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Deleted Scene from In Too Deep

Adam confronts Darren

 

This scene would come after Darren Campbell brings red roses to Sabrina.

 

There is a reference to the way Grandmother Campbell would have been livid if she’d seen Darren’s behavior. I wrote out the confrontation Adam had with Darren after the incident because at one time Darren was going to have a bigger role, but when I changed his role in the story I cut this scene because it didn’t move the plot forward.

 

It gives a bit more insight into the workings of the Campbell family.

 

Adam had called Darren’s office and asked to speak to him. He’d expected Darren to refuse to take his call, but to his surprise Darren had suggested they meet for coffee.

When he parked his car, Darren was waiting for him outside the Carrington Coffee Club.

Like all good Campbells, they made small talk as they went inside. Anyone watching them would assume the two cousins had decided to share an afternoon pick-me-up.

They took a seat in the corner.

“Got to have your back to the wall so you can see the bad guys, huh?” Darren smirked.

“Do you have a problem with that?” Adam was in no mood to put up with Darren’s attitude.

Darren’s only response was a shrug as he took a sip of his latte.

“You’ve got some explaining to do,” Adam said.

“I know. I went too far.” Darren shifted in his seat.

“You went farther than that.”

“Look, I didn’t know she was dating you.”

“Her dating habits have nothing to do with this conversation,” Adam said. “When a woman tells you she doesn’t want your attention, you’re done. End of discussion. She doesn’t owe you a reason or an explanation. You walk away. You don’t push yourself on her and you never make her feel physically threatened by you.”

Darren crossed his arms. “I didn’t realize you were paying that close of attention in Grandmother’s class.” All the Campbell boys between the ages of ten and thirteen had the privilege of spending the day with Grandmother Campbell where she imparted her wisdom, and set her expectations. High.

“I always paid attention in class.”

“You certainly ignored the part about a Campbell never choosing a profession that would bring shame on the family name.” Darren took another sip of his coffee.

“There’s nothing shameful about my profession,” Adam said. “Grandmother is quite proud of me. She just worries and when she’s worried, she gets bossy.”

“Then she must be the most anxious woman in all of Carrington.”

Interesting observation. “She may be.”

They shared a brief chuckle at the thought. What had happened to Darren? He’d always been fun to hang around. Adam had really enjoyed growing up with him.

After a few moments of silence, Adam asked, “What got into you?”

“What do you mean?”

“Had you been drinking?”

“At lunchtime?”

Adam shrugged. “Plenty of people start early. Especially when they’re stressed.”

Darren drained his cup and smacked it on the table. “Look, what do you want me to do? I’ll apologize in person. Or if you’d rather, I’ll stay away from her. I’ll send her an email.”

“An email apology?” Was he kidding?

“What, are you going to tell Grandmother about my egregious lack of social decorum because I send an email apology rather than a hand-written note?”

“I don’t want your apology. I want to understand. That wasn’t like you, man.”

Darren’s bitter chuckle carried northing but angst. “You don’t know anything about me, Adam. And you don’t want to. So drop it, okay? I’ll apologize however you want me to, but I don’t want to discuss it further.”

“Are you upside down with somebody, Darren?”

There was a flash in Darren’s eye that told him more than anything he’d said so far. Darren was afraid of someone.

“Wasn’t that one of Grandmother’s rules? Never get upside down with anyone?”

“No, but maybe it should have been.”

“Yeah. Maybe so.”

Darren stood. “Look, I’m sorry. I was out of line. I know it, you know it, she knows it. It won’t happen again. I won’t come anywhere near her. She doesn’t need to worry about that restraining order. And you don’t need to worry about me making a scene at your wedding.”

“I can help you,” Adam said. “I want to.”

For a split second, Darren lost the mask of composure he’d held in place during their visit. “If you know what’s good for you, and for her, you’ll butt out. All the way out.” Adam almost missed it when Darren added, “Please,” as he walked away.