Free Addicted (A Billionaire Romance Novel) by Aubrey Michelle Page B

been together, he’d totally committed himself to her and their relationship. It made her begin to wonder what had changed. Was he suddenly disinterested in her? Was he bored with their relationship? Had he never changed at all and it was all an act? If it were an act, she thought, it was awful to put me in this type of position, especially after knowing everything I’ve gone through. Is this some kind of joke? It’s not very funny. Don’t you worry, Chad Wetzel, I will figure out what you’re up to; you can count on it.  
     
    Surprisingly, he texted her while she was at work, shortly after she’d debated their relationship and his sincerity. She shook her head, she couldn’t believe that he was actually following through with their plans after he’d blown her off the last few days.  
     
    Hey baby doll, are we still on for tonight?  
     
    Baby doll? Seriously? She took a deep, weighted sigh before responding.  
     
    Are you sure you’re up to it? I know your head’s been killing you.  
     
    Yeah, let’s see how he responds to that, she thought, pursing her lips as she tucked her hair behind her ear.  
     
    Of course! I’ve missed you. Are you mad at me or something?  
     
    Oh, now he’s trying to figure out how pissed I am. Let’s see. You ignore me for days, you lie to me—and I know you’re lying because you never work nights—and you’ve put quite a bit of distance between us. But why would I be mad? Oh, no, honey. I’m not mad at all!  
     
    I tried calling and texting you last night, but you just ignored me.   
     
    Let’s see what he comes up with next. You know, I’d thought you changed, Chad Wetzel. I think you showed me a whole lot of smoke and mirrors, without the mirrors! I might be a mess, but I’m not stupid.  
     
    I know, I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you tonight.  
     
    She sat down on the stool behind the front counter of the gas station and rested her feet on a shelf where they kept their clean rags. Crossing her arms, she stared at her phone. Should I even give him the chance to make it up to me? Other than knowing he’s lying to me, I don’t have any evidence or proof that he’s cheating or anything like that. Maybe I should just give him a break.  
     
    Audrey?  
     
    He texted again while she was mulling over her options. Hoping things would continue working in her favor, she responded.  
     
    Sorry, was busy. Yeah, that’s fine. We’ll still on for dinner and a movie, right?  
     
    He replied almost immediately.  
     
    Yep! I’ll see you in a few hours.  
     
    Waiting on the line of customers that were coming in, she contemplated how things might go wrong with her and Chad’s relationship. Twisting her necklace as she slumped back down on the stool, she wondered what had gotten into him lately. She remembered how he’d distance himself back in college, and that usually meant that he was seeing someone else. As she tried to dismiss these negative thoughts, her chest tightened. All she could do was hope for the best.  
     
    That evening, Chad picked her up right on time as promised. Maybe he really has just had a headache the last few days, she thought, as they drove to the restaurant.  
     
    “I’m glad you’re feeling better,” she remarked as she carefully gauged his reaction.  
     
    “Me too! That was a bad headache. I haven’t had one like that in a long time, but I’m glad that it’s gone now,” he said, staring straight ahead, not giving any reaction.  
     
    Over the course of dinner, they hardly spoke. Chad was ashamed of lying to her. She’d been so good to him, as usual. He’d always referred to her as the one who got away, but he couldn’t stop thinking about his daughter and Christina. He felt horrible that she’d been a single mom all these years with no help either financially or physically. Chad also felt terrible that he’d let Audrey go and that she’d had such a rough life.  
     
    “You're awfully quiet,”