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whatstruthgottodowithit · 2 years

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The Girl He Left Behind [Part Fifteen]

Fandom: American Actor, RPF, Elvis Presley, Elvis Movie 2022

Pairing: Elvis Presley x Original Female Character

Characters: Elvis Presley, Addison Goodwin, Gladys Presley, Vernon Presley, Minnie May ‘Dodger’ Presley, Red West, Sonny West, Gene Smith, Billy Smith, Original Female Characters, Colonel Tom Parker, Billy Smith, Marci Cunningham, Steve Cunningham, Jerry Schilling, Mary Jenkins, Alan Fortas, Marty Lacker, Original Male Characters, Mona Goodwin, Joe Goodwin

Word Count: 8139 // Rating: Mature

Summary: When Elvis returns home to Graceland from the Army he’s followed by the headlines ‘The Girl He Left Behind’ but what the media don’t know is that Priscilla wasn’t the first. No, that title belongs to someone Elvis will never forget.

Tags/ Warnings: Angst, Fluff, Graceland, Poverty, Friends to Lovers, 1950s Elvis, Bad Parenting, Surprise Surprise the Colonel Is a Colossal Prick, Parental Loss, Grief, Fun Fairs, Kissing, Vaginal Sex, Oral Sex, Movie Nights, Arguing, Tension, Denial of Feelings, Age Gap Romance, Underage, Addison is 17 Elvis is 22, Guilt, Betrayal, Extortion, Blackmail, Jealous, Army Elvis, American Draft, US Army, Lying, Time Shift with Elvis moving to Memphis, Flashbacks, Caught

Notes: ITS OSCARS DAY!! But whatever way it goes we’ve at least got something. ELVIS AND ADDIE ARE FINALLY TOGETHER! 💙

LINK TO ALL PARTS // AO3 LINK // PINTEREST LINK

@girlblogger2002 @sania562 @caitlin1996 @literally-just-elvis-fics @notstefaniepresley @artlesson8892

Addison was standing in the kitchen waiting by the door and readying herself for the tell-tale sign that Elvis was awake. Four days. They had barely seen each other in four days, let alone spoken to one another. They were like passing ships. Whilst she was out at school he was at home, mostly catching up on sleep, and when she came home he was gone, only coming back in the wee hours when he was sure she was going to be in bed. The only thing was she didn’t know why. The night at the Memphian he had assured her nothing was wrong yet his behaviour didn’t support that. He was an enigma, and she was frustrated trying to crack it.

In the first couple of days, she had figured he’d come around in his own time but as the week ticked on she feared that might not be the case. So, when Saturday morning had rolled around she’d put a plan into action. She was going to get him to talk to her no matter what. But just as she was listening out for sounds of him moving around in the bedroom Mary came bustling in with groceries in hand distracting her.

‘Oh, there you are,’ she said as Addison rushed to take a heavy sack out of her arms and put it on the counter, ‘my backs about to give out.’ ‘You shouldn’t be carrying stuff like that I’ve told you,’ Addison chastised. Mary chuckled and took a seat at the kitchen table, holding her back with a wince. ‘Ain’t no option,’ Mary said, ‘there’s no one else around.’ ‘What am I chopped liver?’ Addison said with a smirk. It felt odd to smile since over the past few days she hadn’t had much reason to. ‘You’ve got your own stuff,’ Mary said. ‘I still work here,’ Addison reasoned, she stopped unpacking things and turned to lean on the counter only to find Mary watching her with a motherly gaze. Addison dropped hers and turned back to start unpacking things, suddenly realising why she hadn’t bothered her. People were still treating her with kid gloves.

‘How’re you doing sweetheart?’ Mary said from behind her, ‘you haven’t seemed yourself this week.’ ‘I’m fine,’ Addison said moving around the kitchen with various items so she didn’t have to meet the older woman’s eye. It was partly the truth. She had been doing just fine after her mother when she had Elvis by her side though without him was a different story. ‘No one would blame you if you weren’t doing so hot,’ Mary said. ‘I know. I guess we all pretend like we can manage more than we can huh?’ Addison said looking at her friend pointedly which made Mary smirk. ‘Hey now, I raised four young uns’. A baby on each hip and the others hanging off where they could. I can carry a couple of bags of groceries,’ Mary chuckled. ‘The way you’re gripping your back would beg to differ,’ Addison said pushing the older woman’s shoulder as she tried to get up, ‘you stay, I’ll grab the others from the car.’

Addison left the kitchen and headed out to the garage to get the other bags of groceries off the back seat but when she re-entered she heard movement moving faster than a speeding bullet down the stairs. ‘Jeez those boys fly about this house like the road runner,’ Mary said standing up and moving to unpack the bags Addison had laid on the counter. Addison didn’t stay put though, instead, she flew out of the kitchen and into the main hallway looking around for the culprit. By the time she got to the bottom of the stairs though there was no one there. ‘They’ve gone out,’ said a voice behind her making her turn around to find Dodger coming out of the dining room. ‘Elvis, I, I thought he was in bed,’ Addison said. ‘Well, he was until about ten minutes or so ago. Red came and picked him up and they just left. Did you need something, honey?’ Dodger said watching her kindly. Addison sighed and shook her head, ‘no, I’m okay.’ ‘Okay sweetheart,’ Dodger said, ‘you know I’m thinking about going to bingo today if you want to join me. I mean it’s church bingo so it’s vicious as hell but you never know. It might be quite fun.’ ‘Uh, I can’t…homework and stuff. Last weekend got me a little behind,’ Addison said feeling guilty as she clocked Dodger’s disappointed expression. ‘Not to worry,’ Dodger said patting her on the shoulder tenderly, ‘rain check.’

