Chapter 3
The sound of my alarm broke through the blackness, and I groaned when I saw the time. Why in the hell did I go out last night? Well, I guess it was kind of expected since the summer was almost over. The parties to choose from were endless.
I clicked on the bedside lamp, the low light casting an orange glow across the room that hopefully wouldn’t wake anyone. “Adelaide, what the f*ck? It’s like eight in the morning. Get that fine ass back over here.” An arm snaked around my bare waist and I was pulled back onto the bed.
“Ian, I need to get going. I have to meet my mother for brunch at Millers Bistro. She’ll be pissed if I’m late.” I heard a muffled groan from underneath his pillow and then both hands immediately gripped my hips, placing me on top so I was straddling him.
“Since when does Adelaide McGregor follow any kind of rules? You know we had a good time last night. We could continue that for the rest of the day.” His hands reached up to run along my sides and he tugged me closer, wiggling his eyebrows at me. I circled my hips around, earning a loud grunt from his lips that made me chuckle, and leaned down to brush my lips across the side of his neck. “Sorry, Ian. Maybe later.” Yeah, like that was going to happen.
I gave one final push with my hips before jumping off the bed and hunting around for the bag I had stashed in his room the night before. I figured I would end up here since we had been flirting back and forth for about the past week and had yet to actually hook up. “You’re such a tease. You better be back here in like two hours or I’m going to come hunt your ass down. That was the best night of my life.”
I had to bite back a laugh at his dreamy expression. Well, at least it was for someone. I guess in a way it had been fulfilling for me too. It definitely beat sitting at home doing nothing. When that happened, my brain tended to think too much and when it did that it was hard to turn off. That didn’t need to happen. All I would feel was guilt and hatred. I had already let that take over my life once, and I wasn’t going to let it happen again.
I dabbed a little bit of foundation on after a quick shower and brushed some lip-gloss across my lips. I still looked like shit, but hopefully the makeup and the navy scoop neck dress I had brought for brunch would please my mother enough.
I rolled my eyes when I walked back out into the pitch-black room and heard Ian’s loud snores. Apparently, he wasn’t that happy with last night or he would have joined me in the shower. Oh well, best to leave him now anyway so he doesn’t get the wrong idea and think we’re actually going to have a relationship.
A taxi was already waiting for me at the curb, and the driver hopped out to open my door. I pulled out my phone and scrolled through the pile-up of messages from last night. A few from Marley and Madison already from early this morning.
I had been surprised when they had both went home early last night, but I knew they wanted to get an early start on moving. Well, I guess I should say driving because Madison’s dad had pretty much paid for everything, including movers. Although the two of them got on my freaking nerves sometimes, I was happy that they were moving on with their lives. Now if I could just do the same thing instead of being completely stuck, everything would be perfect.
“Late night again, I see.” My mother remarked snidely as soon as I sat down in between sips of her mimosa, which appeared to already be her second of the morning, and it wasn’t even noon. Dear old mom was a total hypocrite.
“Well, I am pretty much an adult, mother. I think I can make my own decisions.” I glanced quickly at the menu and put in my order with the waiter that was probably only a year or two older than me that my mother was eyeballing. She was practically drooling on her silk Chanel.
“Oh, yes because up until now those decisions have been so wise.” Touché mother, touché. “And about those decisions, have you decided on where you will be attending school? You don’t have much time and you should have already submitted applications for any of the schools that are worthwhile. I’m sure Gerald could put in a word, if necessary.”
“I have a few weeks to decide still, I’m sure I’ll figure something out, but I don’t think I need any of Gerald’s influence. I’d prefer to do things on my own.” I gave the waiter a wide smile as he sat my chocolate-drizzled banana-stuffed French toast down in front of me, and he gave me an equally flirty one.
I bit my lip as he held my stare for just a second longer and then cleared his throat with a shake of his head, setting down my mom’s plate in front of her. I saw the look of distaste flash across her face but was quickly covered up by a pasted on smile. I wasn’t sure if it was because of my breakfast choice, which, by the way, I had found out was oddly the perfect cure to a hangover, or the fact that, Derrick, as his nametag read, was paying attention to me.
“Really, Adelaide?” She hissed as soon as he was out of earshot but not before he gave me a quick wink. Hmm…now those hands looked to be skillful and could occupy plenty of my time.
“Didn’t you learn your lesson the first time you spread your legs? You are too young to be so…experienced.” I choked on my cucumber water at my mother’s words and looked around to see if anyone had heard. Honestly, I really wouldn’t care but she was all about appearances and was constantly worried about her image.
“Don’t worry, mother. I’m not being stupid about it, I’m on birth control, and whichever penis I pick is most certainly wrapped. So when and if I feel the urge to spread my legs, just know I’m being one hundred percent safe. Even if I’m not exactly laying back and spreading my legs, you know there are so many different positions I love to try out. Have you ever heard of the Dolphin? It’s fairly tricky but once you get the hang of it, can be amazing. It also helps that I’m so flexible,” I added on loudly before laying my napkin on my cleared plate.
My mother’s face had turned a bright shade of red halfway through my little speech and I couldn’t help but pat myself on the back. I said a silent thank you to Marley for making Madison and I look at that Kama Sutra sex book. Who knew all of that knowledge could be used for more than one thing?
“We will finish this discussion at home Adelaide Elizabeth. Just know that I’m very displeased with your behavior.” She drained the rest of her fifth mimosa and stiffly smiled at Derrick when he returned with the bill.
He tilted his jet-black head towards the bill that my mother was holding and wiggled his eyebrows at me before leaving. I’m guessing that meant his phone number was listed at the bottom. How original. If you’re going to give me your number, at least don’t give it to my mother. She might end up actually using it for herself.
“Well I’m going to take a cab home.” I stood and grabbed my handbag. “Or maybe I’ll make a few stops to my regulars on the way, since you think I’m a prostitute or something.” I turned on my heel, sliding down my sunglasses as I went and stifled a giggle as I heard her choking on her drink. Ah, revenge tasted so good.