“I’m fine. Now that I’m with you.” I leaned over and rested my head on his shoulder.
He pulled back, forcing me to sit up. “Pen, really?”
I nodded, hating the frustration that rose up in my chest. “Yeah. I’m fine.”
He narrowed his eyes as he studied me. “You can be honest with me.”
Heat coursed through my body. Why was he pushing this? “I am.”
He hesitated before he nodded. “Okay.”
I could tell he didn’t believe me, but I chose to let it go. I set an elbow on the table and rested my head on my hand. I drew circles on the tabletop. “So I went to your house to find you.”
He glanced over at me. “Really?”
I nodded. “Your mom invited me to dinner. Said we should be there by seven.”
He peered down at his watch. “We should go then. I’ll tell Jordan that I’m leaving for the night.” He stood and made his way over to his leggy blonde coworker. She nodded and he disappeared into the back. A few minutes later, he emerged, sans apron, and walked over to me.
“Ready?” he asked.
I nodded and followed him to his motorcycle. For some reason, all I wanted to do was hang on to him as he flew down the road. My parent’s minivan just couldn’t compete.
“Will you bring me back to get my car?” I asked as I took the helmet he handed me.
He pretended to mull that over. “Let me see. Give you a ride, which means you sit right behind me, or have you drive your own car.” He tapped his chin. “Hmm.”
I shoved his shoulder after I buckled the clasp under my chin. “You’re so funny,” I said.
He grinned and grabbed my hand. He pulled me close. “Of course I want you next to me,” he said.
Tingles erupted across my skin as his words washed over me. “Glad to hear it,” I said.
Once he was on the motorcycle, I climbed on after him. I didn’t wait to wrap my arms around his chest. I could feel his heartbeat, and his warmth washed over me.
He started the engine and peeled out of the parking lot. It didn’t take long before he was pulling into his driveway. After he turned the motorcycle off, I swung my leg over and stepped onto the grass. He joined me, taking my helmet.
He set our helmets on the seat and grabbed my hand. He entwined my fingers with his as he led me up the walkway to the front door. He didn’t ring the doorbell—of course. He just turned the handle and pushed inside.
The smell of garlic bread and marinara sauce wafted out. I inhaled. It smelled so good.
He kicked off his shoes, and I followed suit. Then he led me around the corner and into a large, lived-in living room. Toys were strewn all over the place.
Cade’s little sister—whose name I couldn’t remember—was sitting on a chair, with her knees brought up. She was reading a book and twirling her hair with her finger.
“Hey, Tulip,” Cade said.
Tulip—I was pretty sure that wasn’t her real name—peeked at him from above her knees. A smile spread across her lips as she closed her book and stood on the cushion.
“Monster!” she squealed as Cade picked her up and squeezed her.
I glanced between the two of them. Tulip? Monster? Shorty? Was this a family of nicknames?
As if Tulip suddenly realized that I was standing next to Cade, her eyes widened. “Hey, you were here earlier,” she said as Cade set her down.
She appraised me with her gaze.
“I’m Penny,” I said.
Her brow furrowed as she glanced back at Cade.
“Chocolate Milk,” he said with a half smile.
Tulip giggled, covering her mouth with her hand. “Right.” She reached out. “Olivia, but Cade calls me Tulip.”
I shook her hand, glancing over at Cade. I quirked an eyebrow. What was with the nicknames?
“It’s a Kelley family tradition. Everyone gets a nickname.” His voice trailed off as he studied me.
Emotions clung to my throat.
A Kelley family tradition.
But Cade gave me mine a long time ago. What did that mean? Here I thought he’d been making fun of me. But maybe I was wrong? I was going to have to ask him about it later.
He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and pulled me close, whispering in my ear, “Don’t read too much into it, CM.”
The warmth of his breath and the closeness of his body sent shivers down my spine.
I tried to shrug like it didn’t mean anything, but that was a lie. It meant something. And I liked that it did.