As Dodger toddled off into the living room Addison stood on the spot, glancing up the stairs and then to the door. She didn’t want to go back into the kitchen and talk to Mary. She didn’t want to go to bingo with Dodger and pretend like everything was okay. She wanted Elvis to talk to her. She wanted to be wherever he was, enjoying themselves as they had been last weekend, but that wasn’t going to happen any time soon she feared. So, without thinking she grabbed the keys to the Lincoln from the hook by the door and headed to the car.

She was out of the gates of Graceland, passing the expectant fans without engaging, before she realised she didn’t know where she was going. She had no plan. No clue of what she should be doing given her only plans for the day had been usurped. She drove around for a while, passing through the suburban and later on industrial views of Memphis before she decided on where to go then she looped back on herself and eventually pulled up outside Marci’s. She parked up quickly and headed to the door knocking gently. There was a lull before she heard movement inside and then finally the door opened revealing Marci.

‘Addie,’ she said with surprise, ‘I didn’t know you were coming over.’ ‘Me either,’ Addison said feeling a lump forming in her throat. She opened her mouth, trying to suppress the tears from forming and falling though it wasn’t much help. ‘Is everything okay?’ Marci said. Addison shook her head. ‘No,’ she said finally starting to cry. Marci sighed and opened her arms, pulling her now sobbing friend into the house and closing the door behind her. She steered the pair of them through the house until they were at her room and once Addison was transferred onto the bed she sat down beside her throwing an arm around her and allowing her to get out everything that had been building over the past week if not months. As Addison’s crying started to subside she pulled out of her friend’s arms. Her breathing was shaky and her eyes red and raw but in spite of that, she felt better. Marci watched her closely feeling heartbroken for her best friend.

‘Sorry,’ Addison said with a sniffle as Marci offered her a tissue. ‘Don’t be,’ Marci said with a soft smile. ‘I don’t know what happened,’ Addison said with a shaky breath. ‘It’s been a lot it’s okay to feel a little overwhelmed…is he still not talking to you?’ Marci said with a frown. Addison shook her head, ‘he won’t even be in the same room with me. Any time we have been he’s put at least four people between us so we can’t talk. I don’t know what it is. I don’t know what I’ve done. I thought maybe I’d read into things too much. Maybe he got spooked because he doesn’t feel like that for me.’ ‘Addie I’ve seen the way he looks at you. That can’t be it,’ Marci said. ‘But there’s nothing else I can think of!’ she said exasperatedly before looking at her friend apologetically, ‘I’m sorry, I’m just so confused.’ ‘That’s understandable,’ Marci said. ‘I just don’t know what to do,’ Addison grumbled throwing herself back so she was propped up against Marci’s bedroom wall from the shoulders only. Marci shifted back too but so that she was sitting up against the wall looking down at her friend. ‘Well talking’s out,’ she said, ‘maybe it’s time for action.’ ‘I tried that,’ she said thinking back to that first day back from the tour when she’d cornered him at the Memphian hoping he’d tell her what was wrong. ‘I don’t mean forcing him to talk to you,’ Marci said. ‘Then what?’ Addison said peering up at her friend with questioning eyes. ‘Maybe he’ll see sense if he sees you with someone else,’ Marci said with a cheeky glint in her eye. ‘Date someone else?’ Addison said pushing herself up. ‘Why not? He’ll see he’s being ridiculous I bet it!’ Marci said. ‘I don’t know Mar, I mean play with another guy like that? It’s not exactly fair is it,’ she said biting her lip. Marci’s smile faded and then she nodded, ‘yeah I suppose you’re right but I’m telling you Addie, that boy loves you whether he wants to admit it or not.’ ‘I wish I could believe that,’ Addison said morosely. Marci frowned and pulled her friend into a one-armed hug.

‘Well how about we don’t believe it then. How about we don’t even think about it?’ Marci said. ‘And how do you suppose we do that?’ Addison challenged quirking her eyebrow. ‘Well we can hang out here, have dinner and then Jer said he wanted to take me roller skating,’ Marci said, ‘you can come too.’ ‘Oh yeah spend the evening as your third wheel. Every girl’s dream,’ she said sarcastically. ‘Not a third wheel!’ Marci protested, ‘we can invite Steve and I promise not to leave you high and dry.’ ‘You’re sure?’ Addison sniffled. ‘Of course. It’ll be a lot of fun,’ Marci said, ‘and besides, I need more than Jer to keep me upright on that rink.’ ‘Now I have to come,’ Addison said with the first smile she had felt was genuine all day.

