Page 91 of Driven to Love

Addison leaned back. Her mom’s words took hold.

“Would you run if someone from Nash’s past showed up and was threatening him or Davey?”

“No. I would fight with everything in me.”

“Then baby girl, dry your eyes and go fight. Fight for the life you want and the family you deserve.”

Chapter 26

Nash checked his messages for the fifth time since Addison had walked out. It wasn’t like it would change from two seconds ago. The shop seemed duller today. Addison hadn’t shown up to work. Eric had given her the week off after the attack, but something in Nash worried she wouldn’t come back. Please come back. To work and to him.

Yesterday, he’d made himself a promise not to call or text Addison again. Four times was enough. Space. That’s what he was doing—giving her space. Even if it felt wrong.

If there was one thing he learned in the army, timing was everything. He cringed at the words he’d written in the heat of the moment. Did he grovel? Yes. Was he mad? Confused? Hurt? Yes.

By the third text, all he’d sent was a what the fuck? No wonder she’d ignored his messages.

After talking to Cade, the cloud of confusion and frustration started to lift. They strategized, so the next time he picked up the phone, he had a plan. No desperate typing, just calm, assertive words.

He called. While the phone rang, he implemented focusing and calming techniques he’d learned in the military. They hadn’t steered him wrong yet. His chest tightened at the sound of her voice on the message. Of course she didn’t pick up. He wouldn’t either after the slew of messages he’d sent. A crackhead on a three-day bender made more sense than he had.

“It’s me. I don’t… I don’t understand what’s going on.” This was just a disagreement. They needed to talk it out because Addison was his. His caveman instincts reared its head. Nash pushed back the possessive beast. It wasn’t the time. Blowing out a breath, he continued, “This thing we have deserves an open conversation. So take your time, and I’ll be here when you’re ready to talk.” He hovered a finger over the end button. “And Addison, don’t take too long.”

That was yesterday, and other than a check-in he’d missed with his mother, his phone had been silent. The caveman inside was clamoring to go deal with this situation. Go to her house. When she opened the door, grab her face, kiss her silly, and then make love to her until all thoughts of leaving him vanished from her mind for good.

But timing was everything. And patience was a virtue. One Nash was struggling with at the moment.

Maybe he should have gone with Cade’s plan of chocolates and flowers?

He slammed down that idea. This was Addison. She got those from every guy she’d ever gone out with. She was a pageant queen, for God’s sake. But she also played catch with Davey and cuddled his dog.

Nash stood in his bay at work and stared at his phone.

“Hey man, you workin’ today or scrolling social media?” Leon called from across the shop.

“No.” Nash closed his phone, but didn’t open his toolbox.

“No, what?”

“Tell Eric I had something to do today.” Nash grabbed his keys and jogged out the door.

Cade slid from his car as Nash unlocked his Cutlass. “Where are you going?”

“It’s time.”

Cade smiled. “Go get her, man.”

“That’s the plan.” But he had to make a stop first.

A soft brush of fur pulled her thoughts. Lu meowed.

“Oh, sorry, buddy.” Addison looked up from the cat dish she’d been filling. Kibble had spilled all over the counter. According to the time on the stove, she’d been zoning out for the last five minutes.

She brushed the extra food back into the bag. “Sorry, Lou. It’s been a rough week.”

Sleep eluded her, and it showed. Every time she closed her eyes, images of Corey or Amber or some other faceless person from her past was gunning for her.

But in every one of those dreams, Nash was there, riding to her rescue.