Chapter 19 #2
“Well, then let’s make it official.” Audrey squeezes my wrist with her free hand. “June, you are now adopted into the Harper family.”
“Audrey!” I laugh.
“Oh my God. Wait, what a good idea!” Sarah says a little too loudly.
She sits up and gestures for me to pass her the nail polish in my hand.
I pass it over and she swipes the varnish over her pinky, coating it pink.
Afterward, she takes my pinky and paints it.
“There,” she says, satisfied. “It’s a pink-y promise… See what I did there?”
“Wow, maybe you’re more right-brained than you thought,” Audrey says.
Sarah proudly offers her pinky to Audrey and me. “We knight thee—”
“Knight?!” I laugh.
“Don’t question it,” Audrey whispers.
“We knight thee,” Sarah continues, “June Wood-Harper. And this is a promise that we’ll always be family no matter what happens.”
Audrey links her pinky to Sarah’s. “I think Harper-Wood is catchier for the stage. What do you think, June?”
There’s a growing warmth in my chest and my mouth splits into the biggest smile.
Family. It’s a word that most people take for granted.
To say you have a family is a privilege, a birthright.
For the first time, I finally know what it feels like to be wanted, to be loved… and it’s the best feeling in the world.
I bring my pinky up and link it so we’re in a three-way promise. “June Harper-Wood it is.”
On my night off from rehearsal, I end up meeting Adam and Robby at a bar in Chelsea. The Knicks are playing Golden State and apparently this is an important game. Chloe was supposed to come with me, but she’s been working long nights for a new case she’son.
It’s very crowded and the Top 40 playlist is louder than it needs to be. I unzip my jacket and spot Adam and Robby at a high-top table with half-empty beers and a plate of nachos.
“There she is!” Robby stands and gives me an affectionate hug. He’s a big guy, as tall as Adam, but his physique is more lumberjack-esque and his light hair and blue eyes differ from Adam’s dark features. “It’s been a minute—how are you?”
“Oh, you know, same old.” I take a seat in between him and Adam, facing away from the TV screens.
“Ad was telling me about Chicago, ” Robby says. “Congratulations.”
Adam’s focusing on the game, but when my eyes cut to him, he notices and gives me a subtle wink.
“Thanks, Robby.” I smile. “I mean, it hasn’t hit me yet. We open in a few weeks, and it’s just been craziness.”
“I bet,” he says. “I’ve gotta get tickets. Ad, when are you going?”
Adam pulls his attention away from the screen. “Uh, I’m going with Chloe opening night, and then my family’s coming down to watch at the end of April.”
Robby flashes a smile. “Want to watch a third time?”
“Yeah.” Adam nods. “Just let me know when.”
“Adam, you don’t have to watch it three times.” I place my hand on his forearm.
“Are you kidding? I’d watch every night if I could,” he says, popping a chip into his mouth.
“Hey, June, what do you want to drink?” Robby asks.
“Oh no, you stay here. I’ll get it.” I stand up and look for my wallet in my purse.
“Here.” Adam pulls out a twenty and hands it across the table.
“Thanks.” I grab it and head to the bar, which is only a few feet away.
I can hear Adam and Robby talking behind me. I catch my name, so I subtly turn my head to the side and pretend I’m watching the basketball game.
“June’s really something,” Robby says, trying to talk over the noise. “You’re really not together?”
“No,” Adam says, shaking his head.
“So…does that mean I can ask her out?”
Adam’s beer bottle pauses against his parted lips. “No.” He takes a sip.
My head whips around and I wave to the bartender, asking for a vodka soda with lime. As I wait for my drink, I start to feel warm. It’s probably because the bar is well over capacity, but that doesn’t explain why I’m blushing.
Once the Knicks lose, we call it a night and Adam and I walk home. He’s had a couple of beers, nothing out of the ordinary, but he’s quieter than usual.
“Sorry we lost,” I say.
He shrugs. “This just means Robby now owes me fifty.”
“So you were hoping we’d lose?!” I laugh.
“I was hoping I’d be proven wrong,” he says. “But they haven’t had the best season.”
Even though it’s cold, neither one of us seems to be rushing to get home. When I glance over, there’s a warm amber glow on Adam as we walk under the streetlamps.
“Robby’s fun,” I say, not really knowing where I want this conversation to go. “I should hang out with you guys more.”
“Yeah, he likes you,” he says and then lets out a chuckle.
“What?” I ask.
“Nothing.” He shakes his head.
“ Adam, ” I say impatiently.
“Robby said I was right,” he says, and puts his hands in his pockets.
“Right about what?”
“You,” he says, looking straight ahead.
“What about me?”
“That you’re the coolest girl he’s ever met,” he says, like it’s the most normal thing you could ever say about anyone.
“What?” I stop and give him an unconvinced look. “You did not say that.”
He realizes I’m not beside him and turns around. “I did,” he says defensively.
This isn’t fair. We can’t have this conversation so nonchalantly. What I’m worried about is him saying something he might regret…or maybe I’m just not ready to hear him say what he means.
“Well, thank you.” I keep walking and move past him.
He follows, and it takes barely any effort for him to catch up. “You don’t believe me.”
“I didn’t say I didn’t,” I say, brushing him and this whole conversation off.
“Okay, well, now it’s your turn,” he says.
“My turn for what?” I ask, annoyed.
“To say something nice about me,” he says seriously.
“How many beers did you have?” I raise an eyebrow.
“Three and a half,” he says. “I’m nowhere near drunk, June.”
We stop and I stare at him, squinting. I lift my index finger in front of his face and move it back and forth for him to follow. He obliges and rolls his eyes.
“Okay, fine,” I say. “You’re very tall.”
“That’s not a compliment,” he says flatly. “That’s a fact.”
“I don’t know what to tell you.” I start walking again.
“I’m only slightly offended that you can’t think of something nice.”
“You make the best lasagna I’ve ever tasted,” I say. “Happy?”
“Really?” he asks.
“Really.” I suppress a grin.
“Thanks.” He nods to himself like he’s making a mental note. “Robby asked if he could ask you out.”
There it is. I was wondering if that conversation would ever come up or if Adam would keep it to himself.
“Oh?” I play dumb, and Adam nods. “Why didn’t he?”
“Would you say yes?” he asks.
Robby’s an attractive guy, funny, energetic. But the thing is, I wouldn’t say yes and it’s not because he’s Adam’s friend. For some reason, I wouldn’t say yes to anyone right now.
I shake my head. “No, I don’t think so.”
“Good,” he says. “You’re too good for him.”
I laugh. “He’s like your best friend.”
“No, you’re my best friend.” My throat pulses. I’m speechless. Adam’s never said that, at least not tome.
“Hey.” I link my arm to his. “You’re my best friend too.”
“Well, I better fucking be.” He kisses the top of my head.