Cade’s mom called from the kitchen that dinner was ready. Olivia turned and made her way into the next room. Cade kept his arm wrapped around me as he led me into a small dining room.
Cade’s two brothers were sitting on one side of the table. They were goofing around with Transformer action figures. Fake gun and explosion sounds filled the air.
Cade’s mom kept shushing them.
An elderly woman sat on the far end. A pair of dark-rimmed readers were perched on her nose. She had a small paperback book sandwiched between her fingers. Her salt-and-pepper hair was pulled back into a bun.
I glanced over at Cade, who’d led me over to an empty chair.
“That’s my grandma. She’s been here since my dad…” His voice trailed off.
I nodded. He didn’t need to tell me; I understood.
He shot me a thankful smile and pulled out my chair so I could sit down. Once I was situated, he sat next to me.
“Now, who is this?” his grandma asked.
I glanced over at her. Her warm brown eyes made me feel instantly welcome.
“This is Penny. She’s my…” He quirked an eyebrow at me. We really hadn’t discussed the nitty-gritty details of our relationship. I was kind of hoping he’d fill in the blank.
“We’re friends,” I blurted out. I couldn’t stand the silence.
She nodded. “Nice to meet you Penny. I’m Jennifer.” She pulled her readers from her nose.
“No you’re not,” Shorty piped up. “You’re J-money.”
I snorted. I was not expecting that.
Jennifer gave Shorty an exasperated look. Then she leaned over to me.
“They’re convinced I’m rich, so they bequeathed the name, J-money, on me.” Her expression looked exasperated, but there was laughter there too. I could tell she loved her grandkids.
“I like it,” I said.
Cade’s mom appeared from the kitchen carrying a large casserole dish with two oven-mitt covered hands. Steam rose off the top as she set it down in the middle of the table. Tater tots dotted the top.
“I hope you like tater tot hotdish,” she said as she slipped her hands from the oven mitts and set them on the buffet behind her.
I nodded. “What person from the Midwest doesn’t?” I gave her a smile, but she just raised an eyebrow.
Man, this woman really doesn’t like me.
I wish I could say that it didn’t bother me, but it did. A lot.
“Don’t mind old Joyce over there. She’s been crabby since—well, since she was born,” J-money said as she leaned over to me.
“Mom,” Joyce said, giving her a pointed look.
J-money held up her hands. “I’m just helping the poor girl out.” She leaned back, resting against the chair. “I’ve always said that I feel bad for the girl that Cade brings home. She’ll have to battle you for the boy.”
“Mom.” Joyce’s voice was sharper now.
Heat crept across my skin. What was happening?
The feeling of Cade wrapping his hand around my fingers raced up my body. Suddenly, everything was calm. I felt like I could breathe again. I glanced over at him and saw a smile play on his lips.
After the food was dished up, I had to drop Cade’s hand to eat. I enjoyed sitting there, listening to his family talk. Olivia went on and on about a school project she was working on. His two younger brothers goofed off as their mom scolded them.
It was hectic, but I enjoyed it. Ten times better tha
n being at my house. Here, I could just sit back. I didn’t feel like I had to contribute or worry about what my parents weren’t saying in their exasperated looks and weighty sighs.
And Cade was here. I never would have thought that one sentence would bring such peace to my soul. I needed him. More than I needed anyone ever before.
Which was so strange. So, so strange.
After my plate was cleaned, I sat back and set my fork on top of it. It seemed like everyone else was finished because the volume only increased.
Joyce told the boys that their punishment for goofing off was to clear the table. They fought for a moment over who got to grab my plate. Shorty won and triumphantly brought it into the kitchen.
Cade pushed his chair back and nodded toward me. “Come on,” he said.
I glanced up at him and then followed.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Joyce part her lips to protest, but J-money must have shot her a look because she leaned back and closed her mouth.
Hoping that this was okay, I followed after Cade.
As we slipped down the hall, I heard his mom call after us, “Door open, Cade.”
