It took me a while to get this chapter up. I didn't know if I wanted it this long, but once the next couple of chapters are up, you'll see why. This was the hardest chapter to write, cos I had to cover a bunch of information. I've been super busy to- I'm throwing a baby shower and Thanksgiving is coming up and work is kicking my butt.
A note on this chapter- I was listening to the Cure when writing this chapter, and the song Pictures of You totally inspired the last part. So, if you have it, give it a listen. If you don't, it's a GREAT song. The lyrics don't exactly match, but it's a good song nonetheless.
Yet another chapter that starts with Adam waking up next to…Jessica. Sorry! Please read and review- and Happy Turkey!
12.
Adam woke up at ten, next to Jessica. He had been waking up next to Jessica every Saturday since he lived in New York, the only exception being the day he got there. He left her in bed and went ahead to get ready for his day. He was in a pretty good mood; though Jessica was being a bit whiny and needy the night before, she blessed him with a romp in bed…Adam smiled at himself in the mirror. He could dream about Jessica's body for hours…or at least long enough to keep him occupied.
Along with getting his the night before, he was going to be hanging out with Connie, Julie, and Jeffrey all weekend. It was going to be fun. He always enjoyed Julie; their relationship was like brother and sister. They both found themselves in Beantown for higher education, and saw each other whenever they could. Julie and Jeff had met the beginning of their senior year at a party that Adam had also been at. In fact, Jeff had approached Adam asking if he knew Julie, since they had come in together. Adam would always tease Julie that she owed him their first born for making the meeting happen over by the keg.
Adam was just happy that the Catlady was smitten with Jeff, who was a great guy and treated her really well. He enjoyed the couple's company because they never made anyone feel like the third wheel or the odd one out. Connie and him had discussed this when they hung out and both agreed that Julie and Jeff's relationship was definitely something to be envious of, but in the good way that you were extremely happy for them and kind of wished that when you found yourself in a relationship, it would be just like that.
Too bad I wasn't able to talk to Connie last night, he thought as he brushed his teeth. It sounded like she wanted to talk to someone…ugh! Why can't I figure this out?
Ever since Halloween, it had gotten harder and harder to get Connie out of his mind. She would creep into his head on the mention of any given thing- when his mom called from Minnesota (especially since she asked about Connie), when he saw a book (so every time he glanced at his bookcase), when he saw a woman walking down the street (uh…everyday). But, then he would see Jessica, and he would be lured in by her charms. And body. Adam was only human. He also still grappled with the fact that Connie was his friend, and he feared that revealing any feelings might scare her off. It would be weird, Adam agreed to himself. Plus, he didn't want to hurt Jessica. She was sweet…
Jessica was waking up when Adam returned to his bedroom. She yawned fiercely, before collapsing dramatically back onto the bed. "Hey," she said, snuggling into the sheets. "Come here and give me kisses."
Adam obliged, sitting next to her on the bed. He gave her a kiss on the forehead. "Don't want to be rude," Adam started.
"No, I know, " Jessica said, whipping the sheets off of her. She was clad only in her underwear. "It's your Duck weekend or whatever. " She stomped off, obviously annoyed that Adam was kicking her out for his friends. She went into the bathroom and fixed herself up. She appeared back in the doorway, clothed about fifteen minutes later.
"Can you give me a ride?" she asked, leaning against the doorframe, twirling her hair, and putting on a pouty face.
Adam obliged. It would get her out of his place quicker. They left for Jersey City soon after. Adam spent the car ride listening to Jessica's plans for the rest of the day.
"I think me and Michelle are going to go get a massage or something. Then we'll probably go out. Go to some hot club. Dance with lots of people…" Jessica said, as if trying to make Adam jealous.
"Sounds great, " he replied, trying to hide the monotony in his voice. Jessica pouted.
"I don't think you care that I'm going to go out to a place where there will be tons of guys, probably hitting on me, " she said, flipping her hair, and looking out the window.
"No, I do care, but I just want you to have fun, " he said. "And you know Julie and um, Connie are my friends. Old teammates. You know that, right?" He obviously did not want to reveal his feelings to Jessica, his um, girlfriend.
"Yeah, " she said, still pouty. "Anyway, did your friend have a good date?" Adam had told her that Connie had gone out with Kevin the night before. Jessica was particularly nosy about Connie's business ever since she saw Adam hugging her at The Spotted Pig.
"Um, I'm not sure, " Adam said, concentrating on the road. "We didn't get to talk last night…remember?"
"Oh, I remember, "Jessica said, smiling. She put her hand on Adam's thigh, and ran it up and down, enticingly. "Do you?"
