WithOrWithOutE
ONE love, blood, life
Chapter Thirty Three
"Adge can you hear me?"
"Shep!"
"I'll take that as a yes."
"It's shes." Adge mumbled as I awkwardly lifted her out of the back of Adam's van with Bono's help.
"I've never seen her like this." I whispered, feeling a burst of anger towards Bono.
Adge's head fell to the side and she glared blearily at me. "I'm not so think as you drunk I am!" She slurred.
"Right." I said dryly and Bono stifled a laugh. "I'm glad you find this so funny Bono." He looked properly chastised. At least as much as a guy can after he's just been snogged within an inch of his life.
The street lights were out at this time of night and I pulled Adge out into pitch black. I cursed and glanced over my shoulder. My parents were probably passed out by now and how in the hell was I supposed to get Adge upstairs by myself and be quiet on top of it all!?
"I'll carry her upstairs for you." Adam volunteered, popping up at my side.
"Thanks." I turned and kicked the curb on accident. "Ouch! Crap, I can't bloody see anything."
"I have a lighter in my pocket." Adam grunted as he took Adge into his arms. Her head flopped onto his shoulder and she looked up at him through heavy lidded eyes.
"Adsham? Why are shoo holding me?"
"I'm taking you to bed love." While Adam tried to get a hold of her and be comfortable I reached around to his back pocket and dug around. "Not that I don't like this fondling you're giving me Amber... but the lighter is in my front pocket." The laughter in Adam's voice was apparent. I blushed in the darkness.
"Oh God you should have said that. Sorry." I got the lighter out of the front pocket and flicked it on. A small circle of light illuminated us. I raised the lighter to Adge. She squinted.
"What shoo doin? Why is Adsham takin me to bed?...I don't want Adsham...I'm conshused..."
"Uh..did you catch any of that?" Adam asked, grinning down at me. The lighter flickered against his glasses as I raised the it higher.
"Yeah. She wants to know what we're doing. Why you're taking her to bed and she's confused."
"I'll take your word for it. Should we try explaining anything?"
"Not now. Lets get her inside first." I took the lead up the driveway, holding the lighter out as our only source of light.
"Isn't there anything else I can do?" Bono's whisper reached us across the yard.
"Yes. You can stay there and keep the engine running." Adam grunted back behind him and adjusted Adge again.
The whole time it took to open the door and get up the stairs felt like an eternity but literally was only a few minutes. I prayed that no one would wake up and hear us. Wouldn't this be a fun one to explain. I thought with a snort.
We made it safely to my bedroom and I breathed a little more easily.
"Lay her down here." I pulled back the covers on my spare bed and Adam gently laid Adge down. She snorted softly and rolled over her side. She curled into a ball and snuggled into the blankets.
I smiled. "I guess she's comfortable as she's going to get."
"Guess so." Adam shoved his hands into his pockets and smiled down at Adge. I impulsively hugged him.
"Thanks for all your help."
His arms wrapped around me. "It was my pleasure.
Only..maybe next time you could try not to bite me."
I grinned, shamefacedly. "Sorry. I was a little hysterical."
"A little?" He snorted. "You screamed so loud I'm not sure I'll ever get my hearing back." His voice filled with amusement. "I never knew you could get that loud."
"All right." I laughed. "I get it. Sorry again." I walked him back to the front door and we kissed briefly.
"Are you going to be okay?" Adam asked, looking concerned.
"We'll be fine. Adge will be passed out till morning and then..I don't know what we'll be doing." I worried my bottom lip. Adam reached up and smoothed my lip out with his thumb.
"If you need anything call me. I'm staying with my Aunt tonight."
"I will. Don't worry."
"I always worry about you." He sighed. "I'll call in the morning." One more peck on the cheek and Adam slipped out into the darkness with his trusty lighter. I watched him until the low rumble of the van signaled him driving off.
I closed the door with a sigh. I headed up to my room and quickly got ready for bed. It was already 11:30. More sleep I got, the better. I just knew that the morning was going to bring a whole mess of trouble.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I woke up early, thinking I had to get ready for school. I pushed the covers off with a groan and sat up. Another day. I gave a jaw cracking yawn and turned blurry eyes onto my bedside clock. It was knocked onto it's side and I couldn't read it. I cursed and reached out to turn it right. 7:30. Ugh way too early.
