Addison (The Mitchell/Healy Family #6)(35)
“I’ll handle Joe, precious. You just stay in the car.”
If he thought I wasn’t going to give him a piece of my mind he was very mistaken. “The hell with that. Joe needs a wake-up call.”
“And you think rubbing it in that we’re together will solve anything?” I could tell Cole was worried about me, but he didn’t need to. It took a lot for me to get pissed, but once I was there, nothing could keep me from speaking my mind.
“It will prove that he’s wrong. It will show him why I don’t want to date him.”
“Addison, I don’t care what Joe thinks. He’s an *. He always was.”
That was beside the point. Joe was an egotistical pig. He treated people with problems like they weren’t worth anything. He didn’t have compassion whatsoever. “No. I’m not okay with him doing this. He’s a hypocrite.”
For the fifteen minute car ride Cole and I tried to delegate who would say what. Maybe it would have gone better if I hadn’t pulled up and seen clothes strewn across the front lawn. I looked over at Cole, seeing the anger in his eyes. My hand reached out and fell over his. “Don’t let it get physical. Like it or not, he’s a cop and he can make your life hell.”
“I know. I want to rip his f*cking nuts off, but I’ll try to restrain. You don’t know how hard it’s going to be though. This has been a long time coming. I’m sick of abiding by his rules. ”
I parked out front, only to see items already covering the front lawn. I knew better than to think this would sit well with Cole. His eyes were intent on one thing – retribution. The next thing I knew Joe emerged from the house, carrying another handful of Cole’s clothes. I don’t know which one of us got out of the car first, but the moment my eyes locked with Joe’s it was like Cole had disappeared from the equation. Joe’s mouth dropped, and he appeared to be stunned we were there together. A part of me wanted to smile, because the sexy man getting out of my car wanted to be with me just as much as I wanted him. We had a chance to be happy – both of us longing for a connection. Nothing was going to stop me from spending time with him, not even his love-struck foster brother.
Joe pointed to Cole, but looked at me. “Tell me you’re just his ride home.”
“I’m not going to lie to appease you. We’re together. He’s who I want to be with.”
“You whore. Do you know how long I’ve waited for you?”
Cole darted in between us. “Leave her out of this, man. She’s not a whore. She’s nothing like that at all.”
“No.” He looked at me again with pleading eyes. I understood he was hurt, but he didn’t need to shame me with inconsiderate names to make himself feel better. “I want to know why you of all people are helping him. He’s a loser. He came from trash and he’ll always be trash.”
This hurt my heart. Joe was jealous, so he’d decided to lash out however he saw fit. It wasn’t fair to judge Cole for what his family did. He was his own individual. “I happen to think he’s a great guy,” I announced from behind Cole.
“You would. I don’t know why I’m not surprised. It takes one junkie to know another one.”
I didn’t have time to grab hold of Cole before I watched him pounce on Joe. They rolled around the ground, shouting profanities and throwing punches. I tried to intervene, but they were out of control, and I knew with my small proportions I’d only get hurt, so I did the next best thing. “Cole, stop. You’re going to kill him. Cut it out you two. This is ridiculous.”
Cole shoved Joe one more time before they moved away from each other. “Don’t you ever f*cking call her that again.”
“You can have her. I’d never want sloppy seconds after you. You’re filth. If she’s willing to f*ck you then she’s nothing special at all.”
I jumped in front of Cole before he could haul off and hit Joe again. “Just let it go.”
“Get your shit off my property. If I see you around here I’ll report you for breaking and entering.”
“I live here.”
“No you don’t. You crossed a line, Cole. You knew how I felt about her. Was that her bra?” He shook his head and let out a disgusted laugh, before looking in my direction. “Wow, that didn’t take long.”
The fact that I still hadn’t had sex with Cole made me laugh. Of course he’d misconstrue the situation, yet I wasn’t about to correct him. “He’s more of a man than you’ll ever be, Joe. Lose my number. I’d never get involved with someone as shallow as you.” I reached my hand out to Cole. “Come on. Lets get your things and get out of here.”
It wasn’t until we were in the car when Cole addressed the situation for what it was. “I don’t have any place else to go, Addison. Maybe I should call my foster parents and tell them what happened.”
“Don’t bother. There are two empty trailers on the ranch. My dad is looking for renters. You can stay there until you find something else.”
“That’s a terrible idea.”
“Why? I won’t tell him we’re involved. I’ll explain I’m helping you. He’ll be fair. My dad will do it for me. Besides, he’s going away. I don’t even have to tell him until they get back.”