Addison (The Mitchell/Healy Family #6)(58)

I couldn’t stand there anymore and listen to my mom breaking down. She was torn. The woman went through hell because of that family. If anyone had the right to hate the Chase family it was her. As unfortunate as it was, I couldn’t change her mind.

By the time I pulled into the motel Cole was waiting for me outside. He was on his cell phone leaning against the brick wall. He hung up when I approached him and pulled me into his arms as soon as he saw the suitcase in my backseat. “Oh precious, I’m sorry.”

“We knew it would be this way.”

“Yeah, but I feel responsible.”

“It’s our decision. We made it together. I’ll be okay. My dad said a lot of things that hurt me. I guess I deserved some of it.”

He lifted my chin to look at him. I could tell Cole was concerned about me. “One day they’ll see I’m not the bad guy. We need to take it one day at a time until then.”

“I can’t believe I moved out of my house to live with a guy I’ve barely known for a month. This is crazy, isn’t it?”

Cole shook his head. “No. I guess it’s different for me. I’ve somehow always been on my own. I know it’s new for you. It must be hard, but how will we know if we don’t try? I got the trailer, by the way. That was the landlord on the phone. We can move in this weekend if you want.”

It did make me feel better. At least we wouldn’t be stuck in a motel, struggling until I could find a job. “I won’t be able to help much with rent. My dad cut me off. He says if I’m with you I get nothing. That means he won’t pay for my college class either.”

“Don’t you think he’s trying to scare you into staying? He doesn’t mean it right?”

I rolled my eyes. “You really don’t know my dad.”

“Don’t worry,” he said as he rubbed my shoulders. “We’ll figure it out. I can handle the rent. It’s nothing. As long as you’re happy I’m good with paying for everything.”

“I don’t want you to have to do that.”

“Addison, I love you. I want you with me. There’s no arguing over it.”

I decided not to fight with him. I’d already made enough people hate me for one day.

Aside from my sister calling a thousand times a during the week, I spoke to my mom at least once every two or three days. I’d call when I knew my dad wasn’t around. According to her, he hadn’t budged. As long as I was with Cole, we were unwelcome on the ranch.

We moved into the trailer on a Friday evening. It was pretty easy since neither of us had much to our names. Cole managed to finance furniture for a bedroom, living room and kitchen. He finished the leg piece on the guy who bartered the motorcycle, and took the rest of what he’d saved to get us a television, dishes, linens, and groceries.

The same weekend we moved we went to yard sales. I found pictures and décor to add to the walls for next to nothing. Cole scored a few pieces of exercise equipment for the spare bedroom, so we could work out without having to pay for a gym membership. He’d been getting me up early every morning to run with him. It was becoming easier, and he was right, I definitely didn’t feel as stressed when we exercised together. Once the satellite was hooked up it wasn’t so bad sitting around the house when I wasn’t doing volunteer work for the hospital, or school work at the library, since we didn’t have internet at the trailer yet.

My brother paid me a visit four weeks after we’d moved in. At first I thought my dad had sent him to bring me home. I’d still not spoken a word to him, but my mother had told me how angry he still was about the whole ordeal.

Cole answered the door and backed away quickly. Out of respect for me I knew he wouldn’t go after Noah. We were trying to get them to accept him, not hate him more. “Is my sister here?”

When I heard his voice I hopped off the couch and went running toward them. Cole let him in and we all three stood there for a second. He had Jordan in his arms. “Someone missed their aunty. I thought I’d bring him by and find out if you need anything.”

I hugged my brother, while Jordan began pulling my hair. I was surprised when Cole held out his arms. “Do you mind if I hold him?”

Noah’s jaw clenched. He looked from me and then back to Cole, finally handed the boy over. “My sisters tell me you’re harmless. If Chris likes you, then I’ve got no beef with you either.”

Cole shook my brother’s hand. “Thanks, man. I’m really not the enemy.”

“It’s tough, I reckon, having to live with that name.”

“Yeah.”

“Is everything okay at home?” I asked.

“Yeah. Well, Shalan’s pregnant. We found out last night.”

I put my hands over my mouth. “Oh my goodness. Congratulations. I’m so happy for you.”

“This one was planned, so we’re pretty stoked about it. Plus Jordan will be able to be close like us kids are.”

“Are you hungry? We’ve got munchies. I can make you a sandwich.”

“No, I’m good. I think I needed to check on you for myself. Bella’s coming to visit in a couple days. She said she’d like to stop by. I told her you’d like that.”

My cousin Bella lived in North Carolina with her husband and daughter. Her mother was the original person who’d been involved with Tucker Chase. I didn’t know the whole story, but basically my Aunt Miranda and Uncle Ty got together and the rest was history. Tucker wanted revenge and did everything he could to get it, until he finally went to jail.