✵✵✵

The rink wasn’t super busy when they got there much to Addison’s surprise. Given that it was a Saturday night she was sure it would be packed with high school kids but there were hardly any around. In fact, as she neared the reception desk with her group she noticed that they were probably the youngest in there and everyone else looked mightily familiar. That was when she spotted him. Elvis.

He was sitting on one of the tables at the side of the rink, lacing his boots up with friends around him all laughing and joking. Most of his entourage was dotted about, some of them getting refreshments whilst others had already taken to the rink. Whilst Jerry and Steve stepped up to request skates for them all Addison yanked on her friend’s sleeve making her whip around to look at her.

‘I thought you said it was just the four of us!’ she hissed angrily. ‘I thought it was,’ Marci said though she rolled her eyes as Addison continued to look furious and disbelievingly at her, ‘okay fine! But if I had told you he was going to be here would you have come?’ ‘No,’ Addison said. ‘See!’ Marci sighed. ‘Because he obviously doesn’t want me here,’ she reasoned, ‘he didn’t even tell me the guys were going to the rink tonight.’ ‘Well that doesn’t mean you’re not allowed to be here,’ Marci said, ‘why not just enjoy yourself? He is.’

And before Addison could reply she swanned off behind Steve and Jerry towards the tables were everyone was getting ready for the rink. Addison followed going to sit down beside Marci on the bench next to the table Elvis was at. He glanced at her as she took off her shoes feeling a familiar ache in his core. It had been one he had been plagued with all week. Since he had pushed her away he had figured the best course of action was to keep her at arm’s length. Turns out that arm’s length hurt. A lot.

He had tried to keep his mind off of her but that in itself was hard. He spent little time in the house, only opting to be there whilst she was at school and by the time she got home he would be out doing anything and everything that would keep him distracted before he could creep in, assured that she would be in bed and unable to question him. The boys seemed to have gotten the message that he needed distracting which had been why they had suggested the rink tonight. And though he hadn’t felt like going he had figured it was a good way of keeping him away from her for a few more hours though now it seemed as though he needn’t have bothered.

Though he hadn’t told the boys outright not to invite her they seemed to get the gist that she wasn’t included in this week’s activities. He didn’t know how she’d gotten invited though as he saw she was with Marci and Jerry he figured he could guess. It wasn’t Jerry’s fault he supposed. After all Elvis did usually have a ‘more the merrier’ outlook when it came to activities like this. Still, it had been a shock to see her waltz in looking stunning as always. He wondered how she was doing. He scooted off the bench until he was standing ending up closer to her than he had been all week. She wasn’t paying attention as she stood up almost going smack-bang into the middle of his chest. Her hazel eyes met his, looking surprised for a second before they came stormy and she looked away.

‘Sorry,’ she mumbled and with that, she turned back towards Marci. Elvis watched as they headed to the rink, following Jerry and Steve.

As she walked towards the rink Marci’s looped her arm through hers and offered her a kind smile. It was a nice gesture and yet Addison couldn’t help but be annoyed. At everything. At being tricked into coming. At being avoided. At the fact that even when she was right in front of him he still refused to speak to her. Irked at his lack of response she found herself leaving Marci with Jerry so she could at least attempt to get some of that tension out of her body. It turned out that anger was actually good at keeping her moving and the fact she had to focus on what she was doing was a good distraction and once she had warmed up she even found herself having fun. Whilst Marci struggled to get to grips with the skating, using Jerry as more of an anchor than a boyfriend, Addison decided to spend some time with Steve before she fell into the wider games being played on the rink. After a while, she had mostly put Elvis out of her mind which was good because he had spent most of the time out of her way.

He had been watching her though. He couldn’t help himself. She seemed to be having a good time, which he was grateful for, but as she skated with Steve or raced Sonny he couldn’t help but feel a tiny bit dejected she wasn’t with him. He was by the side of the rink, taking a break and a sip of soda when she skated past, giggling as Sonny wrapped his arms around her and pulled her off the ground.

‘Get off me!’ Addison giggled. ‘Not until you admit I won,’ Sonny chuckled. ‘Not a chance,’ she said though a squeal followed it as he dropped her, her legs rolling in between his as she had become unaccustomed to the floor. She didn’t fall though as he had full control over her and pulled her upright, still not letting go as she protested. ‘Son stop it!’ she said as he spun her round to face him. ‘Did I win?’ he asked, raising an eyebrow. ‘Nope,’ she said, though her face changed as he went to lift her up again, ‘okay fine! But not on skill. It’s cos ya got those big ol’ man feet propelling ya down the rink.’ ‘Whatever helps you sleep at night sweetheart,’ Sonny chuckled, letting her go but following her as she skated towards her friends who were close by watching their little debacle with mirth.

Elvis however was not enjoying the show quite as much. Without a second thought, he threw his soda in the trash and headed back onto the rink, his friends that had come for a rest with him following quickly behind. As he reached the middle of the rink a new game popped into his head and he gestured for everyone to come close which people did sensing that a change of play was in the air until finally he was almost encircled by the entire group.

