12. Love Live and In Person
CHAPTER 12
LOVE: LIVE AND IN PERSON
“ J ake got engaged,” Addison said as she moved from downward-facing dog into a half-forward bend.
“What?” Lexi asked, nearly losing her balance.
“Yep, he proposed at a Nats game—from the pitcher’s mound,” Addison replied, raising her arms overhead.
“That’s nuts!” Lexi cried, causing the yoga instructor to frown and shush her.
“You waited until we were upside down to drop this bomb?” Lexi sat back on her mat, screwing her face up at Addison.
“I hadn’t thought about it until now. The organ music reminded me of a ballpark song.” Really, I wanted to tell you without having to look you in the eyes.
“Ladies, please,” the instructor snapped in a loud whisper.
“I can’t concentrate. Get your stuff, and let’s go for smoothies,” Lexi said, rolling up her mat.
Addison followed, shivering at the temperature difference between the warm studio and the chilly hallway.
“It’s not a big deal, Lex. We didn’t need to leave. You know Yanna will never let us back in one of her classes.”
Lexi grabbed both their belongings from the shelf outside the studio and led Addison out before she could gather her bearings. “Forget Yanna. I want to know the engagement story—and why you don’t care.”
Addison had to speed up to keep pace with Lexi, despite having longer legs.
Once they reached the juice bar next door, Lexi stopped and gave Addison a sharp look. “How long have you known about this?”
“Not long.”
“Specifically.”
“Four days.”
Lexi’s eyes widened. “Four? One, two, three, four days without telling me?”
Addison shrugged. I had to process it myself.
“Ridiculous. Your last serious relationship, your ex-fiancé, is getting married, and you can’t be bothered. Addie, are you that into Tom that you truly don’t care Jake is engaged again?”
“You know I’m over Jake. He’s with Laura because of me. Why would I be upset?”
Lexi narrowed her eyes in suspicion. “You’re a woman. It’s what we do. It doesn’t matter that you don’t want him—it’s that he doesn’t want you. I’m going to need an explanation after we order.”
That buys me mere minutes. She’s right. Normally, I’d have something to say about Jake moving on, even if only for ego’s sake.
By the time they sat down with their drinks, Addison was ready to explain.
“You’re right. It did stir some feelings. But honestly, it’s closure—relief. I’m happy for them, and it frees me to live my life without worrying about him. There was a time when I didn’t want to see him move on, because I thought I’d never experience that love again myself. But that was petty. There will always be a part of me that loves Jake, but that part just wants him to be healthy, happy, and successful. He is all those things now.” Addison took a deep breath. “And so am I.”
“You are, huh? You haven’t mentioned Tom in ages, so I didn’t know things had progressed. Forget Jake—tell me about you.”
That was the wrong move.
“Not quite yet. Let’s go back to the topic at hand. Lex, what if you found out Tim was seriously dating someone? What if he wasn’t coming back to you, ever?”
“The topic at hand? Really? Since when were we talking about Tim?” Lexi raised an eyebrow. “We were serious back then, but... I don’t know. I’d want him in a loving relationship, but I wouldn’t want to witness him being in love, like you with Jake and Laura. My ego’s too big for that. It’d annoy me—not enough to want him back, but... on principle.”
And that’s why Tim is Tom to her.
“I get that,” Addison said, distractedly playing with her straw.
“I wish I could say I’d react like you. Helping Jake get back together with Laura? Hell no. You’re too nice.”
Addison laughed. “You’re nice!”
“I have my limits. I wouldn’t cut a bitch if I saw Tim with someone, but I wouldn’t love it. Speaking of love—what I do love is you and Tom. My best friend in a relationship and looking all blissed out? That’s what I love.”
You wouldn’t if you knew the truth.
“Do you ever see Tim?”
Lexi slammed her smoothie on the table. “Addison Marie, what is your obsession with Tim?”
“No obsession, just making conversation.”
“Then be conversational and answer my burning questions about you and Tom,” Lexi demanded.
Addison wondered why she’d gotten herself into this conversation. There was no good way out. She’d either have to talk about “Tom” or explain why she cared so much about Tim. Now that she knew Lexi wouldn’t want to see Tim in love, she had to stay even more vigilant. Tim would have to remain “Tom” for a while longer.
Addison flashed her most angelic smile. “Can I appease you with a graphic recounting of our last night together?”
“Ugh, yes. Finally.”
Though Lexi was happy for now, Addison’s mind raced with the consequences of making her best friend upset about Tim dating. Not only had she kept her relationship from Lexi—she’d lied. A lot.
Maybe being with him is a mistake. Too bad I don’t think I can live without him at this point.
On her walk home, Addison wracked her brain for a way to show Tim she wanted to show him off as much as he wanted to show her off. We should get out of town for a bit. She hadn’t introduced anyone to her family since Jake, and bringing Tim home would be the perfect way to share him with the people who mattered most.
Tim would love meeting Mom and Granny, she thought, picturing her grandmother—tiny and wrinkled like a dried apple, who probably knew more about local cryptids than most people. Maybe I could even get my brothers to come out to the old house.
A trip home might do everyone some good.