Ten Days of Perfect (November Blue #1)

“Ember, let me in, I just want to talk to you.” Urgency turned to agitation.

“Adrian, I’ve had a long fucking day. Josh showed up at Monica’s this morning, drunk out of his mind, begging for forgiveness or whatever, and I just want to go out. So, if you would . . .” I slid past him and shut the door, putting both of us in the stairwell.

I jogged past him, down the stairs, deciding to meet Bo outside as a way to get Adrian out of my apartment.

“Wait!” Adrian yelled as he grabbed my arm tightly and yanked me back.

“Ow! Don’t, Adrian!” I huffed, my cheeks fighting the heat. He released my arm immediately.

“Shit, I’m Sorry. Is Monica OK? He put his hands in his pockets as he tried to change the subject. Good place for your hands - keep them there.

“Yeah. Hey, I know you have some stuff you want to talk to me about, or whatever, but can it wait until we’re in Concord? I’ve got plans with Bo tonight, and then Monica and I are going to watch him sing tomorrow. I just can’t fit you in my head right now.” My frankness never sat well with Adrian, and this time was no different.

“That’s nice, Ember. So, that’s all I am to you? Someone who takes up space in your head?” He stayed one stair behind me, but that didn’t soften his antagonizing tone.

When I reached the bottom stair, I turned around and looked him square in the eyes.

“Look, Adrian, I’ve had enough surprises from you this week, wouldn’t you say? Just, please, leave it alone for now.” I opened the door and jumped at the sight of Bo, leaning against his car, arms crossed in front of him. I couldn’t tell if it was in relaxation or defense.

Oh, hell.

Bo nodded his chin up at me and opened the passenger door of his car, but his eyes never left Adrian. I looked back as I climbed in, and noted that Adrian’s eyes bored through Bo, as well. I had nothing to go on; no idea why they were like this with each other. It wasn’t because of me and, if it was, Adrian needed to screw off because we were not an option. Not one single word passed between Bo and Adrian before Bo got into his car, and Adrian into his. When Adrian pulled away, Bo gripped his steering wheel in apparent frustration.

“What was that about?” Bo asked, looking at me out of the corner of his eyes as he pulled away from the curb.

“No. What was that about? That was like a friggen showdown.” I pointed my thumb to the sidewalk, wide eyed.

“He just seems to be at your place a lot,” he said with a hint of accusation.

“Yes, he does, and I’d like for you to explain why.”

“I told you, the man’s jealous. But, I also saw the look on your face when you walked out the door - you looked upset.” Bo’s eyes remained on the road.

“I was upset that he showed up unannounced when I told him we could talk later.”

I reached for Bo’s hand, and ran my thumb along his knuckles until his shoulders relaxed. I intentionally left out the bit about Adrian grabbing my arm and pulling me backward on the stairs.

“Sorry,” he relented.

“Me too. Come on, let’s just go and have some fun. I can’t tell you how tired I am of discussing Adrian Turner.” I glanced out the window to clear my thoughts.

“Hey, I wanted to run something by you . . .” Bo broke our few minutes of silence as we seemed to drive aimlessly around town.

“Yea?”

“Turns out I have to head back to Concord tomorrow morning. I was wondering if maybe you’d want to come with me? Monica could meet you there Monday for the meeting and you could ride home with her afterward.” Bo sounded hopeful.

“Absolutely,” I said without hesitation.

“That was quick.” Bo chuckled as he pulled into Finnegan’s parking lot. Freakin’ Finnegan’s? Really?

“Bo, I love you. What, exactly, is there to think about? I’ll tell Carrie I’m going to extend my room stay by two days.”

“Or . . . you could just stay with me, at my place,” he suggested bashfully.

Two nights with Bo, alone, at his place? Mother, may I?

“Sounds perfect.” I smiled, “What are we doing here? I thought you had a surprise; Finnegan’s is no surprise to me.” I cocked an eyebrow and he chuckled.

“First surprise is I’m going to play a set here tonight, since I won’t be around tomorrow. The second surprise is . . . still a surprise.” He winked as he got out of the car.

As we walked in, I was instantly annoyed at the sight of Josh behind the bar. I chose to ignore him and asked Bo to grab me a beer while I found a table. I watched Bo and Josh talk for a minute; Josh even cracked a smile. Bo nodded back in my direction and then stayed at the bar while Josh headed toward me. What the hell? As Josh got closer I straightened in my chair and could feel my nerves tense. I was not in the mood for another round of name-calling. He took a seat next to me and I raised my eyebrows, signaling him to get on with it.