"Yes, " Adam said, who couldn't help but crack a smile.
"Good, " she said. They got to her place and he dropped her off. She laid yet another mini-guilt trip upon Adam before getting out of his car. Before he headed out, he checked his phone. It was on silent, and saw that he had two new text messages. One from Connie stating that she, Julie, and Jeff had headed out to meet Adam at his place. The other one was from Charlie:
Hey Banks. Tix for this Fri's game? Box seats. You & Connie. Give me a call.
Adam turned on his Bluetooth (he hated talking on the phone while driving) and dialed up Charlie, who picked up.
"Hey man!" Charlie greeted. "You get my message?"
"Yeah! What's the deal, I want to see your game."
"I'll have the tickets for you guys at will-call. Ask Connie about it, she's gone to my past games. I left her a message too. You guys meet up yet?" The last time he talked to Charlie was a couple of weeks ago, before seeing Connie at The Spotted Pig.
"Yeah, we did. Julie and Jeff are actually in town this weekend, I'm driving back home to meet them."
"Back home? From where, pray tell, Cake-Eater, " Charlie said, sounding interested.
"Dropped off my um, uh…girlfriend, "Adam said.
"Girlfriend? My man, Banks, not even in the city for a month. How's she look like?"
"She's blonde. Pretty. You'd probably like her, " Adam said, slightly teasing his friend with his tone.
"Yeah, yeah, "Adam said. "So, you're in for the game?"
"Definitely."
"Cool. The tickets will be there for you and Connie. You can bring a guest, there's two per ticket. "
"Oh, awesome. Listen, thanks Charlie."
"Not a problem. We can meet up after the game, it'll be fun, " Charlie said. "But listen, I gotta run- ask Connie about the tickets, she'll know what to do. "
"Sounds great. So I'll see you soon?"
"Yup. Tell the girls I say hi. "
"Will do. Talk to you later," Adam said. They said good-bye and Adam drove home to catch up with his friends. This time, he didn't get lost.
Connie, Julie, and Jeff emerged from the subway in Park Slope and headed towards Adam's place. Connie was familiar with the neighborhood well enough to navigate. She was pretty happy, even though her date was a bust last night. After Julie and Jeff settled in, she told them all about the debacle over a bottle of wine. They all laughed and offered some advice, yet Connie wasn't certain about Kevin and whatever future they could have. He did text her earlier that day, wishing her a good weekend with Julie and Jeff (she had mentioned it on their way back from the restaurant).
"This is a pretty nice place, " Connie said, as they approached Adam's brownstone building. They entered through the gate, and up the stairs. Julie rang the doorbell. They waited a minute or so, but no answer. Julie rang the bell again.
"Maybe we should call him?" Julie asked. Connie agreed, and she dialed Adam on her cell phone.
"Hey, Adam, it's Connie. We're outside your place…where are you?" Connie said. It had gone straight to voicemail.
"Hey!" said a voice. It was Adam, coming up the sidewalk. He had just gotten back. "Sorry about that!" he continued to yell a bit, until he got to the gate of his apartment.
"Adam!" Julie said. They met and gave each other a hug.
"Jeff, man, good to see you, " Adam said, as the two guys clasped hands and patted each other on the back.
""Nice to see you, " Jeff said. "This whole thing yours?"
"Nah, just the second floor apartment. A little old lady lives on the first floor. Come on in." He unlocked his door, and proceed upstairs to his apartment.
"Wow, " Connie said, entering his apartment. "This place is great, Adam!" She took the living room in, turning around. Julie and Jeff chimed in, agreeing.
"I'm glad you like it, " he said. They looked at each other and smiled. "Oh, I talked to Charlie on the way over."
"Oooh, hockey game, " Julie said, recognizing that the call from Charlie meant that he would be in town playing. "Portman just sent me tickets to the next Bruins versus Stars game."
"Yes, " Connie said, "I talked to him earlier today. So, you're going to able to go to the game, right?"
"I don't see why not, " Adam said. "Maybe I'll ask the boss to come with," he continued. "He's a nice guy. It might impress him."
"Why, not take Jessica?" Connie asked. She and Julie looked at each other, then broke out in a laugh. Connie had told Julie about Jessica, and how she was very girly, and somewhat annoying.
"Oh, Connie, " Adam said. "Be nice." He didn't mind Connie mocking Jessica.
"Anyway, it'll be fun. Your first time at the Garden!" Connie exclaimed, clapping her hands.
"Yeah, it will be, " Adam said. "But, what are we doing today?"