I got out of bed and padded my way to pick out an outfit for the day. I'd just settled on a stylishly ripped up pair of jeans and my favorite bright red shirt when I heard the oddest sound.
Almost like a gurgle but kind of like a snort too. I turned, frowning and wondering what the hell that was. I saw Adge in my spare bed and my mouth gaped momentarily.
"Oh my God!" I gasped. Last night came back in a flash and I flung my clothes onto the floor and rushed to Adge's side. "Adge. Wake up!" She didn't budge. Good thing we don't have school today. I thought in amusement. I'd so be on her bad side if I woke her up right now.
I left Adge to sleep and got in a quick shower. I snuck downstairs. The familiar sounds of Mum fixing breakfast were absent and I felt it safe to make Adge and I a quick breakfast. I threw together some coffee and toast. I rummaged in the refrigerator and came out with a bottle of orange juice. I grabbed some muffins, piled everything on a tray and headed upstairs.
I kicked open my door, having my hands full and I heard a small moan from inside the cocoon of covers on Adge's bed. I set the tray down on my desk and checked on her. Her eyes flickered in sleep and she tossed her head back and forth. She mumbled something and I leaned in.
"Edge...Mmm...YES!" My eyes widened. She couldn't be dreaming what I thought she was! Well I have to find out! Shamelessly I kept listening.
Adge moaned again and thrashed a bit. "Hmm..Oh Bono...Ooooh...God YES!"
My eyes went round as saucers and I jerked away as if stung. She'd cried out for Edge and Bono!? Well, she certainly has an eventful dream life. Almost as eventful as her real life. Adge kept mumbling and I started to feel bad for listening. This was her business not mine.
I reached out and shook her. "Adge. Wake up!" She groaned. "Adge!!!" I shook her hard and she jerked awake.
"Edge!" She sat up, her hair a wild jumble framing her face. She turned a wild look onto me.
"Sorry. Not even close." I smiled.
She stared at me as the sleep cleared from her mind. "Am I dying?" She groaned out and flopped back.
I winced sympathetically. "Nope. It's a nasty hangover you have. I've got coffee and food to help."
"Oh God thanks." She sat up and took the steaming mug I offered her gingerly. She sipped and closed her eyes in bliss as she moaned.
The moan reminded me of what she'd just been calling out in her sleep. I grinned as I joined her on the bed with a cup of my own.
"What are you so jolly about this early?" Adge grouched at me.
"Nothing..just..you were talking in your sleep."
"Really?" Adge sipped her coffee and looked at me curiously. "That's weird. What was I saying?"
I tried to keep a straight face. "Oh just something about..'Edge...hmm...YES!' Ooooh..Bono...God!"
She turned red and grinned. "Oh my God! I wasn't really doing that was I!?"
"yeah you were."
"Strange." She looked thoughtful. "Now that you mention Bono, I was having the strangest dream about him. I was making out with him! How weird. That would never happen." She laughed and shook her head. My heart sank. She didn't remember last night..and I would have to tell her. I dreaded it.
"Ahh Adge I think there's something you should know." I knew I sounded grave, but I couldn't help it.
Adge picked up on my mood right away. "Who's dead?" She jokingly asked but I could see the seriousness in her eyes.
I tried to smile. "No one. But..how much do you remember about last night?"
"Last night?" Her face scrunched in concentration. "I remember going to Edge's house. I took care of him for a while cause he's sick."
"That's all you remember?" I asked, astonished.
"No." she laughed. "Then you and Adam came over and then Bono. We all went to the carnival except Edge. Bono kept trying to win me a prize. He was so cute." She trailed off frowning. "It's a little hazy after that."
"You started drinking ale."
"I remember that." She nodded.
"Then we went into the funhouse." I started hesitantly.
Adge shook her head. "You and Adam did but Bono wanted to go on some other ride...the Ferris wheel! yeah Bono...." She went pale as a bleached sheet and her eyes flew to mine. "I didn't." She croaked. "Please tell me I didn't."
"You didn't what?" I asked, desperately hoping she was thinking of something else.
"Please tell me I didn't make out with Bono on the Ferris wheel!"
"I wish I could." I said grimly.
Adge stared across the room blankly. "I made out with Bono."
"Yeah but you were drunk! It's not your fault. Bono took advantage of you." I leaned forward and tried to reason. "People do stupid things when they're drunk. You were under the influence of alcohol!"
"But I still did it." She stayed utterly calm until she turned to me and whispered, " Oh my God. What am I going to tell Edge?" She burst into tears and I cried out and held her.
