Come What May (Heartbeat) (3 page)
Read Come What May (Heartbeat) Online
Authors: Faith Sullivan
Why is everyone out to get me? Do they enjoy making my life harder than it already is?
I wander up and down the aisles of the store, wasting time. I’m not in the mood to put up with my new partner. She’s already driving me nuts. The longer I can stay away from her, the better.
Through the window, I see her watching me from the rig. What is she anyway? Biracial? Hispanic? Native American? Her skin tone has a bronze cast to it and her hair is naturally curly. She’s gorgeous, but she’s out to bust my balls. I don’t think she’s seeking any action from me.
Scrolling through my phone, I ponder my list of contacts. Who can I invite to spend the night…Britney or possibly Alyssa? I send them both a text. Maybe they’ll be up for trying something together. After all, they were cheerleaders in high school. They already know each other.
“Adam, is that you?”
Oh shit, it’s Stacy from my Pharmacology class. Time to bring out my fake smile and pretend I’m interested in her kids.
“Hey, Stacy. What’s up?” I groan inwardly as she rushes toward me.
“On the run, as usual. Did I tell you about Stevie’s bake sale?” I take a step back and bump into a Doritos display.
Picking up the bags of chips scattered at my feet, Jada responds, “Did somebody say bake sale?” I didn’t even see her come in.
“Jada, hi. I was just telling Adam about Stevie’s bake sale for Cub Scouts and how they’re looking for volunteers to man the table outside of Wal-Mart on Saturday. I can’t make it because I have to take Tina to dance practice, so I was hoping Adam might be able to fill in for me.” The eagerness in her expression sets off warning bells inside my head. Why would she think I’d want any part of this? Is she crazy?
“Oh yeah, that’s right. I remember you telling me about it when I bumped into you at school. Well, we’re off on Saturday so I’m sure Adam would love to help out.” Jada smiles sweetly in my direction.
“Only if my new partner will join me. It’d be a good chance to get to know each other outside of work.” Yeah, I can lay the charm on just as thick, sweetheart.
“Great! You’ll need to be in front of the store by noon. They’re scheduled for a four-hour shift. And the other mothers will have everything dropped off by the time you get there.” Tugging my collar, she pulls my face level with hers before kissing me on the cheek. “You just saved my life.”
She has no idea that she just sucker punched me in the gut. I’m no lifesaver. Just ask Katie Turner. Oh wait, you can’t. She’s dead.
Jada is eyeing me with concern. She caught my reaction to Stacy’s comment. Sure, it was all over campus. Everyone heard about it. She put two and two together and now she thinks she knows everything about me. She doesn’t know the half of it. What I went through can’t be reduced to some sound bite. I’m not that easily defined.
“Listen, Stacy, we gotta run.” Jada, sensing my discomfort, hurries her along.
“Okay, see you Saturday.” She pats Jada on the arm while simultaneously spilling coffee from the cup she’s holding on her shirt. Jada pulls a tissue out her pocket and hands it to her. “Oh thanks, Jada. I’ll never be as put together as you are. I’m a walking disaster area.”
Stacy has a point. Jada looks immaculate. Her uniform is spotless and there’s not a hair out of place. She looks like she belongs at West Point, not in some 7-Eleven off the interstate. Her poise is intimidating. I’m supposed to be her superior, but I don’t feel like it.
Jada holds the door open as Stacy juggles her purse and the gallon of milk she purchased while trying to slip her credit card back in her wallet. Her coffee cup remains at a precarious angle tucked under her arm as she lumbers toward her car.
“That woman is a freaking mess,” I mutter, walking outside.
“You’re one to talk.” By her tone, it’s evident she’s challenging me.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I take the bait. Despite myself, I like the fire in her eyes.
“If I have to explain, then you’re already too far gone.” She pulls the keys out of her pocket and gets behind the wheel.
“Who said you could drive?” Now this show of spirit is starting to tick me off.
“I did, at least until you calm down. I saw that mini meltdown in there. You need to get your shit together before I let you drive my black ass all over town.” Ah, so she is black. I’ll just keep getting her mad. It’s a good way to find out more about her.
“Don’t you like me?” I give her a devilish grin.
“Oh yeah, I love working with guys who are surly, despondent, and borderline rude.” I haven’t been myself lately, but did I really become such a jerk?
