“What happened? You look like you’re ready to explode.” Leigh hands me a mug of tea, the sweet smell drifting in the air between us.
“Cole. He’s being a mean dick.”
“Uh-oh. What’d he say?” Leigh settles in next to me and sips her tea.
“Asking me if I’m back with Finn since he was the best. Like really? So immature. I can’t even stand it.”
Leigh rolls her eyes. “Men. Such babies. Don’t play into it. Just do what we said and go talk to him tomorrow like an adult.”
“I still can’t believe Finn and Cole are stepbrothers. Small world and all that. Guess it’s true what they say.”
“In all the odds. Only you, Addi. Only you.”
I throw her a look. “Hush up over there and drink your tea.”
She laughs. “Yeah, yeah. Let’s go see a movie and eat lots of popcorn and candy.”
I smile for the first time in a few days. “Sounds perfect.”
* * *
Cole
“Just talk to her. I’m sure she’ll understand.” Brock tries to give me advice, but I’m not in the mood. Addi hasn’t shown up here since what happened, and it’s pissing me the fuck off. I have to accept she’s been with Finn, so she needs to hear me out.
How did a casual relationship turn into so much more?
Ever since my conversation with Gramps made me realize I love her, I can’t get her out of my head. She consumes my every thought, every second of every day.
I thought maybe we could work. The night we went out for a date was perfect. She’s everything I’ve ever wanted and more. Liz will always hold a special place in my heart, but Addi’s taken over now. She’s the reason it beats strongly, pushing me through the days and giving me something to look forward to.
It’s not what I wanted and not what I expected to happen. But it did.
And now, she thinks I’m a killer, and I think she’s tainted from Finn.
Will she hear me out and believe I’m not a killer?
Will I move past the fact that Finn’s touched her, kissed her, fucked her?
Maybe it’s better to end things. We helped each other at the shop as best we could, and we enjoyed our little summer fling, but maybe it’s run its course.
I should end things. Go back to how things were before they were all fucked up.
“I know, Brock. But that’s not the point. She’s been with Finn. That’s fucking gross.”
Brock looks at me like I’ve grown two heads. “Really? You’re going to let that be a reason not to see her again? I doubt she knew you two were related, especially when she was involved with Finn. She had no clue who you were. Why fault her for that?”
He makes a damn good point. But I fault her because I want to. Because it doesn’t sit well with me that Finn’s dick has fucked her. It makes me want to really hurt something.
“She’s tainted, Brock. Fucking tainted.”
Brock whistles low. “Wow, dude. That’s low.”
I glare at him. “It’s how I feel.”
Brock stands and shakes his head. “I’ll see you later. I’ve got shit to do.” He’s out the door a second later. I know he doesn’t agree, and he’s done talking about it. Hell, I’m done talking about it too.
I slam my hand on the counter and decide to go work on repairing boards. I need to get my mind off this shit before I bust.