"Shh. It'll be okay. You'll see."
"H-how will it b-be okay? I-I made out with B-Bono! Edge will n-never forgive me! What will I even s-say to him!" She gasped, sobbing so hard she could barely talk.
I cried too, not knowing what to say to help and feeling utterly useless. "Maybe you wont have to tell Edge."
"I have to! I can't keep this f-from him!"
"I guess not. And he knows you so well that he's bound to know something is wrong."
"E-exactly!"
We held each other and cried until Adge eventually calmed down a little. She blew her nose and wiped her eyes.
"I have to tell him."
I nodded as I wiped at my eyes. "yeah. When though?"
"Now."
"What?!" I panicked, thinking about Edge wanting to propose. "You can't! Not when you're this upset!"
"Why not? The longer I keep it from him the angrier he'll be when I tell him." The idea of Edge mad made me scared as hell.
"Feck Adge. This isn't going to be pretty."
"Ya think?" She snorted sarcastically and got out of bed with a sigh.
"Where are you going?"
"To call Edge."
"NOW!?" I scrambled off the bed and followed her out of my room.
"That's what I just got done saying isn't it?"
"yeah..but..now!?"
"Yes." She stopped next to the phone in the hallway and we both stared at it.
"Don't do it Adge." I whispered fearfully.
"I have to." She reached out and the moment her fingers touched it, it rang. Adge and I both jumped a foot in the air and screamed.
"God!" I cried, gripping my chest. "I swear I'm surprised I'm still alive with all the excitement around here." The phone rang again and I picked it up.
"Hello?"
"Good Morning." I sighed in relief and looked up at Adge.
"It's only Adam."
"Well I love you too." Adam said dryly.
"Oh! I didn't mean that. We thought you might be someone else."
"Hmm. How is everything?"
"uh..well Adge woke up not long ago..and..she remembered everything with Bono. She was about to call Edge when you called."
"She needs to call Edge? Fuck..she's going to tell him."
"Yeah. I tried to talk her out of it." Adge made a face at me and I smiled. "She wont listen to me though."
"It might be good for them. Clear the air so to speak...like with us."
My eyes widened. "Yeah..that's true. If Edge can forgive her. And Bono! God, how is he going to forgive Bono!"
"Don't ask me. Edge still hasn't forgiven me for taking his toy guitar when he was four."
I laughed in surprise. "What?!?"
"I was bored so I took his guitar one day and accidentally broke it." He sighed. "I tried giving him my miniature bass but he said it just wasn't the same."
"You're making this up!"
"Every word. I needed to hear you laugh. Call me if you need me. You've got my Aunt's number." He hung up. I rolled my eyes.
"Why is it that guys never know how to properly end a phone conversation?"
Adge shrugged and took the phone from he. "I don't know but Edge is the same way." She started dialing in Edge's number. My stomach felt like a volcano of anxiety.
Adge finished dialing and held the phone to her ear. I made to walk away and give her a little privacy but she waved me back. I sighed. Dangit I thought I might be spared this.
"Hello may I speak to Dave please? This is Adrienne."
I tensed. Waiting. Adge sighed and brushed her hair back. Suddenly she straightened and smiled. "Edge? Hi. How are you feeling?"
I groaned. God I'd completely forgotten that Edge was sick! Somehow that made what Bono did all the worse.
"That's great news. I'm glad you're feeling better...listen Edge do you think you could come over to Amber's house? Yeah that's where I am..Because I need to talk to you....It's important." Adge started crying. "Could you just come over? Okay..I l-love you too. See you in a while." She hung up with a sob. "Christ. I don't know if I can do this."
"Yes you can. I'll be here with you if you need me." I moved to rub her back.
"Thanks that helps. Edge is on his way. He should be here soon. I better go try to fix myself up."
Adge disappeared into the loo and I went downstairs. I found Mum and Dad in the kitchen eating breakfast and I told them about Adge staying the night. They didn't care much. She'd been over so much lately that she was like a second daughter to them.
I poured a cup of coffee and almost spilled it all over myself when a knock sounded at the door. Crap that was fast!
"I'll get it!!" I ran all the way and opened the door.
Edge stood there with his hands in the pockets of his clean pair of blue jeans. He had on a neat brown shirt that I'd never seen before. He looks hot. I thought and wanted to die when I blushed. Feck.
