The Wrong Time Read online

  “Hey,” I whisper, standing in front of him, but he doesn’t move from his position.

  “If you’re going to leave, I don’t want to watch. Just go,” he sadly states.

  “What? I’m not leaving,” I screech. I think for a second before adding in a much softer voice, “Do you want me to?”

  “Fuck, no,” he replies, lifting his head and removing his hands to look at me. I try and kneel in front of him, but it’s the most ungraceful thing I’ve ever done, well besides face-planting in his crotch earlier tonight.

  Graceful isn’t your strong suit, Georgia.

  “I’m not going anywhere, Adam. Just because you have an issue with drinking, doesn’t mean I’ll leave you because of it. We are stronger than that. Did you want to leave me because of what I went through with Alfred and Blaze?” I try to reason with him.

  “God, no. I want to support you through it,” he replies, wiping his eyes.

  “And that’s exactly what I want to do for you. I’ll be your support person. Well, in addition to your sponsor.”

  “Really? Because that’s why Connie left—”

  I stop him from continuing. “I’m not Connie. If someone left you for admitting you have a problem, then perhaps they didn’t love you enough to stay in the first place. I can’t be angry or upset with you for having a problem. You’re getting help, and that’s the main thing. We’re in this together. I’ll always support you as you’ve done for me.” I place my hands on either side of his cheeks, the stubble of his beard tickling my palms. Leaning forward, I place my lips on his before sliding my hands past his ears and around the back of his head, deepening our kiss.

  I pull back, and he carefully lifts me onto the couch next to him.

  Thank God he helped me up as I had no idea how I was going to manage that on my own.

  As I look at Adam, he appears more relaxed, relieved even.

  He must have been bottling this up for the longest time.

  “How are you feeling, babe?” I ask.

  “Like ten tons of weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I was sure history would repeat itself, and you’d be halfway to a motel by now.”

  “Not a chance. Whatever gave you that impression? I’m not that type of person.”

  “I know you’re not. You’re nothing like Connie. But once bitten, twice shy, I guess.” He rolls his shoulders before shrugging.

  “That’s understandable. But you’re right, I’m not Connie, I’m Georgia. I love you. Good times and bad.” I can’t help but smile at what I’ve just said. It’s kind of sappy.

  Adam looks me in the eyes and smiles. “In sickness and health, too?” he teases before chuckling.

  “All right. I know it was pretty lame.” I playfully tap his arm.

  Wrapping his arms around me, he pulls me tight before placing a soft kiss on my hair. “That’s not lame. It’s very sweet to hear.”

  Adam flicks another movie on Netflix, and we watch it in silence, holding onto each other, neither wanting to let go. That is until I need a bathroom break.

  “Can you grab my panties, please?” I ask sheepishly.

  “Leave them off,” he answers with a growl.

  A smile pulls at the corner of my mouth, and I shake my head. I bend down to retrieve my panties myself. It’s the quickest trip I’ve never made to the bathroom, but I rush back to find Adam standing in front of the television.

  “I was coming back for another hug,” I playfully tease.

  “Come and sit.” Adam smiles.

  I do as I’m asked. After sitting down, Adam takes the crutches from me, placing them against the side of the couch. I pat the couch next to me before grabbing a throw cushion and shoving it behind my back for extra support. This couch is so comfortable, but I still like having that little extra padding on the small of my back.

  Adam still hasn’t sat. He’s smiling at me, and it’s making me feel a little self-conscious.

  “What?” I ask, furrowing my brows and looking around.

  He kneels in front of me, on one knee, and I gasp as he takes my hands in his.

  “Georgia, I feel that we can get through anything together, and I want to be with you until death do us part. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

  Holy shit. Has Adam just proposed to me?

  I’ve always dreamed of when I’d be proposed to. At a fancy restaurant overlooking the city skyline, maybe on a beach, or even while on vacation somewhere tropical.

  I don’t think Adam has thought this through. He’s just spilled his deepest secret to me, and now, because I haven’t run away, he’s asking me to marry him.

