Sister Mother

Chapter 25

Addie's secret Leo notebook

April 15th

Lee,

It took us almost five years to start texting. It was worth it! I'm texting you as I write this. I love texting you. I don't recognize the giggles that keep coming out of me. We're texting each other just like we're boyfriend and girlfriend and I love it!

I will not send you naked pics and you better not send any to me.

-Adds

⫷👁⫸

Leo

I've had Addie's number saved for less than eight hours and this is by far the best day I've had since I saw her in January. I knew she'd be in court and learn about my character reference, but I had not expected her to text me.

Who made her happy? Me.

Who's making things just a little bit less shitty for her and her family? Me.

Who's finally ready to call, knock on her door, and dive into the relationship I've spent years thinking about? Also me

I was skipping all day long. Work didn't even seem too bad. As soon as the clock hit five, I bolted out of the office, hopped in my truck and blasted the radio as high as it could go. My hands patted the steering wheel to the beat of the music. I sent another delivery order to the McKenna's, picked up some groceries and walked on water when I pushed open the apartment door. I set my bags on the counter and read the last message again.

Addie: I'm going to be late for my Starbucks shift if you keep texting me. But fine. If I had to pick a perfect first date it'd be something relaxing. Calm. No stress. If movies, I'd buy my own ticket. It doesn't have to be the movies. Maybe food. We'd split the bill. I like talking to you. You're a good talker. And sex. We should have sex before we go out. Lots. I really have to go to work and every time I think of you my brain gets fuzzy. Please don't text me until I'm done with my shift. Love you. Miss you. Thank you.

I imagined her smiling as her thumbs raced across the screen. I made her that happy. If there was a job to make people happy, I'd be great at it.

Relaxing, calm, no stress, food and lots of sex. My plan checks all of those boxes. Addie will just have to deal with not paying. There's no way I'd let her contribute a single dime, especially not with what she's going through.

"You're just going to have to deal, Adds." I clicked the power button on my phone twice so that my screensaver came up.

The picture of Addie that Brennan and Vance took stared back at me. I smiled at the picture for a bit, until I got another text.

Beatrice: Sorry to tell you this, but Addie cheated on you. She's deliriously happy. She was in court all day so I think she kissed her lawyer. More likely, a criminal. She was HUMMING when she picked me up from school!

Leo: She did not cheat on me. My character ref made her happy so she kicked butt in court. Didn't she tell you?

Beatrice: She was too busy HUMMING! I don't think you're taking that seriously. It was hard for me to pay attention to anything she said. How'd you know about court if I didn't tell you?

Leo: Addie texted me.

Beatrice: FINALLY! This doesn't mean ur going to fire your Addie translator, right? You are going to need my help dating her. I deserve a reward for helping you get this far, don't ya think?