“Hey, man, maybe it’s best if you go,” Landry says.
I nod. I know it’s best to lay low for a while. If these girls areanythinglike Addison, they will fight like hell to protect one another. Any other time, I’d admire that trait, but right now, it’s keeping me from Addison and just pisses me off.
Landry holds the door open for me, and when I walk through, he steps out behind me and closes the door.
“Is she in there, Lan? Will you at least tell me so I know she’s safe? She won’t answer any of my calls or texts… not that I blame her. I wouldn’t talk to me either after how I treated her.”
He shakes his head with a somber look. “She’s not here. She texted Lia a little while ago and said something has come up and she can’t make it.” I nod and turn to get into my car. “I know these girls, Ethan. I don’t know all their stories, but I can tell you what I do know. These ladies see one another as sisters. If one is hurting, all of them are hurting. Whatever you did with Addison—”
“You don’t know? I’m shocked news hasn’t spread yet.”
He smirks and nods. “Yeah, I know. I was trying to be a pal and not bring it up. What you did hurt not only Addison; you hurt all of them.RISEis something they built from the ground up, and they are damn proud of it. What you see, the show they put on, it’s fake. Don’t judge a book by its appearance, you know?”
I nod, understanding what he’s trying to say, but keep my eyes to the ground. I rub the back of my neck, trying to ease some of the tension. “Yeah, I know.”
“Give her time. Give them time.”
“Would you do me a favor?” I look up at him, hoping he’ll at least give me this. He nods once.
“Would you at least make sure she’s safe for me? I won’t ask you where she is, just that she’s okay and not physically hurt or anything.”
“When I hear anything, I’ll let you know.” He clasps his hand on my shoulder and gives me a gentle squeeze before letting go. “Be prepared to be castrated before you get her back, man.”
Duly noted.
I’m almost home when I get an email notification from Aiden in HR. The subject line reads: Addison Snyder’s Notice of Resignation.
“Fuck!” I yell as I slam my hand down on the steering wheel. I press my foot on the gas pedal to get to the office as quickly as I can. I’m sure, if she gave her notice, she’s at the office packing up her desk. I can cut her off and tell her I don’t accept.
I dial her number, and like before, it rings once before going to voicemail. “I don’t accept your notice to leave. We need to talk about this. Call me. I’m on my way into the office.” I toss my phone into the passenger seat in frustration.
How did I mess things up so badly?It’s because I listened to my fucking father. I never should have done that. Those pictures had to have been fabricated. There’s no way she would do that. She wouldn’t have opened up to me about her past and her family if she was planning on ruining anything that was happening between us.
Nothing makes sense right now. I’ve always been able to solve puzzles, but Addison Snyder is the one I can’t figure out. Not without seeing and talking to her. I cut a car off trying to get to the exit, and he honks at me before flipping me off.Fuck you, too, buddy.
I pull into the garage and see that her car is there. My heart is beating so fast in my chest it feels like I’ve run a marathon. I run to the elevator and hit the button several times, willing the damn thing to get here faster. I would opt for the stairs, but by the time I could make it to the top, I’m sure she’ll be gone.
The office space is quiet and mostly dark, except for the light in my office. My heart squeezes in my chest.I haven’t missed her.
“Addy,” I call out for her, with no response. I jog down the hall and slow when I see her bare desk. All her pictures and small trinkets have been removed. All that is left is her phone, computer, and a lamp. I walk into my office, praying to God I’ll find her sitting there, but all I find instead is a letter addressed to me in a sealed envelope. I rip open the seal and unfold the paper to read it.
Mr. Freeman,
I am writing to announce my resignation from Emulation, effective immediately.
This was not an easy decision to make. The past five years at this company have been very rewarding, and I have learned so much working here. I've enjoyed working for you and managing a very hectic schedule to make sure your job was easier.
Thank you for the opportunities for growth you have provided. I wish you and the company all the best.
Sincerely,
Addison Snyder
There is another sheet of paper behind it, written in her pretty handwriting.
Ethan,
I’m not sure exactly what happened yesterday, except that you learned more about my past than I had been willing to share. I was going to tell you everything after this weekend, but I was scared of what you would think. Some of what you heard is true, I imagine, but I never slept with your father. I’m NOT sleeping with your father. I have not thought about or slept with another man since you came into my life and we started seeing one another. I would never do anything like that to hurt you.