“Then I guess it’s up to you to reform me.” Do I detect a blush rising in her cheeks? Maybe she is into me after all.
“Oh, great. Another perk. This job just keeps getting better and better.” She turns the key in the ignition and pauses with her hand on the shift console. “So, where to?”
“Did you take your CEVO course? Are you even allowed to drive this thing?” From what little I observed I know she plays by the book. But I just like messing with her.
She gives me a withering glance as she takes her foot off the brake and hits the gas pedal. “Like I said, where to?”
“It’s your call as long as we don’t end up in the next county. We have to remain within a ten-mile radius in case any calls come in.” I lower the visor and slouch down in the seat. It’ll be nice to sit back, relax, and let someone else do all the work. I close my eyes. If she wants to take over, let her.
I must be insane to let Simone color my hair. But here I am, sitting in her chair at Excelsior Beauty Academy. It’s nine o’clock on a Saturday morning and all us guinea pigs are lined up in a row. Wearing matching black smocks and worried expressions, we’re willing to have our looks destroyed for the sake of our family members and friends. It’s like we volunteered for the beauty guillotine or something.
“My hair better not fall out, that’s all I’m saying.” Through the mirror, I watch as Simone mixes different shades in a bowl.
“Will you calm down? I’m gonna make you look great.” She smoothes a strand away from my face and smiles. But under the salon lights, her tresses look more flamboyantly red than ever. If that’s what she did to herself, what is she going to do to me?
“You’re just gonna cover the grays, right? Nothing drastic.” I need some reassurance. Instead, she tilts her head and pouts at me.
“C’mon, Jada. Let me liven you up a little. Some copper-toned highlights will brighten you up, and you won’t have to touch up your roots as often.” She pets my head like it’s no big deal.
“Simone, no. We talked about this. I don’t want to try anything new. You promised to keep it the same.” I swivel my chair around and nearly knock over Simone’s cart.
“But our instructor wants us to take risks so that she can see the results. If you leave the same way you came in, I’m going to look like an idiot. I need to do something different. C’mon, don’t you trust me?” Her puppy dog eyes are out in full force.
“Just let her do it. She’s going to do what she wants anyway,” the girl sitting next to me chimes in. It’s quite apparent that she’s not a natural blonde since her black roots are clearly visible and her platinum hair is the texture of straw.
“Simone, I just got a new partner at work. I can’t go around looking crazy.” I want to run out the door, but I can’t leave her hanging. After all, she is my best friend.
“I knew it. This is all about Adam.” She giggles, turning my chair back around.
“Adam? What is it about guys named Adam?” The girl crosses her legs and examines herself in the mirror. “I’m Britney by the way. Since we’re going to be here a while we might as well be on a first name basis.”
“This is the lovely Jada who’s going to look fabulous with her new highlights.” Simone combs out a section of my hair as she jabbers away. “And I’m her colorist extraordinaire, Simone. But who cares about me? I just wanna hear your Adam story.” I bite my lip as Simone starts applying the color.
“Well, I’ve been into him for like forever. We’d see each other around, but we never hooked up.” In my peripheral vision, I can see that Britney’s truly animated. I don’t know what’s moving faster, her hands or her mouth. “Then out of the blue he texts me and invites me over to his place.”
“So did you go?” Simone loves these kinds of stories. She’s already enthralled.
“Yeah, and we’re making out on his couch and things are heading in the right direction when his doorbell rings.” Britney’s digs through her purse and removes a bottle of hand lotion. “And guess who it is?”
“Who?” Simone is on pins and needles.
“My best friend Alyssa.” Britney’s strawberry scented lotion washes over me as she leans closer. “He invited her over too. Can you believe that?”
“Guys are such pigs.” Simone shakes her head as she wraps a piece of my hair in foil. “So what happened?”
“We basically marched out of there together after he suggested a three-way.” Britney huffs and sits back in her chair. “I may have done that stuff in high school but not any more.”
“You go, girl. Way to stand up for yourself.” Simone raises her hand and gives Britney a high five. “What a jerk.”
“Yeah, I know. Right?” Britney drums her gel nail tips on the counter in front of her. “Jeez, the instructor is still talking to my sister. I’m never going to get out of here, and Victoria’s Secret is having their semi-annual sale today.” Spinning around, she pokes me in the shoulder. “So let’s hear about your Adam. He can’t be any worse than mine.”
