Chapter - 4

That evening,  Adam offers to give me a ride to the Country Club to meet Kevin. "Are you sure you don't want me to wait here in case the guy doesn't show?" Adam asks. "I'm positive Dad," I tease. "I'm being serious. You don't know what this guy is capable of. For all you know, he could be a psycho path who preys on women. You know it's not unheard of." I smile slightly before replying, "Adam, I'm sure I have nothing to worry about. If it will make you feel better, I'll call you when we get to the restaurant." He then gives a little nod, "Just be careful. Alright? I mean, I worry about you being out there with someone who you're hiding the whole family from . "I'm really hoping you all can meet him soon. Besides, when I go out with him, I always make sure we're in a public place." I lie, to ease his mind and get him to back off a little. He then drops me off at the park, and I give a little wave, as I take a seat on a nearby bench to wait for Kevin. 

Ten minutes goes by as I read my book to pass the time, and I suddenly hear a voice behind me ask if I'm ready to go. Closing my book, I smile widely, "Kevin!" I shout and push my book back into my purse. Rushing up to him, he wraps his arms around me tightly and presses his soft gentle lips on mine. "I've missed you! Why didn't you call me at work today?" he asks. Looking into his hazel eyes, I reply, "I have a big test to study for, so I spent the whole day hitting the books." He smiles before replying, "Well, I'm glad you decided to take a break and come out to see me. I've missed you so much babe. Come on, lets get going. We don't want to be late." I let out a little giggle, "What exactly are we going to be late for?" I ask. "We're just going to meet a few of my friends for a few drinks at the club. Don't worry, they'll love you, and they can't wait to meet you. I have told them all about my mystery girl," he chuckles. I nod nervously, and tell him that I'm ready to go, and we get into his car. 

Upon arriving at Angelo's, Kevin waves to his friends who are already sitting at the bar. Kevin then leads me to a table, where we can all get better acquainted. "Faith, this is Claire and her fiance  Shane. On the Dance floor over there is Serenity and her boyfriend, Logan." he says. I turn my attention to Claire and David, and tell them that it's nice to finally meet some of his friends. Claire smiles and says, "Well, Kevin has always been like a big brother to me, I'll be flying into Chicago next week for a meeting." Kevin and David then go to the bar to get our drinks, and Claire leans toward me and continues, "I haven't seen him this happy in a very long time. He's been through so much in his past relationship with Jodi. Please take care of him while I'm gone, and make sure he doesn't do anything stupid."  I smile and tell her that he's in good hands and that I promise not to let anything happen to him. She smiles widely in return, and the guys return to the table with our drinks.

 The hours fly by as the six of us sit at the table, and chat away about how nice it is to get out and just have some fun. Serenity and Logan decide to call it a night, and leave early, and Kevin and I decide to heat up the dance floor while Claire and David talk at the table. Kevin twirls me around as we dance the night away, but then he does something totally unexpected. He spins me around and plants his lips on mine, and deepens the kiss by dipping me. When he lifts me back onto my feet and lets me  up for air, he whispers, "Faith I'm falling for you. I'm finding it harder to concentrate on work, and finding myself constantly thinking about you. Do you feel the same?" Surprised at what he had just said, made me think. I guess I must have been deep in thought as his smile turns to a frown, "You don't feel the same way do you?"  "I'm sorry. I was just thinking about the first time we met, and what happened at your place when you brought me there. Of course I feel the same way about you. I just wanna take things slow ya know, "I tell him. He smiles widely, "I think about that all of the time! Faith, I am not afraid to say that I love you, and how I can't wait to meet your parents one day. They have raised a fine young lady, and I'm not ashamed to call you mine!" He then kisses me passionately and I go weak at the knees, and all of my problems just disappear. 

As our passion grows, Claire and David approach us on the dance floor. "ahem!" David clears his throat and Kevin and I break our kiss. "David chuckles and says, "Claire and I have to head home as it's getting late." "By the way, is that a new form of dirty dancing? I just.... I haven't seen any kind of dancing like that before," she teases. Kevin gives a little frown at both of them for interrupting, "Very funny you two! I'll call you when I get home to let you know that I made it safely." David knuckle bumps him, and Claire gives him a goodbye hug. Kevin then looks down at his watch and says that he should be getting me home as well. "We don't want your house mother to get her panties in a wad," he chuckles. I nod in agreement and he takes me back to the sorority house, where Adam picks me up after I call him.

Six months later.......

