Perfectly Flawed (14 page)

Chapter 18

Sean needed a good workout to blow off some steam. He texted his brother to meet him, and once back in his car, Sean headed over. He kept his bag of gear in the trunk since he often hit the gym at odd times.

Waterfront Fitness was packed. It was always packed. The clanging of weights and swishing strokes of the elliptical machines drowned out the piped-in music. The smell of sweat mingled with the distinctive odor every facility he’d ever been to
had: a heated metal and vinyl kind of smell.

He changed and stowed his gear, then went out to the treadmill to run until his brother got there. Huffing and sweating, Sean nodded at
Bradan when he showed up and hopped onto an open machine. A couple of women in the vicinity glanced over.

His brother was all muscle, and though medium height, he cut an impressive figure. The ladies melted under his blue-eyed gaze, so he had no trouble with the opposite sex. His brown hair was getting longer, shaggy; he didn’t opt for the short cut like Sean.

They did their usual routine, spotting each other for the heavier stuff. There wasn’t much time for talking. The effort required complete focus. After an hour of intense work, sweating, and breathing hard, Bradan said, “How ’bout we shower up and go eat? I’m starting to feel weak, brother.” He slapped Sean on the back and laughed at his own joke.

“That will be the day…that
you’re
weak.”

After a quick shower, they walked the two blocks to Henry’s, a burger place they often went to. Like everywhere in the city, it was crowded, but they found an empty table and placed orders. Swigging down iced teas, they chatted.

“Glad the timing worked for you. I thought you might be with Amber.”

Bradan
leaned back in the chair. “Not during the week. She works days.”

“Oh, right.”

“I’m thinking of asking her to move in with me. I’m not sure what she’ll say. It’s a big step.”

“True. You think she’s ready for that?”

“Not sure. I think I am. Might talk it over with her.”

“How’s work?”

“Good. But I’m thinking of doing something on my own, like you.”

“Well, you are smart when it comes to business.”

“I’d like to think so. Who knows? Maybe I could start the next Google.”

“You are the best techie I know.”

The hamburgers and fries were served up. The aroma of grilled beef made Sean’s mouth water. He took a big bite. Henry’s did make good burgers.

Through a mouthful of food,
Bradan asked, “What about you? You’re seeing Adrianna, right?”

“Was.”

“Was?”

“I don’t understand her, man. She came over to my place. We had an unforgettable night. She’s talking to me, even crying, really personal stuff, you know.
And the sex. Sweet Jesus, she’s hot.”

“So what’s the problem?”

“I don’t see a problem. But she won’t see me. Nothing she says makes any sense. And then, get this.” Sean stopped to take another bite. “She was dating this college guy, and out of the blue, he punches her.”

“Hit her?”

“Yes, with his fist. Her cheek is swollen. She tells me about it. And then…” Sean stopped, his insides ripping apart.

Bradan
looked at Sean, a French fry dipped in catsup held in midair.

“I’m walking down the street with her, thinking we might be headed back in the right direction, and there’s this jerk-off again. She was meeting him at a coffee shop. Walks me right up to it and goes inside with him.”

“That’s cold, man.”

“Tell me about it. But it’s bad. Guys that hit don’t quit. Not that I’ve seen.”

“No, it’s like a compulsion with them. They need somebody like you or me to beat the crap out of them, see how it feels.”

“I’m at a loss. I’m out of my depth. And the worst part is…I’m hooked on this girl. I can’t walk away, even if I wanted to. She’s…there’s something about her.”

Bradan looked across the table, thoughtful. “There’s something you don’t know about this girl. It’s not adding up.”

“Yeah.”

“I haven’t heard anything about her, just seen her from a distance, and only know what you’ve told me. Check with Tomas. Didn’t you say his sister had been to some parties with her? Maybe Alaina knows something.”

“Maybe.
I’ll try it. I have to do something.”

Bradan
raised his half-empty drink as if to toast to the idea, nodded his head once in affirmation, and then took a big gulp. Sean held up his glass in a mutual toasting motion, wishing he felt more confident that he could get anything useful through Tomas and his sister. But it was worth a try. Right then, he had nothing better.

*****

Adrianna wasn’t even looking forward to the party. It had only been days since the incident with Sean, and she felt more like covering her head with her pillow and wallowing in depression than being around other people.

But
Cari wouldn’t hear of it. College parties were rowdy and wild, and it was exactly what Adrianna needed. “You need to let go. You’re too intense,” Cari said, searching through Adrianna’s closet for the right dress.

“Life’s intense.” Adrianna flopped back on her bed, staring at the ceiling.

“That’s why you need to party. You need to go out. Okay, so Kevin didn’t work. And I don’t know what happened to Sean. But there’s no shortage of male prospects in Boston. You just need to get out more.”

“That’s not what I need.”

“What do you need?”

Adrianna sat up, studying
Cari in her short satin top and even shorter skirt. “I really don’t know.”

“Well, get dressed, then,”
Cari said definitively, holding up a skimpy blue and silver dress. “Wear this. I brought the shoes that will go with it.”

Adrianna moaned, but she slid off the bed and took the dress from
Cari. It would take more than a dress. Her makeup and hair needed help. But her friend was expert at such things. Being in no mood to do it herself, she let Cari fuss over her until satisfied that she was ready to be seen by the male population—at least the young males that would show up at the party.

Cari
secured Adrianna into the passenger seat of her cream-colored luxury car, as if she feared her friend might make a run for it. With a satisfied smile, she went around to the driver’s side and got in. Adrianna tended to the music selection as Cari drove.

“You didn’t tell me it was at your house.”

“I just told you.” Cari shrugged.

“You just said it was a college party.”