“He’s up there,” Simone interjects as she sets a timer and gives it to me to hold. “Definitely douchebag material. Go on, Jada. Tell her.”
“I really don’t know him that well since we just started working together. But he’s not the easiest guy to be around, that’s for sure.” I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror and close my eyes. There are at least a dozen foil strips protruding from my head. I look like a freaking spaceship. “And he’s such a reckless driver.”
“Most guys are. It’s amazing they ever get where they’re going.” Britney appears bored. I’m not giving her enough juicy details.
“But in his case, it’s different. He drives an ambulance.” I stare down at my sneakers and pretend I’m not feeling a slight tingling in my scalp. I don’t notice the shocked expression on Britney’s face.
“What did you say?” The girl looks like she’s about to go nuclear any second.
“Uh, about driving an ambulance?” I’m confused.
“You have to be kidding me?” Britney slaps her hands against her thighs. “We’re talking about the same guy…Adam O’Malley.”
My stomach drops, but I try to laugh it off. “Yeah, that’s him. The one and only.”
“I feel so bad that you have to work with him. You poor thing.” Britney grabs my hand from underneath my smock and gives it a quick squeeze. “But now you know his game and what he’s all about. Don’t let his looks fool you.”
The timer rings and Simone spins me around to face her. Her eyes search mine. “Time to rinse. Follow me back to the sinks. We’ll see you when we get back, Britney.”
“Oh, I’m not staying. The mall opens in like fifteen minutes. I’m out of here. I can’t be waiting around all day.” Her spike heel boots hit the floor as she rips off her smock. “They always run out of the leopard print thongs first. So I better fly. Later girls.” And just when I’m about to breathe a sigh of relief, she runs up to me and whispers in my ear. “And don’t forget…stay away from Adam.” Dodging clumps of hair littering the floor, she makes her escape.
Did she just threaten me or issue me a warning? I’m not sure.
Blindly, I glare at the other women as I walk behind Simone. They’re all so happy and carefree. It makes me sick.
I recline against the basin of the sink as Simone starts removing the foil pieces one by one. Wisely, she doesn’t say a word. She knows how I get when I’m upset.
“That okay?” she asks as she adjusts the water temperature. I nod as she gently massages the chemicals out of my hair. She’s trying to help me relax, but all I want to do is tear Adam’s head off.
Turning off the water, Simone dabs my forehead with a towel. “Are you still going to meet him at the bake sale?”
“I told Stacy I’d be there. I can’t let her down.” I grip the handles of the seat until my knuckles turn white.
“Should I call the cops?” She wraps my head in a towel and stands with her hands on her hips.
“Whatever for?” I scoot off the padded cushion and get to my feet.
“Just in case you decide to kill him.”
And she does what best friends always do. She gets me to laugh when all I want to do is cry.
My feet assault the treadmill as Metallica blasts in my ears. I check the display panel. Two more minutes and then I’ll hit the shower. The gym is crowded, and there’s already somebody waiting to use the machine. I don’t mind stretching it out a bit since the girl is seriously hot. She’s leaning against the wall sipping a bottle of water as she checks me out. All she’s wearing is a sports bra and spandex leggings that accentuate every curve. Our eyes lock and she gives me a tiny smile. Oh yeah, I’m definitely asking for her number.
The final seconds count down and the conveyor belt comes to a stop. I yank out my earbuds and bury my face in a towel. I jogged for thirty minutes after hitting the weight room for a session with my trainer. I started working out when the nightmares started—anything to clear my head and tire out my body. Even if I still can’t sleep, my physique has improved. I’m no longer lanky and undefined. And the ladies seem to appreciate my chiseled abs. I’ve had more women in my bed this month than I’ve had in my entire life.
And this deal should be easy to close too. I watch the sway of her hips as she approaches. Looking up, I give her a sexy grin. “It’s all yours.”
Strands of hair that have fallen loose from her ponytail frame her face. “You certainly put it through its paces.” She places a foot against the platform, stretching her leg. Her toned body is elongated before me, and I try not to stare. But damn it’s hard.
“You come here often?” I’ve already noticed her on several different occasions, but she doesn’t need to know that.
Her skin glistens as she straightens up to face me. “Usually about three times a week.”
It’s time to make my move. I so got this. “We should meet up sometime, maybe grab a coffee afterward.”