"Edge..Hi..you're here."
He nodded and ran a hand over the back oh his neck. A trait that I noticed he did when he was nervous or worried. His face looked haggard as he stared at me. Well don't just stand there gaping! Let him in!
"Come in!" I said, trying to deflect attention away from my blushing. "Adge is upstairs."
Edge paused and stared at me in surprise. "Adge?"
"Oh yeah!" I smiled. "She decided she likes that better."
Edge smiled, pleased. Although it was a pretty pathetic effort. I didn't blame him. I knew he was probably crazy with worry.
I ushered him upstairs before my Mum could get her claws into him. The door to the loo was still closed and I assumed Adge was still in there. I busied myself making the beds and Edge walked to the window and looked out.
I felt so awkward. What do you say in this situation? Talk about the weather?! It was almost like Adge was planning to break up with Edge and I was trying not to look at him too much in case he saw the pity in my eyes. Of course that was true with this situation too. Just when the silence was getting deafening Adge walked out of the loo.
I fluffed the last pilled as Edge walked to her, his face a picture of distress. "Adrienne" He took her hands, looked into her eyes and she burst into tears. I winced and my own tears started again. I tried to make my way for the door to leave them alone.
Edge took Adge into his arms, looking confused and worried. Adge started mumbling incoherently against him chest.
He pushed her back gently and wiped her tears away with the pads of his fingers.
"Tell me, what is it love. What's happened?"
Adge looked Edge in the eyes. His worried, sweet, innocent, wise and beautiful eyes. I wanted to look away but I couldn't. I knew it was coming.
"I kissed Bono."
My heart stopped. Adge was looking at Edge with wide watery eyes. Five seconds passed in tense silence. Then ten. I saw her tighten her hold on Edge's hands as if she was afraid he'd pull away.
"You...what?" Edge's small hurt voice sent Adge into tears again.
"I kissed Bono. Or maybe he kissed me. Either way I didn't mean too. I was drunk and..I know that's not an excuse, but I wasn't myself. I would never ever do that if I was at all sober. I love you too much Edge. You mean everything to me." Adge talked fast, desperate to make Edge forgive her. "I'm so sorry."
He was quiet, so quiet I started to wonder if he'd heard anything she'd said.
"Edge..please..say something." She pleaded.
He swallowed and seemed to be struggling with himself. Was he angry? I inched closer to the door.
"I'm not sure what to say. I'm hurt by this Adrienne." I flinched along with Adge. God. Ouch.
"The last thing I ever want to do is hurt you. I'm so sorry." Tears streamed down her face.
"I know." he whispered and took Adge into his arms. She clung to him. I let my breath out in relief. At least he didn't yell.
They stayed close together and I got the feeling that I wasn't needed. I slipped out. I went and called Adam. I needed to talk to him.
"Hello?"
I spilled my guts. "I love you. So much. God. I can't live without you."
"Em..I think you're wanting to speak to Adam?"
I blushed. FECK. "Uh yeah. Who is this?"
"Glen. I'm a second cousin of Adam's. You must be Amber. Adam talks about you all the time."
"Really. Nothing bad I hope." I smiled.
He chuckled, sounding a lot like Adam. "No it's only the best stories he tells us about you."
"Oh good. Um..is he there?"
"One second."
I sighed and slapped my forehead. I'd just told Adam's cousin that I loved him. What an idiot.
"Hello love." Adam's relaxed drawl filled my ear and I smiled
"Hi. This is Adam this time right?"
"Yes." He sounded amused. "Why?"
"Because I thought you're cousin was you when he picked up and I told him I love him and can't live without him. God."
Adam laughed. "I'm sure he's flattered, but he's married. Sorry but you'll have to settle for yours truly."
"I guess." I sighed. "Or there's always Larry." Adam growled a warning. "I'm kidding! Larry and I don't even get along that well I don't know why you get so jealous of him. Anyway I called to say I love you. Oh and Edge is here and Adge told him."
"Bloody hell. How'd he take it?"
"Better then I thought." A loud shout interrupted me and I gasped. "Or maybe not! I think I hear Edge shouting now!"
"Fuck. Do you need me to come over?"
"I don't know. I don't think so. I'm staying right here. I don't want to see Edge mad. I'll never be the same."
"it's not that bad." Adam snorted. "Why are you so scared of seeing him mad?"
