27. ADRIANA
ADRIANA
D ays had passed since I’d last seen Joey, and I needed it to stay that way. The emotional rollercoaster he’d thrown me on had to end. Every day since I learned William wasn’t dead, had been another day spent looking over my shoulder. That fear had settled into my bones. I carried the revolver in my purse and slept with it at night. It was becoming a part of me.
I untied my apron and hung it behind the counter at Davidson’s. “See you tomorrow, Mr. Davidson,” I said with a smile.
He looked up from the register, returning it. “See you, Adriana. Take care of that boy of yours.”
The bell jingled as I stepped outside, slipping into the driver’s seat of my car. The newness of it still lingered. I couldn’t let myself enjoy it too much. But it was nice. Dream Lover drifted through the radio as I pulled onto the road, the afternoon sun warm against my skin. I pulled into the school parking lot, cut the engine off, and stepped outside. I adjusted my white cat-eye sunglasses and made my way toward the baseball field behind the school.
As I rounded the corner, I nearly collided with Renee. She stopped dead in her tracks. The last time we had come face to face was outside my home, when Joey bought me the car. Her glare was sharp, but I only smiled, brushing past her.
My smile widened when I spotted Antonio on the field beside Coach Artie as I walked over. “Ready?” I asked him.
Antonio nodded, but before he could take a step, Artie spoke. “Adriana, do you have a minute?”
My brows knit together as I glanced at Antonio. Artie held up a hand. “He’s not in trouble. Nothing like that.”
I handed Antonio the keys. “Go wait in the car.” Antonio jogged off, leaving me alone with Artie. “What’s going on?”
Artie shifted on his feet, kicking at the sandy baseball field with the toe of his shoe. “He’s a great kid. I’m glad you let him join the team. He’s got potential and the drive to get there. Between you and me, he’s the best player out there.”
I let out a soft laugh. “Well, thank you. Your secret’s safe with me.”
His eyes lingered on me a little longer than necessary. “You’ve done a fantastic job with him.”
“Why, thank you,” I said, smiling. “That’s always nice to hear.”
My gut knew exactly what this was. Exactly what was happening. A prickle of discomfort ran down my spine. I forced a polite chuckle, shifting my weight. “Well, Antonio’s waiting, so…”
Artie nodded, still smiling. “Right, of course.”
I spun on my heel, eager to escape the awkward situation as quick as possible. But before I could get too far, he called after me.
“Adriana?”
I turned back to face him. He stood there, one hand clasped behind his neck, rubbing it as he squinted against the sun beaming down on him. “If you need anything…” He hesitated. “Just let me know. ”
I offered a small smile and nodded. “Thank you. I’ll keep that in mind.”
Without another word, I turned and headed straight for the car. Antonio was already in the passenger seat, the radio blaring. I reached over, turning it down a notch as I backed out and started toward Angela’s.
“What did Coach Artie want?” Antonio asked, glancing at me as I drove.
“Oh, nothing,” I said lightly. “He just wanted to say he’s happy you joined the team and that you’re doing great.” I shot him a smile. “But I already knew that.”
Antonio smirked, leaning back in his seat. “Well, yeah. I am pretty good.”
I chuckled. “Oh, is that so?”
He smirked out the window, enjoying the quiet ride—until the music cut off, replaced by the sharp voice of a news anchor.
“ Another shooting in Manhattan earlier today. Witnesses reported a group of well-dressed men in ski masks, firing openly in the streets. No silencers were used, which points to one group in particular. One of the alleged New York crimes ? — ”
I quickly reached forward and shut off the radio, just as I pulled up to the curb outside Angela’s.
Antonio shot me a suspicious look. “Why’d you turn it off?”
I kept my voice even. “Because you don’t need to hear that. And honestly? I don’t either.”
His expression darkened. “Why? Because it’s true?”
I sighed, turning in my seat to face him. “Antonio, we’re not doing this again. You don’t need to know everything happening in the world.”
His jaw tightened. “This is the next city over. This is happening right in front of us.”