“Yeah, I’d like that.” She smiles at me as I reach into the pocket of my shorts for my phone.
I tap the screen and create a new entry in my contacts list. I hand it to her and she types in her number. Our fingers touch when she gives it back to me and her smile widens. “Call me,” she says as she steps onto the treadmill.
Striding toward the showers, I don’t look down at the screen until I’m out of the room. Larissa. If her name feels that good on my tongue, I can’t wait to explore every inch of her body with it. She’s primed and looking for nothing more than a casual hook-up. She doesn’t even know my name. No strings I like that approach. I’ll wait a few days before I call her. I don’t want to come off as too eager. Let her beg for it. Her core strength is probably off the charts. We’ll be going for hours.
Lifting my t-shirt over my head, I toss it on a bench along with my shorts. Rotating the combination lock, I swing open the door to my locker and throw my stuff inside before grabbing underwear, a bar of soap and a bottle of shampoo. I enter the shower area and select a fluffy towel off a nearby stack. Pulling back the vinyl curtain on the first available stall, I pull off my boxer briefs and turn on the showerhead.
The hot water runs through my hair and down my back. I squirt some shampoo into my hand and massage my fingers through my scalp. Sure, I’m a former surfer and like to wear my hair shaggy, but I’m overdue for a cut. Tarzan is not the look I’m going for. It’s getting way too long. I haven’t gone back to my usual stylist since the nightmares began. She has red hair and reminds me too much of Katie Turner. Or maybe I just think she does. I don’t know if my perception is mirroring reality any more or giving me a distorted view of real life.
I rub the soap beneath the stream and work up a good lather. Running my hands across my chest, I debate whether or not to ditch this whole bake sale thing. Jada is more than capable of handling it on her own. Yeah, Stacy may never speak to me again, but it’s really not my scene. Little kids and their moms? Give me a break. I rinse the suds from my body and dry myself off. Putting one leg and then the other into my boxer briefs, I pull them up until the elastic band hugs my hips. Water drips from my hair as I pad back to my locker. I look up at the clock. I have twenty minutes. If I’m going, I better hurry.
***
I trudge across the parking lot. I can already see the navy blue uniforms from here. A gust of wind hits me in the face. Four hours outside? Yeah, this is going to suck.
I look around for Jada, but I don’t see her at first. I do a double take when I notice her hair. It’s a brassy shade of brown like a copper penny. It’s a radical change that’s going to take some getting used to. It goes against the rigid image I have of her. Who knew she had the guts to try something like that?
She’s busy unloading a box of plastic-wrapped brownies onto a table. I nudge her shoulder. “Nice hair.”
She freezes for a moment then continues spreading out the baked goods. “Thanks.” She doesn’t turn around. “I didn’t think you were coming.”
“I’m here, aren’t I?” Why does she always have to give me such a hard time about everything? She’s worse than my mother.
“Oh, Jada, you have to introduce me to your friend.” It’s one of the pack mothers and she’s ogling me like I’m something to eat.
Jada finally looks me in the face. “You mean Adam? He’s just the guy I work with.” She doesn’t say, “And he’s not my friend,” but she doesn’t have to. I get it.
“Nice to meet you, ma’am. I’ll be helping out today. I’m a good friend of Stacy’s.” If Jada can give it, let’s see if she can take it.
“The boys will be thrilled to have a guy involved. They don’t think it’s cool to work a bake sale, but let me tell you, these things are what pay for most of their camping trips.” She fluffs up her hair as she adjusts her earmuffs. “Wesley, come here and meet Adam.”
The barrage of introductions continues for the next thirty minutes as nearly a dozen moms fawn all over me. Instead of leaving, they stick around. I don’t mind it at first, but then it becomes a bit much when one of them pretends she doesn’t see me before proceeding to sit on my lap. Jada doesn’t even bother to hide the smirk tugging at her lips.
“Adam, can you take us to the men’s room?” It’s Wesley and his friends, back for the third time. I think they want to go inside to get warm. And since I’m the only guy in the vicinity, I’m in charge of the bathroom breaks.
“Yeah, c’mon.” I wave the five of them in front of me as we pass through Wal-Mart’s automatic doors. Of course, they rush for the restrooms in the back of the store instead of the ones located right off the entrance. However, they make a detour at the electronics department. Pressing their noses against the glass, they examine a case containing row upon row of video games. Yeah, we’re not going back outside anytime soon.
