AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I shook my head. “Nah, it’s just for show?”
“A PR stunt?”
“Sure.”
“A PR stunt gone wrong?” He inquired, reading me.
“It’s complicated. Her ex is stalking her. I came up with it in the moment, and someone happened to catch it on video. Social media, you know. So here we are.”
Carter nodded. “I’ve seen the pictures. That’s not exactly the kind of ring you get for someone you’re faking it with.”
I shook my head and smiled at him. “You think you can read me like a book?”
“I don’t think it, I know it.” He took a sip of his drink. “She wouldn’t have agreed to go along with this unless there was something in it for her.”
“I didn’t offer her payment for taking the photos, if that’s what you’re asking.” I shook my head.
“Well, she must have agreed for another reason.” Carter chuckled and slapped my back. “You’ve been known to make a woman or two weak at the knee’s.”
“I don’t know. The last woman I had in my bed was Amelia. Having Addison there, it’s like she belongs there. I don’t know, man.”
“Have you talked to her about how you’re feeling?”
“Come on. She just barely got out of a serious relationship. I don’t know what she thinks this is. Half the time she’s fighting me to go back to her own place. I don’t know.” I shook my head, feeling like the woman who was currently sleeping in my bed every night was fully capable of shredding me to pieces like the last woman who had been there.
“Sounds to me like this is way more than a PR stunt.”
I blew a breath out.
“She’s got you wrapped around her finger. You’re screwed man.”
I nodded my head and stared in a daze at the bottles lining the bar.
“I might be.”
Carter summoned the bartender for another round. “This is a good thing man, you’ve gotta tell her how you feel. She’s not Amelia. She’s not going to break your heart the way Amelia did.”
I felt a slow grin creeping up. I could imagine my life with Addison. I could imagine what it would feel like to wake up next to her every day for the rest of my life. She challenged me and made me feel like I needed to be better. I felt fiercely protective of her happiness and wellbeing.
“Have you met the parents?” Carter prodded.
“Nope.”
“Then you’ve got some recon work to do, my man.”
Carter was certainly speaking some truths. We enjoyed a few drinks more, and I checked the time. I didn’t want to breathe down Addison's neck, but I still hadn’t heard from her. I texted Mike to see if he’d gotten a call or text yet, and nothing.
“You heard from Addy yet?” Carter asked.
“No, I’m trying to give her space. She agreed to stay with me until this stalking thing dies down, but I can’t hold her prisoner. Despite the fact that I’d like to.”
“I’m sure she’s fine. You know how women are, they’re probably a few cocktails deep, and chatting about everything under the sun. I wouldn’t be surprised if your johnson was a popular topic of discussion.”
I grinned and shoved Carter.
“What? I’m just saying I’ve heard the tales.” He said.
“You don’t do so bad yourself.”