‘Ya good EP?’ Red asked. ‘Yeah, just thinkin’ tonight’s a little boring,’ he said, ‘I was thinking of switching it up a touch.’ ‘Do you wanna play crack the whip?’ Marty asked. ‘Nah, I was thinking more all across,’ Elvis said earning a murmur of agreement from the guys. It was a good game though it could get a little brutal. Something like tag but rougher as the boys always took it too far, tackling and corralling their prospective targets to the ground. Clothes had been torn, bruises formed, scratches inflicted and play fights galore. Elvis needed it as he was full of anger and nerves that he needed to get out somehow.

‘What’s all across?’ Marci asked with a concerned look on her face. ‘Sorta like tag,’ Marty said. ‘One guy stands in the middle of the rink and we have to get across without getting caught. If you are, you join him for the next round until it’s everyone against the last standing,’ Red said. ‘Sounds dangerous,’ she said. ‘Yeah maybe you should sit this one out babe,’ Jerry said immediately going bright red at the term of endearment that earned a couple of sniggers from the guys. Marci however nodded and allowed Jerry to help her skate off to the side of the rink. A couple of the girlfriends also took the chance to disperse which made all eyes fall on Addison who stayed put, the only girl left in the circle. ‘What?’ she asked when she noticed everyone staring. ‘You’re playing?’ Sonny asked. ‘Am I not allowed?’ she challenged making his words catch in his throat as he tried to reply. ‘It’s a dangerous game Addie,’ Red said instinctively taking over on Sonny’s behalf. ‘I’m fine with that,’ she shrugged. ‘Addie,’ Elvis sighed. ‘What is it boys only?’ she asked heatedly, clenching her jaw. ‘I didn’t say that,’ he said irately. ‘Good. Let’s get started then huh?’ she said with a tight smile before she skated off to the bottom end of the rink. Elvis sighed and looked at Red but sensing there was no point in arguing he just said, ‘start us off man.’

Red nodded and took his spot in the middle of the rink whilst the others skated to join Addison. Though as they lined up beside her she got a little concerned. They were huge compared to her and they had glee in their eyes at the idea of a tussle. She would be crushed if she got on the wrong side of them but she had to save face. If Elvis wanted to push her out she wasn’t going to let him without a fight or an explanation as to why. She couldn’t back out now. Fortunately, the first few rounds went smoothly. She got across the rink at breakneck speed as being smaller than the boys gave her an edge of being fast. It also helped that the boys were determined to take each other out meaning she was slightly overlooked until finally, it was just Elvis and Addison left standing by the edge of the rink.

‘You know you can back out now if you want,’ Elvis said with a smirk that Addison assumed was meant to be banter but she couldn’t warm to it. In fact, it irked her that he had the audacity to ignore her and then joke around like nothing had happened. She didn’t say anything but turned to look up the rink where the boys were discussing tactics for the next round. Elvis’ smile faded as Red called for their attention. By now the boys were spread out across the rink, leaving little room for either of them to be able to get through but Addison was determined. As Red shouted go she took off, heading for the outside as the boys headed towards Elvis. He was tall and slim making him quite agile on his skates as he dodged out of the way of most of them but Red was too fast and determined and soon enough his arms had wrapped around Elvis’ waist, dragging him off balance to the floor. Addison heard the clatter before she saw it and turned her head to make sure he was okay but as she turned back Alan was in front of her barging into her shoulder first and knocking her off balance and onto the floor where her head collided with the waxed wood with a thud.

Pain flowed through her as her head bounced off the floor. She could practically feel her brain rattle around inside her head as she lay on the ground disorientated. The bright lights above her and the solid wooden floor underneath her were the only things she could feel for a moment but then there were shouts and sounds of people coming towards her making her come around. A wave of wooziness washed through her as she tried to push herself up into a sitting position though it was swiftly taken over by searing pain in her ankle. She didn’t have a chance to take it in though as Sonny came into view kneeling down beside her with concern in his brown eyes.

‘Are you okay?’ he said, and she nodded feeling dizzy as she moved her head. ‘I’m sorry,’ Alan said, looking down at her with worry in his eyes as everyone skated towards them, finally having noticed the tumble she’d taken. ‘It’s fine,’ she winced though the way her ankle was screaming at her suggested it might not be. Elvis appeared in a flash and shoved him hard almost making him tumble over due to his skates. ‘What the hell was that?’ Elvis spat as Alan cowered back. ‘I’m sorry EP-’ ‘Sorry?! You could’ve put her in the hospital!’ he snapped his fists still grabbing Alan’s lapels. He was trying to push the other man away but Elvis’ knuckles were white as they held him. ‘I really am sorry,’ Alan said. ‘It was an accident,’ Addison snapped, catching his attention and making his hands fall from Alan as he dropped to her side, his hands hovering over every inch of her. ‘Are you okay?’ he said. ‘I’m fine,’ she said, pulling out of his grip as she tried to push herself up. ‘You could’ve been really hurt,’ he said worriedly. ‘Oh so you care all of a sudden?’ she snapped, making his eyes widen as guilt coursed through him. Her mouth clamped shut afterwards trying to keep any other words inside as she felt hushed whispers run around the room at her words. ‘Ads,’ murmured quietly but she turned away and looked towards Sonny. ‘Help me up?’ she asked. Sonny looked nervously at Elvis before he stood up to do as he was told and wrapped his arm around her waist so he could pull her up. Once she was tucked into his side, one ankle hanging limply between them as she supported herself by clinging tightly to Sonny, Elvis stood too. Everyone was watching them and for a moment he wished he could feel awkward about their tiff being so public but he didn’t care.