He nodded, but kept his gaze trained on me. “Yeah, Mom.”
“Joyce, leave the poor boy alone,” J-money responded.
I smiled. I liked his grandma.
He brought me up the stairs and pushed open his bedroom door. I stood in the hall, staring in.
The room was immaculate. Never in a million years did I think it would be this pristine.
“You’re a neat freak,” I said, glancing over at him.
He winked at me and entered, flopping down on his bed. “Should I be insulted that you figured me for a slob?”
I shook my head as I made my way over to the desk chair that sat in the far corner. “No. You’re a guy. I just figured all guys were messy.” I twisted in the chair. “I mean, your room is cleaner than mine.”
He chuckled as he sat up, resting back on his arm. “That worries me, Chocolate Milk.”
I shrugged.
The room fell silent. When I glanced over at him, I wondered what he was thinking. Why was he such a mystery to me?
“What?” I asked.
He shrugged. “Just wondering what you’re thinking.”
I spun around a few times. “I like your house.”
“Oh really?”
I stopped to study him. “Yeah. Why is that such a surprise?”
A look passed over his face. There was something that he wasn’t telling me.
“Cade?”
He picked at some imaginary lint on his comforter. “I guess, since I’ve known you, you always acted like my side of town was less than…” He squinted as if he were trying to figure out the right thing to say. “Desirable?”
I winced at his word. When he said it like that, it sounded terrible. Was I really that snobby? I hadn’t known anything back then. How you looked and the car your parent’s drove had been all that mattered. I’d changed since then. He had to know that.
“I’m sorry,” I said. I met his gaze and held it for a moment. I really hoped he saw how true those words were.
He shrugged. “No big deal. I’m happy you enjoyed my family.”
I steadied the chair as I watched him. Suddenly, I didn’t want to be on this side of the room. Right now, he felt a million miles away. I stood and walked over to his bed, flopping down next to him.
He laughed and pulled me close. He kissed my cheek.
I sat cross-legged so I could study him. “My life is falling apart,” I told him. It felt good to confess that. He was the only person I wanted to know what was happening to me. The only person I felt I could be vulnerable with.
He nodded as he cradled my cheek with his hand and leaned forward to kiss my nose. When he pulled back, he rested his forehead on mine.
“Wanna know what I wished for?” he asked me.
I widened my eyes as I studied him. “But it won’t come true,” I whispered.
He shrugged as he pressed his lips to mine. When he pulled back, he smiled. “It already has.”
Chapter Seventeen
I stayed in Cade’s room until his mom came in and told us that it was time for me to go home. I didn’t want to leave, but I knew I’d overstayed my welcome. Cade started to protest, but I shook my head and said it was fine.
I grabbed my purse and shoes and followed Cade out to his motorcycle. I reveled in the feeling of being pressed next to him as he sped down the street. The wind whipped around us and I actually felt happy for a moment.
There was nothing else I needed. No amount of money or parental acceptance would make me as happy as I felt with Cade. He was my person. As crazy and strange as that was to admit, it was true.
I squeezed my arm as I thought about the last few days. What a whirlwind. But I wouldn’t change anything.
Well, maybe the breakdown of my family, but that was it. Everything else had been perfect.
When we got to my car, the diner had closed. It’s neon lighting surrounded us as Cade pulled me up onto the hood of my van and kissed me. He took my breath away. I lost myself in the feeling of him pressed against me.
When we finally came up for air, he smiled at me. “I should go, Chocolate Milk.”
My lips felt puffy and my gaze was hazy. I smiled and nodded. “Yeah, you should.”
He leaned forward and pressed featherlight kisses to my cheeks and lips. “I don’t want to.”
I giggled. “I get that,” I said as I wrapped my arms around him, pulling him closer.
He groaned. “That’s not helping.”
“That was the plan,” I whispered in his ear.
He kissed me again, this time harder, like he wanted to make sure I understood just what I was doing to him. I responded with just as much feeling.
