Chapter 25
Addison
I’ve ignored her. I can’t look at her the same even if I wanted to. What happened wasn’t part of the deal, and even a month later, I’m not over it.
Free gave me the choice to leave or stay. He was sending me back to a life I wasn’t sure I wanted before and I know I didn’t fit into now. Of course, I’ve talked to my family on a regular basis, but I couldn’t picture myself going home to nothing.
Staying here was my choice. What wasn’t my choice was what my role would be here. Free made it clear no one would touch me, not even him, if I didn’t want them to. But all I seem to want is him. Although I still feel guilty for what happened with Bunny.
“Why won’t you talk to her?” Free asks as we sit in the back of the room cradling beers.
“What happened there should have never happened,” I tell him.
“You wanna talk about it? I’m not holdin’ shit against you, Addison. Not where the drugs are concerned.”
“I was supposed to run, Free, but she had other plans. I couldn’t stop myself,” I explain. It must all click into place because he nods his head and shifts in his seat.
“I knew she had a thing for you, and she used that to her advantage. You’re right. Even on the drugs, she shouldn’t have done that.”
“But did she really have a choice? Jamie was there, and the drugs were running through our veins. I don’t know how well she could control it,” I tell him.
“Bunny has used the drugs a lot. She can control it, I’ve seen her. She didn’t want to, Addison. She used you.” With that, my heart sinks in my chest. I’ve thought about it over and over again. Why would she do it? I always came up blank or blamed it on the drugs, but hearing Free say she could control it hurts even worse.
“I thought she was my friend, Free.”
“I’m sorry.”
“And it doesn’t bother you? What we did?”
“It does, but there’s nothin’ I can do about it now. It’s over, yeah?”
“Yeah. I would never do that again,” I tell him truthfully.
“Then we’re good, baby. Don’t worry about it.”
“I do, though. It makes me feel dirty.”
“I can make you dirty,” he teases me. My cheeks heat from his words before I do something I probably shouldn’t. I grab his face and press my lips to his and kiss the man. I kiss him like I might never get the chance again. I kiss him like this may be the last time. I savor every second of it when I hear someone yell, “Get a room.” Free chuckles against my lips before he looks me in the eyes.
“You wanna go back to my room?”
“Thought it was our room?”
“Does that mean you’re stayin’ with me?”
“You really want me after what I did?” I ask in a serious tone. I can’t imagine he would. I can’t imagine he’d want me anywhere near him, or Bunny, for that matter.
“If you stay, Bunny goes. She can’t use you to her advantage, Addison. I won’t let her.”
“But this is her home,” I tell him.
“It might be, but she can find another place to call home.”
“I can’t do that to her. Can’t she just … I don’t know, stay away from me?”
“I plan to.” I look up now when I hear Bunny speak. “I’m sorry, Addison.”
I don’t know what to say to her, so I say nothing. Free nods once and stands, pulling me from the seat along with him and leading me along with him down the hall and toward the room. Once we’re inside his room, I turn to face him.
“Are you sure?”
“More than sure, darlin’. When you were gone, I couldn’t even think without you here. I don’t like Addison. I don’t like bein’ without you. I’m fuckin’ sorry I drugged you. I’m not sorry I bought you, though. I would never have known you if I hadn’t.”
“You’re keeping me?”
“I’m keeping you, baby. I’m never letting you go again, either. This is it. All I want is you.” With that, he pulls my shirt over my head and tosses it to the side. He leans in and kisses my neck, causing shivers to roll over my body. I don’t think I could leave him if I tried.