  It doesn’t feel right.

  At all.

  His smile is gone from his face, and it’s been replaced by an anxious grin.

  “Adam, are you sure?”

  His face drops as he stands. He walks to where the television sits on the cabinet in front of me and walks back again. Adam does this several times before running his hand through his hair on the last lap. “Of course, I am. I wouldn’t have asked if I wasn’t.”

  “This isn’t a no…” The smile starts creeping back on his face, but I continue with what I want to say, “But this isn’t a yes either.”

  “Oh…” he mumbles, clearly upset at my answer. He falls to his knees, grabbing my hands again as if he’s begging me.

  “Adam, don’t get me wrong… I definitely want to marry you one day. I’ve never felt this type of love before, and it’s kind of mind-blowing. But I’m not sure that this proposal is happening at the right time. You’ve just told me something major that you have to still deal with, and I’m going through stuff, too.”

  Adam cuts me off, dropping his grasp on my hands and moving them to my knees. “Georgia, we can get through our problems together. We’ll be strong as a married couple.”

  “We are just as strong in our relationship. We don’t need a piece of paper to make us stronger. But we’ll both know when the time is right. Maybe it’ll be when we’re road tripping and visit Vegas. Perhaps we’ll get married on the spot. Or perhaps ask me again when we’re on this couch, watching the new Marvel movie in six months’ time.”

  “All right, deal. Let’s both fight what’s going on inside our heads, and then we’ll have another discussion about it.”

  “I’m not going anywhere. You need to trust me on that.”

  “I do trust you, baby.” Adam places a kiss on my forehead.

  He rests his head on my lap for a moment, and I run my hand through the slight waves that have formed in his hair. It’s longer than he usually wears it right now, but I’m liking this length because I have something to grab at.

  Adam suddenly laughs. “I was being real brash asking you to marry me out of the blue. It’s so out of character for me to make a decision like that and so unromantic. When the time is right, I’ll give you the perfect proposal.”

  “I’m sure you will. It’s been an emotional few weeks,” I add.

  “We haven’t even spoken about it. I mean do you even want to get married?” Adam asks.

  “I’d like to… one day. Just ‘cause my parents’ marriage was a bust, it doesn’t mean I don’t want to experience it for myself.”

  I’m not after the big white wedding, though. Something small and informal will be fine.

  He smiles in agreement. “I do, too. I’d love to do the big white wedding one day, and hopefully, Mom is still around to see it.”

  Oh, fuck! He wants all the fancy that goes with a big wedding. I’d have to hire some friends to attend as I’ll have no one on my side.

  I put those thoughts aside as all of this is hypothetical right now.

  “You want a big one, hey?” I giggle, and he narrows his eyes at me. “I’m sure she will see you get married, Adam. It’s probably the one thing that keeps her going.” It’s hard to say these types of things to him knowing that no one can predict what will happen with Alzheimer’s disease, but I am hopeful she might still be around when we do
decide to get married.

  “Time will tell. Anyway, I’m getting tired. It’s been quite an emotional night. Want to head to bed?” Adam asks with a smile and his eyebrows raised.

  I know what that smile means, he’s in a cheeky mood again. And given that I’m still wearing just my panties and a T-shirt, I know what his intentions are, so I answer with, “Sure.”

  Helping me to my feet, I anticipate him passing me my crutches, holding my hand out to receive them, but instead, Adam bends down and sweeps me into his arms.

  I squeal with shock before wrapping my arms around his neck and kissing his cheek. “Umm, what about the crutches?”

  “Leave them. I’ll carry you back downstairs in the morning. I’ll carry you wherever you want to go.”

  Some would say what Adam said is sappy, others would think he’s full of shit, but I truly believe that Adam would do that for me. He’d carry me to the ends of the earth if I asked him to. Beneath that tough business exterior that most see lies a heart made of gold and a slightly damaged soul, one that I’m going to help heal and move forward with.

  I’m sure it won’t be an easy journey, but we’ll do it together.

