Chapter Four
Flirting wasn’t exactly her strong suit, but Addison was quite proud of herself.
It had been a long time, and she was out of practice.
Sure, she’d had guys flirt with her when she was working behind the bar at home.
But this was different. It wasn’t as playful and innocent.
There was a dangerous element to this guy. But in a sexy way.
Of course, it didn’t go anywhere. And it wouldn’t.
She hadn’t even gotten his name, and he hadn’t asked for hers.
But? What were the odds he happened to use the bathroom at the same time as her?
And technically, he didn’t even use it. Did he follow her?
The thought should’ve been creepy and freaked her out.
It had the polar opposite effect. A rush coursed through her veins, and her skin tingled at the prospect.
Addison wasn’t a stranger to one-night stands.
She’d had a few. There was a certain freedom in it, if all parties were on the same page.
One night of sex without any type of commitment or promises.
However, all of her escapades had been with acquaintances.
Men she’d met at work a few times. Not a complete stranger.
They’d barely met, spoke for a total of ten minutes, and he wanted to know where she lived?
That was like an opening scene for a true crime special.
But admittedly, for a brief second, she’d considered it.
And she couldn’t say with certainty had they not been interrupted, she might’ve actually followed through and taken him back to her rental.
Just for one night.
Addison hadn’t been romantically involved with anyone since before her surgery. Initially, her mind had been consumed with bigger things than dating. Eventually, she’d gotten into the habit of not being with anyone. She was content. But now? This man was breaking her spell.
She glanced over at the thick curtain. How long could she respectfully wait to see if he came back that didn’t leave her seeming desperate? Ten minutes. I could order another stale beer. It might even make her have to use the bathroom again. Now I sound desperate.
When Barry passed, she lifted her hand. As she was about to get his attention and place another order, her phone rang.
She dug in her bag, pulling out her phone.
She gasped, tightening her hold as she read the name on the screen.
On the third ring, her finger hovered, hesitating to answer.
The encounter with sex-stache had distracted her from plotting a plan with Cleo.
She tapped her knuckles on the bar. To answer or not to answer.
“You wanna talk on the phone? Do it outside.” Barry’s voice echoed through the room. “Nobody in here, including me, gives a shit about your conversation.”
Wow, customer service at its finest. At least the decision had been made for her.
Addison forced a smile and grabbed her wallet, tossed a twenty and a five on the counter, and rushed toward the door. As she opened it, the phone pinged, indicating the call went to voicemail.
Maybe this was a sign. Missing Cleo’s call definitely gave her time to rethink what she was going to do. Then it rang again.
Or maybe this was the sign to answer? Addison glanced up, and for a brief second she was mesmerized by the dark sky.
Living in a bigger city made stargazing nearly impossible.
But here? Stars for miles. In one of her letters, Cleo had mentioned sitting on a friend’s roof with Knox looking at the stars.
And now she was getting the same view. This was her sign.
She tapped the screen before the fourth ring and lifted the phone to her ear.
“Hi, Cleo.”
“Addison, hi! I tried calling a minute ago, but the voicemail cut me off before I was done.” Her rushed words carried so much excitement, it proved to bring a sense of ease for Addison.
She sighed in relief. “Well, I’m glad you called back.”
“I wasn’t expecting your call. You usually text.” The faint gasp was followed by a second of silence. “Is everything okay?”
Her tone had shifted, the concern obvious.
Cleo was probably one of the easiest people to read.
Even through letters, her emotions came through her words.
Initially, when they’d started writing, Addison suspected Cleo was being overly polite, a little too kind.
It was a jaded way of looking at her. But seriously, who’s that nice?
It turned out, Cleo was. Genuinely empathetic and sweet.
It wasn’t a front. It was authentically Cleo.
“Everything’s fine. I, um” —Addison glanced down at the concrete, smiling— “I was thinking about you.” Not a lie. “And I figured, I’d call. I hope that’s okay.”
“Oh my God, of course. You can call me anytime,” She blurted. “I was so excited when I saw your name.”
Addison smiled, and moved off to the side, away from the door when two men headed toward the entrance. She started across the parking lot to her car.
“So how are you? Busy?” Addison asked. It was best to start this conversation casual.
“I’m good. I had some running around to do today, but I got everything done, so I’ll have a lazy day tomorrow.”
Another sign? Cleo would be available to meet up.
If she wants. Addison bit her lip, debating on her next move.
Had she really flown halfway across the country, rented a house, and made arrangements to be gone for a month not to meet Cleo?
But this wasn’t just about Addison. She opened the door and got in, quietly closing it behind her.
“Addison?” There was a hitch in her tone. “Still there?”
She tossed her pocketbook on the passenger side and settled in her seat. “Yeah, sorry. I just got in my car. I was grabbing dinner.”
“Oh, I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“No, you didn’t. I was paying the bill and heading back to the house anyway.”
“House? Did you move?”
She flattened her lips. Cleo didn’t give a lot of details about her life outside of Knox. Addison was a different story. She’d been an open book with her. Cleo knew all about her tiny apartment.
“Uh, no, I um” —Addison hesitated, briefly— “I’m actually on vacation, kind of.”
“How fun? Where are you?”
Twenty minutes from your house. Heat spread across her face, and she gripped the steering wheel. When she’d planned the surprise visit, everything seemed like a good idea. Now, she was in the thick of it with doubt creeping in fast.
“It was kind of a spur of the moment thing.”
“That’s exciting! Is it tropical, like an island?”
She glanced up at the bar and the beat-up sign. Not even close.
“No, um—” Addison drove her hand through her hair, twisting her lips. Say it. Rip off the band-aid and accept the outcome. She wouldn’t pressure Cleo in any way. “I’m actually here.”
Addison sucked in a breath, waiting. The line was completely silent.
