Fact no.21: Adam Cunnan is a gentleman

APRIL

The next morning, I wake up and decide to surprise my friends with some rosquillas. You can't come to the Summer house and not have rosquillas. So I change in my jogging outfit and go downstairs, ready to head outside.

Only, I am not the only one awake. Adam is already there, jogging clothes on, looking at his smartwatch. He's wearing a combination of a black sports T-Shirt, shorts and running shoes in the same color.

"Good morning", I tell him, as he was too focused on his smartwatch to notice me. He looks up and smiles as he sees me.

"Good morning, April", he replies.

"Are you going for a run?", I ask him, realizing how dumb I sound since it is obvious that was what he was going to do.

"Yeah, I was planning to. My tracker is still planning a route, I have no idea where I should run."

"Why don't we run together? I know a nice route here", I offer.

He smiles and closes the app on his smartwatch.

"Sure, let's do it", he agrees, smile now wider.

I lead him outside and we run next to each other on my usual track.

"So, I was thinking we can stop and get some rosquillas. They are like donuts and I know a café who does them better than anywhere else. What do you say?", I ask him, if only to make conversation. The small rings around his eyes from not sleeping are still there. Faded, but there.

"Sounds good", Adam replies. He asks me about my holiday so far then, and I answer to keep the talk going. When I am done telling about my holiday, I plan on asking him about his.

"And, how was your Summer so far?"

He swallows hard, a hint that his Summer hasn't been the best.

"Well, a lot of work at first", he begins. "I graduated this year, you know?", he continues. It's then I also remember that Adam is two years older than me and the girls, while the rest of the Fab Five are only one year older than us. The guys will all be ready with college when we begin our senior year. Adam already is ready now. "I spent the beginning of the holiday getting some affairs in order. Then, after what happened with", he wants to say, then thinks better of it and says something else. "Then, I went to my brother in Los Angeles."

He notices my raised eyebrow as he said brother. I recall he is an onlychild. He usually calls Alec his brother, since they grew up together.

"Not my actual brother. We lived together, my other two best friends, Alec and I. So, I see them as my brothers."

I nod, thankful for him sharing this piece of information with me. He usually doesn't say anything about his life. I don't know a thing about his childhood or anything from his private life. I know he doesn't have a girlfriend, but if he ever had one or if he likes someone or if he is dating, I don't have the slightest clue.

"The brother I went to visit in Los Angeles, Michael, he is going through a hard phase. He has some problems with his health. I went there to help him out. I am going back after the time here. And staying there throughout September. He needs my help and after what happened with...after what happened...I also need a break from New York."

I know better than to ask him what happened with whom. Even if he read the question on my face, he doesn't give any details.

"Alec is coming too. In September. I don't know if Sofia told you."

"She did", I remember. She mentioned that she'll be away most of the weekends in September, since she'll go visit Alec. I didn't think much of it then, but it now makes sense.

"Doesn't Alec still have classes?", I ask him.

"He does. But he managed to be excused from them for a month. We have a family problem going on, so he was allowed to take some time off."

I nod, and from the look on his face, it shows he doesn't want to speak much longer about it. So I am not surprised as he changes the subject: "But you? What are the big plans you talked about for this week?"

"Wait til you see them", I say, smirk on. He sees it and chuckles.

"I already know about the fun park", he continues and I am not surprised. I asked for Alec's help when I did the reservation at the hotel in the fun park. As the CEO of the most important hotel company in the world, Dunn Leisures, he has better connections with those people. One word from him and we were instantly offered as many rooms as we needed. Although the hotel was fully booked. They even gave us all suites, although we asked for normal rooms. Guess it sometimes helps to have friends that are famous.

"He told you, didn't he?", I ask Adam, already knowing the answer.

"Alec and I don't keep secrets from each other. So yes, he told me", he replies, his face showing how much he trusts that guy. They really act like brothers.

"Well, I assume that if you already know about the fun park, we can keep the other stuff as a surprise. You already are in advantage compared to the others."

