Chapter Six
Eli
When I come out ofthe bathroom, I go in search of Addie, hoping to calm myself down and check in on her to make sure she is doing okay. She is deep in an aminated conversation with some burly dude named Jason. Total blue-collar, salt-of-the-earth kind of guy.
It does my heart good to see her laughing and having fun with a guy for once. She seems to be genuinely enjoying herself. It has been far too long for her, and it’s amusing to see her flirting with a guy. I stick around long enough to catch a glimpse into their discussion, which revolves around kids. Jason is telling Addie about his two daughters and she shares pictures of Wyatt.
While I’m cool with kid talk, I really need to get home to take care of my still swollen and angry pecker – the one that didn’t get the prize at the bottom of the box because of an interruption. So, I give Addie an excuse of being tired and wanting to head home. It isn’t too far off the mark, but the reality is I also want to extricate myself from Mark’s very near proximity to me – the way my eyes continue to anxiously track his every move through the crowd – it’s too much to bare.
If I stick around much longer, I know I will find a way to get him to go home with me.
I can be very persuasive when I want to be.
Aiming to leave, I swing my arm around Addie’s waist, pulling her in and placing my lips to her ear. Jason has stepped away to grab another beer at the bar and Addie and I are left alone for the moment.
“I’m gonna take off, angel. Are you okay with this guy? Or do you need me to stick around?”
Addie takes another dainty sip of her wine, her cheeks flushed and warm – either from the wine or her male companion - and turns her head to whisper.
“I’m fine. And Jason’s a good guy and is Dylan’s best friend. But...” she bites her lip and looks away guiltily. “I haven’t done this for a long time. What if...”
There’s a sweet pink blush that creeps across her cheeks and I can’t help but give her a chaste kiss where it blooms bright.
“What if he asks you to go home with him, you mean? What if he wants to hook up?” I prod, tilting my head and giving her an exaggerated wide-eyed expression.
She rolls her eyes and waves her hand wildly. “It doesn’t matter anyway. I’ve got to pick up Wyatt before midnight.”
“Before you turn into a pumpkin?” I kid and she giggles.
Glancing at my watch, I notice it’s only a quarter past ten. Knowing my sweet cousin needs to be reminded what it’s like to be young and free of responsibility, I make my offer.
“Call Mrs. Lindal and let her know I’ll come home to take care of Wyatt tonight. You, my dear, are free to get laid.”
Her blush grows deeper. “Elijah Jonas Morrell! Stop it, you’re embarrassing me.”
Oh, my sweet, mid-west girl. So innocent and pure. If only she knew what I was just doing in the back with my hot doctor.
I take a quick scan around and see that Jason is still at the bar, but his eyes haven’t traveled far from Addie. He is definitely hoping to get laid tonight.
“Angel, listen to me,” I say, grabbing her free hand in mine. “You need this more than anyone I know. Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.”
And then I lean in and whisper, “And from the looks of it, your boy Jason there might just behunglike a horse.”
I snicker and pull her into my arms for a hug as her body shakes with nervous laughter.
“That’s what I’m afraid of. Getting back on that horse might be troublesome. It’s been years, E.Years.”
She gives me a pained smile as I plant a kiss to her forehead, finishing off our puns with one last one.
“Get back on the horse, Addie. Rope ‘em in and ride it hard. And if you come home before breakfast tomorrow morning, I’ll be sorely disappointed.”
And with that, I turn to head out the door, passing Jason as I do. We catch each other’s gazes and I comment as I walk by.
“Treat her right, man. Otherwise I’ll kick your ass.”
He looks amused, but solemnly nods his agreement, slapping me on the back with his big bear-paw hand.
At the door, I glance behind me one last time. When I do, I catch Mark staring after me.