Adam gave them a brief tour of his place and the four sat in the living room deciding what to do for the day. They decided to go into Manhattan and do some touristy things, as Julie and Jeff wanted to see some things that they hadn't seen yet in their past visits. Also, Adam had not seen any New York landmarks since moving there. They hopped back onto the subway, Connie being the unofficial tour guide.
They headed towards Times Square first, so Adam could see the outlandishness of the place. Next was the New York Public Library for Julie and Jeff. While Connie and Jeff went to look at an exhibit in the main reading room (Jeff also worked for a publishing company in Boston), Julie and Adam waited on a bench in the lobby.
"How's everything, Julie?" Adam asked. "Looks like you and Jeff are doing great. How's life?"
"Everything is going great! I mean, Jeff and I have been doing really well since we moved in together. Work is wonderful, my budget got approved for this program I'm really excited about." Julie worked at a large children's non-profit as an up and comer for one of the charity's departments. "But you, how are you doing? How are you liking it here?"
"I'm liking it a lot, " Adam said. "It's definitely different from Boston, but I like it. My job is pretty good. A lot to learn, but I expected that. I've made some friends with some of the guys in the office. "
"I heard you also made a girlfriend, " Julie teased. Adam smiled and laughed a bit.
"Connie tell you that?" he asked. Julie nodded.
"Do tell, Banks, " she inquired.
"Her name is Jessica. I met her on my first day of work. She's the lobby secretary for my company. She's a bit younger, 22, blonde, pretty."
"Yeah? That's great!" Julie said. "So, it's only been a month, right?"
"Almost. I mean, it happened um, pretty quickly."
"Women just fall into your charms, " Julie said. "And you've been hanging out with Connie?"
"Oh, yeah, definitely. I mean, we only got to hang out really last weekend. She was away and there were problems with her phone, when I got here, so yeah. But we went out on Halloween."
"Oh, yes, " Julie said. "The infamous meeting with Kevin, right?" Adam nodded. "What do you think about that guy?"
"He's all right, I guess, " Adam said. Julie gave him a knowing look. "All right, he's a bit of a pompous ass. But Connie seems to like him. "
"Yeah, " Julie replied. "We got in and talked about her date earlier that night. It was awful!" Adam seemed more interested in the way the conversation was heading.
"Apparently, he brought his annoying roommate who is a dirty vegan and he became more of an ass as the evening wore on. "
"Oh, so she's not going to see him anymore?" Adam said, fishing for hope.
"Well, our dear Connie is still indecisive." Julie turned to Adam, suddenly. "Why?" she dropped her voice a little, as if she was afraid of being overheard. "Do you still..?"
"Um, " Adam said, obviously caught, " well.."
"Adam!" Julie said. The security guard in the hallf way flashed the two a look , as Julie was rather loud in her outburst. She dropped her voice again. "What's going on? I thought-"
"I thought I was too, " Adam said. "But I can't help it. I don't know, Julie. " He began twiddling his thumbs in his lap. "I want to but I don't want to ruin our friendship…you know my track record. I can't seem to keep a girl for too long, I always find something wrong with her or whatever. She's my closest friend here, really. I mean the guys at the office are cool, and we grab a drink after work and stuff, but you know. And there's Jessica, who's really sweet and good-looking, and I like her….oh, and Connie probably just thinks of me as her old friend. I mean, we'll hang out and stuff, but you know, she has her life here and –"
"I can't believe you still like her, "Julie said, taking in the revelation. "It's been what, four years since you saw her?"
"That too. I mean, it's weird. I like her, then I don't, then I can't stop thinking about her…I hadn't spoken to her in four years until I called her up when I got to New York …Wouldn't you find it odd, someone you haven't spoken to in 4 years confessing their feelings for you?" Adam said. They looked up to see Jeff and Connie walking towards them.
"I don't know, Adam, " Julie said, suggesting that he should go with his gut.
"I don't know either, " Adam said, as they both got up. "I don't think she thinks about me that way. I'll talk to you about it later."
"How were the books?" Julie asked, once Jeff and Connie got there.
"Oh, great!" Jeff said. "Connie and I looked at the Burroughs' manuscripts they have on exhibit. Really, neat stuff. How are you guys? Ready to head to another place?"
They hit up Fifth Avenue next, stopping at Rockefeller Center. The ice rink had just opened up. Adam looked at the skaters with a sense of envy. He hadn't been on the ice since his injury, not even to skate leisurely. Connie sense his slight sadness.
"Haven't hit the ice since, huh?" she said, joining him at the railing. Julie and Jeff had ducked in the Dean and Deluca's nearby to get everyone something to drink.
"Yeah, " he said, looking at the skater. There were kids and adults, rounding the rink. Everyone looked so happy.
