Just when the date seemed to go great, then walked in the walking nightmare, Drew.
The man and his very drunk date approached the table, reeking of booze and river air. "We have been trying to reach you all day. You should have come out on the boat with us."
"I've been busy," Adam sighed in annoyance.
The man looked at Eve seductively. She instantly recognized him, furrowing her brows in annoyance. Drew was one of a good deal of old money socialite playboys around town.
He raised his eyebrows suggestively. "I see you are… busy. And who do we have here, brother?"
He licked his lips as his eyes wandered over her body, directly to her cleavage. Eve felt her skin crawl. Drew was an average-looking guy with dirty blonde shaggy hair. One of those guys who made up for his average looks by showing his money and status. "Are you on a date or something?"
"Eve, this is my brother, Drew." Adam was trying to avoid attention from the other patrons and shifted in his seat uncomfortably.
"Drew Ericson," Eve noted. "We've met. Several times, actually. Most of the time we've come in contact, you're hitting on me. How soon you forget, Drew. You probably don't remember our last encounter since you were falling down drunk and puked on my shoes." Eve raised an unapproving eyebrow at him.
Drew laughed. "Shit, I forgot about that. Anyway, I was just messing with you, Eve. I know who you are. Greg actually let you out of your cage tonight, huh?"
"He's not my keeper. Besides, I am in good company," she said, smiling at Adam.
Drew smirked at his brother, nudging his shoulder. "Sure you are. Adam's a catch. A bit stuffy, if you ask me, but he's a good guy. Adam, you didn't tell me you were dating." Drew's date almost fell into the table and he grabbed her laughing. "Careful, babe. She had one too many margaritas on the boat."
The girl, whose dress was almost ready to drop off her shoulder and give the whole restaurant a show, was barely upright. She stumbled, grabbing a half eaten bread piece from Eve's plate.
"Are you going to eat this?" The girl chomped on the bread.
Adam straightened his suit jacket, looking around the room in disgust. "I don't tell you everything, brother. Besides, we just met today. We are just having a nice 'quiet' dinner." He said coldly, hoping that Drew would catch the hint to leave.
Drew rolled his eyes. "You never tell me anything. It's like you live a double life. Adam, you really need to relax a bit. Anyway, Eve, it's nice to see you again. You should have Adam take you on his boat. I think you would love it. It's a lot bigger than mine. I think he's compensating for something, but I have more toys. You should see my jet ski."
Adam frowned in annoyance. "I like quality over quantity. You should take a few notes. Drew, can you leave me alone with the lady, please? I'll catch up with you later."
"No problem. Have a wonderful evening, Eve. Ha! I just realized. Adam and Eve. Adam, are you going to whisk her away to the Garden of Eden?" Drew laughed, "Have fun tonight, Eve."
"You too, Drew." She smiled graciously.
Drew wasn't really that bad of a guy. Sort of creepy bar promoter, but overall harmless. His job was a way of pretending to have a real life. He was known for promoting the local night club hot spots. Where he and his friends attended, people followed. Drew's friends were the 'it crowd' of the Ville nightlife. In reality, Drew lived off his family fortune. He was a tad annoying and way too sure of himself. Very much a rich frat boy type with too much money for his own good.
Drew walked over to his own table with the drunk girl. Adam watched them, shaking his head in disgust. "Sorry about that. My brother is a perpetual party boy. It's really obnoxious. He'll never grow up."
"No. It's fine. Drew's a little cocky, but seems like an okay guy. I have to admit. He's always got on my nerves a little." Eve giggled. "Sorry. I know he's your brother. You look nothing alike, to be honest."
"We have different fathers. My mom wasn't married when she had me. That's why we have different last names. Our mom passed away when we were in junior high school."
"Do you know your real father?" Eve drank from her wineglass.
"I met him about six months ago. I don't want to talk about it."
Eve scrunched her nose, wishing he would open up a little. "That's fine. I understand. Are you and Drew close? He never told me about you."
"Not since we were kids. I grew up. He didn't. He just wants to play around and bar hop. That's not my thing." Adam seemed very stiff.
"Adam, why don't we grab the desserts to go. We can take them back to my place and just talk. You don't seem comfortable here," Eve said, understanding his discomfort.
"You wouldn't mind?" He looked up with a little pain in his eyes.
"No. Let's go. The night's still young."
Adam called the waitress and excused himself to talk to his brother. Eve sat watching them, noticing the tension between them. Adam pulled Drew to the bar, looking a little angry. She saw Adam leaning in, whispering to his brother, and Drew looked almost scared. She couldn't help but notice Adam's surly demeanor and Drew almost cowering to him. She had never seen Drew that way before.
"Big brother issues. Maybe he's putting the party boy in his place." Eve drank the last of her wine as the waitress returned with the food boxes filled with desserts.
Adam walked back over taking the boxes, "Let's get out of here." He walked away without notice.
Eve rushed to catch up to him, reaching him just outside while he was pacing the parking lot.
"Adam. Are you all right? Did I do something wrong?"
He looked up at the sky with an angered darkness in his eyes. As soon as he looked toward her, he saw her concerned face. A pang of guilt hit him, and he quickly calmed down.
"I am so sorry, Eve. Tonight was a disaster. My drunk brother and his trashy girlfriend du jour. Me looking over my shoulder every second to avoid these snobbish socialites. It's not how I wanted to spend an evening with you." He walked over, taking her hand. "You must regret even agreeing to this date."
Eve smiled at him. "It's okay. Really. Let's just go to my place."
"You still want to finish this date?"
"Don't you? Despite this odd night, it's still been nice spending time with you." She squeezed his hand.
Adam had an unreadable expression. "I... think I would like to just go home. Rain check?"
Eve's shoulders dropped, and she felt like she was hit by a brick. "All right. Maybe some other time. Take me home. I probably have some photos that need editing and emails to check, anyway."
"I'm really sorry. This was a bad idea. I'll make it up to you." His eyes softened.
Eve shrugged, feeling defeated. She hadn't been on a date in so long and the night ended in disaster. Adam helped her into the car as she avoided the urge to cry. Staring out the window on the drive home, she didn't say a word.
Adam looked over, seeing her sad face, and felt like a creep for ruining the night. He wanted to just forget the whole evening and start over, forgetting about his worries and just enjoy being with her.
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Author Note: Are you enjoying the story so far? Please leave a review and let me know.