Page 88 of Driven to Love

When the door opened, she fell into her friend’s arms. Laney hugged her, and the whole messy story spilled from Addison’s lips. Once the words were out, she couldn’t stay. Her best friend had said the right things, supported and comforted her, but something in Addison railed back at the love. A part of her, deep inside, wanted her friend to call her crazy, tell her she should run back to Nash, the one man who was perfect for her.

But she wasn’t perfect for him. Six months ago, if anyone had asked her about her life, she’d have said it was normal. Boring even. But now…? She’d had two attacks in as many weeks. How could she bring that into Nash’s perfect, peaceful life?

“Thanks, but I’m good. I think I want to go for a run.” Clear her head, or at least drain her body so she would sleep tonight and not dream of Nash.

“What! You should be resting. You have a concussion,” Laney scolded.

Damn Nash for telling them about her injuries.

Addison shook her head. A dull ache knocked at her temple. “No. You’re right. I’ll rest.”

She needed to move. A couple of bruises wouldn’t stop her. She leaned back into the car and wrapped her arms around her friend. She held on for a moment longer, then broke the contact before the tears misting her eyes rolled over her lashes.

“I’ll call you tomorrow. We can do a girls’ night then.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Addison waved goodbye as she unlocked her door. She’d been inside the house exactly two minutes when her phone rang. She squeezed her eyes shut. Don’t be Nash. He’d called once and texted three times in the last hour.

She opened her eyes and checked the screen. Marti.

Dang, Laney must have called her before Addison had unlocked the door.

Addison typed out a quick reply to her friend, letting her know they would get together tomorrow. By tomorrow night, she’d be sick of her alone time and need her girls, but tonight, she needed solitude. And she knew just the place to go.

After settling Lu in, she changed, popped a pain pill, and locked the door behind her.

The first block, her abrasions on her wrists and ankles stung as she started to sweat. She pushed the pain from her mind. Another block, her head throbbed, but she kept going. She wasn’t a quitter.

Except on Nash.

“It’s for the best.” She pushed on, ignoring the queasy feeling sloshing in her stomach.

Two more blocks—tires squealed. Addison glanced over her shoulder. It’s nothing. She picked up speed. Her arms ached as she rounded the corner. Maybe Laney was right about her not exercising.

She slowed to a brisk walk. By the time she reached the tall brick structure in the center of town, Addison was holding her side and hobbling about as fast as old man Jones. The guy was one hundred if he was a day.

The bell in the church’s steeple sat silent, and the parking lot was empty. Addison should keep going, but with each step, her body protested more.

Maybe just a short break. Addison inhaled deeply as she pulled open the large wooden door.

The lights were dim as she moved through the entry to the gathering space. The wooden pews glistened in the late afternoon sun. She ran a hand over the smooth surface as she sat on the bench.

Focusing on the cross at the front of the room, the tension she’d held since her abduction melted.

She should pray, but no words came to mind. Not even the dinner prayer that her mom insisted they say at every meal.

Closing her eyes, she let the last of her tension go. It was like the floodgates opened, and words whirled around her brain. Questions. Memories. Regrets. The last one was the biggest. Nash. How could she regret him? Did she?

Not the man himself, but the fact that she shouldn’t have gotten involved with him.

“Don’t be so hard on yourself.”

Addison turned at the voice. Betty.

“No, you didn’t say it out loud, but everything about you sitting there screams regret.”

Tears stung her eyes. “I’m not right for him.”

The older woman lowered herself onto the pew. “Did he tell you that?”