  Adam

  A Month Later…

  “Let’s all say the serenity prayer together… God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can; And wisdom to know the difference.” Myles, our new group leader, instructs us. “Now, please, a moment’s silence for the people who have not yet gathered the strength and courage to get help.”

  I look around at the circle, fourteen other faces—many I haven’t seen before—looking in various directions likely saying a silent prayer either for themselves or others in similar situations to them, all hoping to make it through to the next meeting without being tempted, or worse, relapsing.

  It hasn’t been easy this past month. I’ve had to admit that I’m an alcoholic again to a group of strangers, who then ask me to share the reasons why I regressed. I had to change groups recently too as someone from my previous group recognized me, and had either looked me up or searched me, but they were getting too personal with their questions. So Merlin suggested I find a new group. It wasn’t easy starting over, but I’m getting the help I need, and this group is just as good. While I still have some hard days, most of the time I don’t even think about having a drink.

  Georgia has been amazing, and I credit her for helping me get through this. I’ve tried to return the favor and support her with her therapy. However, it’s two very different things we are dealing with, and I’ve been advised not to try and understand what she’s going through as it could cause a trigger for me.

  My silent prayer today is for both Georgia and me, but also Zac. I hope he’s getting the help he needs somewhere. I wasn’t expecting to hear from him since we let him go, although I was somewhat hoping that Isabel would share how he’s coping, but last I spoke to her, she hadn’t heard from him either. He moved out of her house the night that he was fired, and his cell was constantly switched off. As much as Zac was the biggest dick I’ve ever had the misfortune of knowing, I do hope he’s not lying in a gutter somewhere.

  Myles stands from his chair and thanks us all for attending today, and we all slowly start to leave the meeting. I’m eager to get home as I left Georgia alone for the first time. She wanted me to as she needed to test herself, but she’s been on my mind the entire time I’ve been here.

  Reaching down, I collect my coffee cup from underneath my chair, the remnants of terrible coffee still in the bottom, and stand, searching the room for the trash can. After disposing of the cup, I turn to head to the exit and almost walk into Myles.

  “Sorry there, buddy, didn’t see you,” I humbly say, trying to sidestep him, but he stops me in my tracks.

  “Good to see you tonight, Adam. I hope this group’s been helpful for you.” His monotone voice somewhat annoys me, but I put up with it. Soon, I’ll start decreasing the number of meetings I attend, testing my strength and ability, and again putting the tools I’ve had to relearn to the test.

  “It was a good meeting tonight. Great turnout. And yes, I’m finding it very helpful.” The full house tonight was somewhat unusual, but I would never judge people wanting to get help.

  “It was…” He briskly nods in agreement. “How are you coping?”

  “Fine. Things have been good.” My reply is clipped. Internally rolling my eyes at his question, I appreciate the concern, but I’m desperate to get home. “I’ll catch you next week,” I offer, trying to move away.

  Myles is new to this group, only being here a week or so. Our previous meeting leader, Buzz, moved interstate, and Myles took over. The meetings are a little different with Myles—there’s more of a spiritual influence, but they are just as good as Buzz’s ones and Merlin’s before that.

  However, there’s something about Myles. As Georgia would say, ‘he’s a little odd.’ Maybe it’s because he’s had a rough life. Experiences like that change people permanently. His expression is always the same as is his voice. But guys like that don’t usually bother me. It does, however, irritate me that I can’t work out what it is about him. I’m usually a good judge of character, but Myles has me baffled. I don’t share much with him, but he does seem to know who I am, having made a few references at the previous meeting about my business, even though we are meant to be on a name-only basis here. Perhaps that’s what makes me a little uneasy around him.

  “See you next week. Remember, you can come as often as you like.”

  I offer him a wave as I head out the door and walk to my car. I pull my jacket tight across my chest, the wind much cooler now than when I first arrived, due to winter being almost upon us, and with it brings Christmas.

