Indulgence (Taking Chances #1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

hair.”
    I ignored his concern and forced out, “Congratulations.  I know you and Eddie will be happy together.”
    “You mean that?”
    “Three-legged dog, right,” Brix announced.  His voice sounded closer, but all of the blood had rushed to my head, so my ears could’ve been playing tricks on me.
    “I do,” I muttered, finding the irony in those little words.  I moved into position, thankful that the new pose kind of hid my face from Jacoby.  I didn’t want him to see the disappointment in my eyes.
    “I’m so happy to hear you say that.  You have no idea how much I fretted over telling you,” he blathered.  “And Eddie said I was mad for even considering asking you to be…”  Each word that came out of his mouth sounded like a sound bit that had been slowed down to the point that it was almost unrecognizable.
    All of the sudden, I felt dizzy.  The room seemed to be collapsing in on me.  I’d never been the type of person to panic, but if I had to label this feeling, I’d call it that.  PANIC!  My leg wobbled beneath me and I corrected my position.  “Addison, did you hear me?  I want you to be my maid of honor.”
    Just as those words escaped his lips for a second time, two large hands wrapped around my hips.  “Addison, you need to…”
    I screamed and jumped, startled by Brix’s unannounced touch.  But instead of jumping straight up, as a normal person would, I fell forward, bringing Brix down with me.  He fell into the woman in front of me, who toppled into the lady in front of her, causing a domino effect that could only be described as the funniest scene in a movie.  Yet it wasn’t funny, because it was happening to me.  
    I stood up.  The blood rushed to my face.  People struggled to get up from their fall, all staring at me as if I’d grown a third head.  My eyes met Brix’s and I could feel the tears brimming.   “I’m sorry.  I’m so sorry,” I repeated over and over.
    “Addy,” Jacoby stood up, moving toward me.  I stepped back, stumbling over my shoes.
    “I have to go,” I rasped, unable to breathe.
    Brix was helping a woman from the floor, but reached for my hand.  I pulled away before he could touch me.  “Addison, this type of thing happens.  Please stay,” his comforting cadence implored.
    But the damage was done.  My world had gone completely off kilter.  How could he even ask me to be his maid of honor?  How could he be getting married?  This couldn’t be happening.  It was okay for him to date Eddie, but this was a commitment I wasn’t ready for.
    I raised my hands in the air, not giving anyone a chance to say anything else.  I picked up my sneakers and mat and ran out of the room.  The mat flew wildly behind me, like a cape, as I reached the door.
    “Addison!” Jacoby yelled.  “Put on your shoes.  It’s freezing out there.”
    I didn’t, though.  I rushed out of the building wearing nothing but socks on my feet, which soaked up the freezing cold rain the instant they touched the ground.  Thankful for automatic locks, I pulled the door handle on my car and jumped inside.  Throwing my yoga mat in the passenger seat with my tennis shoes, I pressed the brake pedal and pushed the start button.  The car’s engine rumbled to life.  I backed out of my spot, refusing to look at the building.  It wasn’t until I was pulling out of the drive that I dared to look at my rearview mirror.  Brix and Jacoby stood just outside the door, shivering.  Jacoby rubbed his hands up and down his lanky arms, looking as distressed at I felt.  Brix stood tall and still like a statute, his expression uncertain and confused.  Of course he didn’t understand the true reason for my abrupt departure.  He probably thought I was humiliated by my act of clumsiness, which I was, but it was far more than that.
    Maid of Honor! Was he fucking crazy?  What was he thinking?
    Tears burned my eyes, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t blink them