“It is. It’s just that it’s at my house. You don’t think I want to go to some smelly dorm or frat house, do you?”

“Not your style.”

“Exactly. And anyway, I got permission. My parents are in Hawaii for a couple of weeks, and I have the house.”

“That’s frightening.” Adrianna smiled.

“You’re smiling. That’s better. Wait until you see all the guys I invited.”

“I can’t wait.”

A few cars were already parked in the huge driveway. Apparently, Cari had gotten the party started and left to get Adrianna. She pulled into the four-car garage and they both got out.

“Samuel’s inside. He’s taking care of things until I get back.”

“Good to know.” Adrianna wasn’t a partier like her friend. Tending toward shyness, she preferred the company of good friends, and not many at a time. Boldly seeking out male attention wasn’t her style.

“You look great.”
Cari beamed, clearly pleased with the makeup job she’d done. “And those shoes are perfect.”

Adrianna could hear the music blasting inside. Maybe she could dance the night away. That prospect perked her up a bit. Inside, a few people mingled about in the large family room. It was typical of the type of home
Cari lived in: huge room, expensive wood floors, wall of windows, and even a massive stone fireplace. But it looked friendly, lived in, so unlike the similar room Adrianna’s family had, which stayed pristine, untouched, and sterile.

Cari
made some quick introductions. All the faces were new to Adrianna, and everyone nodded at her. The music was so loud it was difficult to start up any conversation, which was just as well. Adrianna followed her friend into the enormous kitchen, adorned with all stainless steel appliances, tall dark wood cupboards, and the same expensive wood flooring.

Cari
opened the refrigerator to check on supplies. Trays of food covered the countertops, all types of finger food: plump shrimp, caviar on toast, lox and cream cheese.

“This is some college party.” Adrianna stabbed a shrimp with a plastic stick and held it up, but didn’t eat it.

“Nice, huh?”

“Hey,
Cari.” A slender woman with light brown hair and big blue eyes walked into the kitchen. “Oh—hey, Adrianna,” she added.

“Hi,
Alaina. I like that dress,” Adrianna said.

Tomas’s sister wore a tight ivory-colored dress that stretched over her minimal curves. “Oh, thanks.
Just got it. I like yours too.” Alaina smiled and tossed her long brown hair over her shoulder with one hand. “Got any wine, Cari?”

“Sure.
Red or white?”

“Wow, choices. White, I guess.” She took the bottle
Cari offered and poured herself a glass.

“Is James here with you?”
Cari asked.

“Yeah, he’s making his way in here.”
Alaina took a sip of her wine. “By the way, Adrianna, before I get too distracted, or too drunk,”—she took another sip of wine—“I need to tell you something.”

“What’s that?” Adrianna didn’t know
Alaina really well, but she chatted with her at the various parties Cari dragged her to.

“Tomas’ friend, Sean.”
Alaina took another sip.

Just the mention of his name shook her. The party was supposed to be a distraction, but she couldn’t get away from the source of the pain in her heart.

“Yeah, what about him?”

“He’s sweet on you.”
Alaina grinned. “And he’s a hunk, if I ever saw one. If I wasn’t with James, I might try for him myself. But I don’t think anyone stands a chance against you.”

“You’re mistaken. We aren’t even dating.”

“Well, I overheard him talking to Tomas, and dating or not, the guy’s hot for you.”

Adrianna felt her skin flush despite her best effort to appear cool. “Well, I don’t know what he said but there’s nothing between us.” The lie felt strange on her tongue.

“No, huh? Well, he sent Tomas to ask me about you. Can’t figure you out, he says. Wants to know more about you. Wants to know anything I know, anything about you at all. What guy does that? He’s hooked, Adrianna. I’m telling you. I don’t know what you did to him, but he’s got it bad.”

Adrianna just shook her head. Things were getting out of control. Now Sean was asking others about her. He wouldn’t quit, and it was hard to believe that he was still interested.
Especially after the other day.

“What did you tell him?” Adrianna wasn’t sure she wanted to know.

“That you are a weird, psycho chick with lots of issues.” Cari kept a straight face.

Adrianna tilted her head to the side and rolled her eyes in mock disbelief. “What did you really tell him?”

“I said you are a nice girl from a respectable family and you’ve been a ton of beauty pageants—even won some—so you’re out of his league.”

“Ugh, that’s worse.” Adrianna wrinkled her nose.

“No. Come on, girlfriend. I’m not going to tell him anything. It’s up to him to find out, right?” Cari raised her wine glass in the air with a smug grin.

“I need a drink,” Adrianna said disgustedly.

“Oh, no. Not you,” Cari said. “You know you don’t deal with that well.”

“I meant Coke,” Adrianna said, lying again.

“Well, I’m going to find James. He must have gotten lost. But I thought you should know: Sean’s not giving up. And he usually gets what he wants, from what I’ve seen.” Alaina exited the kitchen.

“Coke,” Adrianna said, holding out her hand.

“Coming. Coming,” Cari said, digging in the fridge.

Adrianna knew she hadn’t wanted to come to the party. Now she wished she’d refused. It was hard to pretend to have fun when her heart felt like someone had a big fist around it and was squeezing. Watching
Cari flit around the kitchen, seeing to food details and grinning at anyone who entered, Adrianna tried to imagine what that must feel like.

To be happy, not burdened by guilt or self-abasement, seemed like an impossible goal. That was one reason she liked her friend so much. Just being around her lightened even the heaviest gloom. A couple of gulps of Coke helped. Caffeine was a good mood enhancer, and Adrianna
needed all the mood enhancing she could get.

“Go on out.
Mingle. I’ll be out shortly. I just have to cut the Brie.” Cari waved her hand.