Addison (The Mitchell/Healy Family #6)(56)

“Why can’t my parents see what I see in you? If they gave you a chance they’d know you’re not anything like your family.”

“I don’t blame them. I hate my family too.” I adjusted a bit. “Do you remember when you picked me up from the hospital and we went out to breakfast? I made you leave the first place, but I wouldn’t tell you why.”

“I remember.”

“My mother was our waitress – my birth mother. It’s been over ten years since I saw her last. I’m sure she didn’t recognize me, but I couldn’t sit there and pretend all was right with the world. That woman is a monster. I want nothing to do with her.”

“I’m sorry, Cole. That must have been difficult.”

“I knew coming back it was bound to happen, I just didn’t know how soon. She looked different, but yet the same. Drugs really took a toll on her.”

“Drugs.” Addison rolled over out of my arms. She balled her body up and remained quiet for a second. “I was so close to using. How could I let myself become weak again? It’s just like right now with you, I’m weak. We know we shouldn’t be together, but I can’t stop myself. It’s like you’re a new addiction.”

“I’m not though. I’m a real person who cares about you. As long as we’re together I’ll keep you safe. I won’t let you slip. No one has to know about what you did earlier.”

She finally turned around. “I didn’t do it. I didn’t even taste it. I would have if you hadn’t stopped me. It’s like you were supposed to show up and save me from myself.”

I laughed. “I don’t believe in that kind of shit, Addison. It was just a lucky coincidence.”

“What if it wasn’t? What if all this was meant to bring us together? What if this was fate? Think about how we met, how we feel. People look their whole lives to connect like we do. I didn’t go looking for you. I was content with my life, but the moment you weren’t there anymore I wanted to fall apart. I couldn’t function. That’s not normal, and if I didn’t think you weren’t going through the same thing I’d just assume I was na?ve and a little crazy. But you do feel the same, don’t you? It hurts to be apart, so much that you’ll do anything to make it go away.”

“I don’t know if I would have started taking pills, but I definitely felt like shit.”

“The last person you loved, that woman, was it like this?”

I stroked her hair and smiled. “No. It doesn’t even compare, and back then I thought it was everything. Now I know better. It’s why I couldn’t tell you the truth. I was scared.”

She nestled her body into mine again. “We have to find a way to be together, even if we have to leave Kentucky.”

I grabbed both of her cheeks and stared at her. “What are you saying?”

“If they can’t accept us, we’ll leave this place behind. How will we ever know if this is worth it until we try?”

“I already know it’s worth it.”

“I have to be sure.”

I placed my lips on her forehead. “As long as we’re together I don’t care where we go. We’ll be a team.”



She started to laugh. “I’m supposed to be your sponsor. For this whole relationship you’ve been mine.”

“It’s my pleasure. It feels nice to be the hero.”

“Don’t let me fall, Cole. Just don’t let me fall.”

It was the last words she spoke to me before falling asleep. Once I heard her breathing even out I let my eyes close and found comfort with her in my arms. This was how it should be. Why couldn’t we live our lives the way we wanted? Why, as adults, were we still being treated like teens?

It wasn’t fair. I know life isn’t sometimes, but this was wrong. We deserved a chance just like everyone else. This time I’d make it work. I didn’t care about the hurdles we’d have to jump through. Addison was mine. It was time the whole world knew it. Instead of taking one step forward and two back I was going to figure out a way to forge through. Her family didn’t think we were meant to be. Who would blame them? I’d figure out a way to change their minds. I had to.





Chapter 22


Addison


Waking up in his arms was the best feeling. It was hard knowing we had to get up and go about our day. Cole dropped me off at my car, but only after I promised him I’d be back that night with him. I’d made my mind up this time. My parents weren’t going to make my choices for me. I was in love with Cole Chase. I wanted to be with him, no matter what I had to do.

As soon as I walked in the house I could tell they were checking me out. I pretended to be depressed to keep them from knowing where I’d been. The truth was in my heart, so full and optimistic. It was amazing how the pain was gone. Everything I’d been feeling had now turned into hope for a future. I trusted if I fell he’d catch me.

Trust – it was such a big word. It took him lying for me to understand how important it was. Cole no longer had secrets. He’d even told me about his birth mother, and how he’d felt the moment he saw her again. That is a big deal for him, and a turning point for me. I knew he was giving me his all, and I respected him for it.

That’s why I knew I had to tell my parents where I stood. They couldn’t dictate my life. While they were sitting around the kitchen table I stood in the doorway. “I need to talk to you both, and I don’t want you to say anything until I’m done. I’ve thought about this for a while and I need to get it off my chest.”