The Bet (Addison #2) (6 page)

CHAPTER ELEVEN

“Mom!” I hug her tightly, and guide her and Thomas into my apartment. My mom hugs me again and kisses my cheek.

“Addi, I’ve missed you so much.” She looks at me with loving eyes, making me feel like I’m merely eight years old again. “Oh! Honey, I’m sorry. Meet Thomas!” My mom scoots me close to him, and he opens his arms to give me a hug. I take a step back and put my hand out for him to shake instead. Thomas is tall, starting to bald, average build for a close-to-fifty-year-old man.

“Nice to meet you, Addi. I’ve heard a lot of wonderful things about you.” His voice is deep, raspy.

“Nice to meet you, too…I have to run to the office to catch up on a few things and see how my intern is doing with everything, but, that shouldn’t take long. Make yourselves at home.” I walk toward the kitchen. “Coffee?” I look at my mom while opening the cabinet filled with my coffee mugs.

“I would love a cup.” My mom slips out of her flip-flops and walks over to the kitchen table. “Come on, sweetie.” She motions for Thomas to sit next to her. I watch as she smiles at him and grabs his hand, kisses his fingers.

Happiness overwhelms my heart. I am just so unbelievably happy for my mom, but I’m so afraid for her too. She has the most kind, beautiful soul I’ve ever known. My mom is the strongest woman I know, but goddamn it…she’s sensitive. When she’s weak, I have to be strong for her and that’s the hardest damn thing I’ve ever had to do…because when she hurts, I hurt. I don’t want her to hurt anymore, ever again. I pray that Thomas is the one, the one to cherish her and make her cry tears of joy, not sadness and pain. The one she can wake up and eat a peanut butter sandwich with her in the middle of the night. I pray his love for her is strong and pure enough to cleanse her heart that my biological father tainted.

“Here. I’ll have to stop and pick up more hazelnut blend on my way home.” I set the cup in front of my mom. “Thomas, did you want a cup? I’m sorry I didn’t even ask.” I rush over to the cabinet to pull out a cup for him.

“I’d love a cup. Thank you, Addi.” Thomas gives a warm, genuine smile. He looks back at my mom and happiness glimmers in his eyes.

***

The cab drops me off at the office and I witness Garrett and Hilton holding hands, walking in together. What in the actual fuck is going on here…gone a week, just a week, and come back to this—whatever the fuck this is. I begin to power-walk, hoping to catch up to them without actually drawing attention to myself and making it noticeable that I’m intentionally trying to break up this little potential disaster. As soon as they reach the doors they pull their hands apart and walk their separate ways.

“Hilton!” I holler so she’ll slow down. She turns back to look at me.

“Hey! Welcome back. How was the trip?” Hilton beams with joy, a glow of sorts. Must be the pregnancy, or Garrett.

“It was great. Learned a lot. How was your week? How’s stuff with the baby?” I ramble, trying to ease into asking about Garrett. Hilton’s smile stretches from one ear to the other. Something I rarely ever see her do.

“Everything is great. Shelly actually offered me a full-time position. Since you’re Lucas’s publicist…you’re now looking at the new marketing director.”

“Ha! Excuse me?” I gasp. “You’re joking, right? They don’t even fucking know if this publicist thing is going to work out. And how the hell do you get the director position when you’re still interning?” My words bite at her and her bright smile dims.

“I’m sorry. I thought Shelly told you. I figured that’s why you hadn’t tried to contact me during the trip.” Her eyes are wet, but I don’t feel bad about it.

“No, no one even contacted me while we were there. I thought we were like friends now, Hilton. Don’t you think you should have said something?” We both stand in front of my office, and I happen to notice the name plate reads Hilton Daniels, Marketing Director. “Oh Jesus tits. Are you shitting me? You took over my office too? Where the fuck is Shelly?” I throw my arms up and stomp toward Shelly’s office. There she sits at her desk, cackling away to whoever is on the other end of the phone. I barge in without knocking and slam the door behind me.

“I’m sorry, I’ve gotta go. Someone just walked in. I’ll chat with you later.” Shelly hangs up her phone and turns her chair toward me. “Well, it’s nice to see you too, Addi.” Her voice is drenched in sarcasm. “What’s the matter?” My face is hot, burning with anger.

“What’s the matter? Really? Don’t act like you have no fucking clue, Shelly. What the hell is going on around here? You give Hilton MY position and MY fucking office?” My words shoot from my mouth, full of rage.

“Addison, excuse my French…but you need to calm the fuck down.” She gives me her I’m-not-fucking-around face.

“I’m sorry, Shelly. I just—” She holds her pointer finger up in my direction, to hush me.

“You won’t be needing an office here with your new position. You’ll be traveling a lot and will mainly work from home. We figured you’d be extremely happy about this.” Shelly clasps her hands together and raises an eyebrow at me.