He glares at me and I chuckle. I notice he must have not done that in a while.

"Are you alright?", I ask him, hoping I am not stepping a line. Adam and I are friends, but we are not really so thick. I would understand if he wouldn't tell me.

"I'm fine", he replies, just like I expected. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"I don't know", I say. "But, are you sure you're alright?"

"Yeah", he answers, not convinced.

"I just want you to know you can talk to me. I know we're not really very close, but you can talk to me whenever you need."

Adam stops and looks at me with an eyebrow raised: "What are you talking about? Of course we're close. We're family. Did you think I just flew my ass here all the way from New York for someone with whom I wouldn't be close?"

"No", I whisper, a bit nervous. And surprised about his confession.

"April, what I want to say, is that we are close. Of course, I don't want you to think now that I have a crush on you or something. You are an amazing girl and I am sure there are hundreds of guys who would give anything to have you as their girlfriend, but I'm not one of them. I am sorry. And I do not mean it as an offense. You really are amazing. But I do see you as one of my best friends, a member of my family. And I am grateful that you asked me how I am feeling. Not many do."

I nod at him, almost tearing from his words. I've never heard him talk so much at once. Or be so honest. And I have zero problem with not being his crush. I also don't like him in that way; and nothing would happen anyway between us. For, although I still hate him, I think I'm starting to like Noah Coin. As messed up as it is, it just started happening. Especially as he two nights ago sneaked into my room and although we wanted to hook up, we ended up just cuddling in bed and looking at Stranger Things. I realized Noah Coin could be my enemy, my friend and my lover all at once.

And the possibility doesn't sound so bad.

"I went through a bad phase", he says, starting running again. I quickly join him. "Some stuff happened lately and I still need my time to sort things out."

"Did you went through a breakup or so?", I ask him. He chuckles, yet the sound is dry.

"No, I haven't had a girlfriend in a while. Other bad stuff."

His tone shows, that is the end of this topic. And I don't want to annoy him any longer. I just go with it.

"In that case, it appears a vacation is just what you needed."

He chuckles again, the sound more natural now. "I guess you're right."

"I'm always right", I reply. He smirks.

"That's true", he answers. I smile at him.

"Well, I'll make sure you have a nice holiday. Just wait and see what I have planned."

He smiles, an honest smile. And I can see why many girls at Wrencore had crushes on him. If it weren't for his incredibly good looking body, as unhuman as all the other Fab Five, or the fact he is a billionaire, then his smile might have done the trick.

"Thanks, April", he says and I smile back.

"No problem, Adam", I say, coming closer to softly hit him in the ribcage. All I feel under my elbow is muscle. Pure muscle. I've never seen this guy shirtless, but I am not sure humanity would be prepared for it. Maybe it's a good thing he keeps a tux on at all times. "That's what family is for", I continue.

He smiles again we continue running towards the town. I don't think it's even necessary I talk about the face Carmen made as she saw Adam. She was basically drooling all over him. She then even gave me a proud look. Dia and her met a few times, as I promised Carmen. But she has been waiting for me to bring a date this entire time. The moment she saw Adam, she obviously thought we too were together. The expression she made as I introduced him as "my best friend" will always be stuck in my head. She tried to hide the disappointment. Yet again. Just wait til she meets my man.

We got more rosquillas than I've probably had in my whole life combined. And that says a lot. Adam insisted we get enough for everybody. I didn't object. Not when it comes to Carmen's rosquillas.

We then jog back home, both of us carrying a bag with the donuts in each of our hands. Adam wanted to take all the bags, but I said I am perfectly capable of holding stuff.

He chuckled and gave me two bags, however, I noticed how he gave me the ones that weighed the less. If he would have been in a better mood, I would have probably protested. But since he just shared these deep truths with me, I let it go and continued jogging next to him.

I also shared a truth today. That we will for sure have fun since I have something epic planned.

Everyone just needs to wait and see.