“Got it. I’m going to start working on them tomorrow so we can get this show on the road,” Addison says with a slur.
“I look forward to sexting with you, dear.”
What the fuck?
“Texting, not sexting,” Becca corrects before falling into a fit of giggles.
“Well, given some of the cupcakes Addison has in mind, it might be sexting.” Mom snorts. “But that would be something, wouldn’t it.”
My mother and Becca are almost hysterical, but Addison has grown quiet. I carefully push open the bedroom door to find she’s out cold, the phone still wrapped tightly in her hand. Lifting it gently, I raise my finger in front of my mouth, giving the universal sign for quiet when both remaining Zoom callers’ eyes go wide.
“She’s fallen asleep,” I whisper.
“Did you hear any of that?” Becca asks nervously.
I shake my head at them. “What I heard didn’t make a lick of sense.”
“Good,” they both answer in unison.
“Tell Addy goodnight for me,” Mom says entirely too loudly.
“Shhh. Okay, okay. I’m going to tuck her in. You two put away the drinks and go to bed.”
Thankfully Addison is already dressed in her pajamas, so I attempt to lift her and pull back the sheets. As I reach for her phone to set her alarm, she stirs.
“You’re home. I missed you.”
I bend to kiss her on the nose and place her phone on the charger.
“Oh, I love your mom. And Becca. Don’t forget Becca.”
I chuckle. “I won’t forget Becca.” Pushing her hair back from her sweet face, I hope she’ll drift back to sleep so tomorrow morning isn’t too painful.
“We’re planning a surprise party. For your birthday. Oh, you’re going to be fabbergusted.”
I can’t contain my snort. “You mean, flabbergasted?” Addison had to have tied one on tonight. There’s no way she’d want me to find out about her plans.
“That’s what I said.” She attempts to give me a playful shove and misses, rolling onto her side. She blows a frustrated raspberry with her lips and tongue and I almost belt out in laughter. “Your mom sent me this box with all of your favorite things when you were little. I’m going to make some crazy ass cupcakes with them.”
Good lord.I’m not the surprise party kind of guy. My mother should know this. But it’s hard to say no to Addison. Scratching my head, I decide to push for more, given she’s so loose-lipped. I might be able to tolerate this shindig if I’m better prepared. “So when’s this party supposed to happen?”
“For your birthday, silly.” She cackles. Even drunk and ridiculous, she’s cute.
I guess I’m not going to get anything more specific than that out of her.
“It’s going to be great. Your mom and Noah. And Becca and the kids. And Mick and Ava. Even Zach is coming. Alex might come with him. But I hope he doesn’t bring that Ainsley chick. She was annoying.”Hiccup.
“Baby, get some sleep. I set your alarm. But you’ll be miserable in the morning if you don’t get some rest. Do you need a glass of water?”
My question is met with a heavy exhale, and what I predict is her final descent into la la land. I quickly change my clothes and wash up before returning to bed to set my alarm. I’ll have to be up by 5:30 to get a shower before heading to the station.
Lying down, I replay the drunken conversation in my mind.Man. They’re all coming down here for this?I honestly never thought Mom would come to visit. She’s so set in her ways. This is Addison’s doing. I’m sure of it.
Rolling onto my side, I look at my gorgeous, intoxicated angel. A stray lock of dark hair has fallen into her face and dances with each exhale. I lift it up, sliding it over her shoulder, and revel in how lucky I am. At least I won’t have to pretend I don’t know what’s going on for very long. My birthday is only a week away.
Returning to my back, I rest my hands behind my head and smile. I need to do something to show Addison how much I appreciate her for all of this effort. That she’d do all of this for me. Gone are the days when my birthday was an afterthought. Where parties only existed as a platform for my girlfriend to steal the spotlight. The idea would never cross Addison’s mind because she doesn’t need to manipulate a situation to gain attention. People genuinely want to be around her. She’s a ray of sunshine to all who know her. And I’m the one who gets to bask in it every day.
* * *