"I don't know it just scares the hell out of me." The yelling had stopped. "I better go and see if Adge needs me. I'll talk to you later."
I hung up and turned just as Edge came around the corner. I felt the color drain from my face. Adge was right behind him and I saw they were holding hands. Edge's eyes looked a little puffy like he might have been crying and my heart lurched. If I ever saw Edge cry I'd simply shiver up and die.
"Are you leaving Edge?" I asked when I found my voice.
"Yeah." He looked beat. "I have some plans to make." He sounded a bit better then he had in my room but there was something else. Almost like there was a bit of resentment in his eyes.
Edge kissed Adge on the forehead at the door and she gave him a watery smile. He left and Adge closed the door and slowly slid down it.
"Oh my god. I'm never doing anything stupid ever again. If I even think about it then just lock me away. I never want to see Edge looking like that again."
"What happened? He's not leaving you is he?" I sat next to Adge and she shook her head.
"No. He's not leaving me. Thank God. He said he wants everything to work out."
"Was that him yelling I heard?" I asked hesitantly.
"Yeah. He kind of blew up when I told him it was more like making out then just one kiss."
"Oh my God."
"I know. But he still wants to work through this. We're going to dinner tonight to talk and hopefully resolve things."
I was speechless for a second. "I have to say again that you're so lucky to have Edge. Not every guy would be feeling like he is."
"I know. I kept waiting for him to start screaming but the most he did was yell a little. It was nothing like what I was expecting.
"Wow..what about Bono?"
"He said he doesn't know what he feels towards Bono yet. Resentment maybe."
"So what now? How is it going to be when Edge sees Bono?"
"I guess we'll see tonight at the gig."
"The gig! I totally forgot!" I groaned. "You and Edge are going to dinner before that then."
"Yep. Edge is making all the arrangements." Adge's eyes were red and she still looked a little hung over. I marched her up to my room and put her in bed. She resisted and got out again.
"I can't. My parents are probably freaking as it is. I have to get home."
"Fine." Adge gathered her stuff and I walked her out. "You don't think Bono will bother you do you?" I asked.
"Probably but right now I don't care. I'll deal with that later. Edge is more important now." Adge squinted and groaned when the sunlight hit her.
"Of course. If you need me just call." I offered.
"Thanks. I might do that later. You can help me pick out what to wear tonight."
"Sounds good." I waved as Adge made her way down the street. Damn what a day so far. I checked my watch and groaned. It was only 9:00. The day had barely begun and everything was just getting started.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
The rest of the morning I tried not to worry too much about Adge and Edge but it was basically impossible. I have a habit of cleaning when I'm nervous so I cleaned my room from top to bottom and then, like a maniac, moved on to the downstairs. By noon the whole house was spotless and I was still anxious. I ended up in the kitchen with a cup of hot tea to try to sooth my nerves.
Mum joined me after a while. "Are you quite alright Amber?"
"Fine." I answered in a monotone.
"It doesn't sound like it...are you having troubles with Adam?"
"No Mum. Adam and I are fine."
"Oh." If I didn't know better I would say that she sounded disappointed. I turned to her.
"Is there something you want to say about Adam?"
She sipped at her tea and sighed. "Of course not. I only worry about you. You have so many boys as friends..it doesn't seem natural."
"What the hell..oh Mum really I can curse now I'm seventeen I think I'm old enough..why are you bringing this up now?"
"I've been thinking a lot about you and I want you to know something." She reached across, took my hand and spoke earnestly. "There are other men out there. You don't have to settle for one. Just because he may be attractive and he may flatter you with words, that is no reason to be with him forever."
"Mum! Why are you doing this? I'm so young..what makes you think I'm even going to be with Adam forever?"
"Well, now that's better. You need to look around and see what else is out there."
I pulled me hand away and ran all ten fingers through my hair, leaving it a tangled mess. "I don't need this. I really don't."
"Amber..have you ever seen any of these other boys besides Adam?"
"You mean like a date?" She nodded. I thought back to the time I'd practically made out with Edge as a joke. God that seemed so long ago. Then there was all the close calls with Bono but those didn't really count. At least nothing has ever happened with Larry. And I didn't even want to think about Guggi. Feck.
"No Mum. Adam is the only one." I lied through my teeth. I wasn't very surprised when Mum looked disappointed.
"That's a pity. If you haven't seen any of the others..maybe you're interested in one?"
"Why are you asking that?"
