Page 30 of Naughty & Nice

“With as little as you eat, I’m sure they can make you something.” Jason chuckles.

Suddenly, it dawns on me that Trevor isn’t with them. “Where’s Trev? He off today?” I notice a perplexed look cross Matthew and Dave’s faces just as Jason’s smile falters.

“Yeah. He had to go back home for a bit. Don’t know much. Something to do with his mom and his finals coming up.”

“His mom. God. I hope she’s okay.” I stop momentarily, considering this. His momandhis finals? “So, is this a few days away?”

“No,” Jason says cautiously. “He took a leave of absence. I’m not sure when he’ll be back.”

What the heck? He couldn’t even text and let me know?

“Be careful with that one, Addy. I’m not sure he’s at the same place you are,” Matthew says.

“What do you mean?”

“I know it’s been a while, but I don’t think he’s recovered from his last girlfriend. I’m just not sure… Well, you might be better off without him.”

My stomach does a flip. What has he said to them to give them this impression? This sounds like more than a family health crisis.Was I just a roll in the Sycamore Mountain hay to this guy?I take a breath, trying to steal my emotions in front of the guys. I’m feeling a bit like I just exited a tilt-a-whirl. “I’ll catch you guys later,” I say as I turn in the direction of Honey Bunz.

“Addy,” Dave calls. “Doll, what about lunch?”

“Ads,” Jason beckons. “Come on, babe.”

I just shake my head. How could things change so much in five minutes? “Maybe later. I’ve lost my appetite.”

“That was quick,” Alden greets.

Not intending to be rude, I head straight for my phone, hoping to calm this unsettling feeling. Because of my dyslexia, I don’t tend to carry my phone with me as others do. But I can’t sit idle and let my thoughts get the best of me. Digging through my backpack, I locate it and scroll until I find Trevor’s phone number and open the messenger app.

“Hey, Trev. I just bumped into the boys from twelve. I hope your mom is okay. Since Mondays are a busy day at the bakery, I was waiting to call you later,” I speak into the phone’s talk-to-text feature. Hitting send, I continue. “I wish I’d had a chance to say goodbye when you left. Any idea when you’ll be back?”

Placing the phone on the stainless-steel countertop, I walk to the restroom to splash some water on my face. I’m sure I’m making more of this situation than it is. Trevor just needed some time to get his affairs handled. I’m not sure why this is affecting me this way. This relationship is new, but this isn’t one-sided. I’m sure of it.

Exiting the restroom, it takes me a moment to recognize the odd buzzing sound. I see the phone bouncing on the metal countertop and dart over, realizing I missed Trevor’s call. I open the voicemail, my heart thumping in my chest.

“Hi, Addison. Thanks for your text. Mom’s going to be fine. I have some things I need to get straightened out here. Listen…” The phone is silent momentarily. The only sound, the pulse pounding in my ears. “I’m afraid this isn’t going to work between us. I’m sorry. Take care of yourself.” Extending my arm to look at the phone in disbelief, I feel a tear tumble down my cheek. What on earth could’ve happened? Is he meeting his ex while he’s back home?

Swiping away the next tear that falls, I dig through my bag.

“Addy? You okay?”

“Alden? Would you mind if I took some time off? I feel bad not giving you more notice, and I don’t want to leave you in a lurch. But I’m thinking of leaving for Paris a little earlier than planned and maybe taking some time away afterward.”

Alden gazes at me, concern etched on his face. I know this is a 180-degree turn from where I was when I left for lunch. I need to explain, but I’m not sure I know what to say.

“Babe. You know you can. What the fuck happened?”

“I don’t know.” I hate feeling another tear fall, but I can’t help it. “Trevor just dumped me over voicemail.”

“I’ll kill that fucker,” Alden grits out.

“It’s okay. We were only together a hot minute. It’s ridiculous that I’m this upset about it. I just really liked him. Like,reallyliked him,” I say, trying not to lose it.

Alden’s big arms pull me in for a hug, and any control I thought I had is now gone as tears pour down my face. I refuse to let a man dictate my happiness. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I’m blubbering. It feels like everything is starting to cave in on me. I don’t have any real plans for the future. No relationship. My family is ridiculous. I just need some space to get my head straight, Alden.” I sniffle.

“Honey. You’re allowed to be upset,” he reassures. “What’s that?”

“What?”

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