“Here? I’m sorry, where’s that?”
It was now or never.
“I came to see you.”
More silence. Oh, this was bad. She should’ve listened to her sister. Dammit, I hate when she’s right!
“Like I said, it was a spur of the moment decision. I didn’t mean to put you on the spot.” But that’s exactly what she’d done, and Hannah had warned her about it. She white-knuckled the steering wheel. Fuck! “I’m sorry, I should’ve told you I was coming.” I should’ve asked.
“W-wait, I’m sorry, I d-don’t understand.” There was a small stretch of silence. “You came to see me? You’re in Killcreek?”
“Actually Birch. It’s about…”
“I know where it is,” Cleo blurted. “What’s your address? I can be there in less than thirty minutes.”
What? There was zero hesitation from Cleo. Addison cocked her brow, giving in to her smile. Any concerns about whether Cleo wanted to see her were officially quashed. All that stress for nothing. Cleo wanted to see her too. But…
“If you want to take some time and…”
“Time for what?”
“Well, I’m kind of springing this on you without notice. Just showing up is,” Selfish! Shut up. Addison cleared her throat. “Maybe you want to take a day to think about meeting up. Make sure you’re comfortable with it.”
Addison had barely finished talking when Cleo chimed in. “I’m comfortable. What’s your address?”
Addison clamped her lips, keeping her chuckle at bay. Cleo was more than willing, and by the sound of it, eager to get together. But I need a little more time.
“It’s late, and I just got in.” Addison was stalling. She needed time to prep. “I was thinking we could meet up tomorrow, if you’re available.”
“I’m available!” she blurted. “I get up early, so you tell me when. Oh, do you want to come to my house? I can make us breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Or all three.”
Addison snickered. “How about lunch?”
“Yeah, that’s great.” Cleo gave her the address.
“I can’t wait to finally meet you in person.” She paused then whispered. “I can’t believe you’re here to see me.”
It was surreal.
Addison ended the call and sat in her car for another few minutes, processing everything. It couldn’t have gone better. This was shaping up to be the best vacation ever.
****
By the time Cross had gathered his things from the table and headed out to the bar with Cue, she was gone.
Her plate and empty beer mug were still on the bar where she’d been sitting, but there was no sight of her.
He was halfway across the room on his way to the door when he changed direction and headed to the bar.
Cross was putting in more effort for a woman than usual.
And it hadn’t gone unnoticed. Cue stopped near the door, waiting on him.
“Barry?” Cross tapped on the counter, gaining his attention.
“Beer?”
“No. The blonde.” He pointed to the end of the bar. “Where’d she go?”
Cross assumed she’d left, but it was possible she’d stepped away, maybe gone outside for a cigarette. He and the club regularly violated that rule about smoking inside. It doesn’t apply to us. Most didn’t. But there were signs everywhere prohibiting it.
Barry looked over at the abandoned stool. “Paid her bill and left.”
Fuck.
He glanced back at the door where Cue was waiting. He ignored the brother and turned back to Barry. “She ever come in before?”
“No.” He shook his head and shrugged. “Thinking she’s from out of town. Don’t usually get women who look like that in here. Except in the strip club.”
Cross could back that claim. His mystery blonde was gorgeous.
If her ass had been on that stage, she’d make mad cash, no doubt.
But out of towner? She said she lived in Birch.
This should’ve been considered a missed opportunity.
It wasn’t as if he could act on anything tonight since they were riding out.
It was a chance encounter with a random woman.
Let it fucking go. It wasn’t as though Cross was short of women.
He tapped his knuckles on the bar and grasped his jaw.
Let her go. Or? Cypher could find anyone.
The brother was a genius with everything techy. He only needed a name.
“Barry.”
The bartender glanced up from register.
“Give me her credit card receipt.”
It was illegal, stalkerish, and not an issue. Barry would give it up without a second thought. The bar fell under Killcreek territory. Barry might own it, but it was very much the MC’s bar.
Cross would be able to track her down. It may have seemed a little over the top, especially for him, but there was something about her he couldn’t quite shake.
“She paid in cash. Good tipper, too. Another thing I don’t usually see in here,” Barry grumbled.
Cross was back to square one. It shouldn’t have mattered. He could get a woman at the clubhouse. Hell, he could be sinking into one of the strippers in less than a minute if he wanted. And therein lay the problem. He didn’t want any woman. He wanted her.
“You ready, man?”
He glanced over, and Wraith had joined Cue at the door, waiting. As it stood, they were already running behind schedule. His mystery blonde would have to wait. For now.
“Yeah.”
Cross looked over at Barry.
“She comes in again, call me.”
Barry raised his brows and stood silent, waiting on an explanation. Cross wouldn’t be giving one.
“I have to repeat myself?” His tone was harsh with a hint of a threat.
Barry flinched. “No. I’ll call you.”
Cross gave a curt nod. As he met his brothers by the entrance, Cue smirked. He’d obviously overheard the conversation. It wasn’t like Cross to pursue any woman. He didn’t have to. On any given night at the clubhouse, he could have anyone he wanted.
Wraith gestured to the bar. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing,” Cross said.
“That sweet little blonde didn’t look like nothing to me.”
Cross narrowed his gaze, giving Cue a clear warning.
“What blonde?” Wraith asked.
“Cross was making friends in the back hallway.”
Fucking asshole.
“I expect this bullshit from Gent. Not you.”
Cue shrugged, humor lacing his features. “I’ve been hanging with him a little more.”
“Yeah well, stop fucking doing that. This club can only handle so many assholes.”
He ignored the muffled chuckle as he passed his brothers and walked out the door. He needed to stay focused on the transport run. But if she showed up again, Barry would let him know. Hopefully that call didn’t come while he was working the transport. He’d be hours away.