  Georgia’s beyond excited that I’ve told her to go nuts with Christmas decorations this year. Given she hasn’t celebrated a proper Christmas in many years, I’m going to make it a very memorable one for her. Start our lives together with a bang.

  On top of letting her create a Christmas wonderland that would rival the Griswolds from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, I’m going to surprise her with a trip for two to the Bahamas in the new year. She’s never been, and I haven’t been there for such a long time, so I figure we’ll have a week’s break and enjoy some quality couple time together.

  Now Georgia’s foot is healed, and we are both making great progress with our respective therapies, I think it will be just what the doctor ordered for both of us.

  For me, it’ll be a bit of a test for Johanna too, to see how she can handle acting as CEO for a week. I’ll give all of my staff at home the week off too, allowing them to enjoy the time with their families.

  Lucy only said to me last week that she’s noticed a spring in my step lately. I’m happier than I have been in such a long time. Who can blame me? I feel like I’m able to conquer anything with Georgia by my side. Don’t get me wrong, I have a long way to go until I’m totally back on the wagon, but my therapist and sponsor both believe that a positive attitude is a great start.

  Before Christmas is Georgia’s birthday—a week from today, actually. I’m determined to make it a twenty-fifth birthday she’ll never forget. Originally, I was thinking of a weekend getaway or a romantic dinner and a movie, but I’m starting to think I might make it a bit of a treasure hunt, possibly ending at the Christmas fair. It’ll definitely be memorable, and a fun way to start the holiday season. I make a mental note to check that they’re actually open on her birthday.

  As I drive up the street, I can immediately tell which house is ours with Christmas lights twinkling as far as the eye can see. Georgia’s enlisted the help of Clinton to decorate the front trees and gardens with as many lights as she can. I have to admit, it does brighten up our otherwise dull street at night.

  Tonight, I notice that Mrs. Angelsworth has tried to hang a row of lights of her own. Maybe Georgia has started something in the street.

  I pull up at the keypad and tap
in my code, bobbing my head to a tune on the radio as the gate slowly opens. After driving through, I wait for it to close as I always do now, especially after everything that’s happened here and start up the drive.

  In my rearview mirror, I notice a car has come to almost a complete stop on the road across our drive. I put my break on, but as I go to kill the ignition, they take off.

  Stop being paranoid.

  They’re probably lost.

  With all the streets around here like a giant grid, it’s not surprising that people need to stop and check where they are. We are extra cautious now about everything.

  Blaze will be jailed for a long time, along with Brick, for not only the break-in and kidnap of Georgia and stealing a controlled medical substance but also for distributing drugs. He was given the option to snitch on his boss, but he didn’t, so they threw the book at him.

  Georgia did well with her testimony in court. She went in, told her story, and left. We worried that it could set her back and Ashleigh, her psychologist, told the police that it’d likely hinder Georgia’s recovery progress if she had to go to court, but she needed to do it. She said she felt so much stronger and as though a weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

  I also requested a DNA test from Blaze to see if he was actually related to me, purely out of curiosity. I wouldn’t have wanted anything to do with him anyway, but it played on my mind from time to time. Lucky for me, the bastard is no relation of mine.

  Lauren lied to Mom to help Blaze out of his mess with drugs after Mom had bragged how successful I was. But she had told Mom years earlier that Brenton was Dad’s son. Mom accepted it as it was their agreement. Lauren then thought of the whole plan to extort money from me. Lauren admitted to Mom, in front of her nurse, Freya, while she did use the sperm that Dad gave them, it hadn’t taken. Gus was so sure it would work. She couldn’t bear to disappoint him again, so she went to a sperm bank and paid. She was pleased it worked the first time, and Blaze was the result of artificial insemination.

  She admitted to her role in Blaze’s scheme. Mom’s clarity didn’t last too long. Lauren thought Freya couldn’t speak English, and she allowed her to think that, but of course, Freya could, and she said it was like she was admitting all of her wrongs to Mom, thinking she’d get away with it. Freya did the right thing in the end and gave a statement to the police. They arrested Lauren later that day.