‘You got her?’ Red said, making Sonny nod. Elvis said nothing as she clung to him and watched Sonny assist her to the side of the rink, his arm wrapped tightly around her waist. Addison didn’t look at him. She couldn’t. She feared a week’s worth of anger would come spilling out of her if she did and that wasn’t what she wanted, not in front of so many people. Sonny manoeuvred her off the rink and onto a bench mumbling something about getting some ice as she adjusted herself. She could feel a large lump forming on her head which hurt as she ran her fingers over it though it wasn’t as bad as the pain in her ankle. She placed her leg up on the bench and worked her skate off, wincing as it dropped to the floor revealing her now swollen and red ankle to the air.

‘I mean us guys have had some war wounds in our time but that’s quite something,’ Sonny said as he reappeared at the back of the bench, handing her a bundle of ice before he moved around to sit down beside her, placing her ankle on his thigh. ‘What can I say I’m competitive,’ she sighed. ‘Yeah, I can see,’ he said, taking the ice off her and placing it on her ankle causing her to wince, ‘how’re you holding up?’ ‘I’m fine,’ she said though Sonny raised an eyebrow making her sigh, ‘hey, at least it got him to speak to me.’ ‘Ah,’ he said. ‘Sorry you probably don’t wanna hear about this stuff,’ she said, feeling her cheeks flame. She didn’t know what it was. After all, it had taken her a long time to admit her feelings to herself so talking about them so openly felt odd somehow but she felt more at ease with Sonny than with the others.

‘Nah it’s okay. I mean I figured something had gone down-’ ‘Why?’ she asked quickly, her brows knitting together. Sonny glanced around checking none of his friends were in earshot and then said, 'well last weekend…I was kinda thinking about asking you out.’ ‘What?’ she asked, a blush creeping onto her face. ‘Yeah and then I saw the pair of you and I figured I better not.’ ‘Am I that obvious?’ she groaned, flopping her head back against the bench as she felt embarrassment flood through her. ‘It wasn’t you I was talking about,’ Sonny said, glancing towards the rink. Addison scoffed, ‘what you don’t believe he does?’ ‘I want to,’ she said sadly, ‘but then he just abandons me for a week straight. I mean poor Marci’s probably had her head sent west with all my worrying.’ ‘He ain’t exactly been a bed of roses to deal with this week either,’ Sonny said, ‘I mean Red said he thought there was something up but he ain’t telling us. I thought you’d rejected him though that might have been wishful thinkin’.’ ‘Son,’ she said bashfully. ‘Hey can’t blame a guy for trying,’ he said placing his hand on her knee, ‘anyway it’s not as if I can complain. It’s not like I had a chance, is it?’ ‘No,’ she said sadly, ‘I guess not…not that there’s much point. He doesn’t even wanna be around me.’ ‘It isn’t because he doesn’t feel the same. I know it,’ Sonny said earnestly, ‘I think the pair of you just need to talk it out.’ ‘I can’t even get near him Son,’ she said, ‘he’s been dodging me for days. It took having my head almost knocked off for him to say two words to me.’ ‘Maybe I should take ya outside. We can run into traffic it might make him come around,’ Sonny chuckled making her smile. ‘You sound like Marci,’ she giggled. ‘Oh yeah lemme guess the new love birds are experts on all matters of the heart now?’ he said looking over to where Marci and Jerry stood on either side of the barrier making out passionately. ‘They know everything now don’t you know,’ she chuckled.

‘So come on what’s her hot take on it?’ Sonny asked looking back at Addison. 'That I need to show him what he’s missing,’ she chuckled, 'make him jealous.’ 'Maybe she’s right,’ Sonny said with a flirtatious smile as he added, 'hey, I ain’t doing anything.’ 'Son,’ she groaned. ‘Oh come on,’ he said, ‘I get a pretty date and you get to make him jealous. Win-win.’ ‘Except I’d be using you,’ she said, ‘not exactly fair, is it?’ ‘It is if I go into it eyes wide open,’ he countered but Addison rolled her eyes, ‘nah I’m kidding. I mean if ya wanna I will.’ ‘I just wouldn’t feel happy using you like that,’ she said placing her hand on his toned bicep. He glanced at it and then nodded, taking it off his arm and kissing her fingers gently. ‘Like I said I never stood a chance,’ he said with a sad smile. Addison said nothing, she didn’t know what to say in this situation but thankfully he didn’t seem to take it too badly. He made an excuse after that about getting some more sodas and pushed her leg gently off his thigh before heading towards the refreshment stand leaving her sitting alone on the bench which she placed her head against with a sigh, not knowing that there was another broken-hearted boy watching her just across the rink.