 Adam and I are chatting away about how California has earthquakes, as the phone rings. "I hope that's not for me," I tell him. Adam gives me a puzzled look and says, "Why not?" "Because it's after 11pm, and Mom doesn't like it when my friends call me after 11pm." I reply. Mom enters the room and smiles, "Adam, it's for you. It's Heather." Adam beams as Mom hands him the phone. He then takes it into his room and closes the door behind him for some privacy. I can't help but to be nosy and listen in on their conversation. "Hi! Good how are you doing? Oh, It's great, I love it out here. It's November, and we're in the middle of a heat wave. Of course I miss you. Yeah, really. You know I do. No, of course I don't want you to meet somebody, but if you do, you do. Tomorrow? You're coming tomorrow? No, no! Tomorrow's great! Y-y-you can stay for the weekend. You know I want to see you. Of course I'm glad you're coming. Hold on a second okay?" Adam tells Heather. He opens his door and shouts to Mom, but quickly notices her standing by the door listening in, "Hey, Mom...uh Heather's coming to visit for the weekend." I then poke my head from around the corner and tell them that Heather can stay in my room. Mom gives him the thumbs up and we leave the room so they can continue their conversation. 

The following day after school, and I'm riding home with Adam. "Hey slow down hotshot. The plane doesn't get in for another three hours." I tell him. "I know, I just wanna be prepared," he replies. "You're nervous, aren't you?" I ask. "No, I am not nervous. Do you think I've changed?" he asks. "Oh, yeah. In fact, I don't know however she's gonna recognize you." I tease. "Maybe I should get her some flowers, huh?" he asks. "I smile before replying, "I think it's too late for that." Adam begins to reply, but notices Heather standing in the driveway waiting on us to get out of the car as we pull in. Adam rushes up to her and wraps his arms around her tightly. "Hi. How are you?" he asks her. "Good, what about you?" she replies. "What are you doing here? You're not supposed to be here until 8:00pm." Adam asks. "I know, I took an earlier flight." Heather replies. "We've been gabbing here forever, and just having the best time." Mom adds. "Hi." Adam tells her and give her a little kiss. "Heather's caught me up on all the gossip. You know, it's amazing how much you miss in only a couple of months." Mom says. "We'll see you guys later, right Mom?" I ask her, trying to give Adam and Heather their space. "Oh, right," she replies and follows me inside of the house.

 Later that night, as Heather and I are setting up the cot she will be using in my room she asks, "So any new guys since you moved?" she asks. " I can't help but to blush as I reply, "Actually there is a guy, but you can't tell my Mom about it or she will freak." Heather lets out a little giggle before replying, "So, I'm guessing he's an older guy. In college?" I then fill her in on how Shannon made the fake ID's and how I was the only one who passed for twenty-one, and how I met Kevin. "Oh, Faith, I wouldn't have taken you as the bad girl type! Is it serious?" she asks. "I thinks so. I mean I can't stop thinking about him. I've already met his friends and have been to his townhouse." I reply. She then tells me the same thing that Shannon had said, that if gets serious I should tell him the truth about me. After we sit and chat for hours, and catch up on everything between the two of us, Heather says that she needs her rest, and how tired she is after the flight here. I agree and we both head to bed, only Heather can't sleep. She then gets up to take a shower.

 Adam who is lying in bed, can't sleep either. He hears the shower turn off in the bathroom, and gives a gentle knock. Heather smiles and opens the door after she wraps herself in a towel. He closes the door behind him and embraces her in a kiss, "I just wanted to say goodnight." As he lets her up for air, she sighs and tells him goodnight in return. "Come into my room in an hour." he tells her. "Adam, what if your Mom decides to check on us?" she asks. "She won't, I promise. She sleeps like the dead. Don't say no. " he replies and kisses her passionately. She sighs and says, "I waited so long, and I just wanted it to be special." "Trust me. Right now, this is special. You just won't know until you do it. Then you'll look back and realize just how special it was. Just come into my room in fourty-five minutes." he says. In return she tells him that she'll think about it and heads back into Faith's room. 

One hour passes by as Heather and Adam toss and turn, unable to sleep. She wants him badly, but she also doesn't want to anger his family. Adam who is in his room, finally gives up and rolls over to his side as he tries to catch some sleep. With her emotions running wild, Heather decides to get up and enters Adams room. He sits up as she sits on his bed and he kisses her softly. "You know, if we had to move 2,000 miles for you to come and spend the night, I think it was worth it." he tells her. "Adam, do you have protection?" she asks and he tells her that he does. "That's always been my problem. Lots of protection, but no one to protect." he says. She smiles and tells him that she can change that, and two of them intertwine in a passionate kiss. 