When we broke apart, he growled. “I have to go. Now.”
I pressed my lips with my fingertips and nodded. “Okay.”
He grabbed my hand and kissed it. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”
I nodded. “Of course.”
He winked at me as he turned and got onto his bike. He waited until I got into my car and started it before he peeled out. I sat back, watching him until he disappeared around the corner. Butterflies swarmed my stomach as I pushed my car into drive and headed down the street. The street that would lead me to my house.
I sighed as I tried to hang onto the lingering feeling of completeness. But the farther I got from Cade, the faster they faded. I didn’t want to go back. Home didn’t feel like home anymore. It was just a place where I lived.
When I pulled into the driveway, I glanced up at the towering two-story building. A few lights were on here and there, but that was it. I doubted anyone was even home.
I killed the engine and got out. I strung my purse onto my shoulder and pulled open the back door. When I entered the kitchen, I stopped. Dad was standing at the counter, writing on a pad of paper. His pen hovered above it as he turned his attention over to me.
An unsure expression passed over his face. He must have seen my reaction. I hated him.
“Hey, Pen,” he said, giving me a weary smile.
I fought the urge to call him all the names that were swarming in my head. “What are you doing here?” I narrowed my eyes. “Don’t you have a new family to get to?”
His eyebrows shot up as a stunned look settled on his features. “What makes you say that?”
I rolled my eyes as I walked past him, setting my purse on the counter. “I saw you,” I said. Dad sputtered a few times. I didn’t allow him to continue. “You’re a terrible person,” I said, cursing myself for the fact that my voice cracked. I wasn’t supposed to care. He was the one leaving, not me.
“Pen, you don’t understand.”
Tears stung my eyes at his lame attempt to justify himself. “I don’t have to. You cheated. You’re the one leaving.” I turned and pointed to the door. “Just go.”
He followed my gesture with his gaze and th
en turned around to study me. I could see all the things he wanted to say settled in his eyes. But, he didn’t say anything. Instead, he nodded, finished scribbling something on the paper, grabbed his suitcase, and walked out the door.
When he left, the sob that I had been holding in exploded from my body and I crumpled to the floor. My heart broke into a million pieces as I cried there on the hard tile. I’d never stood up to him or Mom like that. I was shaking.
I grabbed a dish towel that was hanging from the oven door and used it to wipe my tears. Finally, when I no longer had any energy, I took a deep breath. I was exhausted, but I felt better.
I grabbed the side of the counter and pulled myself up. After a huge glass of water, I felt less dehydrated and more clear headed. So much so, that I felt completely ridiculous for spending the last fifteen minutes crying on the kitchen floor. What was the matter with me? Why was I acting like such a baby about this?
I let out my breath slowly as I reached over to grab my phone from my purse. When I passed by the piece of paper that Dad had been writing on, I paused.
Pen and Pat,
If you need me, here’s my new address.
Come by any time.
Love, Dad
I stared at the address. It was about fifteen minutes from here. In one of the newer developments.
I read the address a few times. His address. The one he’d left us for.
All I wanted to do was drive there and see the place he now called home. Was it nice? Was it bigger than the one we lived in as a family?
I grabbed my purse and shoved my phone back into it. I picked up the paper and pushed through the back door. I didn’t want to lose my resolve.
Once I was in the driver’s seat, I found my keys and started the engine. I typed the address into my phone and followed the monotone directions fifteen minutes down the road. As I pulled into the community that Dad now lived in, I swallowed.
The houses were two times the size of ours. I felt dwarfed as I drove through the neighborhood. The lawns were manicured. Some houses were guarded by gates. It was definitely over Dad’s salary. Which meant one thing. His new girlfriend was rich.
A painful feeling settled in my gut. He was leaving us for a wealthy woman? I’d always figured my parents cared about how we were perceived, but this? Leaving us because he felt we were too poor? That was a new low.
Rule #2: You Can't Crush on Your Sworn Enemy (The Rules of Love) Page 11