“I appreciate it, I really do. But what if this doesn’t work? For crying out loud, we went to a convention. I’ve never done anything that a publicist does.”

“Addi…you were the marketing director. You promoted companies, it’s basically the same thing, except now you’re promoting Lucas.” Her phone starts ringing. “You can do this, now go get to work.” She smirks at me and answers her phone. I fumble with the door knob on the way out of her office. Now I have to go apologize to Hilton for being a raging bitch to her. I reach my old office and see Garrett sitting in there with her. Hilton is beaming, laughing at whatever it is he’s saying. Ugh, forget this. I’m going back home.

***

Walking into the grocery store I see a mother struggling with her three screaming kids, which of course makes me think of Hilton having to do this all on her own. I grab a grocery basket and head toward the coffee aisle. Browsing through the different blends and brands, through the corner of my eye I see a gentleman walk right up next to me and begin browsing. He bumps my basket with his hand.

“Excuse me, I’m sorry.” That voice sounds so familiar. I look up and see Garrett.

“It’s fine.”

“Oh, hey. Fancy seeing you here, Addi.” He smiles smugly.

“Yep. Super weird running into me at the grocery store. I mean we don’t live in the same vicinity by any means.” I grab my go-to hazelnut blend. “So what’s up with you and Hilton?” Sometimes you just have to cut to the chase and avoid irrelevant small-talk.

“Why does it matter, Addi? You cut things off between us.” I step forward, toward him.

“If you hurt her…I will fucking kill you, Garrett. I mean it. She doesn’t need any bullshit in her life. If you’re not serious about a future with her, go now. She’s bringing a baby into this world. Are you ready to play daddy?” God, I sound like I’m her mother. Garrett turns to face me directly.

“Addi, none of this is your business. Quite frankly, you don’t really know me at all. Therefore, I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t jump to conclusions and assume I’m just messing with Hilton and that I’m incapable of a real relationship. Don’t underestimate me, I’m more than happy and willing to take on the responsibility of a child who isn’t biologically mine because I care about Hilton.” He grabs a bag of coffee and turns to the shelves on the other side of the aisle and picks up a box of Little Debbie Zebra Cakes, then walks away.

Garrett is right. I don’t know him. I might even be a tad bit jealous, seeing him with her. Hearing he truly cares about her seems crazy to me. They’ve only been talking for a little over a week, at least that I know of, anyway. Hearing straight from his mouth that he wants a real relationship with her and is willing to step up to the plate and be a father for her unborn child stings a little. But Hilton deserves someone like that.

“Hello?” I answer my phone.

“Hey, how do you feel about getting breakfast for dinner tonight?”

“Well, Lucas I wish I could…but my mom and her boyfriend are visiting me for the week.” He lets out a deep sigh.

“Fine. I just wanted to see you and tell you we have a photo shoot tomorrow at sunrise.”

“What do you mean we have a photo shoot at sunrise?”

“Um…you’re my publicist. Don’t you need hands on experience or something?”

“I think I got plenty of hands on experience this past week.” I nibble my bottom lip and smile, then realize a little old lady is standing next to me in the aisle trying to get something from the shelf I’m blocking. “Oops, I’m sorry, excuse me.” I hurry toward the check-out lane.

“Oh, don’t be sorry about that.” Lucas’s voice is smooth and deep.

“I wasn’t talking to you. I’m at the store and I was in some lady’s way.”

“You’re talking like that in the grocery store?” he gasps jokingly.

“Ugh! I didn’t even say anything that bad! And I may have forgotten I was even in the store for a minute,” I admit.

“I’m close by so hurry up and check-out. I’ll give you a ride home.”

CHAPTER TWELVE

Lucas drops me off at home and I open the door to my apartment. My mom’s flip-flops are gone, so I’m guessing she and Thomas went exploring or something. I put the coffee in the kitchen, then go into my bedroom to change out of these uncomfortable business clothes. That will definitely be one positive thing to working from home and travel…sweat pants are fancy and good coffee is endless.

I plop on my couch in my comfy fuzzy aqua blue sweats and an oversized hoodie, and grab phone to text Lucas.

Would it be unprofessional for a publicist to tell their client they miss them?

God, I’m lame. I flick on the television and skim through the guide. Ooh! A suspenseful romance Lifetime movie. Yes! Shit. He’s calling me.

“Um…hello?” I answer awkwardly.

“I think answering the phone like that is unprofessional.” I can hear his smile in his voice. Fuck. I just want to be near him. Spending a whole week with him and getting close, then coming home and being away from each other sucks.

“Oh, is it? My sincerest apologies, Lucas.”

“I suppose I’ll accept them.”

“Why did you call me?”

“Why does it matter?”

“Seriously, I just texted you and you clearly read it. You’d only call if it was something important.”

“Don’t get annoyed with me. It is something important.”

“I’m not annoyed…okay, what is it?” I am annoyed, he’s right.

