Addison (The Mitchell/Healy Family #6)(23)

As soon as I said I was home to my parents, I hurried up to my room. Texting him was my first priority. Like a fourteen year old girl would do with her crush, I dialed his digits and wrote my message.

Had a great day. Thank you. I’m home safe. – A

I figured he would write me back immediately, but it took him a few minutes.

I’m still thinking about it. I don’t think we kissed goodbye enough. – C

Maybe I wanted to leave you begging for more. – A

Beg? I’ve never had to do that. – C

By the way, you forgot your bra. Don’t worry I’m going to sleep with it on my pillow. Oh, and Joe is the one who found it. I didn’t tell him who you were. He gave me an earful about how he’s waiting to make his move. – C

His move? On who? – A

On you, precious. He thinks he’s going to slide on in and get into those black panties. Little does he know you took them off after your shower. – C

That’s not even funny. Could you see through my dress? – A

Even though we’d clearly been doing a lot of touching, Cole had kept his wandering hands above my waist. I feared my dress may have been slightly too sheer.

No. I could only see how f*cking hard those nipples were. It took all my strength to keep from asking if I could suck on them. – C

I blushed. Even though he couldn’t see me I was getting hot all over again.

At the exact moment that happened my mother came barging into my room. She stood over my bed looking down at me. “What’s going on?”

“Huh?”

“Addison, you rushed in here, avoiding us, and now I find you all flushed. Please tell me I don’t have to start worrying.”

“Mama, you don’t. I promise. I went swimming with some friends today, from the hospital,” I added. “I’m blushing because I’m texting this guy I met.”

My phone vibrated in my hand, but I didn’t dare look at the message. I couldn’t let my nosey mother see Cole’s last text.

She sat down on the bed. “Does this guy have a name?”

“It’s too soon to talk about it. I don’t want to jinx it.”

She tapped me on the leg. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“More than okay. I promise.”

Finally, when she was done making sure I wasn’t high, she left the room.

I checked the message on my phone, almost laughing out loud at his text.

Are you pissed at me? I’m sorry for saying you have nice tits. – C

My mom came in the room. – A

It’s like we’re kids again. – C

I know. I feel like we’re being bad. I better get back to studying. Good luck with your job in the morning. I’ll pick you up tomorrow night. Clothing is optional. – A

I was only teasing about the last part, and was thankful when he responded back with an equally playful message.

If you’ll be naked, I’m game. – C

Goodnight Cole. Thanks again for today. You were right. – A

I always am. Sweet dreams, precious. – C

It took a while for me to be able to fall asleep. When I did I was fully involved in recapping every kiss Cole had placed on my lips. I could still feel them there, and the roughness of his facial hair just starting to turn to stubble. His hands, so strong as they held me in his arms. This was what I feared would happen if I let myself live, if I allowed myself to feel something for a man. This was the start of something new, but I worried that with the good there would be bad. Knowing that scared me. It petrified me to no end.

That next morning I was due to visit with the staff of a new medical facility opening up. I was to drop off my business information and speak to the staff regarding my program schedule. Sure, there were lots of places to meet for addiction, but I pride myself in making my groups a place where everyone felt, not only welcomed, but comfortable.

Like every new project I went in full of hope and left with uncertainty, not because I thought it wouldn’t work out, but more so that I hated the idea of ever being a disappointment.

By lunchtime I couldn’t focus on anything, reminding me again why dating someone I had to keep a secret was a terrible decision. I skipped eating anything on account of feeling sick to my stomach. Before things got more heated I had to call it off with Cole. It was for the best.

Putting on a happy face around my parents wasn’t an easy task. I wanted to reach out and tell them I’d met someone new; someone who made me smile again, but I knew I couldn’t. They’d want to know more. They’d find out where I met him and then they’d beg me to end things. No matter how I tried to wrap my head around a way I could keep seeing him, I knew it wouldn’t work.

On my way to pick up Cole, I felt horrible. It wasn’t until he climbed in the car when I knew things were about to get worse. “Hey. How was your day? Mine was long, but I know what will make it better.”

He leaned over and awaited a kiss. I moved my head away. “I’m sorry. I can’t do this.”

“Why? What happened?”

I covered my face with my hands. “Nothing happened. It’s what will happen if we continue.”

Cole opened the passenger door back up and got out of the car. He didn’t lean in to ask me to reconsider. He didn’t look back to see if I was paying attention. He simply walked back into his house and shut the door.