Addison (The Mitchell/Healy Family #6)(15)

“It’s one-sided, I can assure you.”

This made him laugh. He lifted his head up and whispered in my ear. “You keep saying that, but I know it’s not true. I can see it in your eyes when you look at me. In fact, I get the feeling it’s been a while for you.”

“We just met several days ago. Do you really think I’d go against my better judgment with practically a stranger?”

“Suit yourself. I’ll see you for the next meeting. Let me know if I need to find another ride.” He climbed out of the car without saying anything else. I watched him walk up the lawn toward the house, pondering on his instigating words. Did he really think I’d let my guard down so easily? I had to prove to him, and also myself that I was stronger. I could deal with his flirting, just like I dealt with Joe. I’d ignore it. I’d pretend it meant nothing. If I showed weakness it would lead to bad things. I couldn’t be that person again.

That night I went to bed restless. He was all I could think about. I couldn’t remember crushing on a guy like this since high school – and yes, that’s what this was. I was more than attracted to him. He was dangerous, exactly what I was drawn to.

I’d been sober for two years, and now I feared for my ability to withstand. Every second I spent with him made me question my decisions.

The next morning I felt terrible. I managed to get up out of bed and do some school work online. It was rare for me to check my social media account, but since I was already on the Internet I wanted to check for messages. Low and behold there was a friend request from a Cole Chase. Since it was obvious I couldn’t stop thinking about him, I decided to creep all over his page. He didn’t have many pictures, but the ones there left me needing to fan myself. Just as I was enlarging one of them my sister came up behind me, startling me as she spoke. “Wow, who is that?”

I closed my laptop and turned to face her. “It’s nobody.”

“Yeah right. Open that back up. He’s hot.”

I fidgeted with my hands, contemplating telling Chris about my situation. “He’s the guy I’ve been helping. He keeps hitting on me, even though it’s against the rules.”

“Who has to know? I mean, I’m not trying to make decisions for you, but he’s clearly good looking. I get that the program frowns upon dating, but you share something in common. In my opinion, it would only make it easier to connect with him.”

“That’s the problem. I keep fighting it, but it’s hard when he makes comments about the two of us having something every time we’re together. Maybe it’s best if I get someone else to sponsor him.”

“Or maybe you should enjoy life for once instead of living in fear. Don’t get me wrong, none of us want to see you fall back to your old ways, but we all deserve the comfort a relationship offers.”

“I have a feeling our parents wouldn’t feel the same. They want me on the straight and narrow.”

“I’m not telling you to run off and marry the guy, Addy. Just have some fun. Do you want me to bring Ethan on a double date?”

“No. I’m not even sure if I’m interested.”

“Of course you are. Now open that back up and let me see the picture.”

I flipped the lid and watched my sister checking out Cole’s attributes. She backed away and shook her head. “What was he into?”

“Pills mostly. Opiates.”

“I’m not you, so I can’t make the choice, but I don’t see what’s so wrong if you go on a date. You could decide you don’t like him.”

“That’s highly unlikely. He’s everything I’m attracted to.”

She giggled. “I was starting to think you were going to join a nunnery.”

“Only Dad would appreciate that choice.”

“You’re telling me. If I brought someone other than Ethan home he’d be different. I got lucky.”

I looked behind her, and then back into Christian’s eyes. “What are you doing here anyway?”

“Mom said she made chicken soup. I wanted to take some home for later.”

“You have a huge kitchen. Do you ever use it?” I asked sarcastically. “You’re such a mooch.”

“Mom offers it. Noah does the same thing.”

She was right. My brother would come over to eat even after he had a house full of children. “True.”

She kissed the top of my head. “If you need to talk about the sexy guy on the screen you can call me. I’m out of here.”

When she left I flipped to some more pictures of Cole. There were a few where he was in full military fatigues. I’m pretty sure a spot between my legs raised in temperature. My god, he was irresistible.

Against my better judgment, I accepted his request then quickly turned off the Wi-Fi so I couldn’t prowl anymore. A few hours later I had completed all of my classwork. I turned on the Internet to email my assignments in and noticed I had new messages. My body began to tremble as I clicked on the first one from Cole.



From Cole Chase: You’re not real friends until you make it official on the Internet.

From Addison Mitchell: I only accepted so I didn’t hurt your feelings.

I started laughing at myself for replying that way.

Immediately he returned a message.