"I'm still hopeful that Dave might catch your fancy. He was such a nice fellow. So sweet."
"Oh my God not that again!" I groaned. "Mum, Dave is Adrienne's boyfriend. I don't want him! That's how it is and that's how it's going to stay."
Mum wasn't beaten yet. "Paul is a charming boy."
I let my head hit the table in defeat. "Fine. If you like Paul so much then why don't you go out with him yourself. He's all yours." Mum giggled and I looked up in surprise.
She grinned, "I only wish I was twenty years younger! I would jump at the chance."
"What!?"I was assaulted by images of Bono and my Mum together and I groaned. "Thanks so much. Now I'll never be able to look at Bono without thinking of this conversation."
Confusion filled her eyes. "Bono?"
"Sorry I meant Paul."
"Oh..well, Amber..do you truly love Adam?"
I didn't hesitate. "Yes. I do. Very much."
"And you really don't have your eye on anyone else?"
"Well, there's always Larry." I grinned and obviously meant it as a joke but Mum pounced on it.
"Larry? Isn't he that young blonde bloke? He's quite attractive. Would you like to have him over for tea?"
I stared at her like she was insane. "Noo I wouldn't like to have him over for tea. Crap. I can't even make a joke around here." I sighed. "Mum are you ever going to be okay with Adam?" She hesitated. "What if Adam asked me to marry him? What is we start a family?"
"A f-family?" She whispered fearfully, her eyes searching my face. "H-have you given yourself to Adam?"
I gaped at her. "I..uh..no. I don't think we're ready." I felt it best to lie. Guilt ascended onto my shoulders but I knew that Mum wouldn't be able to understand if I told her the truth. I thought it was about time to end this conversation.
"I have to go see Adrienne soon. I better go call her." I left, half expecting Mum to call me back. When she didn't I smiled and ran to the phone. I dialed and waited.
"Hello?" Adge's tired voice answered.
"Hi it's me."
"Oh hey."
"How're you doing?"
She sighed. "As well as expected. I have a pounding headache right now...I just got off the phone with Edge. I can tell he's still hurt and it's killing me. I hope tonight works out."
"It will. You and Edge will pull through all this." I decided to ask a question that had been nagging at me all day. "About Bono..has he tried to contact you?"
She snorted. "Yeah. He's called a few times but I keep hanging up on him. I can't deal with him right now."
"Good. He can wait a while. Do you know where Edge is taking you tonight?"
"I'm not sure. All he said was to dress kind of casual but not too casual."
"Right. So It'll take us at least two hours to pick the right thing because what Edge said is probably crap."
"Yep. Can you come over in like forty minutes?"
"Sure see you then."
"K Bye."
~~~~~~~~~~~
I arrived on Adge's doorstep forty minutes later with a basket of blueberry muffins my Mum sent over. I knocked on the door and waited.
A rustling in the bushes by Adge's house made me jump. I turned to investigate and didn't see anything but an empty yard. I figured it was a stray cat or something. I knocked again and taped my foot on the pavement.
The weird rustling noise came again and I whirled around with narrowed eyes.
"Hello?" No answer came and I frowned. What the hell. Maybe the stress of life was getting to me and I was hallucinating. I laughed under my breath. It was probably just Adge's sisters trying to freak me out.
The door opened and I turned back and saw Adge's Dad standing there. Oh feck.
"What do you want?" He scowled.
"Uh..I'm here to see Adrienne..." I said nervously. If he refused to let me in then I'd end up going around back and climb up, and that would be kind of hard with an arm full of muffins.
Adge's dad glared and opened the door. "She's in her room." He barked and left me standing there.
"Whatever." I grumbled and made my way up the stairs.
I found Adge in her room. A record was playing softly in the background and Adge was laying, prone, on her bed with a pillow over her face.
"Need any help with that? Suffocation is my specialty."
She grunted and lifted the pillow off. Her face was red and she smiled weakly at me. "If I ever need help with that I'll know who to call."
"Uh huh." I walked over to Adge's humongous stack of records and started flipping through them. "Got anything new?"
"Yep. Over in the white bag."
I wandered over. "Wow how do you get all of these! I didn't even know these were out yet. So how many do you have now?"
"I don't know. Maybe five hundred at least."
"Holy shit." I laughed. "That's impressive."
"Guess so." She sounded down and I turned to her and leaned against her desk.
"Want to hear something funny?"
"God yes." She sat up and flung the magazine she'd been looking at across the room.
