Chapter Nine
The Reckless Reputation
Adam
The thing about Severn is, you can’t sneeze without three people knowing what color your damn tissue was. So of course, within twenty-four hours of leaving Lenor’s place, the whispers start.
I hear it at the gas station first, two women in line muttering about how “poor Lenor Daniels is falling for another mistake.” At Blake’s that night, a couple of guys at the pool table crack jokes about me “finally wearing her down.”
It’s all sharp edges and poison, and every word makes me want to break something. But what really guts me is seeing the way it hits her.
She walks into the bar Monday afternoon, her head held high, and a tray of muffins for Mercy in her hands.
But her smile is brittle. Her eyes don’t meet mine, or anyone else’s for that matter.
And when Mrs. Carter whispers too loudly about “another Blake boy ruining a nice girl,” Lenor flinches like she’s been struck.
That’s when it clicks for me. This isn’t about me proving to the town that I’m more than reckless Adam Blake.
It’s about proving it to her. Because she’s been burned before.
Because Jacob made her look like a fool in front of everyone, and the pity nearly drowned her.
Because every set of eyes on her right now feels like a reminder that she doesn’t get to choose right.
That she will always be the girl who picks wrong.
And I can’t let her believe that. Not when I know she’s the only right thing I’ve ever wanted.
“Afternoon, Lennie.” I say, joining her at the bar where she waits for Mercy.
She stiffens at the nickname, glancing over her shoulder to where I’m leaning against the bar. She looks exhausted, like she hasn’t slept. Still beautiful, though, with her messy bun, pretty purple floral dress, and freckles scattered across her nose.
She shoves the tray at Mercy and turns to leave without a word but I block her path.
“Move,” she snaps.
“Not until you look at me.”
Her eyes finally lift, blazing. “Are you happy now?” she asks, anger tainting each word. “You’re getting exactly what you wanted. The whole damn town is talking about me again. About us. Just another joke for Severn’s gossip mill.”
I grit my teeth, anger sparking hot and dangerous in my system. “Do you really think I wanted this? You actually think I like hearing people talk about you like that?”
She folds her arms tight, hugging herself. “It doesn’t matter. It’s what they’ll always say. Adam Blake ruins another girl.”
That hits deeper than I expect. Because she’s right, that’s the story everyone always tells. But it doesn’t have to be.
“Then I’ll change the story,” I say.
She laughs, harsh and humorless. “You can’t. Not here. Not in this town.”
“Watch me.” I say with determination.
Her lips part, stunned by the conviction in my voice. And yeah, maybe I don’t know exactly how I’m going to do it, but I know I will. Because she deserves better than whispers and pity.
She deserves to be claimed without shame.
****
I start small.
The next day, when she walks into Blake’s with her muffins, I don’t just flirt with her from across the room. I stand, take the tray from her hands like it’s gold, and set it on the bar myself.
“Best damn baker in Severn,” I announce loud enough for everyone to hear.
Her cheeks flush, and she gives me a sharp glare, but I catch the flicker of something softer in her eyes before she storms out.
Later that week, when Mrs. Carter makes another snide remark at the diner, I cut in before Lenor can shrink away. “Another Blake boy dragging a girl’s name through the mud. Shame.”
“Funny, Mrs. Carter,” I say with a smile sharp as glass. “I didn’t know you were an expert on happiness. If you were, maybe you wouldn’t spend your nights alone with a cat that hates you.”
The whole place laughs and Mrs. Carter sputters with a deep blush of embarrassment. Lenor glares at me from across the booth, but her lips twitch like she’s holding back a smile.
Step by step, I keep at it. Not just chasing her in the dark but showing her, showing everyone in Severn that she’s more than a mistake. She’s mine.
Two weeks after I started my campaign, Wesley corners me in the storeroom at Blake’s.
“You’re playing with fire,” he warns.
I shrug. “I already got burned, so I might as well enjoy the heat.”
He sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. “This isn’t just about you anymore. You know that, right? If you screw this up, you’re not the only one who pays. She does too.”
His words hit hard. Because that’s the point. That’s why I can’t screw it up.
I meet his gaze, steady. “Then I won’t screw it up.”
He studies me for a long moment before nodding slowly. “I guess we’ll see if the wild Blake can finally prove everyone wrong.”
I know my brother loves me and is just looking out for me, but knowing that he doesn’t have faith in me stings. I guess he is just another person I will have to show that I am in this for the long run.
The truth is, I’m not doing this for the town.
I’m not even doing it for me. I’m doing it for the woman who looks at me like I could break her.
For the woman who kissed me like I was salvation, even if she called it a mistake after.
For the woman who thinks I’ll ruin her, when all I want is to build her back up.
Lenor Daniels isn’t just another fling. She isn’t a notch on my belt. She’s not one night. She’s it. And I’ll spend every day proving it until she finally believes me. And then I’ll keep proving it every day after that.