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Chapter 15
Calax
The first time I realized I was in love with Adelaide was the same day she decided she hated me.
I had, without fail, met her outside at the garden every evening, excluding the few days I was sent out on a job with my team.
They had noticed my strange behavior, particularly my decision not to date any females during that time frame. Ryder had asked me if I was gay, Asher had questioned my sanity, and Sarge had just stared at me with this knowing look. It was fucking annoying.
Every day, I would talk to the strange, elfin female who had slowly and surely weaseled her way into my heart. Sometimes I would help her; other times, I would tease her relentlessly. She would often join me in my apartment afterwards for a glass of lemonade.
I found myself entranced with every word she said. She was effortlessly funny, and I loved hearing her laugh. I made it an effort to get that laugh out of her as often as possible.
So it was no surprise when I fell. It wasn’t like falling asleep. It wasn’t a gradual procession that I could understand. It happened fast, and it happened hard, like a bag of rocks dragging me down into the ocean. That wasn’t to say that it was bad, but it was definitely different. I found that I could barely breathe when she was around.
The day everything changed, I was shrugging into my jacket in an effort to beat her to the garden. I had hoped to ask her out - hoped being the important word there. I knew that she would more than likely laugh in my face, but I was determined to wear her down.
I had never tried this hard for any girl. To be completely honest, I never had to. Girls flocked to me, and I was never the type to turn them away. They helped fill this emptiness inside me that I couldn’t quite explain, if only for a moment.
But Addie...
With her, I had completely forgotten that I was alone in this world. She was something bright and warm and vibrant, slowly melting away the walls around my heart and setting me free.
Damn. I sounded like such a cliché.
Stupid Addie, and stupid love.
I had just stepped out of the elevator when Adelaide came barreling towards me, face pinched. I smiled immediately when I saw her.
God, how did I get lucky enough to meet a girl so perfect?
My smile disappeared when she hit me.
Okay then.
“What the hell is your problem?” she asked, face turning redder with each word.
“A lot?” I said, though my answer turned into a question. I didn’t understand her sudden hostility towards me. She teased me, yes, but she had never been outright cruel before. I couldn’t understand the change.
“You’re such an asshole,” she hissed. Before I could respond, she stomped away from me.
Looking back, I realized that it hadn’t been anger in her eyes. Sure, she was upset, but her eyes were not dark with fury. She was scared. Terrified. I hadn’t understood then that she feared her parents’ reaction.
What had I done to garner such an intense reaction from her? I was pissed.
For once, I hadn’t done anything wrong.
I spent that night with two other girls, one of them the same bitch that had the name of a stone. Emerald or something.
It was with her that I discovered why Addie was so furious. Someone had destroyed the garden - all of the plants had been trampled, the dirt overturned, and the bricks outlining the garden had been shattered.
Emerald, who had been outside when Addie had arrived, told her that I had done it.
The stupid bitch had been jealous of Adelaide and was determined to end our relationship.
I should’ve been mad at Addie as well as Emerald for believing the lies so easily, yet I only began to love her more.
I was not a small guy by any means. My tall frame, broad shoulders, and defined muscles were an assurance of that. Despite everything, Adelaide had stood up to me. She had looked me in the eye, tilting her head back to see me fully, and had called me out. There had been no fear that I would retaliate or hurt her. No, despite being pissed as hell at me, she trusted me implicitly.
