And the Sweet (Addiction Series Book 2) Read Free Page A

and butterflies begin fluttering like crazy in my stomach.
    It’s been so long since I’ve heard her sound so meek, so uncertain and nowhere near the strong and confident woman she had been the last few years of our relationship. This girl, with her demure appearance, and her lack of voice is nothing like the girl I remember, the girl I knew.
    I almost wonder if this is an act. I still don’t know for sure about Celia’s relationships with some of the guys from the fights, but it could make sense that she would play this quiet and sad girl so people have sympathy for her, all things considered. Then again, I’ve never seen her actually look so fucking defeated before. She isn’t even trying here.
    And that thought is confirmed as I see Trey offer her a troubled smile and a flash of his eyes at her companion who just shrugs as though she has no idea what is going on.
    “Have a good night, girls.”
    The trio parts way and I watch Trey watch them for a bit until he’s forced to disappear around the corner heading north. The two girls keep walking south, and I realize if I’m going to have any chance at all, I need to get ahead of them and make it seem like it’s coincidental that we’re running into each other. At this time of night. In this part of town. No big deal. Jogging ahead, trying to keep from being seen on a nearly desolate street, I cut across and then turn around to head back toward the restaurant and that’s when I see them both notice me.
    I slow my pace; I don’t want to scare either girl but I also don’t want them to wonder why I may be breathing heavy. As I get close to the curb, Cecelia notices exactly who is walking toward her and she stops. Frozen, dead in her tracks.
    Melody comes to a stop too, looking at Celia with wide eyes. Then those eyes find me and I can see her appraising me, wondering who I am, what my deal is. She’s wondering what made her companion stop like she did at the mere sight of me.
    “Cece?”
    She either doesn’t hear Melody speak to her or she’s too stunned to respond. Either way, Celia keeps her wide shocked eyes on me. “What are you doing here?” Her voice is barely a whisper, barely a breath. Celia lost her accent long before I did, sounding more like she really is from Chicago, but in this moment, I hear her Texas twang come through.
    “You know this guy?” Melody asks, her tone taking on a note of irritation. I’m not sure what the irritation is toward, but I can tell she’s not pleased.
    “Hi, Cecelia.” I swallow hard, shove my hands in my pockets and continue to stare at her while trying not to overwhelm her. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
    I realize belatedly how bad that sounds as Melody narrows her eyes at me. “Who are you? Who is this guy, Cece?”
    “You told me to leave you alone. I was just following orders,” Cecelia answers softly, ignoring her friend, coworker, whatever they are to each other. I won’t lie and say her words don’t make me cringe. I really told her, the one person I’ve known and trusted the most to stay away from me. Even if she betrayed me, I can’t believe I said the words I actually said to her. “What are you even doing here?”
    It’s the second time she’s asked. I try to focus on that question, try to push aside the guilt that’s bubbling up faster than a volcano inside my chest. “You just disappeared. No one knew where you’d gone, if you were even alright. I heard some things. Scary things.”
    “I’m sure you did.” For the first time all night, I see fire spark in Celia’s light brown eyes. She’s angry at me, at my words and I realize, once more, how bad they sound.
    “Shit, sorry. That didn’t come out right,” I try to defend but she’s started walking, grabbing Melody, who has gone silent, watching our exchange until now when I hear her ask once again what’s going on. “Cecelia? I’m so fucking sorry. I didn’t mean it like that.”
    “You’re forgiven, have a