Chapter Text
Adam had always feared love. And it wasn’t a phobia, no, he craved love. He just didn’t want his wife to end up like his mother, because he feared he would end up like his father.
But his new-ish friend and classmate, rich Richard “Dick” Campbell Gansey III, just introduced him to his friend. A girl.
Adam stared at her, floored. How was boring old Dick friends with this— He didn’t even know how to describe her. Her black hair was barely tamed with colorful clips, and she was wearing layer upon layer. Not in a Christian way, if the decks of tarot cards she held couldn’t get the point across.
She could only be described as a goddess. He felt as if he was ogling too much, but the way she stared back almost dared him to.
“Adam?” Gansey’s voice cut through his thoughts. Adam tore his gaze away from the eye burning colors on her to stare at him instead. His boring, slicked back brown hair shown in the kitchen light. Once more, Gansey had used too much product.
“Dick, why did you bring a male into my house?” asked the girl. It was like she disapproved of them both. Gansey was only called Dick when people wanted to make fun of him, or if they knew him through his politician parents. “Calla already dislikes Lynch.”
Ah yes. Ronan Lynch, Gansey’s guard dog friend. Ronan was orphaned, or practically, with two siblings. Declan and Ronan were on opposite sides of the ‘call Gansey Dick’ spectrum. Matthew, the youngest, was rarely seen around Gansey anyway, so he just used Gansey like he had requested.
Gansey cleared his throat, “Blue, this is Adam.”
“I know,” she replied, crossing her arms. The tarot cards had been moved to the counter at some point, leaving her arms free. “I heard you say it to stop him from ogling me.”
Adam blinked, feeling his cheeks warm slightly in embarrassment. Had Blue not actually wanted to be stared at? Who was he kidding? No girl does, especially not one who was beautiful like her. She probably was stared at during the day by so many more guys, a potential friend shouldn’t do it as well. “Sorry…” he apologized, even if she hadn’t asked for one.
Blue sighed. Was she annoyed? Adam didn't know, but he decided right then that he wanted to date her. If he dated her, he could stand up and not against her. He could protect her, not make her need to be protected like his father did to him.
“We’re going to Nino’s,” Gansey stated. “Noah’s coming too.”
Blue brightened at that. “Oh, good! He hasn’t left Monmouth in forever.”
Gansey smiled warmly. He never smiled like that around Adam, and he felt a pang of jealousy. He wasn’t sure for who or what though. He glanced at Gansey as he turned to him to ask, “You want to come? Or does your dad need you back?”
He flinched, Adam knew it was violent too with the way Blue turned to stare at him. She dismissed herself upstairs, brushing past a long white haired lady. Gansey warmly greeted her, Persephone, apparently. She glanced at the boys and walked down the hall. Gansey huffed. “Don’t mind her. So, you coming? I have to drive Blue to her shift anyway, so it’d be easier if you came.” He paused, obviously thinking over his words. “You don’t have to, though.”
Adam waited a moment. “Can I?”
“Yes.”
“Then alright.”
Gansey pulled him into a one armed hug, slinging his arm around Adam’s neck. “Great!”
Blue appeared from the stairs, changed into a uniform for Nino’s. She glanced at Adam before walking to the front door.
Even if it was just one lazy glance, Adam could feel his heart skip a beat. This girl was going to ruin him, he just knew it. He was scared of love, but in a new way now. Scared that she wouldn’t want to ruin him like he wanted her to.
~~
Nino’s was wonderful. Adam was a cautious man when it came to food. He felt bad about taking too much usually, as his father ate most of the food in the house, so he either was cautious or ate the scraps. He also purposefully let his mother have the second share, since Gansey and Ronan gave him enough food outside of his house.
He did try to pay Gansey or Ronan back when they paid for food though. They often refused his money though, and he would grouch and spoil the mood for the rest of their time together that day.
But for once, he ate everything he wanted without fear of the price. Gansey had made sure they got one of Blue’s tables, and they comfortably sat in the booth in their regular fashion. Noah and Ronan next to the windows, Adam and Gansey on the aisle seat. Adam watched Gansey and Ronan talk about something, but directed his attention back to Blue.
She was coming around with another pitcher of sweet tea. Adam smiled and pushed his cup forward, happily watching her pour it into his glass. Throughout the two other times he had Blue refill his glass, he felt Ronan’s stare. In fact, he was staring at him all of dinner. He just brushed him off, too enamored by his goddess.
At one point, Gansey left to use the restroom. Noah, the quiet “smudgy” friend who practically squatted at Gansey’s warehouse turned apartment, was messing with a napkin. Adam didn’t care what he overheard. Noah was content with knowing or not, and he could keep a secret.
Adam looked at Ronan, keeping a smile hidden. “Isn’t she a goddess?”
Ronan raised his right eyebrow, the one with a black ring through it. He had also shaved part of his eyebrow, which Adam could never understand, but Ronan was a mystery he wouldn’t unravel anytime soon. “Who?”
“Blue.”
“Goddess…” Adam watched Ronan’s fingers mess with the silver cross looped on a chain around his neck. He was thinking over the words as he did so, and eventually replied with, “You’re not supposed to worship anyone other than God–”
“Shut it,” Adam warned, interrupting him.
Ronan ignored him and stared into his eyes. “And I already have a God to worship. Two, actually, but I’ve confessed about the other too many times.”
Adam opened his mouth to respond, as Ronan having a second figure of worship was interesting, but Gansey came back and slid into his spot in the booth next to Ronan. Blue swooped by a few moments later and picked up their pizza tray and plates with a small smile.
“You guys hanging out until my shift’s over?” Blue asked, looking between Adam and Gansey.
Gansey loosely shrugged. He looked across the table to Adam. “When does your dad want you home?”
He glanced at his watch. He twinged when he noticed the time, then mentally cursed himself for doing that in front of Blue. He didn’t want her knowing about his piece of shit father. Not yet, at least. He directed his attention back to Gansey. “Soon.”
Ronan scowled next to the window, and Noah flicked his napkin at him. Ronan turned the scowl to him, spewing a string of curses at him. Noah just laughed, and Blue rolled her eyes with amusement.
She obviously had a stronger bond with these boys than Adam did. He had known Gansey for about a year now, and had somehow avoided Gansey’s childhood friend for that full year. It was strange how that happened, considering both he and Blue were locals, and Henrietta was a small town.
“We should get going then.” Gansey pulled out his wallet and handed Blue his card. The two held onto opposite sides of it as Gansey added, “I’ll come back to drive you home.”
Blue took the card, nodding in agreement. Gansey watched her for a moment before standing up. Adam followed and dipped his head in a silent, curt, goodbye to the other two guys.
They got to Gansey’s bright orange Camaro, the Pig, in the parking lot. Adam stalled at the door, and Gansey copied him. He looked over the hood, eyes twinkling with silent curiosity at what the hold up could be.
“Gansey?”
“Yes?”
“Can you give me Blue’s number?”
Gansey faltered, physically taking a step back in shock. Strange. “Why?” he stammered out, eyes wide behind his wire frames.
Adam shrugged and got into the Pig. Gansey, as soon as he recovered, followed. Adam finally replied as the engine growled to life. “She’s interesting.”
Gansey frowned, head turned to the exit of the parking lot. He did glance at Adam through the corner of his eye though, so the frown was directed at Adam instead. “That can’t be all.”
“And because I don’t know how to ask for it myself.” Honesty was a difficult thing, it often resulted in punches and gasping for air from being thrown across the room. But at least he had told part of the truth. He watched Gansey for an answer about getting Blue’s number and smiled wide when he nodded.