“Don’t want to tell me?”
“I want to say something, but I don’t want to ruin the day.”
What could she possibly say that would ruin anything? She may have just met Cleo in person, but they’d been writing so long, she had a keen sense of the type of person she was. Kind, caring, thoughtful, and genuine. All the key qualities of someone who couldn’t ruin a day.So what’s up?
“Say it.”
Cleo shifted on her stool, turning slightly. She cupped her hands on her lap and bit her lip.
“I’m sorry about the other day at the clubhouse.”
Addison immediately lifted her hand. “You don’t have to…”
“Yes, I do.” She swallowed. “You handled it with complete grace and understanding.”
“Because I do understand, Cleo.”
“Right, but if someone, let alone a group of people, treated me so coldly, it would upset me. Even if I understood why they were treating me that way. So I’m sorry” —she paused— “On behalf of them.”
Addison had no doubt the club wouldn’t appreciate her apologizing on their behalf. If she had to guess, they didn’t see themselves in the wrong. It was another thing she could understand. They were entitled to their own feelings about her being there. Just because Cleo and Addison wanted to meet didn’t automatically mean they did. She got the sense she’d been invited to the clubhouse so they could personally vet her. It was obvious they all had a strong connection to Cleo and wanted to protect her against anyone who could possibly hurt her. Addison got it.My sister would be the same way.
Addison could’ve told Cleo that it was unnecessary. Because it was. But that’s not what Cleo needed.
“I accept the apology, and there’s no hard feelings.”
Cleo smiled, seeming a bit lighter. “Most people might not.”
“Maybe.” Addison shrugged. “But meeting them gave me a different outlook on this whole situation.”
It was bigger than her and Cleo.
“What do you mean?”
Addison turned on her stool to face Cleo. “Before coming here, I thought of us.” She waved her finger between them. “The two of us meeting was the only factor in this. The only two that kind of mattered because it affected us. But I was wrong. Knox’s club members?”
“Brothers.” Cleo corrected her.
“Brothers. I could see how strong their bond must’ve been by my reception.”
Cleo’s smile faltered, and Addison grabbed her hand. “I understand, Cleo. Me being at their clubhouse. Knox’s home? It was a reminder of what they’ve all lost. Here I am, living and breathingbecausehe died. I can’t imagine what it must be like for you all.”
Cleo’s eyes welled, and she tightened her grip on Addison’s hand.
“They just really miss him. They don’t have anything personal against you, I promise.”
Some members were definitely harboring resentment. And Addison couldn’t fault them for it. When she stepped back and took a hard look at the situation and the emotions involved, she understood.
“They’re not upset at me that I got his heart. They’re sad because he died. I know that, Cleo.”
A tear slipped down her cheek, and Cleo immediately wiped it away.
“Can I add one thing and then I’ll let it go.”
“Sure.”
“Cross was, um…”
An asshole?
