Page 7 of My First Mistake
His eyes narrow and his expression changes, filled with concern. “I don’t want her out in that cabin all on her own, Chase. I know she can take care of herself, but I’ll just worry about her, especially with the shitty cell signal. And I know she might be a little blindsided to find she’s sharing a cabin with you, but I’ll tell her it was all my fault. Please, buddy?”
He knows I can’t resist the puppy-dog eyes, and even if I could, I hate the idea of Addie being out in a cabin in the woods all alone just as much as he does. She’s so damn trusting, she’d probably welcome a Sasquatch in for supper if one knocked on her door. “Fine. But you owe me. And if she punches me in the face, then don’t blame me for me having a black eye in your wedding photos.”
Eva links her arm through both mine and Braxton’s and guides us toward a table on the other side of the room. “Addie would never hit you. I bet she’s super excited to see you again.”
I highly doubt that. “What time is she getting in?”
Eva chews on her lip. “She said ten.”
I nod. It’s six now so that gives me plenty of time to shower and change and be back here at the bar in the safety of witnesses by the time she arrives. Then Brax can explain our living situation in front of dozens of people, who can testify at my funeral that I really didn’t deserve to go out that way. Then, I’ll ply her with bourbon and hope she gets so drunk she passes out before she can stab me through the heart with a stiletto.
Eva laughs softly. “Remember back in high school when she had that huge crush on you. It was so cute.”
I remember all too well. Itwascute when she was a kid. And then she wasn’t a kid. I left for college and every time I came home she was less kid and more blossoming siren. I neverhad a single impure thought about her though. Not one. Not until I came home the Christmas after she’d just turned eighteen—and bam! She was very much a woman. A stunning, sassy, smart-as-fuck, wears-her-heart-on-her-sleeve woman. A lethal combination of dangerous and innocent. My kryptonite.
Chapter 5
Addison
# When bumping into a semi-naked ex who trampled on your heart, never ever look at his man meat
Icheck my watch and feel a wave of panic. “Dammit. Dammit. Dammit!” I’d hoped to be on the road by three so that I could get to the cabin by eight and then have ample time to freshen up and put on my best game face before I have to see Chase in the flesh. And now it’s almost four already.
“Damn flowers,” I grumble, stuffing the last of the table decorations into the trunk of Angelina—my stunningly beautiful, bright-yellow Volkswagen.
Of course, it’s not the flowers’ fault that I’m late, that’s entirely due to my indecision over what to pack for this four-day adventure into hell I’m about to embark on. I really should stop referring to my brother and practically-already-my-sister’s wedding that way, but I can’t help it. The thought of seeing Chase in person makes me want to simultaneously vomit and explode into a fit of rage. And I’m not totally sure which one of those events is most likely to happen. Actually, it would probably be the former knowing me.
Space in my little car is limited, so therefore what I packed had to be limited too. And while I know I should have opted for the comfortable and sturdy boots, and onlyonepair of heels for the wedding, of course I opted for four pairs of truly stunning heels and no boots, other than the ones on my feet. Because heels make me feel confident and sexy, and I’m going to need all the help I can get in that department.
When the final box of flowers is in the car, I wedge the trunk shut and then squeeze my suitcase onto the passenger seat, nestling between more flowers.
And then I roll back my shoulders and give myself a much-needed pep talk. This trip is going to be awesome. I’ll get to spend time with my parents, whom I adore, see my two favorite people in the entire world get married and catch up with some cousins I haven’t seen for years. Plus, I’ll get plenty of time to myself to do all the things I barely get time to do, like read and meditate—the latter being something I’ve never done in my entire life, but which Emma keeps telling me would be good for me. I even downloaded myself an app to give me some pointers.
Yes, this week is going to be perfect!
I’ve only been drivingfor a few miles when I get a call from Brax.
I answer it, but I can barely hear him.
“Brax, is everything okay?”
“Ad…bin…ter…kay.” Broken pieces of words are all that come through.
“Brax, I can’t hear you. I think your cell signal there is awful,” I tell him, because my dashboard says I have full signal.
He goes on talking, but the sounds make no sense. He’s all jumbled up now, like a robot speaking an alien language.
“I’ll be there by ten,” I shout, as though that might miraculously help him to understand me.
The line goes dead and the car is filled with Mariah Carey’s angelic voice once more. I sing along and can’t help but recall those times I sang this song into my hairbrush, imagining how one Christmas I would get exactly what, or who, I wanted—Chase Hunter! Just goes to show you should be careful what you wish for, huh?
Thankfully,the drive to Vermont has been straightforward and stress free so far. And I should arrive with enough time to brush my hair and my teeth, and then change into something that doesn’t make me look like a florist. Not that there’s anything at all wrong with looking like a florist—I am one after all—but jeans, a flannel shirt covered in lily pollen and sheepskin boots aren’t exactly the look I’m going for this week.
I follow the directions to Lakefisher Lodge, which to my relief is very well signposted. I chose this one because it was the lake cabin farthest from the main hotel where the wedding is being held, my reasoning being I wanted to be as far away from my past as possible. It was only when I looked at the pictures online that I realized why this particular lodge was so far out of the way. Jasper was thrilled to discover what the second bedroom was used for, even though I assured him we’d be getting zero use out of it. I snort a little laugh at the look on Emma’s face when I showed her.
“Wow! People in Vermont sure like to get their freak on,” she’d said.
I reminded her that people everywhere liked toget their freak onand what better place to do it than a secluded cabin in the woods. I actually feel a little sad for the place that it will be getting zero action of any kind this week. I did bring my vibrator though, and a new set of nipple clamps I’d hoped to try with Jasper but will no doubt be happier testing out alone. But still I’m sure Lakefisher Lodge is used to far kinkier and more exciting action than anything I’m going to do this week.
