Ever's pov
After Adrian left to make the phone call to his mom, Dad and I talked more in-depth about everything that has happened in the last 24 hours. Bri and Jade chimed in every once in a while. Let's just say that by the end of it, he wasn't very happy. Fuming even.
"I am so sorry babygirl, you shouldn't've had to go through something like that. Just wait until I get my hands on that slimy little bag o' dicks! He won't know what hit 'em! "
"Dad, it's fine! really, you don't –"
"Well now I know where she gets her colorful vocabulary from, " Adrian laughed, sauntering toward the table with a bright smile as if he just heard some good news. My father laughed in response.
" It's true! On our way to the hospital for Ever's checkup, she got a call from that asshat ex of hers and let me tell you; I felt like a child being scolded by her mother and she wasn't even yelling at us! " Jade interjected, throwing her hands up in the air to exaggerate what she was saying and I could feel my cheeks burning.
"Really now? I'm kinda curious as to what was said… care to enlighten us? " Bri added, leaning back on the bench she shared with my dad, mimicking his posture.
I only scratched my chin feeling slightly embarrassed, mostly because I don't really remember what was said; I just know that I was super pissed off by what that bag o' dicks had to say.
"I don't really–"
Before I could get a word in, Adrian threw his arm over my shoulder with a mischievous look in his dark brown eyes.
"I believe you called him a 'big-headed, small-dicked man-whore' and that you'd 'shove him off a cliff as a sacrifice to God' or something like that "
Oh gosh… Did I say all that?
I hid my face in Adrian's broad chest when both Dad and Brianna both started laughing their asses off. Even Adrian and Jade were laughing and they were both there!
"Oh, man! That's my girl!" Both Bri and my dad cheered at the same time.
"So, what did your mom say? " My attempt at changing the subject was successful, as all of their laughter died down until they were completely calm.
"she said that she wanted to meet you first before making a decision, and that we could head over to her house now, though she might be a little late because she had some snobby rich kid come in to have his whole car fixed, "
No, it couldn't be…
She promised me she wouldn't!...
I looked over towards Bri, who looked like she was trying her damnedest not to laugh. But when she made eye contact with me she knew her cover had been blown. Then I thought about the conversation I had with her over the phone a few hours before my checkup.
Flashback
I may or may not have thrown rotten eggs at Enzo's car…
YOU WHAT! BRI! –
hahaha, man, I wish I could see your face right now! Relax I didn't do anything… Yet…
End flashback
"Didn't do anything, huh? " I quipped, my right eyebrow raising along with the corners of my lips.
At this point, Bri was laughing so hard I thought she was gonna pee herself. And the others just stared at the both of us like we both grew two new heads. Turning my head to Adrian, I asked him the question, I'm pretty sure I already know the answer to.
"Did this car have rotten eggs thrown at it? "
"yeah? But how?–"
"don't worry about it!"
"worry about it! Bri, I told you not to do anything to his car! And you promised me you weren't going to! "
"Actually, I specifically remember saying that I wouldn't do it… yet! Which still implied that I was gonna don't whether you wanted me to or not!"
I think that everyone else caught on as to what we were talking about because after Bri said that, the others were laughing again.
But I was far from happy. If anything I felt terrible. Not about Enzo's car– I could care less about that piece of shit. No, I felt sorry for the people who, I knew, would inevitably have to clean it. 'cause heaven forbid his parents make him take responsibility for anything!
"Let's go… " I stood up, my sharp and cold voice piercing through their laughter like a balloon being shot with an arrow.
Everyone stood up, looking at me confused as I headed for the door after Adrain stepped out of the booth. My father stayed behind to pay the bill, but came outside shortly after. He must have paid with cash.
"So where are we off to next? " Adrian asked, possibly noticing my sudden foul mood.
"were going to your moms garage, –"
"But–! "Bri was about to interrupt, but with the icy cold glare I sent her way she immediately stopped talking.
"Bri, i love you, but you're a fucking idiot–"
"Hey! " this time it was Jade who tried to interrupt.
"Let me finish! " I held up a hand in front of her face, which I know she didn't appreciate, but there's nothing I hate more than being interrupted. And Bri needs to hear this or else shell never fully understand why im so upset.
Turning my head back to Bri, I continued my rant.
"Did you even think it through? Who do you think has to clean up all of that disgusting mess huh? 'cause it sure as hell wasn't going to be Enzo! You know how his parents are! They would sooner die than let their son lift one greasy finger!"
I could see the realization slowly make its way to Bri's eyes. She knows what she did wrong.
"So now Adrian and Jade's mom and all of her employees have to suffer through that horrid stench that has probably permeated throughout the building! So yes! We are going there so we can apologize to all of them for puttimg them through that! "
By the time I was done, I noticed that tears had filled my best friend's eyes and I felt guilty for being the reason that salty liquid was there in the first place. I didn't mean to make her cry, but sometimes she has a hard time thinking things all the way through and I have to be the one that cleans up her mess. It's times like these where our roles are reversed and I'm the one taking care of her like I'm her mom.
" I'm sorry… I didn't mean to make you cry…" I soothed rubbing her back after pulling her in for a hug.
"I'm sorry, I should have listened to you. I was just so caught up in the fact that he hurt you, that I couldn't think straight… " my heart clenched in my chest as I listened to her reasoning.
