"We promise to return her by curfew," Cole adds. "Unless she wants to come read bedtime stories to the twin tornadoes again."
"If she wants to, she can. Text me and check in occasionally, and I'll load some spending money on your card when I get back in the car," Sophia offers, focusing her attention on me for confirmation. I smile and nod, typing a thank you on my phone. With a grin and a hug, she slides back in her car and drives off.
"That was the easiest kidnapping I've ever seen," Trent jokes as he and Alice join us, putting his arm around my shoulder and turning me toward the student parking lot where they always park.
"Where should we go?" Alice asks, not looking up from her phone.
"Why? You aren't even paying attention. How's lover boy?" Abby teases, and Alice's cheeks flame at being called out.
"He's good. He's supposed to be in town for a basketball tournament next week." Her voice is laced with excitement; it’s probably the most worked up I’ve seen her.
"Does this mean we get to meet him? Don't your best friends get to give him the usual scare tactics?" Trent asks, giving me a wink. He keeps his arm around my shoulder, and Abby casually takes my hand. I fight back the feelings when my heart reacts to the simple gestures, but the fight is starting to drain.
"No scare tactics, I like this one," Alice threatens, glaring around me at Trent.
"Has anyone heard from Adam? Is he actually sick, or is it his mom again?" Abby's tone turns hard and my curiosity is piqued.
Trent makes an angry sort of sound, drawing the entire group’s attention. His eyes hold shadows, making my heart clench. His arm tightens around me. "His mom is an alcoholic. Some days he ends up missing so he can take care of her."
The rest of the walk to the car and the drive itself is in silence. I hate the thought of Adam having a rough night and day, taking care of an incoherent mom. And they never say what kind of drunk she is so I’m even more worried. It makes me realize just how much I still need to learn about them all.
A moment of self-doubt hits me, because I can’t just hold an easy conversation with them. How many things are we missing out on because of me? As if she can hear my thoughts, Abby reaches out and tangles her fingers with mine, bringing my hand to her mouth and giving it a soft kiss and squeeze, before settling it back in her lap. The moment was so small and likely insignificant to most, but to me it means everything, my stomach going crazy with butterflies.
Adam must have heard us pull up because he walks out the moment we arrive, dark circles under his eyes and looking downright miserable. My heart breaks for him, knowing that their suspicions are true. When Cole parks his car, I unbuckle and scramble over Trent to open the door. I don't bother waiting for the others, instead running up to hug Adam.
He gives me a tired smile as I approach, wrapping his arms around me and resting his chin on my head. The others stay in the car, giving us a moment to ourselves and I’m grateful for it. When he pulls back, I tug him down and give him a soft kiss that he practically melts into. His expression is softer as he gazes down at me.
"You're too good to me, Charlie. All the shit you've clearly been through, and yet you still find the space in your heart to care about my shitty night," he whispers and hugs me tight again. I pull away so I can look into his eyes. They look haunted today, and I hate it. I move my hands from his sides to rest on his cheeks.
'For you, always,' I mouth the words, silently, but he still understands them.
"We're lucky you found us," he reveals, kissing me on the forehead. The others walk up after that, clearly done waiting.
"Hey, man,” Cole says, giving Adam a fist bump. “Need a break?"
"Yeah, but I'm tired,” Adam replies, shoulders drooping like the weight of the world rests on them. “Can we just go to Charlie's and watch a movie or something?"
"Cram in, let's go," Trent says, ushering us to the car.
"I need some space; I'll walk and meet you there." As soon as he says it, I snatch his hand in mine, not wanting him to be alone right now. The others all pile into Cole's car and drive off, leaving us alone.
"You didn't have to walk with me." Guilt nearly bleeds from his eyes, and I throw him a mock glare, not willing to let him push me away. It was always one thing I wished that someone had done for me when I was at my lowest, and I would never let him feel the same.
We walk down the block in silence, his fingers intertwined with mine, and I reach over with my other hand to rub his arm. I may not have the right words to say, or any words, but I want to offer comfort in some way.
"Charlie, I really like you," he whispers quietly. I squeeze his hand to acknowledge what he said, before stretching up and kissing his cheek. His smile widens but he doesn't say anything else, letting me process his words instead.
When we finally reach the house, their car is empty in the driveway, so we head inside. Everyone is sitting in the kitchen, talking animatedly to Sophia. When we open the door, the voices stop before the conversation turns to food. I'm guessing they were filling her in on Adam’s life from the angry look on Trent’s face.
"Why don't you head in there, and Charlie can help me decide on food. Call your parents and let them know you're here for dinner," Sophia orders. They give a chorus of yes ma'ams, before filing out.
"Is he okay?" she asks immediately, clearly already up to date on his mom's situation.
'Yeah, he was just apparently up late. He looks really tired,' I write on the paper, my eyebrows furrowing as I consider what else to say. 'I don't know how bad he has it, they didn't tell me much.'
"They told me a bit. Apparently it's bad when his dad is away on business. They gave me his dad's number. When he's away, she does this a lot. I'm going to go to my office and give him a call. I'll let you know how it went after they go tonight. I'm sorry, I can't just let him go through that," she says, her eyes begging me to understand. I don't want him dealing with it either, so I give her a hug in thanks.
'Chinese?'