✵✵✵

The following morning when Addison awoke she was uncomfortable. Her head was throbbing and her ankle felt heavy and swollen but even without the physical pain, she wasn’t doing too well in any other aspect. She was a mess. She was a mixture of anger and sadness. She longed to know what was going on with Elvis and her but she also wanted to scream at him, to tell him she was over being messed around and that she would be okay on her own. Though she knew that wasn’t true. Everyone else in her life had left her and yet the thought of losing him nearly incapacitated her. She had spent too much time denying it that as she awoke on that Sunday morning it was blatantly obvious. She was in love with him.

With a sigh she pushed herself up and climbed out of bed, wincing as her foot hit the ground making her ankle throb. As she padded through to the kitchen she found Dodger sitting eating breakfast and chatting with Mary. She greeted them both and then headed to the cupboard to make herself some cereal. As she poured her Cheerios into the bowl she heard her name called.

‘Huh?’ she said turning around to find both women watching her evidently having included her in a conversation she had been paying no attention to. ‘I said it looks like you found something more violent than church bingo huh?’ Dodger said as she gestured to her ankle which had turned a nasty shade of purple. ‘Oh yeah,’ she said, coming to take a seat at the table. ‘Elvis said you took a tumble,’ Mary said, ‘wanted me to check on you this morning at stupid o’clock.’ ‘He did?’ Addison said, looking at Mary who nodded. 'Yeah, I told him if you’d hurt yourself you’d need all the rest you could get,’ Mary said. Addison nodded and dropped her gaze to her bowl, feeling a little soothed at his request. They had come back separately last night. Since she had become incapacitated Sonny had borrowed the Lincoln dropping her, Steve, Marci, and Jerry off on his way home. Elvis had stayed at the rink. ‘Were those boys being too rough again?’ Dodger said, shaking her head, ‘you should’ve left them to it, they don’t know how to take it easy.’ ‘I’m fine,’ Addison said. ‘Well, you should spend the day recovering anyhow. Make sure you’re okay to be up on that ankle,’ Dodger said, placing her hand on the back of Addison’s. ‘I don’t see how that’s an option,’ Mary said, making Addison look at her as she continued explaining, ‘Mrs Presley asked if you could pop into town and run some errands. I would but I heard they’re playing football in the park today which means I’m not gonna be able to leave this kitchen any time soon.’ ‘It’s fine,’ Addison said though she felt a little dejected that even after last night she was still being excluded. ‘Don’t be overdoing it now though,’ Dodger said. ‘I won’t,’ Addison said, cramming down a few scoops of her breakfast before she moved to wash up her bowl, not feeling very hungry all of a sudden as she excused herself back to her room.

As she showered and dressed she tried to think of anything other than the past couple of days. It was getting her nowhere. She had tried action and that had failed. She had tried being sad about it and it only made her feel worse. She had tried getting angry and that hadn’t proved successful either. The only other option was to go to the extreme Marci suggested but at the moment she wasn’t feeling that either. So instead, she got herself ready, grabbed the list of errands for her to run off the kitchen counter and headed out into Memphis to try and distract herself. Fortunately, Gladys was quite good at distracting her. Her day started off at the dry cleaners for a mass pick up of what seemed to be Elvis’ entire wardrobe. Following that she had to go to the store to collect the monthly order of sodas for the basement which she managed to talk the boss’s son into lugging to her car for her given the state of her ankle. Finally, her outing was rounded off by a quick visit to the pharmacy to pick up a prescription for Gladys. By the time she got back, the Cadillac she had borrowed was piled high with items which she didn’t have the energy to haul into the house. Luckily, Gladys was in a good mood once she was presented with her bag from the pharmacy and told not to worry about stocking the basement as she would get one of the boys to do it later and that all she needed to do was put Elvis’ dry cleaning in his closet. Which is how Addison came to be standing at the bottom of the stairs with it in hand. She had done so well not thinking about her feelings that now she was flooded with nothing but thoughts of him.

‘Just do it you coward,’ her mind whispered before it reminded her, ‘he’s not even home.’

Her brain was right. All she had to do was go upstairs and slot his clothes into his closet like she had done a hundred times before. And it wasn’t as though he was going to see her after all he was out at the park. So, she headed upstairs to his room and pushed the door open gently. It swung open revealing a darkened room to her. She didn’t bother turning on the light as the low winter sun outside was enough to light her path to his closet. She pulled the door open and ripped the protective plastic off of his neatly pressed suits before slotting them onto the rail, shutting the door and tossing the wrapper in his trash can. As she turned to leave however the bathroom door slid open and Elvis came walking out his face becoming surprised when he spotted her there.

‘Oh,’ he said dolefully, making an ache wrench in Addison’s gut, ‘I thought it was Red.’ ‘Nope just me,’ she said tersely as the ache turned to anger as it had done last night. She strutted towards the door with rage bubbling inside her. She needed to get out of there. Elvis watched her go with anguish. This should be what he wanted. It was better when she was angry at him because it made her want to keep her distance which was what he was aiming for, but it hurt like hell, and as her hand hit the door handle he couldn’t help himself from speaking, stopping her in her tracks.

