Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
Henry
The moment I walked into my apartment, I poured myself a double scotch and took it out on the terrace. As I was staring out into the brightly lit city, I heard the elevator ding. A sickness formed in the pit of my stomach with the thought it could either be Kirsten or my parents. I wouldn’t put it past her to have called them the second I left her place. Walking to the foyer, the doors opened, and Addison stepped out.
“Hey.” I let out a sigh of relief.
“Hey. Can I crash here tonight?” she asked as she pushed past me with her bag.
Of all nights for her to want to crash here.
“Sure. What’s going on?”
“I got into a fight with the parents.” She walked into the kitchen, grabbed the bottle of wine off the counter, opened it, and brought it up to her lips.
Quickly, I ran over and grabbed it from her.
“Use a glass.” I smirked and took one down from the cabinet. “Tell me what happened.”
“Carlyle and Lillian. That’s what happened. I knew it would only be a matter of time. Actually, I think forty-eight hours is a record for them.”
“Why? What did they do now?”
“They invited Carter Colson over for lunch today.”
“Oh boy,” I spoke.
“You were right. The guy is a total douchebag. The way he was kissing their ass and then trying to charm me was disgusting. I totally saw right through him. Plus, I did some digging and found out some things about him.”
“Like what?”
“He has anger issues, and he likes to knock girls around.”
“How did you find that out?” I narrowed my eyes at her.
“I gave Paulie a call.”
“Our private investigator?” My brow arched.
“Yep. You know he always had a soft spot for me.” She grinned. “Anyway, turns out that Mr. Colson was arrested last year for assault and battery.”
“Who did he assault?”
“Some girl he was dating. She said he didn’t like it when she tried to go out one night with her friends instead of him. They got into a big fight, and he beat her up. Apparently, his family paid the girl off to leave town. So, without her testimony, they dropped the charges and let him go. When I told Carlyle and Lillian that I wasn’t interested and there was no way I was going out with him, they threw a fit and told me that I had no choice but to give him a chance or else.”
“Or else?” I arched my brow at her.
“I didn’t give them the chance to clarify. I stormed upstairs, threw a few things in a bag, and headed here. I will not let them dictate who I can and cannot date. And if they think they’re going to threaten me with the company, I don’t care. I’d rather work somewhere else than have them control my life. No offense, big brother.”
“Well, you won’t have to worry about them harassing you anymore because their focus will be on me now.” I brought the glass of scotch up to my lips.
“Why? What did you do?”
“I broke up with Kirsten tonight.” I finished off my drink.
“What? Oh my God. Why?” Her eyes widened.
I took a seat on the couch, and Addison sat down next to me.
“Because I’m not in love with her, and I’ve been miserable.” I glanced over at her.
“Good reason.” She patted my shoulder. “Do the parents know yet?”
“I haven’t told them. I’m waiting for my phone to ring because I’m sure Kirsten wasted no time either calling them or running to their house. She was really devastated.”
“I’m sure she was, but I can’t say I feel sorry for her.”
“Why?” I asked Addison.
“Because I never liked her. You know that. I always thought she was an entitled phony bitch.”
I let out a chuckle.
“Is there someone else, Henry?”
I rubbed my face with my hands and let out a sigh.
“Yes and no.”
“What do you mean?” Her face took on a confused look.
“I did meet someone and she’s an amazing woman, but I haven’t slept with her.”
“Who is she?”
I looked over at her as a small smile crossed my lips.
“Her name is Ellie Scott. She’s a website designer and an artist. I don’t know, Addison.” I got up from the couch and paced around the room. “She’s such a beautiful woman inside and out. My life feels right when I’m with her. I knew I wasn’t happy with Kirsten, but I didn’t really realize how completely miserable I was until I met Ellie.”
“Wow, Henry. I’ve never seen you like this before. I’d love to meet her.”
“You will. There’s something else you should know about her.”
“What?”
“She’s deaf.”
“Oh wow. Really? And the two of you can communicate okay?”
“Yes.” I smiled. “You know I know sign language. She can read lips really well, and she can speak.”
“I’m happy for you. I really am. But Mom and Dad are going to be pissed as hell?”
“I don’t care anymore. They’ll either accept it or they won’t.”
“You already know the answer. You know how they are. Especially with her being?—”
“I know.” I let out a sigh.
“Does Ellie know about Kirsten?”
“No. I haven’t told her yet.”
“Oh, Henry. That’s not good. You can’t keep something like that from her.”
“I know, and I’m going to tell her.”
“When?”
“I don’t know.” I raised my voice at her. “Everything is just so fucked up right now.”
“If you want my opinion, I think you should tell Dad tomorrow. I’d talk to him first before Kirsten gets to him. You know the two of them are close, which is weird if you ask me.”
“And we both know what he’s going to do to me when he finds out,” I said.
“Maybe not. You’re a very valuable asset to the company. I don’t think he’ll do anything stupid.”
“Haven’t you learned yet never to underestimate him?”
“Well, he never paid much attention to me anyway.” She looked down.
Taking a seat on the couch, I hooked my arm around her.
“They love you, Addison.”
“They loved her more. Dad and I never have or will ever have the bond he had with Abigail.”
I let out a long sigh as I pulled her into me.