by Britney King
Addie wiped the tears from her eyes and took in the dozens of orchids that filled her room. “I know.”
“Then tell me what exactly is the goddamned problem?”
Addie locked eyes with Sondra. “I just can’t promise you that right now. Just trust that, eventually, I’ll make things right. But for now, I really can’t say any more than that. You’ll just have to take my word for it, ok?”
Sondra patted Addie's leg and let it be. “Talk to him for me, ok? Put in a good word, will ya?”
“Absolutely.” Addie replied, thankful Sondra didn’t pry. She smiled, grateful for her small victory. William might buy her lies, but Sondra never would.
Addie stroked William’s hair as she stared at his head lying in her lap. She memorized every detail, knowing that she was about to break his heart.
William looked up at her suddenly, as though he sensed something was wrong. He searched her face as the shade of his piercing blue eyes burned into her memory. As long as she lived, she would never forget that moment, the way that he looked at her.
“I hear you’re going home tomorrow. What am I going to do when I can’t just sneak down the hall and see your face? I was thinking about all of the ways I would miss you, and I was wondering . . . I was thinking that maybe you should come home with me. That way I can kiss you whenever I want to. I could get a place where you could rest, where the boys could run and play, where I could protect you. We could be happy, Addison.”
Addie took a deep breath, her eyes never leaving his. “I love you, William. I need you to know that. Tell me that you know that.”
William grinned, flashing the smile she adored so much. “I know that.”
She wrapped his hair around her little finger. “I can’t . . . We can’t be together right now. I need you to trust me on this.”
“Why not?”
Addie exhaled. “I need to focus on my marriage right now. Let’s just leave it at that.”
William stood, yanking his head from her grasp. “Are you fucking kidding me? He doesn't give a shit about you, Addison.”
“No, I’m not kidding you.”
“I let you go once. I don’t intend on doing it again.”
Addie sat up, trying to close the distance she was creating. “I just need some time, ok, William? That’s all.”
William paused, rubbing his chin. Addie knew this was what he did when he was thinking, questioning himself. “He’s having an affair, Addison.”
“I know.”
William turned on his heel and glared at her, confused. “What do you mean, you know. Goddamn, Addison, I never had you pegged as one who would put up with that shit.”
“Just what I said—I know. I received an anonymous envelope weeks ago. I guess I should be asking you why you knew and kept it from me.”
Carl. It had to be Carl. William hesitated. “I didn’t want to be the reason you left him. I mean . . . I did, but I wanted to be the right reason. Not the runner up. Guess not much has changed.”
She considered telling him the truth, that Patrick was blackmailing her, threating to take the kids, but changed directions instead, knowing that if William knew the truth he’d put up a fight. “Once Scott Hammons’ case goes to trial, everything is going to come out. I’m going to be painted as a philandering whore, every mistake I’ve ever made exposed for the entire world to see. I can’t let this destroy my family, William. If I leave now, our lives will be irrevocably altered. I need to ride this out. I need time, William.”
“Fuck time. What’s going to come out will come out. Which reminds me . . . You and I have a lot to discuss. But I’ve hired the best legal team money can buy. They know what they’re dealing with, and they’re perfectly capable of handling this. This is bullshit, Addison, and you and I both know it.”
Addie tried a different method. “They’re freeing Scott on bond, William. If you and I are together, who knows what . . .”
William sighed, sitting on the edge of her bed. “How much time are you asking for, Addison?”
“Just until the trial’s over.”
“And what then?”
“Then I’ll leave.”
William curled up in the bed next to Addie and kissed her face. “But that could be months.”
“I just need you to trust me on this. Please. It’s not that long. If you love me, William, you either wait or let me go. It’s your choice, but I want you to at least consider my point of view. I have children to think about. I have to protect them, William. They are, and always will be, my number one priority. If we’re going to be together, you have to understand that and be willing to accept it.”
“Ok. What is it you’re asking exactly?”
“I’m asking that we cease contact until the trial is complete. In light of all that is about to come out about us and about Seven and my role there, it’s just too risky.”
William intertwined his fingers with hers. “I’m just not sure I can do it.”