I exhaled, gripping the steering wheel. “Sometimes it’s best to stay out of things, Antonio.” He flung the passenger door open and stepped out, heading straight for Angela’s front door. I followed a few steps behind, my mind still tangled in the conversation we’d just had.
Inside, Angela was in the kitchen alongside Lucy. “Adriana!” Angela grinned as she spotted me.
I slid my sunglasses off, setting them on the counter before plopping into a chair at the kitchen table. “What’s happened?” Lucy asked, narrowing her eyes.
“Where’s your martinis when I need one?” I sighed.
Her eyes lit up, and she straightened. “Jesus, that can be arranged at the snap of a finger,” she chirped. I chuckled, shaking my head as she got to work, carefully eyeballing the correct ratio of olive brine, vermouth, and vodka.
Angela, however, kept her focus on me. “What’s going on?” she pressed.
I exhaled, rubbing my temple. “Well, Joey showed up at my house a few days ago and practically spilled his feelings for me. I’ve avoided him since. And today, when I picked up Antonio from practice, Coach Artie decided to subtly flirt with me.”
Angela nearly choked. “Arthur? What on Earth did he say?”
“Hold on, you’re getting ahead of things, Angela,” Lucy cut in. “I want to hear what Joey said first.”
I chuckled. “He’s under the impression I should just wait around for him to figure out whatever it is he’s got going on with Renee, and then, I suppose, we’ll live happily ever after.”
“And you don’t want to?” Lucy asked, setting a martini in front of me before taking a seat.
I sighed, taking a long sip. “I want a nice man. A good man.”
Angela raised an eyebrow. “ Artie is a good man.”
“I am not dating my son’s baseball coach,” I stated firmly. “I don’t need a man right now.”
“I hate to be the one to ask this,” Lucy chimed in beside me, swirling her drink, “but what fun are good guys?”
“Don’t listen to Lucy,” Angela said, waving a dismissive hand. “ We’ve got each other. We don’t need a man to make things happen.”
Lucy rolled her eyes dramatically. “Oh, Christ, girl power again?” She took a long sip of her martini.
Angela smirked. “You literally chased Hector out of the house yesterday morning. Maybe consider your own love life before handing out advice to Adriana, who is perfectly fine without a man.”
Lucy giggled, raising her glass. “She’s right. My love life is a train wreck . Don’t listen to me.”
I shook my head, taking another sip of my drink. “Well, at least you’re self-aware.”
“Self-awareness is key , darling,” Lucy said, clinking her martini glass against mine. “Not that it stops me from making terrible decisions.”
Angela rolled her eyes. “That’s the understatement of the year.”
“At least my love life is interesting . Unlike some people at this table.” Lucy grinned and side-eyed Angela.
Angela scoffed. “Excuse me?”
“Don’t think I haven’t noticed Marco’s car parked out front every Saturday night,” Lucy smirked.
Angela sipped her martini, completely unfazed. “This is about Adriana.”
“ Sure it is ,” Lucy mouthed before turning back to me. “Anyway—back to Artie. What exactly did he say?”
“He was terribly shy,” I began.
“He usually is,” Lucy cut in.
“It was the way he looked at me. The energy he exuded. And then, when I walked away,” I sighed, shaking my head, “he told me if I ever needed anything to let him know.”
Angela shrugged. “Well, he’s just being a good guy. Arthur is a good one.”
Lucy scoffed, swirling her drink. “Arthur is a man , Angela. And we all know no man in this town does anything for free. I don’t care how good they seem.”
Angela frowned, considering. “Well…how did he say it?”
“There was just…an emphasis on anything ,” I admitted.
“ Ohhh .” Angela sighed, eyes widening in realization.
Lucy smirked into her martini glass, nodding knowingly. “I could have told you that, and I wasn’t even there. But you know what? I think Artie would be good for you. You should let me set you up on a date.”
“Absolutely not,” I said immediately.
“Why not?” Lucy pouted dramatically. “Once Joey finds out, he’ll lose his mind.”
Angela tilted her head, considering. “That could be entertaining.”
“My love life is not your entertainment,” I shot back.
But the idea of making Joey jealous lingered in my mind, and it tugged at something inside me.