runs all of the security for the arena. They’re deep in conversation, not likely to be done anytime soon if the wild gesturing and laughing both men are doing is any indication.
Looking back at Gavin, I see his bright blue eyes shimmering with hope and can’t bear to hurt him by saying no. He always was such a kind soul. “Yeah, we’re friends Gavin.”
The wide smile he gives me is breathtaking, all dimples and white teeth, his blonde hair moving softly as he runs a hand through it. “Great, then we can exchange numbers, right? That way we won’t lose touch again. Here…” He holds his hand out. “Give me your phone and I’ll put my number in.”
“But…” I hesitate, not sure if this is such a good idea.
“El, come on. You were
one of my best friends. I miss you.” He turns up the charm and I melt under his pleading stare. I swear he could charm the skin off of a snake.
“Fine,” I huff. “Put your number in.” I yank my phone out of my pocket and hand it to him. Gavin punches in a few numbers then gives it back to me.
“I called myself from your phone so now I have your number too.”
“Lovely, so now I have a massive charge to a U.S. phone number? Thanks,” I joke.
“Yep,” he chuckles, then turns serious. “You sure do look good, Ellie. I hope you’re happy.”
“Ummmm, yeah. I am, Gavin. Don’t worry about me.” I nervously tuck my hair behind my ear.
Gavin takes my hand and squeezes it tight. “I’ll always worry about you, El.”
“Ready to go?” James’ loud voice ends the emotional moment as quickly as it began.
“Yes, I’m tired.”
“Good to see you,” Gavin says, giving me one last hug before walking away.
* * *
“So…” James is behind the wheel as we head home from the concert and I know whatever conversation he’s about to start is one I’d rather not have. “When were you going to tell me you used to fuck Adam Reynolds?”
I nearly choke as James’ words hit me. I was resting my eyes in the passenger seat of his car, but now I’m sitting up straight and glaring at him. I hadn’t expected him to be that direct.
“Christ, James! What the hell kind of question is that?”
