Chapter Eight
FRANKIE
I’m losing my mind, sitting here on the couch waiting for Addison to be done in the bathroom.
My legs are bouncing, and my jaw is clenched so tight I fear I might crack a molar.
Her phone keeps buzzing and lighting up with new notifications, and for some reason it never locked after she opened it, so I can see each text as they come in.
Someone named Benji keeps calling her horrible names and telling her how unloveable she is, meanwhile a Sabrina is sending selfies, most of her making vulgar gestures.
I look up when I hear the bathroom door open, trying to soften my features.
My heart is breaking for Addison, and I can’t help but furiously wonder how long this has been happening.
The hurt I glimpsed before, combined with the body-wracking sobs she let out when I was holding her, tell me it’s been going on much longer than it should have.
Well, it shouldn’t have been happening at all, but regardless, I’m determined to put a stop to it.
I want to open my arms, scoop her up and keep her safe next to me. I’m afraid of scaring her away, though. I can see how tremulous she is about this situation, her hesitance to stay here, and I know if I want her to open up to me I can’t push too hard or fast.
So instead, I offer steaming decaf tea in a mug with a rainbow on it that says ‘Sounds gay af. I’m in.’
She attempts a smile, but it doesn’t stick, and I don’t expect it to. As she sits next to me, her phone lights up again, and she startles with a look of panic when she realizes we can both see it.
“I saw some of them,” I say, trying not to let the fury bleed into my voice. “I’m sorry for invading your privacy, but I’m not sorry I read them.”
She doesn’t reply. She also doesn’t look at me.
“Can I turn it off for now?” I ask, and after a moment of hesitation, she nods weakly.
Thanking any holy beings that may be out there, I snatch the phone and power it down, then try not to smash it back onto the table.
“We don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to, but also we can. Sometimes it helps to get it out.”
Addison peeks at me from behind the rim of her mug as she takes a sip of tea. My eyes plead with her to confide in me, to let me help.
And to my eternal gratitude, she does. She cradles the warm mug between her palms as she spills the whole story, telling me about dating her coworker Benji, and how his actions changed the longer they were together, ultimately resulting in them splitting up.
Her delicate fingertips trace the ridges of the rainbow on the mug as she continues, and she describes how she later met Sabrina and fell in love, only to catch her cheating with Benji a year and a half into their relationship.
Addison’s voice wobbles when she gets to the part about breaking up with Sabrina last December, and it’s everything I can do not to demand their addresses. I’ve always been a lover, but these two dickheads are really bringing out the fighter in me. My combat boots are ready to kick some ass.
I wrench my thoughts back when Addison pauses to wipe her eyes. I cup her face in my hands, angling it toward me as I brush away her tears with my thumbs.
“Every single thing they have to say about you is a lie. Don’t listen to a word of it.”
She averts her eyes, and I know she doesn’t believe me. I’ll prove it to her, though. It’s just become my new life mission .
My fingers stroke through her silky hair as she burrows into my shoulder. I suspect she’s minimizing their harassment over the last few months, but I’ll let it go for now.
“I’m sorry for ruining our date,” Addison sniffles a few minutes later.
Her blue eyes are glassy and red-rimmed, her face washed free of makeup. She’s so open and raw in this moment, I want nothing more than to kiss the life back into her.
“You haven’t ruined anything,” I say. “Thank you for sharing that with me.”
She shrugs and looks away again.
“Hey,” I say, and she glances up to meet my eyes.
“I’ve got a gorgeous woman in my arms who’s been letting me touch her and hold her all evening even though my breath probably smells terrible because, of all things, I made us garlic bread for our first date.
If that isn’t a miracle, I don’t know what is. ”
That gets a small, genuine smile from her, the tiniest huff of a laugh, and we’re back on the right track.
“I have an idea,” I say, and I stand, tugging her up with me.
I grab my record player, then snag an album and jerk my head for her to follow me.
Her deep sadness is turning into curiosity, and I know I’ve got her.
She follows me up the narrow metal staircase to the roof, where I plug in the record player.
I set my chosen album and turn it on, then crank up the volume.
It scratches for a couple beats until the needle snags, and I sweep Addison into a dance.
I don’t really know what I’m doing, but we’re going to dance to Stevie Nicks under the stars and turn this night around. She giggles in surprise as I pull her against me, whirling us in a circle. I can bump and grind with the best of them, but I’ve never danced like this before.
Like it matters.
Addison leans against me, letting me lead us around the empty rooftop. A couple songs later, I break the easy quiet between us.
“When we were talking yesterday, you said me knowing what I wanted was intimidating.”
Addison pulls back enough to look down at me as she nods, her eyes wary.
“Well,” I say, “in this case, I know exactly what I want and I’m confident I know how to get it. I want you to be happy. Safe.”
She blinks, her eyes glossy again, but no tears fall.
“And we’re going to make that happen. Together. You aren’t alone anymore, Addison.”
A tremulous smile graces her perfect lips as she gazes through wet lashes like I’ve hung the moon. I haven’t yet, but I sure as fuck will.
“Us, together,” she whispers.
“That’s right.” I pull her close, so close there’s not an inch of space between our bodies as our hips, chests, noses align.
“You’ve got my intimidating ass on your side now, so anyone who messes with you had better watch out!
” I say with gusto, spinning us around and squeezing her hard in emphasis.
I’m being overly dramatic in an attempt to lighten what I know is a heavy topic.
