Chapter 2
Walking to the car rental place, Adam decides to assert himself.
"I'm driving," he says.
"Sorry what was that?" Daisy quickens her pace.
"I am driving," Adam repeats. "That's non-negotiable."
Daisy stops. "Why? Why can't we both drive?"
"You're British. You might get disoriented and start driving on the wrong side of the road. Then we're both dead. Think about it."
"I've lived here for five years Adam. Look at me, I'm still alive! I guarantee I'm a better driver than you, on any road, in any country, in any car. You prick," she finishes, and starts walking.
"No name calling, remember," Adam hurries to keep up with her.
"Oh no, that's just a statement of fact, that's a factual description of how you're behaving."
"Listen, the next thing, the next thing we argue over, whatever that is, you can have that, OK, you win that. Not this. Anyway you can do your nails and take selfies and stuff."
Daisy stops again, and pushes up against his chest. "You say anything like that again, anything about hair or nails or selfies, or fucking lip gloss, and I will do things to you that you will not be able to undo. I will mark you for life."
Adam narrows his eyes. "Interesting. OK. I'm still driving."
They get the car and jump in it, Daisy throwing her bag violently in the back.
"We go get my stuff, we go get your stuff, we go. Right?" Adam looks at her, she won't look back. "Daisy I won't forget. Next thing is yours."
"Drive, arsehole," she replies. They set off.
"Arsehole," Adam says, imitating her pronunciation. "I fell on my arse. This car is totally bad-arse. Can you understand me now?"
Daisy is trying not to smile. "Yes it's all clear now. What are you?"
"I'm an arsehole," Adam replies.
"Correct."
Adam picks up his things quickly, while Daisy waits in the car. They drive to Daisy's apartment and both go up. Adam looks around while Daisy packs a bag. He sees pictures of a younger Daisy as a dancer, obviously highly trained.
"This is you? In the pictures, dancing?" he calls.
"Oh…yes. Reminds me I used to do more than sit in an office chair and run for the elevator."
"You look like you were pretty good," he says, "you didn't think of going professional?"
"I did," she says, "But I couldn't do it." She comes out of the bedroom with her bag. "Scared, I guess, that it wouldn't work out. You get an injury, you're washed up. You're washed up by 35 anyway."
"OK? Y'all set?" Adam asks.
"Just about," Daisy reaches up to a high shelf and takes down a little box. She puts it carefully in her bag.
"OK let's go," she says, and they leave the apartment.
As Adam drives, Daisy calls her boyfriend. "Hi. I have to go away for the weekend. It's work. Yes I know. He sprung it on us. Me and Adam."
Adam glances over.
"Yeah it's some kind of training thing. We have to go to Florida. Yes it is a bit weird," she looks at Adam. "I'll be back Sunday night. I'll call you. Yep. OK. Bye."
"How is…Brad?" Adam asks, trying to keep the sneer out of his voice.
"Very well thank you," she responds, "He's not your biggest fan," she adds.
"Oh damn. I'm crazy about him."
"What about you? Is there someone waiting for you to call?" asks Daisy.
"No. There was." Adam pauses a second, takes a breath. "Apparently I'm a workaholic."
"Oh, sorry. Was this recent?"
"Couple of months ago. She just left. Said I was never there. Which is true. It was probably the right call. It was definitely the right call." Adam's eyes stay on the road.
"It's still difficult," says Daisy, watching him.
"Mm," he says.
They fall silent for a few minutes.
Adam's phone goes off.
"It says Marty," says Daisy, looking at it. She answers it. "Hello Adam's phone?"
"Whoa who is this?" Marty says.
"Marty I'm driving," says Adam, "that's Daisy, I work with her."
"Hi Daisy," Marty says in a sing-song voice. "Nice to meetcha."
"I'm going to Florida, I can't come to the game," Adam continues.
"You're taking Daisy to Florida and you can't come to the game. What the hell?"
"It's work," Adam says.
"God that sounds awful, you poor bastard."
"Go away Marty."
"Daisy," Marty keeps going, "I'll pray for you. I'm right here if you need me."
"Hang up," says Adam, "please."
"Thank you Marty, I appreciate it," says Daisy, ignoring him. "You have a good weekend."
"Will do sweetheart. Stay strong." Marty hangs up.
"He sounds fun," says Daisy.
"No comment," replies Adam, "We're stopping. I need to eat."