AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m the ex,” the asshole introduces himself.
When Adam doesn’t respond, just sitting there, burning a hole into Michael’s face, the arrogant ass adds, “we dated for fucking ever. I was about to introduce her to my parents. I’d be careful if I were you, man. She has no fucking clue what she wants.”’
Still complete silence from Adam, and I’m too shocked to utter a word.
“Did she tell you we’ve been talking again?”
“You need to leave,” Adam growls.
And Michael laughs… he fucking laughs! Does he not see how furious my man is? How his hands are balling into fists, his feet frantically tapping the pavement? Face rigid as granite… This guy must be suicidal! Adam is clearly taller and much bigger than Michael.
“Buddy,” Adam spits out, “you can leave now, or I’ll make you.”
Michael chuckles, but when Adam stands to his full stature, his face scrunches up in a nasty snarl and he pushes his chair back abruptly.
“Fine, I’ll leave. You can have my leftovers.” He lifts his chin in my direction on that last word.
Adam grabs the flowers from the table, fists Michael’s collar and throws him on the ground. Then, he comes to stand right above him, the points of his Italian loafers close to Michael’s heaving chest.
“We never see or hear from you again, yeah?”
When Michael doesn’t respond, too busy scrambling to his feet and rearranging his clothes, Adam advances on him and asks again, low and menacing, “you fucking hear me?”
Face pinched and red, hair a mess, looking pathetic, Michael stares at Adam for a beat before accepting his defeat and nodding once. Then, he turns on his heels and walks away in fast, jerky strides. I can’t fathom what I ever saw in him.
When my eyes come back to Adam, I flinch when I take in the mask of cold I see there. I stand from my chair, extending a hand and start in an appeasing voice, “Adam…”
He interrupts me with a curt, “not here,” and throws a wad of bills on the table.
I shoulder my purse and start speed-walking in the direction of my place, head bent to hide my tear-streaked face. What have I done?
Adam’s steps resonate on the pavement, at a slight distance from me. From my peripheral vision, I can discern his tall, strong form, hands stuffed in his pockets, his big body rigid. How could I have been so goddamn stupid?
I’m surprised when Adam doesn’t just leave me at my door, but silently follows me inside. The air is heavy with tension, and we still haven’t looked at each other.
I gather a strengthening breath and turn to face him, blurting out, “I can explain.”
Eyes drowned in sadness, he replies, “you should have done that before.”
I try insisting, “Adam, I…”
“No, Maya. What just happened was not okay. I need some time to digest this shit. I’ll see you when we’re back home in a week. We’ll talk then.”
My watery eyes grow wide and I ask in a broken voice, “we’ll… talk?”
He nods, gaze inscrutable. “Give me a week, baby.”
I let out an involuntary sob and Adam flinches, before rubbing at his own redden eyes. Then, he walks away…
Seven
Back For Good
Maya
I run the tips of my fingers over the shiny ring on my finger. An eighteen carats gold band with a huge, glinting diamond. The engagement ring Adam and I chose together at a time when it seemed nothing could shake us. The image of our blissful, clueless happiness flashes behind my eyes, and I tilt my head up, pushing back tears… again.
I’ve been open with my family and Meeka about what played out between Michael, Adam and me. As I expected, no one blamed me. They could tell how much I was already beating myself.