“You have to, William. Please? Do it for me. Do it for us.”
Addie and William said their tearful goodbyes early the next morning, standing in her hospital room, each of them promising the other that they’d be together again once the trial was over and Scott Hammons had been convicted of kidnapping and attempted murder. No matter what happened in between.
As the weeks went by, life slowly returned to a new normal. At first, William had consumed Addie’s mind nearly every waking moment. Eventually though, as the weeks gave way to months and although the pain never quite subsided, Addie was finally able to get through the day without crying.
Thanksgiving came and went as Addie immersed herself in her children. Patrick returned to the office after a few weeks, although he mostly chose to work at home. Over time, the two of them began speaking, as Addie tried to put on a happy front for the children.
In keeping with the facade, Addie agreed to accompany Patrick and the boys to pick out their Christmas tree. Maybe it was the spirit of the season, or the fact that Addie knew that it was likely their final Christmas together, but when Connor pulled the two of them together and Patrick reached for her hand, intertwining their fingers, she didn’t pull away. Seeing her children happy reminded her to be happy. She owed them that much.
Lost in her mind, it was Patrick who brought her back to reality. “Look, boys, it’s Mommy’s friend, Mr. Hartman.” Patrick said, gripping Addie's hand tighter as she tried to pull away.
Just up ahead, Addie noticed William, the two of them locking eyes for a brief second before his gaze fell to her hand still inside of Patrick’s. Addie could see the pain twisted on William’s face as he registered what he was seeing.
Patrick extended his hand and William hesitantly shook it, not taking his eyes off of Addie. “William, what a pleasure it is running into you here. I’m sure you remember my wife, Addison. These are our children: Connor, Parker and James.”
William smiled at the boys, shaking their hands one by one. “Well, I’d better be going.” Glaring at Addie, he continued. “It’s so nice to have finally met you guys.”
Addie watched, speechless, as everything around her happened in slow motion.
“Once this trial business is said and done, my wife and I and these little guys you see here are heading back to China. I think we’re all looking forward to getting away.”
Addie’s mouth gaped as she spoke. “I don't think . . .”
William put his hands up to stop her, his expression pained. “Like I said, I’ve got to run. Merry Christmas.”
William turned on his heel and walked in the other direction. Addie watched him until he was just a tiny speck blended in among the crowd. And just as Addie thought she’d lost sight of him, William turned, their eyes locking for a briefest of seconds, until she was being led in the opposite direction. Addie’s eyes welled up; the tears spilled over as it took every ounce of willpower she had in her not to turn and run to him. Although she couldn’t say for sure, Addie swore she saw the slightest hin
t of a smile form upon his lips. Wiping her eyes, she searched the crowd again. But just as fast as William had appeared, he was gone.
Acknowledgments
I would especially like to thank my husband and children for supporting my dream to write (and complete—I have to add that) this novel. For not complaining (too much) about the messy house or the times my eyes glazed over when you were talking to me because I was “thinking about my book, again.” But most of all, for your continued tolerance with each new endeavor I choose to pursue. One of them is going to pay off. I just know it.J
Thank you to Theresa Wegand for being so easy and efficient during every step of the copyediting and formatting process. You have been a joy to work with. Thank you.
With extreme gratitude, I would like to acknowledge my first readers: Monica, Denise (Hi, Mom!), Polly, Jordan, Liz and Dara. Thank you for your input each step of the way and thank you for “nudging” me to send you the next chapter (already!) Thank you for believing in me.
Last but certainly not least; I would like to thank each and every one of you for taking the time to read my work and for loving the characters as I do.
About the Author
Writer. Wife. Mama. Expert juggler. Britney lives with her husband, five children, two dogs, and a cat in Austin, Texas. Bedrock is her debut novel. You can find her blogging on her website and she would love it if you’d connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.
www.BritneyKing.com
https://www.facebook.com/BritneyKingAuthor
www.Twitter.com/BritneyKing_
Table of Contents
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
Eleven
Twelve
Thirteen
Fourteen
Fifteen
Sixteen
Seventeen
Eighteen
Nineteen
Acknowledgments
About the Author