Page 75 of Going All In

I give Addison a hug. “Thanks, Addie. That actually helps a lot.” I look at her for a second. “Was it really that obvious at Thanksgiving?”

She grins. “Yeah. How long have you guys been a thing?”

I let out a sigh. “I… it’s hard to say, really. We went out a few times before we knew Mom and Robert were together. Then she was weirded out by the future stepbrother thing, but there’s some other backstory. I’ll leave it to her to tell you. But right now, I just need to find her.”

Addie gives me a peck on the cheek. “Good luck, big brother. If you can find love, there’s hope for the rest of us.”

* * *

Finally, on the third try, Holly answers her phone.

“Hello?” she says, sniffling.

My heart twists. “Where are you?”

“Room 232.” She sniffs again.

Thank God. “I’ll be right there. Don’t go anywhere.” I hang up the phone and text my sisters to call off the search.

Addie and Josie

Found her. Everything’s okay. Tell Mom we’re good.

Addie: Glad you found her. Ashley stepped in an icy puddle on the way out and her Louboutins looked ruined. I feel way too happy about this.

Josie: I’ll let Mom know. Glad you’re good.

The hallway is quiet when I step off the elevator. I pause at her door, then knock.

There’s a scuffling sound from inside the room. Footsteps approach the door, and then it opens.

Holly stands in the doorway with puffy eyes. She’s still gorgeous even with her mascara running down her cheeks. “Maddox?”

“Can I come in?”

She opens the door a little wider, and I slip inside.

“I’m sorry, Maddox.” New tears fall from red-rimmed eyes.

I hold my arms out, and she falls against me.

“This isn’t your fault, babe. There’s nothing to be sorry for.”

She sniffles against me. “But I ran off in the middle of the reception. After I ruined their rehearsal dinner the same way.”

I hold her tighter against me. “You didn’t ruin anything. Ashley tried, but even she couldn’t mess this up. Mom and Robert are just happy to be getting married, you know that. I’m so sorry she triggered you like that.”

“I didn’t believe her,” she says, her voice muffled. “I know you wouldn’t do that to me. But it was just like…”

“I know,” I say, my hand rubbing circles on her back. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Ashley in the first place. I was married to her a long time ago. Right around the time my dad died. We’d been dating, and she stuck with me while he was sick. I felt like I owed her somehow, even though we were never right for one another. When it became clear that he was dying, she convinced me that we should get married so he could be there for the wedding.”

Holly pulls her face out of my tux. I hope Mario can get makeup stains out. “She sounds evil.”

That’s an understatement. “After my dad died, Ashley kept asking about the life insurance. I think all she wanted out of me was money. I’m not even sure she was ever in love with me, honestly. Our marriage was always strained. We fought every day, and after the wedding, we barely even had sex. I’m pretty sure she was sleeping with my cousin, too.”

Holly’s eyes are wide. “She cheated on you?”

It feels comforting, somehow, to share that with her. No one else knows, not even Cam. But I know Holly understands what it’s like.

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