‘How are you?’ he asked, making her whip around with a look of disbelief on her face. Fearing he was going to get both barrels he continued quickly, ‘I mean that was a pretty nasty fall you took last night.’ ‘I’m fine,’ she said curtly, though he could tell she had softened if only a little. ‘You could’ve been really hurt,’ he said. It was true. When he’d seen her limp on the floor he’d been flooded with terror and then anger at Alan for being so careless. He’d only calmed when she’d had the energy to snap at him. It wasn’t ideal but if she was well enough to bite his head off it meant she wasn’t on death’s door. ‘Yeah well like I said I’m fine,’ she said, ‘you don’t have to worry about me.’ ‘I always worry about you. I’m glad you’re okay,’ he said. Addison fought the urge to bite back like she wanted to. She wanted to scream at him that his actions didn’t support that idea…but she couldn’t. There was no point. Sadness had gotten her nowhere and anger hadn’t done anything either. Which is why her words tumbled out of her mouth before she could stop them.

‘Lucky I Sonny there to help huh?’ she said, making his gaze fall on her. It was a last-ditch attempt at getting some reaction from him and she watched as his jaw clenched for a split second before he turned his face neutral. ‘Yeah he’s a real sweetheart,’ he said sarcastically, turning away and walking towards his dresser, keeping his eyes off her. Addison couldn’t stop herself. ‘Yeah he is… in fact he asked me out,’ she said. That caught his attention but he didn’t turn around. ‘He did?’ he asked, trying to sound casual. ‘Yeah,’ she said. ‘What did you say?’ he asked though he didn’t know if he wanted to hear her response. ‘I said I’d think about it,’ she said. He turned back towards her and found her watching him closely, ‘I mean I didn’t exactly know what the rules were.’ ‘Rules?’ Elvis asked. ‘I mean the whole fraternizing thing,’ she said, ‘you don’t have a problem with that right?’ ‘Sonny’s a good guy. You could do worse,’ Elvis said. He knew it wasn’t a proper answer but it was the best he could give. ‘Yeah, he is,’ she said curtly, ‘s’pose I better put him out of his misery then huh?’ ‘S’pose,’ he murmured, turning back so he was looking at himself in the dresser mirror. He waited for a response but none came and when he looked back he found she was gone, the door left open in her wake. Elvis sighed and flopped down on his bed. He had to give himself credit. When he put his mind to something he was good at it. Not only had he managed to keep her at arm’s length he’d also managed to push her into the arms of another man.

✵✵✵

Addison didn’t know what she was doing. In fact, she hadn’t known what she was doing since this afternoon. The whole day seemed to be chalked full of stupid decisions leading her to be standing at the side of the road looking under the hood of the Cadillac as if it was going to fix itself the longer she stared at it. After Elvis and her had shared a terse word she had locked herself in her room more confused than ever. She had baited him with Sonny and it had backfired which worried her even more. Maybe she had been right all along. Maybe he didn’t like her and he was just too chicken to tell her to her face.

So, in order not to seem like a pathetic loser she had gone through the motions of prepping for a date. She hadn’t asked Sonny to go out with her, her feelings about leading him on not having changed, but she had put on her nicest dress and done her makeup as if that was the case. When she had emerged from her room Gladys had raised an eyebrow at her attire and asked her if she was staying in for dinner which Addison had responded to with a wishy-washy response of having plans. She didn’t specify what they were and instead grabbed the keys to the Caddy and headed out the door.

She’d driven around for a while, grabbing a bite to eat before heading back into the cold bitter wind of the night until she was forced to pull over by the side of the road as the hood of the car started smoking. It died down quickly, but she popped the hood anyway trying to see if there was any obvious fault she could fix by herself given that she was quite far from home and the prospect of walking there on her still very tender ankle was not very appealing. Unfortunately there hadn’t been anything she could do and so begrudgingly she walked to the nearest phone box and called the house. Thankfully it was Vernon who answered and when she asked if he could get one of the boys to come and pick her up he’d agreed. She was resting on the hood of the car when the dorado pulled up in front of her and she headed to the passenger side and opened the door to climb in but before she did she noticed who was sitting in the front seat. Elvis.

‘What are you doing here?’ she asked, feeling embarrassment flood through her. ‘Funny way to thank someone for a ride,’ he said quickly, making her embarrassment turn to irritation. ‘I asked your daddy to ask one of the boys,’ she said. ‘And he asked me,’ Elvis said, ‘now are you gonna stand there all night or are you gonna get in?’

Addison looked at him. His blue eyes were watching her closely and though he was dressed simply, in just a pair of slacks and a jumper, he looked gorgeous. Maddeningly so. Feeling she had no other choice she climbed inside and folded her arms across her chest looking out the window as Elvis started the car. They drove in silence for a couple of minutes with Elvis glancing at her often wondering what to say. Eventually, it was too much to bear and he pulled off down a side street and parked, cutting the engine which forced her to look at him. He sighed and tilted himself in his seat.