Addison laughs, gripping me even tighter, and I pull her lips to mine for our first real kiss.
I pour everything I have into this kiss.
My lips feel like they’re on fire, my tongue impatient to taste, my teeth itching to bite and claim.
I drag my tongue against her lips, tasting the salty remnants of her tears.
She parts for me, opening so sweetly, and I sweep my tongue in, groaning at the taste of her.
Somehow, the garlic is long gone. She must have put on chapstick or lip gloss, because she tastes like sweet berries and green tea with honey and something else that is all Addison.
Her arms circle my neck, her nimble fingers tangle in my curls.
She’s given me this one small piece of her, and I’m determined to have it all now.
I want every piece Addison has. The hidden ones, the sad ones, the joyful excited ones, the hurt and broken ones.
She’s the most beautiful puzzle, and my most cherished treasure.
I grip her waist between my hands, then drag one up her side, barely brushing the curve of her breast. Addison whimpers against my tongue when I move past her breast to her jaw, angling her head so I can taste more of her.
The moment stretches until we break apart with a gasp, both of us breathing heavy.
“That was,” Addison trails off, her fingers brushing her lips as she gazes at me.
“Yeah,” I say, still in awe that this stunning creature has chosen me.
Addison
We slow dance to a few more songs and I feel so cherished in Frankie’s arms. They don’t push for more, and while I burn for them, I also appreciate their restraint.
Tonight isn’t the night for it. Despite my impressive mental breakdown, Frankie seems to still want me.
Snotty nose, puffy eyes, sweaty hair and all.
It’s astounding, and I’m having a hard time believing it.
Frankie insists on driving me home, eliciting a promise along the way that I won’t turn my phone back on until tomorrow. They say we can do it together if I want, but I’m undecided on that.
“What if Everly needs something?” I ask as Frankie turns onto Poinsettia Lane, the road Everly lives on in our childhood home.
“She’ll try you, and when you don’t pick up, she’ll call me.” Their voice is so matter of fact, I have no doubt they’re correct.
“Right, yeah,” I say.
Frankie pulls right up to the porch and hops out before I have my seatbelt undone. They yank open the passenger door and drag me into their arms, folding me into a hug so comforting it brings tears to my eyes again.
“Thank you, Frankie,” I whisper into their shoulder, unsure if it was loud enough for them to hear, but I’m too emotionally unsteady to say it again.
They squeeze me harder for a moment, waiting until my hold loosens to let go.
“You gonna be okay, sweets?” Frankie asks. Their strong hand is gentle as they sweep flyaway hairs away from my face.
“Yeah, I’ll be okay.”
“Will you come to the coffee house tomorrow?”
“Do you want me to?”
I’m letting my baggage get the best of me, but I don’t have the strength in this moment to push back against it.
Ever since my parents died when I was twenty and my sister and I lost touch for eight years, I’ve noticed the self-doubt and insecure thoughts gaining more of a foothold.
Everly and I both withdrew into ourselves, hiding from each other and the grief associated with facing family.
It was the loneliest time of my life, so when Benji started giving me the attention and affection I’d been denying myself…
well. I stayed. Even when it turned into a super toxic—possibly abusive—relationship, and my confidence plummeted even more.
After that disaster, I finally found someone who treated me right that I thought was my person, only for Sabrina to cheat on me for months with my first toxic ex. It’s safe to say my abandonment issues are thriving these days.
“I absolutely do,” Frankie replies. “I always look for you, even though I know I can’t expect you to get up before nine, let alone with the sun like I do.”
I tuck my chin to hide the bashful grin upon realizing they already know I’m not a morning person.
“So yes,” they continue, “please come to the coffee house tomorrow. I probably won’t get any work done until you do, since I’ll be glancing at the door every two seconds.”
“And…” I look up, a spark of mischief entering my tone as my lips curve into a sly smile. “You will get work done once I get there?”
Frankie narrows their eyes playfully as their lips tilt into an answering smile.
“Cheeky little thing, aren’t you?” they murmur, and my smile turns into a full grin, lighting a warmth in my chest behind my breastbone.
“I’m taller than you,” I point out.
“Barely, and that doesn’t mean you’re not little,” they say, backing me into my front door, then grasping the backs of my thighs and lifting me off my feet.
My legs twist around their waist as my hands fly to their shoulders, but they’re holding me steady.
Frankie’s hands grip my backside and their mouth finds my neck, sucking the soft skin between their lips.
“Oh,” I gasp, rolling my hips into them for an endless moment until they release my neck with a soft nip, then a gentle kiss.
They pull back and lower me to the ground, looking at the crook of my neck with satisfaction.
“There,” they say, “proof. Now you have no reason to doubt me.”
“Did you just give me a hickey?” I say, incredulous.
“Sure did.” Their smug gaze flicks from my neck to meet my eyes.
“What is that supposed to prove?” I ask.
Frankie just shrugs and takes a step back. “Whatever you want it to prove.”
They take another step back, tucking their hands in their pockets.
“Goodnight, Addison.”
I’m left gaping as they turn and saunter back to the truck.
I’m still staring when the driver door creaks closed and they raise an eyebrow, then nod their head behind me.
They’re waiting until I get inside, and I shake my head, a bemused smile twitching on my lips as I unlock the door.
One last glimpse through the cracked door as I shut it shows a tattooed forearm propped on the steering wheel, hazel eyes glowing in the light from the porch, and a sultry, satisfied tilt of lips as they watch the door close securely behind me.