Addison (The Mitchell/Healy Family #6)(22)

She playfully shoved me. “Smart ass! Where do you keep the menus? I can order us dinner while you shower.”

I’d like to say we spent the night in my old room, naked and in bed, but that’s not what either of us allowed. Addison nestled in my arms, resting most of her body over mine while we watched two movies and ate an entire pizza. When it was getting late she stood up and said it was time to leave. Since I knew Joe would be returning home at any minute, I figured I’d rather keep the peace, at least for another day. I didn’t need him starting with me to ruin how perfect it had been.

I walked Addison to the door, pouting the whole way. “I guess I won’t see you until tomorrow night. Are you going to pick me up for the meeting?”

“Sure. Same time as last one.”

I took her hand and pulled her into my arms. “You should text me when you get home safe.”

She bit down on her lips and smiled. “Okay.”

“Can I get a kiss goodnight?”

She nodded and brought her lips to mine. What was supposed to be a goodbye had quickly turned into, oh please can’t you stay, but we both knew we didn’t want to rush. We didn’t need to. “Sorry. I got carried away.”

“Yeah, me too,” she agreed.

“This is nice, right?”

Addison nodded. I could tell she hated losing the battle, but enjoyed the perks of the day more. “I guess I’ll text you later.”

I held her hand until she was too far to keep it. Then I waved as she climbed in her car and pulled away.

This was bad.

But it was also so good.

Before I got over my head I’d have to tell the truth. She deserved to know. It wasn’t right to have such a big secret. I couldn’t afford to have her hate me.

As I stood there watching her brake lights disappear, I knew I had to be the bearer of bad news. I didn’t deserve something so good – no one in my family did.

A short time later I heard the front door opening. Joe came in and tossed his keys down on the table. He took one look at me and then the empty pizza box. “I forgot you’d be here.”

“Bringing a hot date home with you?”

“Nah. I’m holding out for a particular girl. I’ve had my eyes on her for a while now.”

“Oh really. Anyone I know?”

“As a matter of fact, you do. It’s Addison. Do you know she stopped by to see me unannounced the other day to let me know she was interested in making sure you were going to do well in rehab. Don’t you think if she wasn’t interested in me she wouldn’t have made a big deal about you? I mean, I guess she’s playing hard to get or something.”

I wanted to laugh; throw it in his face how wrong he was. She hadn’t been there for him. She’d come for me. In the entire time living under the same roof as Joe I’d never felt dominant, but in this moment I had him by the balls, and it felt damn good. “Yeah, maybe.”

“Damn, you ate a whole pizza yourself?”

“I, uh, ordered it earlier in the day. I had it for lunch and dinner.”

Joe shook his head and headed into the bathroom we shared. “I assumed you’d at least go out and find a job, instead of sitting around doing nothing all day. When are you going to get it through your head that life isn’t handed to you. You’ve got to work for it.”

I sighed and retreated to my room before I could say something that would only cause tension; something like the fact that I’d spent the entire afternoon with Addison in my arms, while we made out like teenagers.

Once I was behind the closed door, I plopped down on my bed and stared at the ceiling. I already had a job, though he wouldn’t have approved. Joe didn’t think being a tattoo artist was an occupation, because it was a hobby. He didn’t get it. There wasn’t an artsy side of him.

My phone vibrated a few minutes later. I didn’t have to look to see who was texting me. I knew it was her, but before I could reply Joe came in carrying a bra. “What the f*ck is this?”

Addison obviously forgot it. “Has it been so long since you’ve seen one that you forgot what they look like?”

He didn’t find my comment amusing. “What’s it doing here?”

“I had company earlier.”

“What kind of company comes over and leaves their bra?”

“The fun kind, obviously.”

He tossed it at me. “I don’t want strangers in the house. Do you understand?”

“You’re not my dad, Joe. I had a friend over. She changed in the bathroom. It’s not a big deal.”

“Who was it?”

“You wouldn’t know her.” In my honest opinion Joe didn’t know Addison. If he did, he’d realize she wasn’t at all into him. “Give it a rest. We can’t all be graced with mad pick-up skills.”

“Whoever she is, I hope she runs for the hills. Anyone who gets involved with you is asking for trouble.” Joe closed the door leaving me alone again. I held up Addison’s bra and laughed to myself. Had she left it for me on purpose? I really wanted to know.





Chapter 9


Addison


My drive home sure was full of thoughts. My day with Cole had been fantastic. I thought I’d regret how close we got, but I didn’t. I felt alive, happy even.