Addison (The Mitchell/Healy Family #6)(9)

“She talked about marrying you and she was still with her husband?”

“Yep. One day I get called into my commanding officer’s quarters and that’s when he told me his wife was having an affair with someone on base. I didn’t know at the time he was wanting me to confess. He already had me tailed and knew we were together. He started tossing me around, all while I was in shock. I’d been played by that woman. He wasn’t beating on her, or doing anything like that. The man was a wreck. Anyway, long story short I was discharged soon after. He made up some shit about failing a physical, but that’s not true.”

“Then what happened?”

“Well I obviously moved. I had to. I stayed in an apartment doing tattoos on the side until my money ran out. Then I hit bottom. I had nothing, I still don’t really. I wanted the pain to go away, and a friend of mine introduced me to pills. From there I started dabbling in other things, and before I knew it I was tattooing people just to make enough to party. I didn’t care who I hurt, because they didn’t care about me.”

“Tattooing? Is that what you do now?”

He looked at his arms. “Can we talk about you for a couple minutes?”

“Why?”

“Tell me about Addison. What does your boyfriend think of you helping junkies all day?”

“If I had a boyfriend he’d have to understand that it’s my job.”

“Wow, I assumed someone like you would want a big, strong boyfriend to protect her.”

“Someone like you?” I laughed when I said it.

“I didn’t mean it that way, but why not?”

“I don’t date people in the program.”

“Because we’re trash?”

“No!” I felt the need to correct him immediately. “Because I’m an addict too. Weren’t you listening at the meeting you attended?”

“I’m sorry. I know you said you were, but nothing about you screams drug addict. You’re too good of a person.”

“Good people can’t do drugs?”

“One would think with your family you’d be protected from making mistakes.”

“My family didn’t know until it was too late. I was a wild child. I liked the attention. You used drugs to have fun, while I did it to escape. There’s a difference.”

“I’m sensing a bit of hostility. Are you like this with all the patients, or just the ones you’re attracted to?”

I stood up, flabbergasted he’d assume that. “What? Why would you even go there? I’m here to offer you support to help get you clean. It’s my job.”

“So is that a no for dinner a week from today?”

“Are you always this sarcastic?”

“I’m one-hundred percent real, precious. Trust me on that.”

“Don’t call me that.”

He grinned. “I think you’ve got everything you needed. If you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll go back to watching a Lifetime movie in peace.”

“Wait, I wasn’t finished.” I wanted to offer him my support, because I knew he wouldn’t get it from anywhere else. “Cole, you’ll need a sponsor.”

“Are you volunteering? You’re seriously going to be there for me twenty-four-seven? You’ll stop what you’re doing because I feel the need to use and you are the only person who can talk me off the ledge I’m dangling from?” His humor wasn’t amusing me. He was mocking my offer.

“Yes. That’s exactly what I’m offering.”

“Why? Do you always recruit people from the hospital?”

“On occasion, especially when I feel they have the potential to be better. You’ve been dealt a bad hand for far too long. It’s time you make some changes and better yourself. If I could do it, so can you.”

I stood and handed him my card. “My cell is on the back. Let me know when you get released. I’ll make sure you have a ride to the meetings, even if I have to pick you up myself.”

I started walking out when he said one more thing. “I look forward to our next date, Addison. Next time I’ll wear more clothes, unless you preferred I not.”

“Goodbye, Cole.”





Chapter 4


Addison


Cole was going to be hard to deal with, that much was a given. He’d give me a run for my money, and it would be worth it in the long run, because I knew he’d challenge me. Showing him he could change, being the supporter that he needed, it would give him hope; something he’d never had before.

It was clear he didn’t have a support group to cheer him on. For me, my family was a necessity. Without them I’d probably have a needle in my arm. I depended on their love and sponsorship. They gave me reasons to remind me I was better than that.

Cole needed that kind of push. All jokes aside, my only interest was helping him. I wasn’t concerned about him flirting, because it was one-sided. There was no way I’d get involved with someone like him. I couldn’t let myself, even if he was uber sexy, with a good sense of humor. I wouldn’t let his handsome smile, and strong muscles deter me from reaching my goal. He wasn’t going to get under my skin, and that was final.

The next morning my phone started ringing. I was still in bed, enjoying that it was a cloudy day and the sun wasn’t blasting through my sheer curtains. I didn’t bother looking to see who was on the line before answering.