Page 67 of Never Till Now

“Fuck, I want to eat you out right now.” He brings his finger to his mouth.

“You should have taken the limo,” I tease.

“I’ll taste you against my hotel window soon enough.” A smile creeps across his face. “San Francisco will be able to see how you come undone for me.”

A call comes through the car, breaking our moment.

“Adam speaking,” he answers.

“Hey, where are you?” Kelsie’s voice echoes through the car. “Are you driving?”

“Yeah, sorry I haven’t talked to you since Aspen.”

“That’s fine.” Her voice is pained. “So, Benson came to say goodbye,”

Silence rings through my ears and my gut turns. My eyes meet Adam’s as his fills with hate. His hand clenches the wheel, turning his knuckles white.

“How did that go?” His voice is dry and an octave lower.

“Mallory has been in her room for the past two days. She doesn’t want to come out and will only eat if I drop the plate by her door.” Kelsie’s voice cracks and a sniffle fills the speaker. “Adam, I don’t know what to do or say. Everyone in this family has tried to talk to her but she says we don’t know what it’s like to be given up.”

“Dammit, Kels. Fuck, what do I even say?” Adam starts to ride the ass of the car in front of us but it’s pointless with the traffic. “Did you tell her she’s loved?”

“Duh, numbnuts! She doesn’t think I understand because both my parents stayed and love me.”

“I’ve got this.” The pang in my stomach digs deeper.

“Oh, sorry, Lauren I—” Kelsie starts.

“We will be there in ten minutes. I know I can help,” I say as Adam ends the call.

“Are you sure this isn’t something too personal to share with my family?” Adam begins and squeezes my hand. “I don’t want to pull you into family drama.”

“A child needs help, Adam.” Agitation rises within me from his comment. “I don’t give a fuck who she is related to. I want to try to help her.”

I enter the hotel ahead of Adam while he parks the car and takes a minute to cool off. The rage going through Adam after the phone call spoke loud enough about how he feels toward Benson. I understand why they sent him away while Kelsie’s ex was in town. That man wouldn’t have been able to walk out of the building if Adam had been within city limits. Awkwardness creeps over me as the elevator dings. They’re expecting us, but I’ve never been to Kelsie’s place. I step off the elevator to an open door on the opposite side of Adam’s. I step through the foyer and see Max against the kitchen counter with Kelsie buried in his chest. Both arms are wrapped around her body as he leans forward, placing a kiss on top of her head.

Just friends, they say?

The elevator opens again, and I clear my throat, giving them a moment to break apart before Adam sees her in Max’s arms. They jump and look my way, but Kelsie keeps her head pressed between Max’s pecs. It’s then I really observe how short she is compared to him. Somehow, the Wheaton height skipped out when giving her their signature genes.

“Shit, dude, go home and fucking rest,” Adam says, shaking his head at Max. “I can take over now. Kelsie looks like she’s drained you.”

“Bro, don’t be a fucking dick.” Max brings his hands to cup Kelsie’s face and wipes her tears with his thumbs. “What the fuck?” He shoots Adam a glare.

“Sorry.” Adam shakes his head. “I’ve always fucking hated Benson.”

“Stop the swearing.” Kelsie steps back, wiping her own eyes. “James doesn’t need to repeat that. Now, how can you guys help?”

After an extremely vague summary of my life, Kelsie brings me to Mallory’s door. I don’t want to open this can of worms again, but I also know what she’s going through. I knock, but of course, no reply.

“It’s Lauren, Mallory. You don’t have to open the door, but I wanted to talk to someone who knows how poopy it feels when you feel unwanted by someone.” I wait and take a seat against the door. “Mallory, your heart feels like it’s hit the floor, doesn’t it? I didn’t know my parents. I’ve never met them.” I pause again, trying to think of how to not downplay her feelings or as if I’m looking for pity for having one up on her.

I’m no therapist, that’s for sure.

The door opens as she stands behind it and I enter a legitimate palace. And she thinks I’m the princess? I ignore the canopy double bed and castle playhouse built into the length of her entire wall. She closes the door, looking up at me with a tearstained face. Her brown curls are a matted mess, and I don’t think she’s slept.

“You’re not good enough to love either?” The monotone in her voice tightens my ribs inward. “I should change the sign on my door to the Island of Misfits.”