"You should ask Jess to go skating with you, " Connie suggested, but in an unconvincing tone.
"Nah, " Adam said. "She hates all sorts of physical activity that doesn't have her end up with a new pair of shoes." Connie laughed.
"But she would probably buy a new outfit for the date, " she replied back. They both laughed and continued to watch the skaters. Connie looked over at Adam, who was still watching at the skaters.
I'm happy he's here in New York, Connie thought about her friend. Julie and Jeff came back, with coffee and tea. They headed out of Rockefeller Center.
After exploring most of Midtown, the gang decided to spend their evening in Park Slope. The group took a pit stop at Adam's and then headed out to dinner and shared many laughs and talked a whole lot over drinks. After dinner, they proceeded to do a bit of bar hopping in the neighborhood, until it got late. Connie, a bit tipsy, was leaning on Adam, as they made their way back to his apartment.
"Your neighborhood is great, " she said. Adam smiled down at her. Julie and Jeff were following close behind. Julie kicked Adam playfully in the rear. Adam turned around and gave her a look. Julie shot one back, as if egging him on to say something to Connie.
"We ought to hang out here more often, " he said. Connie nodded. "I used to date a guy, sleep with a guy, whatever from Park Slope. So, you'd have to make sure that I don't run into him. "
"Of course, " Adam said. Connie laughed.
"What did you think of that one guy?" she asked. Her tipsy-ness wasn't like Jessica when inebriated. She talked in a slightly dreamy voice, slow and thoughtful.
"Um, he was nice looking, "he replied. Connie had talked to one guy at the bar they were last at. He had given Connie his number. Adam had watched the whole thing as he talked to Jeff and Julie.
"They're always nice looking, " she said. The lot got back to his place, where they crashed for a bit before heading off.
"You sure you guys don't want to stay?" Adam said.
"It's cool, " Connie said. She had sobered up a little. Julie and Jeff looked like they were ready to head out as well. "So, brunch, by me?"
"Yes, " Adam said. They all said goodbyes and Connie, Julie, and Jeff headed out.
Though it was nearing 3am by the time they got home, and were tired from all the sightseeing they did, Connie and Julie stayed up, as Jeff fell sound asleep in the bedroom. They sat up in the living room, in their pajamas, and had some much needed girl talk.
"So, I think Adam is adjusting well to the city, huh?" Julie said, hugging a pillow. The two girls were on the couch, sitting on either end, their legs entangled in the middle.
"He says he really likes it here, " Connie replied. "He's done pretty well for himself, especially since I last saw him. "
"Oh, yeah, definitely. I can't believe you guys haven't spoken since after that summer, " Julie said.
"Yeah, " Connie said, tracing lines up and down the couch cushion. "I don't know why. I guess I was too wrapped up with Jack. So much that did. I guess we just got too busy for each other, school and what not. He had to adjust and stuff. It is strange though, I have to admit. We got along really well that summer. "The summer they were referring to was the summer after Banks' injury.
"Well, " Julie started. Should I? she thought to herself. Why not. "I remember right after Banks got hurt. I was at the game and it was awful. Everything kind of stopped after he took that fall. " Connie shifted her position, closer to Julie, interested in her story.
"I went to visit him in the hospital a couple of days after. He was a mess. The doctor's said that his knee was so shattered and all this cartilage- I don't even know what the exact injury was, actually, but it just sounded so awful. He was in so much pain and depressed. And when the docs told him he probably wouldn't be able to play, ever again? Forget it. You know, hockey was his life! And it was gone, in one second just because of the way he was checked? He felt like life was over."
"Obviously, I don't know how he was in Minnesota. We fell out of touch, as I got busier with school, I would only talk to him sparingly and he would always sound down and would hang up early 'cos he wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone. And we were pretty tight, you know?" Connie nodded. "It was really sad, and I wished I could have done more for him. "
"Julie, you were all the way out in Boston, what could you have done?" Connie said.
"I know, " Julie said. "And then when the boys got their pro announcements? I think that really hurt him. He just wanted to be happy for Charlie, and I know he was, but I think inside, he was jealous. We all expected him to be drafted, right? Banks to be the all-star."
Connie nodded again. It was everyone's expectation that after playing for BC for a couple of years, Adam would be drafted right out of school into the Pros.
"So, I know he was down right after that. But you know what? He decided to go back to school. He had told me right before Charlie announced he was going into the NHL that he was thinking about transferring back home, to University of Minnesota or something. He didn't want to come back East. I pleaded with him to come back, because he loved Boston. Loved it, Connie, the minute he moved there. I think in a way because he wanted to see what else there was besides Minnesota. "
"Yeah, " Connie said. "He did mention he was going to come back home. But he didn't, he went right back that September, even though he still needed some more physical therapy."
