Chapter 4
When Adam boarded the Newman jet, he shucked his black suit jacket and threw it on one of the seats. Then he made a beeline for the liquor, poured himself a scotch, and downed it in one gulp.
He should have known better than to get his hopes up that things were finally looking up in his life. Nick allowing Faith to travel down to Miami alone with him was a miracle. He happened to be checking in with Jack at the hospital when Nick got the call from Faith about going to see Noah's opening in Miami. Nick was supposed to travel down there for the day to attend, but wasn't able to because of needing to be there for his other family during this crisis. So, Adam offered to take her, using business as the excuse. And, surprisingly, Nick agreed, albeit reluctantly and with a list of conditions.
Adam did have business in Miami. That wasn't a lie. He just didn't have any tonight. He was hopeful that the more time he spent with Faith, the less she - and her father - would despise him. And if he was despised just a little bit less, then maybe, just maybe, he'd be able to be around Sharon more.
He intended to let her go just as he told her that day in the hospital, but letting go was easier said than done. So, Adam was resigned to taking whatever he could get while still maintaining boundaries that made Sharon comfortable. The fact that Rey was nowhere around was a bonus. He had his old Sharon back for a little while tonight until Lola showed up and ruined it all.
He saw Sharon tense and knew immediately that a Rosales was in the room. Even with Noah being less than thrilled about him being there, Sharon was still herself. She was as used to Noah's dislike for him just as much as he was, but they always found a way to manage it without losing themselves. Once Lola showed up, though, he saw the life drain out of her - just like he's seen every day since she got back together with Rey while he was in Vegas.
"Fuck," he whispered harshly under his breath. He was always so close, but so far from everything he wanted.
Resignedly, Adam sat in the same chair he used on the way down and picked up his briefcase to do some paperwork for Newman Media. He might as well be productive in his misery.