“It’s all in your tone, Addison. I know when you’re annoyed. I missed your voice. I had to hear it.” His voice is soft and sweet. Butterflies attack my stomach. I don’t want to sound desperate though…

“You just dropped me off like twenty minutes ago.” I laugh.

“You’re the one who texted me first asking if it was unprofessional to miss me.”

“Well, those weren’t my exact words…but I do miss you, a lot.” There’s a knock at my door.

“I think my mom and Thomas are back now. We’ll talk later.”

“Okay, have a great night!” I end the call and walk over to open the door. It is not just my mom and Thomas. Stephen is here too…

“Surprise, Addi!” My mom shouts and Thomas sports a big ol’ grin. Stephen stands there staring at me. I can’t tell if he wants to kiss me or kill me.

“Yeah, big surprise! Thanks, guys!” My mom has no idea about everything that happened between Stephen and myself. “How about you and Thomas make yourselves at home. I’m going to go on a walk with Stephen, it’s been awhile since we’ve talked.” I can’t tell if I want to vomit, cry, laugh, or maybe even a combination of the three. I grab my purse, kiss my mom on the cheek, and lead Stephen out of doorway.

“What the hell were you thinking coming here like this?” I whisper angrily so my mom can’t hear us outside the door. We start walking down the steps.

“I don’t know.” The sadness in his voice stings my heart. I can’t look at him. I won’t. “Addi, slow down.” We’re not far from the beach, maybe a solid six minute walk. I slow down so he can catch up. “I’m sorry for not telling you I was coming, but I knew if I told you you’d find some way to not be here or find a way to shut me out again.”

Through my peripherals I see him run his fingers through his long curly brown hair. Memories flash through my mind about the way his hair felt between my fingers. I shake the thought away and pick up my pace again.

“Walk faster, we’re almost to the beach,” I bite.

“Why didn’t you answer me, Addi?” He puts his hands in his jean pockets. “I called you, I texted you, over and over. I never thought you’d put me through this again.” We finally reach the beach. Luckily it’s not full of tourists and it’s just him and me and the sound of the ocean. We walk underneath the pier and I sit down in the sand, Stephen sits next to me. “Damn it, Addi. Talk to me! Jesus Christ. What did I do that was so wrong? I left my fucking fiancé for you and you ignored me for months, and now…now, that I’m here right in front of you, you want to ignore me some more?” His voice escalates.

“Don’t pull that bullshit on me, Stephen! You were going to take her back. She ran into the church and you held her. Did you come running after me? No—no, you didn’t. So don’t even fucking try to blame this on me.” My voice cracks, tears start to fall onto my cheeks.

“What was I supposed to do? You expected me to just push Rebecca away and run after you? Do you realize how badly that would have hurt her? Do you not give a shit about anyone else but yourself anymore, Addi?” He raises his voice and tugs at his hair.

“No, Stephen! We weren’t supposed to fall in love. None of this was supposed to happen. We were just supposed to be friends. That’s it. All of this other bullshit should have been avoided.” My body shakes from sobbing. Stephen wraps his arms around me tightly.

“You can deny it all you want, but we’re meant to be together…and I know deep down in your soul you know it too. I love you.” He kisses my forehead hard, and starts to cry with me.

“Please don’t say that. Don’t do this. Not now. You knew when I was leaving and you didn’t even come find me to tell me you broke things off with Rebecca.” I push him away, digging for every little piece of ammo I have to fire at him and not believe that what he’s saying is true.

“I did, Addi. I went to your mom’s house New Year’s Eve and you were gone. I planned on taking you to the old park and kissing you at midnight. A fresh start, a new year, a new life with you. But you were gone.” The waves splash up against the pilings of the pier, I zone in on the sound and my hands become tingly, numb. Everything is turning blurry, then suddenly everything is black.

“Addi! Addi!” Stephen shakes my body. My eyes open and I feel severe pressure in my head, a fucking migraine.

“What happened?” I ask, confused.

“I really don’t know what happened. You blacked out for a second. Are you okay?” He brushes my hair out of my face, and looks into my eyes.

“Yes, I’m fine.” I blink away from him and sit up, he tries to help and I move his hand away. “Stephen, I fucked up. I’m sorry. It’s my fault. It was me. But everything happens for a reason and I think we both know you and I would never work. We’re far too much alike and not in a good way.”

“Addi, stop. Just fucking stop. Don’t even do this shit again.” He rests his hand on my knee. “Please, Addi. Please. Not again.”

“Stephen, I’m sorry. I really am. I played a bad hand. I made the wrong choice. I’m no expert on love, but I’m positive I suck at it. I always have.” I grab his hand and hold it. “Love is a gamble. It doesn’t take any skill or talent. It’s all about the choice you make with the hand you’re dealt…and I folded when I should have just checked.” Stephen pulls me into his strong, warm body.

“I knew I was going to lose you again.”