Light brown eyes widened when she stepped back in shock. “Mason.”
My lungs clipped, dread pouring through me.
Addison.
“Hey.” I swallowed, keeping my face blank. She had barely passed through my thoughts lately, except seeing her reminded me of Emery, taking me back to the day it all came to an end. She was there when I passed out and had called 911.
Her shock flipped like a switch, becoming aloof. “Glad to see you’re all right.”
“Yeah, thanks.” I shifted on my feet. “Was going to come down and thank you guys, but…” But I would lose my shit seeing your aunt again. “Things got busy.”
“Well.” Her jaw rolled. “I’m not staying there anymore.”
“What?”
“I’m staying at Elena’s. Not like you’d be coming down for me anyway.”
Oh fuck.
She swallowed roughly, peering down. It was then I noticed her basket full of makeup and some bathroom essentials, as if she hadn’t been home for a while.
“I know, by the way.” Her voice was strained, no longer disguising her hurt and anger. “So, you don’t have to stay away on my account.”
“I don’t know what you think—”
“Don’t,” she hissed, her eyes filling up with anger and grief. “Don’t you fucking bullshit me. I know you’ve been screwing since Christmas.”
My jaw clanked, crunching my back teeth.
“I can’t believe you guys.” Her blonde hair whipped around, her head wagging. “She’s my aunt,” she exclaimed, looking around to see if she caused any attention. “It’s disgusting.” Her eyes watered, bearing even more weight on my chest.
“Addison…”
“I liked you.” She choked out. “Really liked you. You had to know that.”
I did, but it didn’t stop me. Emery was by far more powerful than Addison’s crush on me. I know it made me a real asshole, but I doubt I’d do anything different.
“I feel so stupid. The whole time…” A sob sucked in her chest. “How could you?” Her voice cut out, a tear sliding down her face. “Was it worth it? Was fucking my aunt worth it?”
Hell yes. But that wasn’t what she wanted to hear, so I stayed silent.
Her eyes went back and forth over me, seeing my answer there. Her face crumbled, my non-answer speaking volumes.
“Oh god.” She blinked rapidly, her hand going to her stomach.
“I’m sorry,” I muttered. “You probably won’t believe me, but know Emery fought it a long time because of you. It was me. I wouldn’t let her be.”
Addy shook her head, trying not to let my words sink in.
“She still knew better. She’s thirty, Mason.”
I felt far closer to Emery’s age than I did to her.
“You guys no longer have to pretend or hide it from me anymore.”
“We haven’t spoken since the day at the hospital.” And it hurt like hell.
“What?” Addison’s lids narrowed skeptically.
“We thought it would be better.”
In truth, it was me. I wanted better for Emery. I still did.
“Don’t hate her. She loves you. Believe me, she never wanted to hurt you. Neither did I.” I tucked my hands into my pocket. “And I’m sorry I didn’t feel what you wanted me to, but I never led you on, Addison. I never promised or said anything that was otherwise. You made it into something you wanted, but I apologize if my actions in coming to the house made you believe I did. It wasn’t my intention.” I shifted on my feet again, feeling the hollow ache I had since I forced Emery to walk away. “I couldn’t stay away.”
Addison’s chin trembled, hearing my declaration, the honesty I couldn’t hide even to myself.
“What the hell is taking you so long?” A girl strutted up to us. “Oh, Mason.” Her tone completely changed, a coy smile curling her lips.
“Elena.” I greeted her, watching her gaze move up and down me. Elena wanted to be the girl every guy wanted. She put out all the subtle signals she would backstab her friend in a moment if I gave her any hint I was interested.
“We’ve missed you at school. Was so heartbroken to hear you aren’t coming back,” she purred. “Especially Addison here.”
My eyes slid to Addison, her face pointed down, trying to hide how upset she was, though her gaze met mine briefly before looking away. I knew in that moment Addison hadn’t told Elena anything about Emery and me.
“Any chance you own a tux? Addy is in need of a date for the dance tonight.”
“Addison has plenty of guys hoping she’ll ask them.” I knew one in particular.
“What about the party back at mine after? Gonna be insane. Addison is staying in my guest room. Sooo…” She peered up at me with a coy smile. Although she was pimping her friend, it was clear if I made a move for Elena, she would be on me in a heartbeat.
“Sorry.” I cleared my throat, stepping back. “You guys have fun.” I signaled my head toward the pharmacy. “See ya.” I stepped around them, walking a few feet when I glanced back. Elena was already sauntering away while Addison stood in the same spot. “Addison?”
Her head bopped up to me.
I licked my lips. “Go back home. She doesn’t deserve this. She’s been through a lot… and you know this is killing her. She loves you more than anything.”
“And I haven’t been through a lot?”
“Didn’t say that. I think this is hurting you too.” She really did look miserable. “You can’t hate her for taking something that was never yours to begin with.” I tried to keep it soft, but she still flinched at my bluntness. “Plus, Elena is a catty bitch. That’s got to be exhausting to be around all the time.”
A snorted laugh came from Addy, a glimmer of a smile telling me she knew it too.
I tipped my head again before I turned away, assuming I closed the chapter on both aunt and niece, able to step out of their lives.
Life seemed to want to torture me. Walking out of the store and heading for my car, my attention went to figures stepping out on the sidewalk. Oxygen seized my lungs. As if a needle was scratching across a record, everything came to a jolting halt.
Emery and Marcie came out of the dentist’s office, bundled up against the chilly breeze, engaged in their conversation. I couldn’t move. Any solid reason for staying away from her dissolved into the slush around my feet, feeling like I had woken up from a coma.
Her long dark hair was in a ponytail, her cheeks pink with cold, appearing exhausted, but she was insanely beautiful.
As if Emery could sense me, her gaze flew up to mine, her shoes squeaking to a stop on the frozen pavement. Marcie took a few more seconds to register what was happening, but she was nothing but a blur to me. All I saw was Emery.
We stared at each other, neither of us making a move, lost in emotions and unsaid things hanging between us. I wanted nothing more than to go over and kiss her. Tell her to forget whatever bullshit I said at the hospital.
Emery’s gaze caught on something past me, her face paling.
My stomach dropped, my head twisting to follow her gaze, already sensing who was behind me.