"Yep, he was right there, Fall semester. Albeit, a semester behind, but he worked hard so he could catch up. Had to work really hard to get used to life without playing hockey. It was a lot too- having to get used to school without hockey- all his friends were on the hockey team. I mean he was still friends with them, but it was different. He had to go to physical therapy- everything changed."
"Adam's always worked hard, " Connie said. "All throughout high school he was always getting straight A's and also managed to be one of the best players on the team."
"Banks is definitely a hard worker, but Connie, he lost his one love; hockey. I mean, he really was upset, he even said at one point what was the point of living if he couldn't play. " Julie said, trying to make a point.
"I know, Julie, "Connie said. "I talked to him all about it during that summer, when I was home. We hung out nearly everyday. "
"Exactly," Julie said, happy to see that Connie was starting to follow. Connie gave her a look. "Banks was able to move on from hockey because of you. "
"Huh?" Connie said, bewildered. "We hung out, cos everyone else was busy with hockey or work or whatever."
"Yeah, yeah, but when he got back to Boston, we hung out one day so we could have a long-needed catch-up. Even though he was still having trouble walking, and was behind with school, he had changed. He did a total turnaround from that sad, depressed Banks I saw after he got injured.
"He told me about his summer, and how you guys hung out. Connie, you were the one who was there for him when everyone else was busy. You listened to him and understood him as best you could. And as corny as this may sound, you're the one who gave him hope."
Connie drew her knees in closer. Julie yawned deeply. "Well, I think it's time for me to hit the sack, or else I'll never get up tomorrow. "
"Ok, " Connie said, still thinking about what Julie said. "Good night. " Julie gave her friend a sweet kiss on the forehead. Connie smiled, and got under the covers as Julie headed back to the bedroom. She drew the blanket closer around her, thinking about her old friend as she fell asleep.
After the trio left, Adam plopped down on his couch. It was nice to have the place to him self, though he wouldn't have minded if they all had crashed. Jessica was his only other houseguest. He stretched out on the couch, and decided that was where he was going to fall asleep that night.
He turned on his TV to keep him up. As he laid his head against one of the pillows on his couch, his hand fell to the ground, upon a box that was there. Before dinner, they had taken a break at his place. Adam uncovered a box of pictures and other memorabilia from days past that he never got around to putting away, and they looked at some pictures from their days as Ducks at Eden Hall.
He averted his attention from the TV to the pictures. The ones on top were the same ones Jessica had pulled out several weeks ago. Under that, there were more pictures of him and the Ducks, at Eden Hall, around Minneapolis. There were some pictures of his family- he and his older brother, Andrew, his parents. After that there was a substantial amount of college pictures. He laughed out loud at some of them, remembering how much fun his time was there. There were a couple of him and Julie, at Cambridge and Chestnut Hill, where BC was located. He also came across old college hockey pictures, which didn't bring back the greatest memories, but they were his.
At the bottom of the box, along with some forgotten ticket stubs and other sentimental objects was a stack of photos, about an inch thick. The one on top was just a normal shot of the park by his house in Edina. He flipped through them.
Connie's smiling face greeted him almost immediately. She was standing on a swing, looking down at the camera. Her hair was dramatically captured flying up above her head.
The next one was of Adam and Connie, the picture taken by one of them holding the camera high above their heads. They both were making a silly face. The next picture was from the same angle, this time their expressions were serious, both looking away from the camera. Adam smiled.
In another one, Adam had captured her jumping midair, her arms reaching toward the sky, the sun beaming down on her. It was a beautiful picture- Connie was wearing a royal blue dress with a golden yellow sweater tied around her waist, both floating frozen in the air. The colors were exceptionally bright against her pale skin, and popped out against the green background of the park where the picture had been taken.
Adam had almost forgotten what a beautiful summer it had been. The pictures brought back the warmth of the sunlight, the smell of the grass. But more than that it brought back other memories. Of course he had memories of Connie- alone and with the Ducks, but these memories were different; distinct. He didn't know exactly what it was, but it was different. It was the summer after his injury, and nearly every one of them had Connie in them, happy, full of life. He could almost make out the smell of her hair mixed with the odor of flowers, ice cream, asphalt, the fountain…
Adam was also in a fair amount of the pictures, his expression just as happy as hers. It didn't seem important before, but he realized that if the photographer had taken a picture of him self a month before Connie's carefree jump into the air, he would have encountered a sad portrait of a lifeless face, who didn't care much about anything.
He placed the picture of Connie in the royal blue dress on his coffee table, before falling asleep .
