Listen to Me (Fusion 1)

“Not yet,” I reply. “We’re good, man.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. Things are good here. Will you call Christina and let her know? She’s been blowing up my phone.”

“Sure, she’s been blowing up mine too. I don’t know why, it’s not like we’re having an orgy or anything, and I’m not psychic.”

“She’s like a mother hen,” I reply, watching Addie as she laughs and tells Cami that we’re just being lazy in bed. “I appreciate it.”

“No problem. And I’m happy for you, Jake.”

“Thanks.” I hang up, toss my phone aside, and listen unabashedly to Addie’s conversation.

She presses her finger to her lips, telling me to stay quiet, and puts her phone on speaker, laying it on the bed between us.

“I mean, you were so darn stubborn, Addie, and he was so sweet. It’s a good thing he had me and Mia helping him, so he knew where to send flowers and stuff. Isn’t he sweet?”

“The sweetest,” Addie says, rolling her eyes.

“He really is. And boy does he love you. I mean, what’s not to love, right? But that man is head over heels gone over you. And you so deserve that, Add.” She sniffles and Addie shakes her head in resignation. “You deserve someone who pretty much worships the ground you walk on. And he does.” More sniffles. “I know you have a lot of baggage, but I really think that Jake is completely different from any of the assholes from your past. I’m glad you pulled your head out of your ass and realized that he was just a stupid man who made a mistake.”

I scowl at the stupid man comment, glaring at the phone. “Hey! I’m not stupid.”

Addie sighs and Cami goes quiet.

“I’m on speaker?” she demands.

“Hi, Cami,” I say with a grin. “I think you’re sweet too.”

“Well, I guess it’s good that I was saying nice things about you,” she says. “Hey, Jake, do you have any single women friends that I can hook up with Brian?”

“Cami! Stop it,” Addie says in exasperation. “Seriously, let the man find his own date.”

“He’s bad at it,” she says with a sigh. “Okay, you guys go have sex, because really, someone should be getting laid. I’m gonna go see if I can help at the restaurant.”

“Do they need me today?” Addie asks, but I’m already shaking my head.

“Nope. We’re just fine. You enjoy each other today and make up for lost time. Love you both!”

She clicks off and Addie worries her lip.

“You heard her. They’re fine.”

“Yeah. I’m sure you’re right.”

“I know I’m right. You girls are damn good at your jobs, and they’ll survive without you today. Besides, I want to take you somewhere.”

“Where?”

I kiss her lightly, then slap her ass and roll out of bed. “You’ll see. Stop being so lazy and needy and let my dick rest for a while. Seriously, Addie, I can barely keep up with you.”

“You are not as funny as you think you are.” She sniffs and rolls out of bed, but can’t disguise the humor in her eyes.

“Sweetheart, I’m fucking hilarious.”

“ARE WE GOING to go get burgers after this?” she asks.

“Of course.”

“I love it here,” Addie sighs as she leans back on me and watches the water fall down Multnomah Falls. “It’s so peaceful.”

“Mmm.” I kiss her head, breathing in her sweet scent. We’re sitting on a rock at the base of the falls. She’s sitting between my legs, leaning back on my chest. This is the calmest I’ve felt in . . . well, since the last time we were here.

“Are you okay?” I ask, whispering in her ear.

“Of course.” She looks up at me with a confused frown. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“I’m just checking in. I want to tread carefully.”

“Jake, you don’t have to treat me like I’m made of glass. I’m fantastic. I’m with you.”

I drag my fingertips down her cheek and kiss her nose. “I’m fantastic when I’m with you too.”

“You know, the last time you brought me here is when I had kind of a lightbulb moment.”

“Really?” She settles back against me, watching the water. “What was it?”

“We were standing on that bridge, and your arms were around me. I’d been having a rough few days, remember?”

“I remember.” I remember feeling helpless because I didn’t know how to make her feel better.

“You told me to close my eyes and to listen to the falls. And I did. It was beautiful, but it wasn’t what calmed me.”

“What did?”

“The man whose arms were around me,” she says and smiles up at me. “You’re the one who calms me.”

Jesus. She’d felt safe with me, and I ripped that out from under her. I’m so fucking lucky that she took me back.

“I’m sorry, Addie.”

“Hey, I didn’t say that to make you feel guilty.” She turns in my arms and cups my face in her hands. “It’s a happy memory, Jake. I think I loved you then; I was just too stubborn to admit it.”

“I’ll never forget the moment I realized that I love you.” I smile down into her eyes as she lifts her chin, offering her lips for a kiss.

I happily oblige her.

“That night, after the cookout at Mia’s parents’ house.”