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“No, but that was okay. Lisa was a good businesswoman. We worked steadily for three years. Mostly singing background vocals for other groups. Nothing major-league, but at least we didn’t have to get day jobs, so it was real nice.”
“Wow! I’m real impressed.”
Adrienne smiled her thanks. “It was hard work, but we had fun.”
“What happened?”
“Shawna fell in love with a drummer from another band and followed him to the West Coast.” She took a deep breath. “Not long after that, Lisa met someone. They dated for a while and then . . . and then he and I made a mistake.”
Lloyd’s lips twitched. “So, you aren’t perfect.”
“It’s not funny, Lloyd.” Adrienne mumbled. “I hurt a friend, and it was wrong.”
Lloyd nodded. “Yeah, sleeping with your friend’s man is pretty bad, but it sounds like you paid the price.”
“You got that right. She threw both of us out of her life. I missed her for a long time.”
Lloyd patted her on the back. Adrienne felt her back stiffen, then relax under his touch. She was too close to him, close enough to smell his musky cologne. “I know how you feel. Wouldn’t it be great if we could turn back the clock and erase our mistakes?”
Delilah’s image flashed through Adrienne’s mind, stilling her thoughts, and she shivered. “Oh, God, yes,” she agreed.
Adrienne was surprised at herself. She had never told anyone before about what she had done to Lisa. And she had never responded so much to another man, not since she’d been married to Mel. There was something about Lloyd’s presence and the melodic sound of his voice that made Adrienne feel safe, warm, and comfortable. She made a mental note to be careful. She had to watch herself around him. Lloyd wasn’t the shy, young, awkward man she’d known when she was in high school, and she was no longer a curious virgin. They both were grown now, full of their own needs. No matter how her body responded, in spite of her, she didn’t want Lloyd thinking she could fulfill his needs.
She hunched over, her arms resting modestly on her thighs. She was conscious of his eyes hovering around her hem. His attention flattered her. It had been some time since Mel had looked at her that way. “I deeply regret dropping out of college,” she said, reminding herself not to compare the two men.
“I’ll see that you get a chance to go back someday,” he said.
Adrienne looked up and saw that Lloyd was smiling. She could not remember the last time she’d felt so completely relaxed.
When she got home, Mel was sitting on the living room floor watching TV.
Adrienne smiled at him. “Hi, honey, how are you?” she asked, dropping her briefcase on the floor.
“Hey, baby,” Mel said, his voice empty of feeling. His right leg was shaking.
Adrienne kissed him on the cheek. “What’s the matter?”
“Adrienne, there is something you ought to know.”
“What are you talking about?”
He hung his head like a whipped dog. “I spent my share of the rent money, Adrienne. Debra was in a jam, and I had to help her.”
Adrienne just stared at him.
Mel stood up and went into the bathroom, locking the door behind him.
She went to the door and screamed. “The rent is due tomorrow!”
He muttered something unintelligible.
“What?” she shrieked.
“I know that,” he yelled back.
Adrienne pounded on the door. “Come out of there, Mel!”
“What for? You’re only going to keep on screaming!”
