“I – I wanted to surprise you,” she said through numb lips. “I planned a…” she stared at the wine bottle and overnight bag in her hand, “a thing.”
“Addison, I’m so sorry,” the woman said.
“Crystal, shut up,” Harrison said.
Fresh horror infused Addison’s body. It made her legs tremble and her hands weak. The wine bottle slipped out of her grip and smashed onto the floor, spraying wine all over her legs and scattering glass across the hardwood.
She knew the naked woman. She knew her. She’d seen her at Harrison’s work functions. She’d had coffee with her. She’d – she’d sent her flowers for her birthday.
Addie closed her eyes, took a few deep breaths, and turned around before marching out the bedroom door.
“Addison, wait!”
She ignored Harrison’s shout, she ignored his yelp of pain, she ignored Crystal’s, “Harry, your foot is bleeding!” cry of dismay.
She walked out the front door, slammed it shut behind her, and stared at the overnight bag in her hand before walking down the driveway. She waved to Mrs. Garjein on her front porch as she walked by, then tossed the bag into the passenger seat of her car and slid behind the wheel. She turned the car on and drove away.
She made it two blocks before her hands started shaking and the road in front of her went wavery. She pulled over, put the car in park, and burst into tears.
Chapter Twelve
“Big plans for your Saturday night, Gracie?” Margaret grabbed her stuff from her locker and shut the door. “God, I love that Grant and Connor put lockers in the staff room. I constantly forgot half my crap at the clinic every night.”
Gracie grinned at the dental hygienist as she opened her locker. “It is handy. And nope, no real plans. How about you?”
“Family movie night. Tonight’s showing is The Princess Bride. The kids love it, I swear we watch it every other month.”
“Sounds nice. Have a good weekend, Margaret. See you on Tuesday.” Gracie grabbed her purse and shut her locker, waving to the receptionists as she walked past them. She climbed into the car and grabbed her phone from her purse.
“Shit.” She stared at the text message from Kira.
Come over directly after work, Gracie. It’s urgent. We need to talk. Immediately.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” she muttered as she turned the car on. Had Kira found out what happened between her and Gideon at Wanda’s on Wednesday night? She must have. How could she not? No doubt someone had heard them, probably Cheri, and she’d wasted no time telling people. And gossip spread like wildfire in their small town.
She slammed her hands on the steering wheel, tempted to just call Kira right then. Instead, she tossed her phone on the seat and drove toward Kira’s house. It was better to talk to Kira face-to-face about Gideon. She’d have a better chance of explaining, of earning Kira’s forgiveness in person rather than on the phone.
Fifteen minutes later, her nerves already shot, she parked in Kira’s driveway and climbed out of the car. Addison’s car was parked on the street and Grace’s trepidation grew. Shit, no doubt Kira had called Addie for moral support. If Addison told Kira that she already knew about Grace’s attraction to Gideon…
Her mouth dry and her heart racing, Grace hurried up the porch steps and knocked lightly on the screen door before going inside. “Kira? Honey, I’m here.”
“We’re in the kitchen,” Kira called.
She sounded upset. Grace took a deep breath before walking into the kitchen. “Honey, I can explain … Addison? What’s wrong?”
She sat next to Addie and took her hand. Addison’s eyes were swollen from crying and her face was blotchy. Fresh tears leaked down her face as she blew her nose with a tissue.
“What’s going on?” Grace said.
“That fucker Harrison,” Kira said. “He’s cheating on Addie.”
“What the fuck?” Grace said. “Are you kidding me?”
Addison shook her head before wiping at her eyes. “No. I found him in bed with Crystal last night.”
“Crystal?” Grace said.
“His legal assistant!”
Grace’s gaze swung to the iPad Kira held. Kira turned the iPad so the screen was facing everyone and propped it up against the fruit bowl on the table. Harper’s face filled the screen, her blue eyes practically spitting sparks. “That motherfucker is banging his legal assistant!”
“What did he say to you?” Grace said to Addie.
“I – he didn’t say anything, really. When I walked into the bedroom, he was on his hands and knees and he was wearing a dog collar with a leash, and Crystal was naked, and she was spanking his ass with a crop!” Addie stared up at her. “She-she called him Harry.”
“Jesus Christ.” Grace pulled Addison into a hug. “Honey, I am so sorry.”
Addison sniffed and wiped at her face again. “I was so shocked I just ran out of there and drove home and then I called Harper.”
“I am going to kill that asshole,” Harper said. “I’m gonna drive to Harmony Falls and kill him with my bare fucking hands.”
Grace didn’t doubt Harper’s intent. She was on the small side, but she was tough as hell, and her love and loyalty for Addison were undeniable.
“Harper, no,” Addison said. “I love you, but you’re not driving some insane hours just to come here and hold my hand.”
“It’s not just to hold your hand, honey. I’m going to kill your motherfucking cheating cunt of a fiancé, remember?” Harper said.
“Harper! That word is awful. Don’t use it again,” Addison said.
“What? Fiancé?” Harper said.
Grace was more than relieved when a small smile crossed Addie’s face. “I love you, Harper.”
“I love you too, honey. I really think I should come down there.”
Addison shook her head. “No, you can’t afford to take time off and I can skype or call you anytime I need to talk.”
“Anytime,” Harper said. “I mean that, love.”
“I know.” Addison’s phone dinged and fresh tears slipped down her face. “He keeps texting me. I know he showed up at my apartment this morning, he said he was there, but I – I couldn’t face him, so I made sure I left early this morning and drove straight to Kira’s.”
She reached out and took Kira’s hand. “I’m sorry I ruined your Saturday, Kira.”
“Honey, you haven’t.” Kira squeezed her hand. “Don’t even worry about it.”
“Where’s Connor?” Grace asked.
“New Cassel. His dad’s redoing their basement and Connor went with him to New Cassel to pick up supplies and stuff.”
Grace put her arm around Addison. “If you need a place to stay, you know you can stay with me.”
“Thanks, Gracie.” Addie rested her head on Grace’s shoulder. “I just feel so stupid, you know? Like, I actually believed that he was working late.”
“He’s the dumb cheating bastard,” Harper said. “There is nothing stupid about trusting your fiancé, Addie. Don’t let him make you feel anything but anger. He fucked up. He cheated.”