“Not really,” I said.
“But you're sleeping together”
I stared at him, wide-eyed, and slack-jawed. “How did you – ”
“I didn't actually,” Adam said, smirking, with his hands buried deep into his pockets. “But I do now. God, you should see the look on your face right now.”
I closed my mouth and stood up tall. “I didn't say we were.”
“Oh, trust me, sweetheart, I couldn't care less if you're sleeping with Malcolm or not. I'm just surprised he moved on so fast,” he said. “You look like a nice enough girl though. Not really his usual type, but I can see the attraction.”
I wasn't sure if that was meant as a compliment or not. I didn't take it as one.
“Don't call me sweetheart,” I said. “I'm not a fan of pet names and we're not that close, Adam.”
“Oh, sorry, didn't mean to offend you,” Adam said.
He looked a lot like Malcolm standing there. I could definitely see the family resemblance. They had similar bone structure and everything. Adam was maybe a couple inches shorter, with different colored eyes, but you could tell they were related. Adam was dressed impeccably as well, just like his brother. Unlike Malcolm, however, I didn't like Adam. Not at all.
I sneered at him and considered telling him he could take his “sweetheart” and “nice enough girl” comments, shove them up his ass, and get the fuck out of my life. But, he was my only way in to see Malcolm, and to hopefully get some answers about the type of family environment my baby would be growing up in.
So far, I wasn't impressed. Like, not at all.
“I'm ready,” I said, opening the door and waiting for Adam to follow me out.
He took one last look around Raya's place before exiting the apartment. I locked the door behind us and followed him down onto the street.
“Your chariot awaits,” Adam said, opening the car door for me.
I glared at him, wanting to tell him I had two hands capable of opening doors myself, but I let it go. He probably thought he was being chivalrous, but his attitude was nothing but condescending. He made me sick. After tonight though, I might never have to see him again and his asshole, sexist attitude wouldn't matter.
But, if Malcolm still wanted this baby, this would be his uncle. No need to piss him off. He was practically family and all. Ugh.
“An Acura, huh?” I didn't mean to say it out loud, it just happened to pop out.
“What was that?” Adam asked, sliding into the driver's seat beside me, and buckling up.
“Oh, nothing,” I said. “I'm just surprised you don't drive a more pretentious car like a BMW or something.”
Adam laughed and started the car.
“I mean, not that Acuras are bad cars,” I said. “hell, it's still better than anything I could afford.”
Way to not piss off the brother, Casey, I thought to myself. I really should learn to keep my mouth shut.
“I guess Malcolm never told you,” Adam said.
His voice was softer than I'd expected, and I saw a flash of something in his eyes that resembled sadness. I had no idea, but I saw it, and then it was gone, like it had never been, as Adam got himself back under control again.
“Told me what?” I asked.
Adam sighed as he glanced over at me, a contemplative look on his face. He seemed to be studying me, trying to decide if he could confide in me. Finally, he gave himself a little nod, apparently deciding that he could.
“While Malcolm was lucky enough to grow up a Crane, I didn't discover who my father was until a few years ago,” he said, his voice tinged with bitterness. “Oh, he'd been sending money all these years, but it wasn't much. My mom practically had to beg for every penny she could get from the old man. I may work for him now, but I'll never be Malcolm. I work a shitty customer service job, while he's training to be CEO. I make decent enough money though, so I can't complain, I just wish... ”
He trailed off and that sad, or regretful flash in his eyes returned. He fell silent and look out beyond the windshield, the look on his face saying he was somewhere else. Another time or another life, perhaps. The only thing I knew was that he wasn't there in the car with me at that moment.
“You wish what?”