Page 7 of As the Years Pass

“It’s nice to see you,” he says, his shoulders losing their tension.

I wonder if he’d be saying this if he knew the reason I was here was because of him, or if it would freak him out.

“Yeah, you too.”

He’s still smiling at me, shaking his head in disbelief like he’s trying to figure out if I’m real.

“What are the odds?” he asks softly.

Well, considering I did this on purpose…

“Do you come here often?” I ask, finally managing to move my feet. I head around the bar and take a seat beside Adam.

“Not usually, no. I’ve been a few times, but the kids take up my weekends. I’m in Soda Springs during the week.”

That’s a shock to me. I didn’t realize he had any ties there still.

“How about that drink?” Pete asks.

“Oh, yeah. Whiskey is fine.”

He nods as I pull out my wallet and place down a ten.

Pete raises a brow at me when he sees it. “If you’re not charging me for it, put it in your tip jar.”

He shrugs and takes the money, but I see him ring up my drink and put the rest in the jar.

“I didn’t realize you were traveling back and forth,” I say as I reach for my drink.

When I found out Mom was sick, I cut out everything in my life that brought me down. Following Adam’s life was one of those things. We’re friends on social media, and not that he posted often, but he would now and then. It’s how I found out he was in Seattle. There was a picture of him and the kids by the Big Wheel with a caption about exploring the city after setting up furniture in his new apartment.

Being next to him again… it’s hard to breathe. He still smells the same, still uses the same spicy cologne. His eyes still have those dark flecks of blue that I used to love to stare at. They were like constellations, and no matter how long I stared, it was never enough.

“Leslie and I are still working things out.”

“Oh—“ I say as my heart sinks. “I didn’t realize.”

I thought they were separated, divorced even. They haven’t been together in years, as far as I know.

“Not in the way of getting back together,” he amends, and I’m able to breathe again. “Just with the kids. She can’t decide if she wants to go back to California or stay here.”

“Why did she come here, anyway?”

“Her parents live here, and they’ve been helping her.”

“And so you just go back and forth? That must be expensive.”

He groans, taking the rest of his alcohol and putting the glass down. “You have no idea.”

“Refill?” Pete asks.

“Please,” Adam says.

Adam and I chat while the rest of the patrons finish their drinks and cash out. It’s not nearly enough time. Pete cleans the place and restocks. Then he’s asking if I need anything before he goes. I hadn’t realized how late it had gotten because it went by too quickly.

“No, you’re good. I’ll lock up.”

Pete nods before grabbing his stuff and heading out the front door.