‘So are you gonna tell me what happened or not?’ he asked. ‘The car broke down,’ she shrugged. ‘I meant why were you out on your own at night? And don’t give me any cock and bull story about some date cause if you were out with Sonny he would never have you out on the streets of Memphis alone,’ he said. ‘I wasn’t with Sonny,’ she said. ‘Then where were you?’ he asked, making her snort, ‘what?’ ‘Nothing,’ she said bitterly, fiddling with a piece of lint on her sleeve. Elvis clenched his jaw feeling himself being baited into an argument but he couldn’t stop himself from responding. ‘No come on,’ he said cockily, ‘share with the class.’ ‘I just think it’s funny how you disappear on me for a week but I’m just expected to tell you every little thing I do? Bit rich don’t you think?’ ‘Addie,’ he said but she stopped him. She turned to face him, her face thunderous as she said, ‘no. You know what no. You don’t get to talk. You don’t get to ignore me for a whole damn week and then come back and expect me to fall into line. I’ve had enough of that for a goddamn lifetime.’

Elvis stayed silent throughout taking the hits as they came, unable to cope with how heartbroken he felt at the anguish on her face, ‘I thought you were someone who wouldn’t mess me around. The only person in my whole life who I could rely on and you’re still acting the same as everyone else.’ ‘I have my reasons,’ he said trying to defend himself but she rolled her eyes. ‘But they don’t mean anything if you won’t tell me what they are! Don’t you see that?’ she asked incredulously, ‘hell my mother had reasons.’ ‘I am not Mona,’ he scoffed. ‘Well you’re not acting any better,’ she challenged, ‘I mean if anything it’s worse. At least I didn’t feel-’

Addison fell silent, her mouth snapping shut as she looked away from him with a scowl. Elvis felt a curious smile appear on his face.

‘Feel what?’ he asked quietly. Her hazel eyes fell on him for a moment wide and anxious as she contemplated what she would say. ‘Are you really going to make me say it?’ she asked, Elvis said nothing but he continued to look at her expectantly making her sigh, ‘fine. I don’t care about my mom messing me around because I don’t love her. Not the way I love you and after last weekend I thought you actually felt the same but I guess I was wrong.’ ‘You’re not wrong,’ he said, ‘not at all.’ ‘Then why push me away?’ she asked. ‘Because it’s not as simple as that Addie,’ he sighed, ‘I’m trying to protect you.’ ‘I don’t need protecting,’ she protested, a little shriller than she intended to sound. ‘I know you don’t think that,’ he said, 'but I have to try. Dating me isn’t easy. Believe me, I know. You’re young. You’ve been through enough and I don’t want to add any more to it. Touring, fans, the press it’s a lot to handle.’ ‘Don’t I get a say in what I can handle?’ she said looking at him. Elvis wavered for a moment as she moved towards him, her hand resting gently on his cheek for just a second.

‘Addie,’ he said, his blue eyes full of sadness. ‘If you don’t want this then fine. I can deal with that and I’ll get over it, but if you’re holding back just because you think I can’t cope then I refuse to let you. I’m strong Elvis. Stronger than most.’ ‘Don’t you think I know that?’ he asked. ‘So why not give us a chance?’ she asked earnestly. ‘I want to. You don’t know how much I want to. Ever since I saw you at that goddamn fair all I could think about was you. I love you Addison, but I don’t want to be the reason you get hurt.’ ‘But you’re already hurting me! Don’t you see that? I’m not saying it’ll be perfect; I mean when has anything in my life ever been,’ she said with a wry smile that made him smirk softly, ‘but don’t you wanna find out? I mean what if it is? What if-’

And then she couldn’t speak because Elvis’ lips were on hers. She was stunned for a moment before she melted into it, allowing him to kiss her deeply and pull her onto his lap. When they finally broke apart they were breathless but smiley. Elvis placed his forehead against hers as her fingers fiddled with the neckline of his sweater. Neither of them spoke for a moment, too wrapped up in each other.

‘You were right,’ Elvis said eventually. ‘Huh?’ she replied still lost in the moment to catch her train of thought. ‘That was pretty damn perfect,’ he said with a smile as she pulled back. ‘Worth the wait?’ she asked with a giggle. It was hard for her to believe her day had been chalked full of heartache when at that moment she felt as though she could burst with happiness. ‘Wish we’d been doing it a whole lot longer,’ he said earnestly. Addison giggled but then her face fell a little as she felt worry creeping in, Elvis frowned, his eyebrows knitting together as he asked, ‘what?’ ‘You’re saying yes right?’ she said, ‘I mean this, us, you’re giving it a chance.’ ‘You couldn’t tell by that?’ he joked, ‘are my kissing skills that rusty?’ ‘Elvis,’ she chastised, smacking him gently on his chest though as her hand bounced back he grabbed it and placed it to his lips, kissing it gently. ‘Yes Addie I’m giving us a chance,’ he said, making her smile, ‘besides I don’t think I have a choice now.’ ‘Why?’ she asked, confused. ‘Because I know what I’d be missing,’ he smiled and then he leaned up once more to kiss her.

#my writing #elvis #the girl he left behind #elvis presley #Elvis Presley Fic #elvis presley x reader #elvis presley smut

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