Early the following morning, just as Adam is about to make breakfast, Heather enters the room. He turns to her and wraps his arms around her tightly and says, "That was amazing, wasn't it?" "Uh-huh." she replies. "I am really glad that you're here. I didn't even realize how much I'd missed you." he tells her as he kisses her. "Hey, don't let me interrupt anything. Fresh brewed coffee? Trust me, he never does this. So, what are you guys up to today?" I ask with a smile. "I wanna go see movie stars," Heather says. "She wants to go see movie stars," Adam tells me. "I smile before replying, Adam, I didn't go deaf overnight." Adam beams as he gets an idea and turns to Heather and says, "Hey I gotta great idea, why don't we get out of here, we can grab a bite to eat on the road someplace?" She tells him okay and the two head out to who knows where.

 Later that evening, Adam and Heather return after site seeing all afternoon and informs me that his good friend Jax is coming to pick us up to take us to a club where Heather can meet a few movie stars he knows. "Well if Jax is taking us, then we'll get in." I tell her. "What's his story anyway?" Heather asks. I then tell her that I'm not really sure, and how he lives in a hotel room, and keeps to himself. "You see, I really haven't figured him out yet. He's a bit of a wild child." I explain. Adam then calls from downstairs and tells us to come on or we're going to be late. Heather and I smile as we grab our purses and rush downstairs and out of the door behind Adam.  

As we make our way outside, Jax is standing outside by his Porsche. "What a cool car! Do you mind if I ride with him? I mean come on, I may never get the chance to ride in a Porsche  again!" Heather tells Adam excitedly. "No. I mean, if that's what you want." Adam replies with a sigh. "Alright man, we'll see you there," Jax tells Adam as he knuckle bumps him. As Adam and I are heading to the club, he turns to me and says, "Is it just me, or is Heather acting weird today?" I then tell him that I don't know and that she seems the same to me as she always has. "I thought you guys were having a good time?" I tell him. "We are. It's just she's so into this California thing. You know, the houses, the stores, and the cars." he continues. "You mean like Jax's car?" I ask. "Yeah, kind of. Didn't she seem just a little too enthusiastic about getting a ride from him tonight?" he asks. "Well, take a look at the option." I tell him with a smile. "Adam grins before replying, "Obviously she doesn't like me for my car. Jax didn't seem too unhappy about the idea either." With a concerned look I ask, "What are you saying? Don't you trust your own friend?" "Sure, of course I trust them. It's just I think they're both acting a little weird, that's all." he replies. "Well, I think you're acting a little paranoid." I tell him. "Paranoid? I hope you're right," he says with a hopeful expression. "I know I am. At least try to have a good time tonight. I know she loves you, and no one else." I tell him soothingly. 

We then arrive at the club and swing into a parking spot and park the car. Upon entering the club, Adam's smile turns to a frown as he notices Heather's arms embracing Jax on the dance floor.  As Adam approaches Jax, and says, "hey," to make his appearance known. "Hey man, it's about time you got here." Jax tells him. "Yeah, well I only had to crash my way in." Adam tells says. "I left your name with the bouncer." Jax replies. "I guess he's got a real short memory." Adam snaps. "He did, Adam," Heather adds.  "Listen, why don't you guys just tell me when you're finished dancing, okay," Adam tells her.  "Fine, I'm going to the restroom." Heather tells them now frustrated.  "Man, she is wild!" Jax says. "No, she's not." Adam replies.  "Well, she must be on sensory overload or something." He tries to explain to Adam. "Listen man, I think you're the only one on overload." Adam says as he's becoming angry. "What are you talking about?" Jax asks. "You can probably go out with any girl in the school that you want.  Why are you hitting on my girlfriend?" Adam shouts.  "Adam, you're out of your mind. I'm not hitting on her." Jax says. "Come on! I know how you operate. I know this great club we can get into.  Look at my nice car. No, no, lets just go in, Adam will find us. Let me buy you a drink." Adam says sarcastically. "THAT is not what happened here!" Jax shouts. "It doesn't work with Heather.  She's not into your car, she's not into your cash, and she's only into one guy!" Adam retorts. "You?" Jax asks. "That's right." Adam snaps back. "Then I think you guys need to have a serious talk, Adam. As much as I hate to tell you this, you're girlfriend hit on me tonight." Jax explains. Adam turns as if he's going to walk away, but instead he rares back and punches Jax in the face. After falling to the ground, Jax gets back up and grabs Adam by the shirt, and says, "You better figure out who your friends are!" He then releases Adam and exits the club.  

