20. TED
20
TED
“ H ello?”
My heart stilled at the sound of her voice, my fears easing with the breathless tone.
“Baby, it’s me.”
Adele choked on the other end, and my soul broke for her. I couldn’t imagine how she felt.
“Adele, where are you?” I demanded softly, clutching my car keys in my fist. I had to see her. Everything felt wrong, like time was standing still, waiting for me to make a move.
“I’m by the river. You know, the one in town.” Adele’s voice was a shadow of anything I’d heard before. I’d heard it scream to the sounds of Pendulum as the bass vibrated beneath her feet, heard her murmur lyrics in my ear as we kissed, drunk on alcohol and love.
Real love.
Hearing it like this, my stomach sank.
“I’m coming.”
I ended the call, pushing away thoughts of a pregnant Elena from my mind, my brain telling me for once that I had to do the right thing for me.
The baby had nothing to do with this, with us. I would always be its father; Elena couldn’t stop that if she tried.
She wouldn’t have a leg to stand on if she took me to court, but I could see her doing it for the media attention.
Fuck.
The river was located in the heart of the city, the water shimmering under the burning sun. The air was filled with the scent of freshly cut grass and the faint hint of exhaust fumes from the nearby streets. The sound of distant traffic and the soft lapping of the water against the shore created a soothing backdrop to the chaos in my head.
I drove on autopilot, unaware of the traffic lights that eased my way to Adele, my car dragging my hollow soul to hers. Together, we would be okay; together, we could face anything.
But apart?
Apart…I felt like I was dying.
Once you’ve lived a life—I mean, really lived a life—the taste of sunshine on your tongue and the air that wakes you from your otherwise mundane existence changed everything.
Music spoke to you in ways you never thought possible; the lyrics you’d sung along to pissed in pubs struck you differently when you were in love. Soft kisses, mumbled words that made zero sense to anyone but you, stupid giggles as your lips collided repeatedly; it all came together like a jigsaw puzzle you didn’t realise was missing a piece.
I saw Adele, her hair whipping in the breeze, her arms hugging her coat to her body, which was stooped over the brick wall overlooking the river. I parked, probably illegally, and ran to her without locking my car.
Mercedes? Take it.
I wrapped my arms around her waist and buried my head into her neck, inhaling her scent.
“Adele.”
I closed my eyes when she stiffened, her fingers lacing through mine as she rested her head against my shoulder, exposing her tear-streaked cheeks.
“Ted.”
Broken. My girl was broken. Broken-hearted lovers wrote the best songs, but right now, I’d rather be without music than ever sing again.
“Dell.”
I breathed her name into her hair, pulling her close to me.
“I’m so sorry.”
Adele shuddered in my arms, but together, we shifted so she was facing me. Her eyes took my breath away, as they always did, but her lower lip quivered as she tried to suppress a sob.
“Please, don’t cry.” I stroked her face, resting my forehead against hers. “I can’t bear it, love.”
“I love you, and it’s hard to love someone tied to another for the rest of their life.”
Her words hit me deep.
What could I say?
“Let me...I can’t...fuck—Adele, I want you. I want you.” I knew I barely made sense, but words were bumbling together without structure.
“You’re going to be a daddy; that’s great.” Adele swallowed, forcing a smile through her tears. “I’m just so fucking sad it’s not with me.”
My heart broke then, shattering into pieces right beside hers. But if we shattered, we’d shatter together.
“I’m not losing you again,” I vowed, my throat swollen with emotion. “I won’t let you go.”
Adele dropped her gaze, her hand caressing my skin as she nodded.
“It won’t be easy. It will be?—”
“Entirely possible,” I finished for her, stroking away fresh tears. “I can’t be without you, Adele. I don’t care what I have to do; you’re the rest of my life. Living without you...” I stopped, choking on my words.
Adele shook her head, her lips close to mine. We said nothing. We couldn’t live without each other. We’d tried. It was existing, not living.
“I know.”
“Please do this with me. Please.” I knew I was pleading, but fuck, I’d drop to my knees and beg if I needed to. I’d do anything.
Adele seemed to study me, her brow furrowing as she exhaled, my lips capturing the last of the air, tasting her once more. The kiss was unlike any we’d ever had before; it was a contract, one body promising the other that they wouldn’t ever have to be apart again. I’d never wanted to weep with happiness more than at this moment, as Adele kissed me beneath the soft glow of the setting sun. The world around us faded into obscurity, the gentle lapping of the water blending with the distant hum of the city, all becoming one with our embrace.
She nodded, her cheeks flushing with emotion. “Okay,” Adele mumbled into my mouth, her fingers lost in my hair. “Okay, Ted.”
Sheer relief flooded my body, and my mouth sought more of hers, her body bending in my arms by the force of my kiss. I gripped her, vowing never to let her go again.
“I’m serious. I can’t do this shit without you,” I admitted, her eyes crinkling as she nodded.
“I know. I just...”
Wish it were us? Me too.
Adele didn’t finish the sentence; she didn’t need to.
“So.” I tilted her chin so I could absorb every part of this moment: her breath, the freckles scattered over her nose, the way her eyes widened, the pupils dilating with anticipation. “Are you gonna be my girl? For real?”
“Is that a serious question?” Adele giggled, rolling her eyes.
“It’s a very fucking serious question,” I answered, blood roaring in my ears. “With all my drama and shit decisions.”
Adele smiled, her fingers stroking my stubble.
“You deserve better than Elena, Ted. You deserve true love,” Adele whispered, a soft tear trickling down her cheek.
I raised my eyebrow, waiting for her response.
“You deserve me.”
Yes. Yes, I do.