Chapter 3

Ch. 3.0

Emily

Chapter Three

"What?" Josh and I exclaim at the same time.

Adam lets out a long exhale, setting back his cup of coffee on the counter.

"Look, it's only temporary. I'm hoping that if Jade sees that he is able to hold a full-time job for two weeks, she'll let him leave back to the states and all of this is will be over soon."

Before I could say anything, Josh scoffs. "Unbelievable. I mean, sure, you can hide me for two weeks, but how the fuck are you going to hide your kid who you live with for two weeks?"

"I'm twenty-one, asshole," I snap. "But yes, you're right. He's not stupid, Adam. He'll figure everything out if he works with us."

At least Josh and I are together on this one. Don't get me wrong, I love Josh. Sure, he's strict at work and can be a jerk sometimes, but he has a good heart.

Plus, he makes Adam really happy and lets me do whatever I want at work. No, not only because he met Adam because of me, but I don't know... He respects my ideas and encourages me to be creative and... Yeah, he's a cool boss. Did I mention that he makes Adam happy?

Adam sighs, which makes Josh place a hand on his shoulder. Adam leans into him. I can tell that the situation is really stressing him out, and I hate seeing him this way.

"Your pictures together are all over. Hell, your drawings-" He points towards the fridge.

"We can just lie about those. I'll tell him they are from my patients or something."

For some reason, this sends a punch to my gut. I mean, I knew that he was never really going to tell his family that I exist, but still... Seeing him hide me in every possible way is not the most pleasant experience.

"Emily," Adam interrupts my ragging thoughts from bursting. "Stop overthinking this. You know exactly why I can't tell them."

I roll my eyes. "Yeah, well, you're also expecting me to lie 24/7. Do I really need to remind you that your nephew is not only going to be living with me, but also working with me!"

"Josh will make sure that he keeps him by his side. Right, babe?"

Josh crosses his arms on his chest before looking away. "Two weeks."

"That's all I need," Adam kisses his cheek. "Drop you off at work?"

His lips curve upwards. "Let's go."

I let out a fake cough. "Gee, thanks for acknowledging my existence. Besides, I thought we were going together, you slu-"

"You know that even though I'm dating your dad, I can still fire you, right?"

"Please. You wouldn't survive a day without me."

He shakes his head before messing my hair a bit. "Get over yourself, Nader. Actually, take the day off today. Show the poor guy around."

My jaw drops. Is he freaking kidding me?

Before I can say anything, Adam gets excited about the idea. "Oh my God, yes! You could get to know each other and besides, he's around your age. It's good for you to be around people your own age."

"I already am around people my own age. You two clearly check the mental criteria."

"Don't be petty. I think you two can be good for each other. You'll be a good influence for him, and he'll teach you how to have some fun."

"I know how to have fun."

"In a twenty-years-old-ish way. Just show him around, where to get his groceries from-"

"There's only one grocery store. It's not that difficult."

Adam gives me an apologetic smile before giving me a peck on my cheek. "Logan's a nice boy, okay? I promise it won't be so bad. Give him a chance."

"You owe me big time."

"If he leaves in two weeks, I promise we'll go on that Russia trip you've been begging me to."

I eye him carefully. "Pinky promise?"

He holds up his pinky. "Pinky promise."

At the same time, Josh's shout echoes from outside, "I'm getting old waiting!"

I shake my head, biting back a sarcastic comment and watch the back of Adam's head as he walks outside as well.

Great, I'm stuck giving Peter Pan a tour today.

"Did Adam just leave?" Speak of the devil.

I turn around only to find him standing in the hallway, wearing a pair of gray sweatpants and an NYU indigo hoodie. He looks like he just got out of bed with his messy hair and the dark circles under his eyes.

I hate that he's so goddamn attractive. How can someone look like this when they've just woken up?

I just nod, watching him walk towards the kitchen table before placing his head on it and moaning. "Fucking jet lag. What time is it?"

"Six-thirty."

He groans. "My body doesn't function before nine."

I roll my eyes. "Well, since you're going to be working for Josh, you better get used to it. Starting tomorrow, you have to be at the office at eight."

He blinks, as if his mind is just registering the information. "Holy shit."

I fight the urge to let out a long sigh. I don't even know why I'm so annoyed. I just am. I hate having my routine interrupted. After washing my coffee cup, I stand on my toes to put it back on the bench.

"Yo, is that an elephant tattoo?"

I immediately lower the hem of my shirt before glaring at him. "None of your business."

Yes, I got a stupid elephant tattoo on my hip when I was sixteen. What the fuck was I thinking? I have no clue. Do I regret it? A tiny little bit.

He suppresses a smile, which annoys me even more. Especially that he has dimples.

"Anyway, get dressed so I can show you around. I'll be waiting in my room."

"I'm already dressed."

Uh...

I unconsciously eye him up and down again before pursing my lips. My lips part to say something; anything, like, sweatpants and flip flops are not really the dress code here, but then I figure, why the hell should I say something about it?

He can embarrass the crap out of himself, I really don't give two shits. My lips curl back into a small smile before shrugging. I grab my car's keys from the counter and motion for him to follow me. "Let's go then."

Ah, this is going to be so much fun.

"You don't lock the door?" He asks.

I shrug. "Nope."

Once I turn on my car, the sound of Radiohead pounds through the stereo. I see him smirk from the corner of my eyes which makes my annoyance grow further. Whatever. This car ride is literally going to last for twenty minutes and then that's it, I'm done with him. I can manage for twenty minutes.

The aching awkward silence extends for five more minutes until we're out of the woods and in town. We stop at the phone store since he needs to get a new phone number.

I tap my feet impatiently as I wait for him in the car. Maybe I should have gone inside with him? I mean, he doesn't speak the language... but again, it's a phone store. They probably speak English. Besides, it's just a phone number, how hard can asking for that be? Never mind, I'll just wait in the car.

My phone rings, interrupting my thoughts.

Adam. He's probably calling to check if I murdered his nephew yet.

"No, he's still alive," I answer when I pick up.

"Good to know. How is everything?"

"I showed him where the grocery store is and now we're at the phone store. He's getting a new phone number." And it's taking him forever to do so.

"Awesome. I'll get pizza for dinner."

"Sounds good."

"Love you, bye."

I smile before hanging up. However, as soon as I look back at the store, annoyance grows back inside me. I honk the car horn twice and tap my feet impatiently.

Fast forward five minutes later, Peter Pan finally comes out of the store. But then I realize that he's talking to someone - Nivine. Of course. That explains it.

I think we all have had a Nivine at some point in our lives. Now you might be wondering, what is a Nivine? A Nivine is basically the prototype of a Catholic rich white girl. In sum, their lives include church activities, searching for husbands, being sexually frustrated, and reinforcing patriarchal norms. Their names might vary, but they're all essentially the same. So, yeah, that's Nivine for you.

She has tried several times to get us to collaborate with the Church but Josh is gay and the only athletics they wanted to promote were the classes offered for boys. Figures. Anyway, with that being said, I'm not exactly a fan of Nivine. The irony is that Logan seems to be.

I honk the car horn again, which earns me a glare from Logan.

"You two know each other?" Nivine asks.

"Yes - " I start to say, but Logan cuts me off by shrugging, "No clue who this person is."

My jaw drops. What an asshole. "Fine, have fun finding a way back home."

I snap before starting the car. I hope she recites the entire Bible to him.