 Adam are you alright? What was that all about?" I ask as rush up to him after he had clocked Jax and knocked him to the ground. "Long story, I'll fill you in when we get home," Adam tells me. I give a little nod and we decide to split up and find Heather. After searching for about ten minutes, Adam finds Heather who is sitting at the bar drinking her drink. He walks up to her and says, "Come on, we're outta here." "Where's Jax?" she asks. "What's the difference?" he asks her. "This place is so cool! Once you get in, you don't even get carded at the bar. There's nothing like this in New Jersey." she tells him as she takes another sip out of her drink. "Yeah. How many of these have you had tonight? he asks her. "I don't know. Jax and I had a couple before you got here." she replies. Taking her drink from her hand and placing it back onto the counter he says, "Yeah, well, I think you have had one too many." She then smacks him on the shoulder and tells him not to ever tell her what to do. "What's with you Heather? This isn't you." he tells her. "How would you know? You haven't seen me for six months. People change." she snaps. "Well, after last night, I thought we'd be closer than ever." he tells her now concerned for their relationship. "Why, because I had sex with you?" she asks. "Yeah," he replies. Shaking her head, she says, "Grow up Adam. Sex doesn't make people closer. It only tears them farther apart." she says. "And what makes you such an expert?" he asks. "Because I've done it before." she shouts. "What are you talking about?" he asks. "It's no big deal, it just happened." she says. "What do you mean it just happened?" he asks her.  "What difference does it make!? she says now frustrated. "A hell of a lot of difference! After you make me wait and..... who was it? Cole Taylor? huh? He always wanted to jump your bones." Adam retorts. "It doesn't matter who, besides, it's none of your business! We broke up right before you moved to California. Long distance relationships don't work. Your words, remember?" she shoots back at him. "I want a name right now, or you can get on the next bus back to New Jersey!" he demands. "Fine! You don't have to ask me twice! I'm gone!" She yells and storms off. Two minutes after their argument, Adam finds me and we rush out of the club to find Heather who is getting into a cab. "Heather, Heather wait!!" we yell as we try to catch the cab which is now driving away. Adam stops and takes a deep breath, "Damn," he thinks to himself.  As Adam and I get into his car I ask him why Heather would just leave like that, and what happened when he found her. He then tells me that now is not the time for questions, and that he will fill me in on it later. 

 Upon pulling into our driveway, and entering the house, Adam follows me upstairs to my room where our mother is looking for something next to Heather's bed. "Mom, what are you doing?" I ask.  "Heather's mother just called from New Jersey completely out of her mind. Heather's been missing for four days. They didn't even know she was out here. Heather didn't just come out here to visit you Adam. She ran away from home." Mom tells us. "I'll go look for her," Adam says and jumps into his car.  He heads to the hotel where Jax has been staying to see if she might be there. He knocks on the door and Jax answers. "Hey man, Heather disappeared. I.. " Adam begins and Jax interrupts him. "I know." he replies. "She's here?" Adam asks with a surprised look upon his face. "Yeah, but look, it's not what you think. Come on," Jax tells him as he opens the door wide enough for Adam to come in. "So where is she?" Adam asks. "Well, right now she's in my bathroom getting sick. I didn't hit on her man. I swear.  She's not into me, that isn't what this is all about." Jax explains. "Then why don't you tell me what this is all about, cause I'm feeling pretty clueless here?" Adam asks. "Ask Heather. Seems to me you guys have alot to talk about." Jax tells him. "You're not gonna believe this, but I thought tonight was going to be incredibly romantic." Adam says. "Welcome to the real world. Adam, the girl's got problems." Jax says. "Why does Newcrest have this effect on people?" Adam asks. "Hey, don't put this off on Newcrest. These problems go way back." Jax says as Heather enters the room and says "Hi" to Adam. "Umm I'm going to slip out for a little while. Listen if you need anything like clean towels or room service or whatever, call downstairs and they'll take care of you," Jax tells them. He then shakes Adam's hand and he exits the room.

"So you want to tell me what this is all about? You getting drunk, running out of the club?" Adam asks Heather who is taking a seat on the couch in the living room. "You think you know everything about me, don't you? That the way I am around you is the way I am for the rest of my life?" she asks. "What are you talking about?" He asks her. "All you ever thought about when you moved was how tough it was going to be on you. That you'd be in a strange city and have to make new friends. I thought you'd miss me." she tells him. "I did, I do." he replies. Heather furrows her brow and says, "No, Adam. Not like I missed you. You've got a new life, you have new friends. I'm stuck with the same old problems and the same old people." "And what problems did you ever have?" he asks. "How about a stepfather I hate and a mother that defends him, and a father that never calls me, not even on my birthday." she tells him. "I didn't realize things were so bad." he says sympathetically. "Because I didn't want to put my problems on you." she says. "Heather, I could have handled it." he says. "Well I couldn't! When we were together, or with your family, I felt safe. I didn't have to think about things. So you got me sweet and up and always happy and ready for a good time." she says. "But you didn't have to be that way." he replies. "I liked myself that way.  When you moved, it's like the whole world caved in on me, and I couldn't be that way anymore." she explains with tears poring down her cheeks. "Hey, hey, come here. It's okay," Adam soothes as he hugs her tightly. "I thought if I came out to see you, things would be better, but seeing you again only made everything worse." she tells him. "Do you wanna go home? he asks her.  "I should at least call my mom, and let her know I came out to visit.