"I know and that's why I love you! you've always been there for me; even back when we were in the first grade when Molly Novak cut my hair, you were the one who stood up for me when I couldn't speak. Hell, you even cut your own hair! "
"Ugh, that bitch" she groaned as we both giggled at the nostalgic memory, tears streaming down both of our faces. I'm just glad I don't have any makeup on or else I'd be looking like a raccoon when we go to meet Adrian's mom.
"the both of us ended up looking like two little boys for the rest of that year if I remember correctly… " I added which made her laugh as she nodded her head, knowing exactly what I'm talking about.
"We were the hottest boys in our class by far! "
"We were six! "
"... what's your point? "
...
On the way to the garage, I decided to ride with my dad, just the two of us. It was nice, just being able to talk to him about random things that would come to mind…
And then I remembered what Mom said shortly before we left–
"FIRST NIKO AND NOW YOUR FATHER!? WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT FROM ME–!"
So I decided to ask…
"Dad… who's Niko? "
I looked over at my father and noticed how his knuckles turned white as he held onto the steering wheel. His eyes were wide and his face had paled– he looked like he just saw a ghost.
"Where did you hear that name? " his voice was eerily calm for someone who looked like he was about to faint.
"Mom said that I stole him from her? Dad, who is he? Why does that name sound so familiar to me? Did I know him? How–"
"can we please not do this right now…? " his question caught me off guard for a second. But I dropped it when I saw that it looked like he was about to cry.
"I promise I'll tell you one day… just not right now, okay? "
"... Okay… "
"I think we're here… " after that awkward exchange i'm glad to be getting out of this car.
We pulled up next to Adrain, and as soon as the car was in park I jumped out accidentally slamming the car door behind me. It was Jade who came over to see if I was okay.
"yeah i'm fine, it's just been a stressful day is all… "
"I get it, but don't worry, mama's gonna love you, and soon you'll be able to go home and sleep! " leave it to Jade to make everything about sleep. Bless her soul.
"Are you ready? " I asked Bri, who was timidly standing behind Jade. She knows I was being serious about apologizing to Adrian and Jade's mom for the foul smell that they have to work in. I can smell it from all the way out here, for crying out loud!
She only nodded in response and leaned into Jade who had thrown her arm over Bri's shoulder as we walked toward Adrian and my dad. I can't get over how adorable those two are.
"you alright, precious?"Adrian chuckled as I placed my head against his chest with a huff.
"I'm fine, just tired… '' My voice was muffled against his chest and I could feel the vibrations of his laugh against my cheek.
He has a really nice laugh…
"Hey, lovebirds! Thanks for ditching me this morning! " I'd recognize that cocky voice anywhere. Rolling my eyes I turned to see Jake standing in the doorway, a smug smirk tugging at his lips.
"Jake? What are you doing here? " I asked, slowly walking towards him with the others closely behind. I was genuinely curious to know what he was doing here.
"umm I work here? What, you guys aren't here to visit me? I'm hurt! " I chuckled when he placed his hand over his heart like we offended him.
"We are here to visit someone, just not you! " Jade teased, patting his shoulder as she walked inside, gesturing for us to follow.
"And who's this lovely lady~? " ugh, great it's flirty Jake… too bad for him!
"Lesbian, so back off," was Bri's response as she clung to my side rolling her eyes.
"Sorry about him, he's just a flirt– totally harmless~" Adrian said, making us all giggle except for Jake who just rolled his eyes.
"JAKE! Get back to wo– kid? I thought we agreed to meet at the house? What are you doing here? "
An older woman that appeared to be in her late 30s walked up to us, standing in front of Adrian. She was wearing a navy-colored jumpsuit covered in what I'm assuming to be oil and grease from the cars she had been previously working on. Her short dirty blonde hair was haphazardly thrown up into a ponytail, while her bangs split apart in the center showcasing her pretty green eyes.
So this must be Adrian and Jade's mom… she reminds me of Jake more than Adrian though?
"actually… coming here was my idea… " I piped up, flinching a bit when her eyes pierced into mine. She's intimidating to say the least.
"Is that so?" she asked, raising her brow while crossing her arms. I could only nod in response, swallowing thickly.
"And why is that? Can't you see how busy we are? I don't have time for pointless chit-chat right now! I still have to clean a car that some snobby rich kid brought in amd–"
"Paula, let them explain. Please? " Adrian just called his mom by her first name? Color me confused… whatever that's not the most pressing issue right now.
I watched as Paula cocked her hop to the side, no doubt waiting for me to explain.
"well you see… was the car a candy apple red dodge challenger?"
"how'd you know?" she asked , eyeing me carefully.
"You see… that's my ex-boyfriend's car and–" Bri interrupted, coming to my aid as I struggled with the words I wanted to say.
"I was the one who threw the eggs at his car! Ever told me not to but after I found out he left her on the side of the road and that he cheated on her I couldn't think clearly! I'm sorry that my actions led to you having to work harder, and the fact he was most likely an ass to you because of it! " Bri was out of breath by the time she finished, but I still felt proud of her.
"So you made your friend come here to apologize? " Paula asked, seeming slightly impressed when I nodded.
"hmmm, I think i'm gonna like you~" and just like that all of my nerves were gone. Adrian had slipped his hand into mine giving it a light squeeze while giving me an 'I told you so' smirk.
As an apology, Bri and I both helped Paula and her other employees clean Enzo's car. Though I had to sit outside a few times because the smell made me sick. Paula would come and check on me when that happened. and we'd talk for a while about ourselves, and then we'd go into some details about the last 24 hours.
By the time we all got to her house, I felt like I was already a part of her family, and her a part of mine.