“I love
Gears of War
. It’s the best game ever.”
“My dad won’t let me play it.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t know.”
“Which Carmine brother do you wanna be?”
“Anthony!”
“Clayton!”
“No, I’m Clayton.”
I tune them out and wander over to the movie rack. There’s an entire display devoted to the DVD release of the film starring all of the old action heroes from the 1980s. I pick up a copy and start to read the back cover when someone groans loudly behind me. “Are you gonna keep an eye on these kids or do you want me to take them to the ladies’ room?”
It’s not hard to figure out who that irritatingly authoritative voice belongs to. “Be my guest, Jada. But they don’t have to go. They just want to get out of the cold like everyone else.”
“You’re such a gentleman leaving all of the women out there to freeze their asses off.” Her glare is deadly. I should back off, but I don’t.
“Hey, it’s not my stupid bake sale.” Sliding the DVD back into place, I turn on my heel but she latches onto my arm.
“What the hell is your problem?” She gets right up in my face.
“I’d say it’s your terrible dye job.” I know I crossed the line, but I can’t take it back.
Shaking her head, she releases her grip on me. “Wow, you’re unbelievable. You know that?”
I’m just about to apologize when two of the Cub Scouts run up to us screaming. “Wesley’s choking! You gotta help him!”
Jada immediately runs toward the display case with the boys in hot pursuit. Why didn’t I keep tabs on what they were doing? Trying to pull myself together, I follow them down the aisle. Wesley has his hands around his neck, gasping for air. His face is turning blue and he’s making a high-pitched sound as he struggles to breathe. “Can you speak?” Jada yells. He vigorously shakes his head. She pushes the boys aside and spins Wesley around. She clasps her hands around his body and pushes up underneath his breastbone. After five thrusts, she dislodges the piece of gummy candy lodged in his windpipe. He sputters trying to gather all of the oxygen he can into his body.
A crowd has gathered and they start applauding when they realize that Wesley is going to be okay. A store manager presses through the throng and rushes up to Jada’s side. “Miss, do you need me to call an ambulance?”
“No, I work on an ambulance. I’ve got it under control. You may want to get his mother though. She’s at the bake sale outside. Her name is Yvette.” Jada takes a ragged breath and runs the back of her hand across her brow.
Employees stationed in the department start to disperse the onlookers. I hover in the background, terrified to face Wesley’s mother. Her son nearly died because I wasn’t watching him. A techno geek wearing a Wal-Mart badge comes up to me. “Sir, move along, please.”
“Oh…I’m with them…the Cub Scouts.” I stutter.
He looks at me, his disdain evident. “That’s right. I thought I saw you with them earlier.” What he’s thinking is implied, but not said. What kind of asshole leaves a bunch of seven-year-old boys unsupervised?
I duck my head and hurry over to Wesley. Jada is monitoring his pulse. He gives me a weak smile as his wheezing subsides. Jada acts like I don’t even exist. She doesn’t acknowledge me. I guess I deserve it. She remained cool and collected. She saved Wesley’s life while I panicked and did nothing.
“Wesley!” His mom steamrolls her way through the shoppers and embraces her son. “Are you okay? Oh my God! What happened?”
His voice is raspy as he tries to answer her. “I ate a gummy worm I found in my pocket. I stuck the whole thing in my mouth. But Jada got it out. She pushed on my chest and made me puke it up. See? It’s over there on the floor under the
Lorax
poster.”
That remark gets his friends going.
“Where?”
“I wanna see it!” “Pick it up!” “No, you pick it up!”
Wesley’s mom gives Jada a hug before zipping up her son’s coat and fastening his hood. Reaching for his hand, she guides him toward the exit, ready to call it a day. The other mothers collect their children as they say goodbye to Jada and shoot disgusted looks in my direction. They all know I’m to blame. I was supposed to be taking their kids to the restroom. And look what happened. What makes it even worse is that they’re all aware that I’m one of Stacy’s fellow paramedics. I really botched this one up, big time.
I lower my gaze as Jada strides toward me. I feel bad enough without her barraging me with insults. I screwed up and she covered for me. I’ll take whatever she dishes out and then I’ll tell her how grateful I am that she followed us into the store.
She pauses in front of me and takes a deep breath. “Adam, follow me. We gotta talk.”