One hour later, Adam brings Heather home with him and Mom greets them in the foyer. "Heather, you're mother called. "Where's the phone?" Heather asks mom. "Try the one in my bedroom. It's private." Mom tells her. Adam then follows her halfway up the stairs and whispers, "It'll be alright, I'll be right downstairs if you should need me." Heather gives a little nod, and heads to my mothers room to call her mom. "I can't believe you're so calm. Everything Adam does is fine. If this was me, you would be freaking out." I point out. Turning to me, Mom says, "Sweetheart, I am freaking out. She then places both hands on my shoulders, signaling for us to move into the living room and take a seat to wait for Heather to come down.

A few hours later, I stand by Adams bedroom door and ask if I can come in, which he says I may. I then take a seat in a chair beside his as he was just reading a book, as he says, "I thought I really knew her. But there was this huge gap between the Heather I wanted her to be, and the Heather she really is. I guess I couldn't see the problems or the hurt, because I never took the time to really notice them." "You can't see what people won't let you see. I'm her best friend, and even I didn't know there were any problems at home. She shut me out as well, so don't punish yourself like that." I tell him soothingly. "Yeah, but I thought we were so close. I mean, she knew everything about me." he replies. I smile before saying, "Even how you used to eat Mom's makeup?" Adam gives a little chuckle and says, "Well I guess we didn't share all of our secrets."  "It's never too late you know." I tell him. With a frown, Adam replies, "Feels like all I want to say right now is goodbye." I give him a soft tap on his knee and tell him that it's a start and head off to bed. 

The following morning, Heather is putting her remaining belongings into her carry on bag, as Adam enters the room. "Are you sure I can't take you?" he asks her. "That's what an airport shuttle's for," she tells him. "Well, at least you're flying home." he says. "It's amazing how generous parents become  when you push them to the wall." she explains. "You guys going to work things out?" he asks. "No choice.  Real estate is a little steep out here for me right now. But, give me a couple of years. I'll be back."she tells him. Adam then helps her fold up the bed and says, "Well, it was an experience. "I'm sorry. There's something I want you to know. The other night when we made love, it was special. Even though it wasn't my first time, and you may never forgive me for that. But, trust me, it was different." she tells him. "How? he asks. "  "It's like it was supposed to be, like I had always imagined it would be. I guess because my feelings for you are so intense, that and the way you held me afterwards. It's something that I'll never forget." she explains. "So, who was it Heather?" Adam asks her. Shaking her head, she replies, "Don't you understand? It doesn't matter. It was meaningless.  That's something I have to live with. But it did make me realize one thing." The shuttle bus then arrives at the house, parks by the curb, and honks it's horn. "I have to go," she says as she grabs her suit case and heads downstairs. As she steps on the platform of the foyer, Adam shouts from halfway down the stairs, "Heather, Heather Wait! What did it make you realize?" She turns around and smiles as she replies, "Adam, you are a wonderful lover." She then picks up her luggage and exits the house to get onto the bus.

That afternoon, I walk to a phone booth and call Kevin. The phone rings about four times before he picks up and says, "Hello." "Hey babe, it's me, Faith." I say. "Mm baby, how I have missed hearing your voice. I was beginning to think you didn't want to see me anymore, considering I haven't heard from you almost all weekend." he tells me. "I had to visit with my family this weekend. An old family friend came to visit my parents. I have missed hearing your voice as well," I reply. "Well then, it sounds to me like we need to make up for lost time. How about I pick you up tonight? Say, eight O'clock?" he asks. I tell him that would be great, except that I'm not home and that I won't be able to see him until Monday, because I wouldn't be home until late tonight. He sighs and says, "Well if I must I'll wait until then. I just can't stand the thought of not being able to see you," he tells me. "I can't either baby. I just wanna feel your arms embracing me. Say, maybe we can just chill at your place and watch a movie sometime," I tell him. He said that sounds great, and that he can't wait to see me on Friday night as he has something special planned. I tell him that sounds nice and that I can't wait either. We then say our goodbyes and hang up the phone. I smile widely at the thought of seeing him on Friday night. I just want him to wrap me in his arms.