"My Mum wants to invite Larry over to tea. She sees him as one of my possible future husbands."
Adge grinned. "No shit. That's hilarious. Why Larry?"
I rolled my eyes. "It's all my fault. I was just joking around and she took it seriously. At first she wanted it to be Edge." Adge snorted. "Then she wanted Bono. Literally. She said if she was twenty years younger..."
"Oh my God Eww." She pretended to gag. "I didn't need that mental picture."
"Tell me about it. God."
We fell into comfortable silence for a second. I glanced around, taking in the piles of clothes, records, and odds and ends. This was Adge. She somehow had order in chaos.
I went to the closet and rummaged around. "Do you have an idea of what you want to wear tonight? Like jeans and a blouse or maybe a dress?"
"Not a dress. I don't need to be that fancy. We'll be going straight to the gig after dinner so there wont be any time to change."
"hmm..how about that jean skirt and the plum sweater you have? You'd be drop dead gorgeous in that."
She laughed. "Yeah maybe. I'll try it on."
We picked out and Adge tried on several outfits. She picked the patched jean skirt with a deep ruby red top that accentuated her curves perfectly.
"You look great. Wait you need jewelry." She put on an adorable pair of silver guitar shaped earrings that Edge had gotten her. She stood in front of the mirror and checked herself out.
"How do I look? You think I should put my hair up?"
Together we fussed, putting her hair up and taking it down again when it didn't look right. Finally we left it alone. It was up in a silver clip with a few soft strands falling to frame her face prettily.
"Perfect." I grinned.
She looked at herself with a critical eye. "I hope so. I want Edge to see me at my best. He's already seen me at my worst." I saw sadness trying to creep it's way into her eyes.
"And you also saw his worst. At least you're real with each other. Not everyone would have done what you did and admit what they did wrong."
Adge caught my eyes in the mirror. "Would you have?" I was taken aback. I hadn't really thought of that. "What if you were in my situation and you made out with Bono. Would you tell Adam?"
"God. I don't know. Probably. If I didn't the guilt would eat me alive."
"Exactly how I felt. I didn't have a choice."
"Edge doesn't know that Bono loves you right.."
"No and I'm not going to tell him. I think it would ruin their friendship. That can't happen."
"Yeah." I sighed sadly. "That would be so terrible. You know what?" Adge finished applying her lipstick and smacked her lips together before answering.
"What?"
"I think in the long run that this is going to bring you and Edge closer, and make your relationship stronger."
Adge stared off, her eyes going fuzzy as she thought that over. "Yeah..we're already closer because of everything. I just hope that Bono doesn't do anything else stupid."
"Look who you're talking about. You better watch out for him." I warned. "I'll help, but Bono is tricky. He'll do whatever it takes to get you. And not to mention the fact that he's bloody gorgeous. It's not exactly a piece of cake to resist him."
"God." Her cheeks flushed and she raised her hands to them. "What would have happened last night if it went further...I could have...we probably would have..." She covered her face and moaned. "Oh God. I still find Bono desirable even after what he did and I can't help it."
"No one can help it when it comes to Bono. So don't feel bad. Yeah you're Edge's girlfriend, but you're not dead."
She laughed weakly. "That's true." A loud knocking sounded through the house and Adge and I looked at each other in anxious excitement.
"Is that him already?" I asked.
Adge checked the clock and nodded. "Yeah. He wants to go early so we can take a walk first."
We hurried downstairs. Adge took a deep breath and opened the door. Edge stood in the doorway with a bouquet of red roses and a smile.
"These are for you My Love." He held them out and his smile grew when Adge reached out with trembling hands.
She brought them to her face and breathed deeply their fragrance. "Oh Edge. These are beautiful. Thank you." She reached up to kiss him and he wrapped her in his arms and really went for it. I gaped for a second and then blushed when I realized I was watching Edge and Adge practically making out.
I looked away and brushed some invisible dust off my shirt. Eventually they broke apart and I looked back after a short while. I didn't want them to think I was gawking at them the whole time.
Edge pulled Adge up to his side and she snuggled into him with a sigh.
Edge saw me then and smiled. "Hey Red."
I blushed like a virgin. "Hey Edge." Adge noticed and grinned.
"So where are you taking me love?" Adge asked sweetly.
"You'll have to wait and see." He grinned when she pouted at him. "I'll have to drop Larry off first."
