CHAPTER 23
Elena
“You spent the weekend with Addler de Marco?” Sage had sounded so excited as we got in the security truck and buckled in. I was devastated, feeling like a fool over his deception, not wanting to talk to anyone about what happened. Meanwhile, all Sage could do was gush. “You don’t have to give me any details. I mean, the way you got all stiff when you mentioned you knew him, I guessed something was up.”
No, I didn’t have to give her a single detail. She kept the conversation up all by herself for the drive back to the office, adding in some colorful commentary along the way.
It was an eternity with Sage having to drive twenty-five miles an hour the entire way. At least when I was with Addler—I cut off the thought before it can take root, despite the pang in my chest. At least running around with Addler meant we didn’t have to follow the posted speed limit.
The moment she switched to talking about Ezequiel, I swear my face burned up again. If Addler didn’t have his arms around me this morning, I would’ve shot up from his chest, giving Ezequiel a complete show. Lord, will I ever stop reliving that moment?
Daisy claws at the door, whimpering to be let in. Sighing, I get up from the bed and open the door. “Come on, you little troublemaker.” She scampers in, wiggling her tail so hard, her body hooks in one direction then another, making the medals at her collar jiggle.
She stands, putting her little paws on my thigh as she yips, hoping for attention. As much as I want to, I can’t blame Daisy for any of this. It’s not like I hadn’t spent hours imagining what happened with Addler. Well, maybe not exactly the way it played out. I ruffle Daisy’s ears, earning an excited licking.
Truthfully, it’s me who has the problem. I have too many memories of being called a slut for the last two years of high school. I became popular because half the guys thought I was into doing threesomes, or worse, three guys at once.
All because Addler got his feelings hurt. He stopped going to school, so I never got the chance to confront him. I don’t know if it was truly malicious, but, once Roxy got wind, the rumor spread like wildfire. It’s what happens when you live in a small town where everyone knows everyone else’s business.
Daisy bounds out the door in a jangle of medals. That means Lonny is probably back. Dejected, I close the door, not up to dealing with anyone at the moment.
This feels like I’m hiding all over again. I’m an adult. I should be handling this better. Addler didn’t seem perturbed by either Ezequiel walking in or Sage finding us with his hand on my ass. That was all me. Neither of the visitors seemed to judge me despite the fact Ezequiel got a bit of an eyeful.
“I’ve got it,” Mom calls out on the way to the door.
Thanks? I don’t bother to call out because I know it’s not for me. It’s never for me.
I spread out the towel I used to dry my hair after showering. Am I overreacting? Other people in town, Mom included, have relationships without feeling like everyone’s keeping tabs. Why should I get bent out of shape?
Regardless of the dirty trick he pulled to get me to stay, I know things were different this afternoon. I’d seen a different side of Addler, maybe the real him. Did I ruin everything by letting my embarrassment get in the way?
One by one, Marcy’s laughter, Rachel’s spite, and Mom’s outrage fade away. I’m left with the image of Addler. He’s feeding me, caressing my cheek, telling me about his family. I bring my hand to my chest. Oh God, I screwed up.
I have to go talk to him and hope he’ll actually listen. I check my watch. At this hour, if things work out the way I hope, I may not make it home with enough time to rest before having to get ready for work. I pull a travel bag from the closet and toss in underwear and jeans.
Maybe I should change. This time, I’m going with the hopes of having him see my underwear. I should have something nicer than what I had on, somewhere in this drawer.
I pause, thinking about how to go about this. The hardest part is going to be telling Mom about Addler. After all the whispers and sidelong glances I had to put up with—we had to put up with—she’s not going to take it very well. The very mention of his name has ruined her day before. I’m not sure how she’s going to react when I tell her I’m spending the night with him.
Her voice distracts me as I’m going back to the closet for a top. Something with buttons might put him in a better mood. Or at least distract him long enough for me to get a word said. God, now he has me resorting to underhanded tactics. That’s all I needed.
“You have no business here,” she says, loud enough for me to hear every word. I come to a full stop, leaving the lacey top halfway off the hanger, and lift an eyebrow in curiosity. Daisy barks in the background, excited at whatever’s going on.
Careful to keep my footsteps muffled, I go to the door and poke my head out to make sure she’s okay. I’ve never heard her argue with Lonny, so I have no idea what to do.
“All due respect, ma’am, I’m not leaving until I talk to Elena.”
Addler. My eyes widen, and my pulse speeds up. What’s he doing here, in our house? I head down the hall, intent on finding out.
“I’m calling the police,” Mom grits between her teeth.
“Do what you have to,” he tosses back, his voice holding that same hard note I got this weekend.
“Wait, Mom,” I call out, hurrying the last few steps. “Don’t do that.” I reach the living room to find him by the door, his size dwarfing everything in the small area. He’s impassive as ever. Now I recognize it as the mask it is.
“Elena.” His voice is gruff, but he’s here for a reason.
“I can’t believe—”
“It’s okay, Mom.” I take a deep breath, bracing myself for her reaction. “I’m working with Addler.” His shoulders are stiff, and so are hers. I don’t know if I’ll defuse the situation or make it worse. “I spent the weekend with him,” I say as calmly as I can. “Not working.”
Some of the tension leaves his shoulders. Mom may be having a heart attack; her hand’s at her chest, and her eyes are wide. No words come out, at first, even though her lips are opening and closing like a fish out of water.
Finally, she gathers her wits. “Elena, what were you thinking?” she says, aghast.