Addison (The Mitchell/Healy Family #6)(39)

This would never last. Fate was working against us before we ever met. I’d never be accepted by her family; or anyone else who cared about her. As painful as it was, I had to let go. The only question remaining was how to do it. Could I look into those beautiful green eyes and lie about our connection? Could I tell her it was only one-sided and I’d used her for sex? Could I abandon the one person who accepted me and make her think it was all some sick game?

I didn’t know if I was capable.

Addison was in my head. She was everywhere. In such a short time I’d become addicted to her touch, that sweet smile, and the way she made me feel about myself. I wanted her in my future, if not my lover, my friend. In spite of my fears, I could see it ending badly. I didn’t know what was worse; waiting until I was hopelessly in love, or walking away before ever getting to experience it.





Chapter 15


Addison


That night we made love. Afterwards we lay there together, content and exhausted. There wasn’t a second of it I regretted. Cole was more than I expected him to be. He’d comforted me, showed me what it was like to feel normal, and appreciated my flaws. Never in a million years could I see this happening, could I have imagined the way we would connect.

The next morning I awoke to the smell of bacon. After looking beside me in the bed, I noticed he was gone. I got up, brushed my teeth, and then followed the aroma until I reached the kitchen. Standing in only a pair of shorts, Cole was washing a frying pan. A plate full of pancakes and bacon was staked high on the counter. He smiled when he noticed I’d come into the room, and poured me a cup of coffee. “Good morning, beautiful.”

“Hi.”

“Did you sleep well?”

“I didn’t wake up once. What about you?”

“I stayed up thinking about shit, but it was nice waking up next to you. You’d kicked the covers off and were all sprawled out on my side of the bed. I had about five inches to myself.”

I covered my mouth and began to laugh. “Seriously? I’m not used to sleeping with someone.”

“Do I need to buy a bigger bed?”

This made me smile. “Are you admitting you want to have more sleepovers?”

He brought two plates over and winked. “What do you think?”

I chewed on some bacon as I replied. “I think you can’t get enough of me.”

Cole sat down next to me and started pouring maple syrup over his food. “Perhaps. I think it goes both ways.”

“This is probably a terrible question to ask, but do you think we’re moving too fast?”

Before Cole could answer, I heard the front door of the house opening. I turned to see my father walking into the kitchen. “Daddy?”

He looked from me to Cole, down at what we were wearing, and then at our plates of food. I watched his arms cross as he took in a deep breath. I’d never been caught with a guy by my dad before. It was a little scary, and I couldn’t begin to imagine what was going through Cole’s head. “Addison,” he cleared his throat. “Your mother and I wanted to let you know we were heading out.”

I couldn’t look at Cole as I spoke. “This is my friend Cole. He just moved from Georgia. He’s looking to see if he could rent one of the trailers we have vacant.” I was going to freak out if he said no. “Before you say anything, he has his first months rent, and I already told him you don’t tolerate trouble makers.”

“Can I speak to you outside?” He looked over at Cole. “We’ll be right back, son.”

My dad practically drug me out to the pool yard. He let go once we were far enough away where Cole couldn’t hear us. “Young lady, you’ve got some explaining to do.”

“It’s not what you think.” I bit down on my lip and thought about how I wanted this to play out. “Actually, that’s not true. I’ve been seeing Cole. Last night he spent the night.”

For the record, I was an adult. I could sleep with who I wanted. It was the fact that I sort of snuck around to do it. “This is the first I’m hearing about a boyfriend. Do I need to be worried?”

“What? No! I’m not keeping secrets. The topic just never came up. I think I’m entitled to some privacy, don’t you?”

“Addison, your mother and I have been through a lot regarding your decisions in the past. We’re only looking out for your best interest.”

“Daddy, don’t be mad.” Calling him that reminded him that I was his baby girl. “That’s exactly why I didn’t say anything. I didn’t want you worrying. Cole’s a good guy. He was in the Army. He’s sweet to me, and I enjoy his company. He makes me feel normal, not like I’m an addict.”

“So, you think you can just move him in and I’ll be okay with it? You can’t make decisions without clearing it with me. I know nothing about this guy. He could be a criminal.”

“I assure you he’s not. Please. I don’t ask for much. I help out wherever I can, and I’ve been trying so hard to make you proud of me.”

“It’s not about that.”

“Daddy,” I pleaded. “He has nowhere else to go. He doesn’t get along with his brother. They got into an argument last night and he kicked Cole out. He’s a cop who thinks he’s God’s greatest gift. I feel terrible, because the fight was about me. Cole’s foster brother has been trying to get me to date him for years. When I showed up with Cole yesterday he went off. I feel responsible for this.”