"Larry?" I perked up at this. "Where is he?"
"Waiting out in the car." Edge said and looked over his shoulder.
"Where are you dropping him off at?" Adge asked as she waved towards the car.
"His house. He was helping me with..eh..some stuff."
Adge grinned. "He was helping you get ready wasn't he?"
Edge flushed a bit. "Maybe. He made me swear not to tell anyone. His fashion sense is not something that's well known." Adge and I laughed.
Adge and Edge walked hand in hand to the car and Larry got out.
"I think I'll just walk."
"For ten miles?" Edge asked, laughing.
"Feck." Larry scowled.
"I can take you." Oh my God did that come out of my mouth? Great. Larry turned to me.
"That's okay. I can walk." He turned me down stiffly.
"Larry please let me take you. It's not any trouble." I might as well go for it now that I opened my fat mouth. Larry accepted after that and Edge and Adge got into Edge's car. They waved and Adge suck her head out the window.
"See you guys tonight!" They honked at they drove away and I waved. As soon as they were half way down the street a car peeled out from the other direction and zoomed after them. I caught a flash of the driver and my stomach dropped.
"OH MY GOD THAT WAS BONO!!!"
"I saw him." Larry frowned. "What the fuck is that idiot doing now?"
"He's following them! We have to go too! Come on!" I ran as fast as I could to my Mum's car and thanked god that Adge and I lived so close together. I hoped into the car and started it. Larry stayed out in the driveway. "Larry get in!"
"I'm not going on some fecking goose chase!" He folded his arms and shook his head firmly.
I cried out and then my wheels started turning. We didn't have much time. Edge and Adge were driving away, Bono was following them and we needed to hurry. I had no choice but to stoop to blackmail.
"If you don't get into this car right now I'm going to tell everyone about the time I walked in on you at Adam's house in the shower and heard you singing Elvis songs."
Larry glared. "You wouldn't."
"I would."
He cursed loudly and got into the car. I grinned and pulled out of the drive. I went the way Edge and Adge had gone and I could still see Bono's car at the end of the road. I stepped on the gas and hightailed it after them.
"Fucking Hell." Larry cursed and grabbed the safety grip. I laughed and tossed him a grin.
"What's the matter Larry? Don't you like a little excitement?"
"This is more then a little fucking excitement!" He yelled at me.
I turned on the stereo and blared it. "Sorry Lar I can't hear you!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We followed Bono and Edge and Adge for miles. I stayed back far enough so that I hoped Bono couldn't see me. Larry kept quiet but I could practically feel the Larry-ness radiating off of him. After about twenty miles Bono made a sharp left and I cursed and followed. He pulled into a pub parking lot and parked.
I looked around for Edge and Adge and couldn't believe it when I saw them only forty or fifty feet from Bono. They would see him if he wasn't careful. Unless he wanted them to see him! This could be his way of interfering and I couldn't think of a better way. The last person in the world either Edge or Adge wanted to see right now was Bono. And here he is about to waltz up to them and say hello.
I parked at the other end, as far away as I could and shot off the engine. "Here we go Lar. Come on."
He stared at me cooly. "You got me to get into this car but you wont be getting me out of it!"
"Larry we don't have time for this! Edge and Adge's relationship is at stake here! Please help me." I begged him. He wavered and sighed so loudly I was surprised the windows weren't blown out.
"OKAY! I'll go. Lets get this over with."
I slipped out and Larry lumbered out loudly. I cursed and glared at him. He shrugged. I peeked over the top of the car. Bono was out of his car now and doing exactly the same thing we were only he was spying on Edge and Adge. The couple walked into the pub and Bono, after looking around suspiciously, followed them in.
"Come on." I grabbed Larry's sleeve and pulled him along.
"I'm coming. You don't need to jerk me around." He pulled away and rubbed his arm.
"Sorry. I'm just worried. I should've known Bono would do something this idiotic."
"That would make us idiots for following him." Larry pointed out. I ignored that and Larry snorted. He pulled open the pub door for me and I thanked him.
We walked inside. The place looked very stylish, considering the outside was kind of plain. The walls were painted a dark red and all the wood in the place was dark oak and polished to a shine.
Larry whistled. "Edge has good taste."
I turned to him in surprise. "Yeah he does."
Someone came over to us and asked if we'd like to be seated. He smiled at us like we were a couple and Larry and I shared a look. Yes, this was going to be a long LONG night.
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