Rule #2: You Can't Crush on Your Sworn Enemy (The Rules of Love)

by Anne-Marie Meyer

Dad kept quiet, studying me. So I continued.

  “He told me to stop, and I told him to go home. He left, and I went around the house. That’s when you saw me. I guess some cops were close by and they caught him. They were lied to and assumed that he did it.”

  Dad stood and began to pace next to the table. “Why would you do this?” he asked.

  “Ted,” Jenny said. She turned to look at him. They had another one of their non-verbal stare downs.

  Not wanting to stick around and have them talk about me, without really talking about me, I stood. “I need you to drop the charges against Cade. It wasn’t his fault. He was doing the right thing.” I met Jenny’s gaze.

  She studied me for a moment before she nodded. “I’ll talk to my lawyer.”

  That was all I needed to hear. I’d done my job, now I could leave. I gave her a quick smile as I headed toward the front door.

  “Hey, Penny? Wait,” she called after me.

  I fought it, but I stopped and turned to see her behind me.

  “Thanks for being honest. I know with everything going on, you probably hate me.” She sighed as she wrung her hands. “I hope we can move past all of this in the future.”

  Not likely, but I wasn’t going to say that when I needed her to help Cade. “Yeah, maybe,” I said as I turned the door handle and stepped outside.

  Just as I got into my car, Dad caught the door.

  “Penny,” he said.

  I hesitated and glanced up. “What?”

  I saw his jaw clench. He probably wasn’t happy with the way I was talking to him, but he’d hurt me, and a wound like that took time to heal. Then his face softened.

  “Thanks for telling the truth, but don’t think you won’t be punished for that,” he said, nodding toward the garage door.

  I glanced over and then turned back to him. “Sounds fair.” I started the engine. Sure, I wasn’t happy with him, but that didn’t mean there wasn’t going to be a consequence for what I’d done. I’d made a mistake, and I was okay with fixing it.

  I’d deal with Dad and his stupid mistakes later.

  Dad looked stunned. I was pretty sure he was expecting more of a fight from me.

  “I should probably go,” I said, wiggling the door.

  Dad nodded and took a step back. I shut my door and backed out of the driveway.

  Well, I’d fixed one problem—on to the next. Nervousness rose up in my stomach. This next one was too important. What if I messed it up?

  I swallowed. I couldn’t think like that. Even if, at the end of all of this, Cade hated me, it didn’t matter. I would make it right, and what ever else happened, happened.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Wednesday came faster that I’d anticipated.

  School flew by, and, before I knew it, I was standing in my bathroom, staring at my reflection. My hair was pulled back into a bun at the base of my neck. I’d grabbed my suit I bought for debate last year. I hoped it would help me look more presentable.

  I was going into a courtroom. I needed to look clean and professional. I was going to plead Cade’s case.

  I glanced down at my phone, which had just chimed. Crista texted me that she was outside. Thankfully, my friend had agreed to join me on this crazy crusade. I was grateful to have her by my side.

  I wasn’t sure what Cade was going to do when I crashed his hearing, but I was pretty sure he wasn’t going to be happy. He’d avoided me every time I saw him. When I tried to approach him, he had turned the other way.

  Which was why I was glad to be speaking up in court. He literally couldn’t leave. He’d have to stay there and hear what I had to say. It was perfect.

  I grabbed my phone and purse and headed out of my room. I passed by the kitchen where Mom was sitting at the counter. She was eating a muffin and shuffling through the mail. I’d come clean after I got back from Dad’s yesterday. She wasn’t happy, but I think my parents were cutting me some slack lately because of the bomb they dropped on me.

  I was grateful for that.

  “Heading to the courthouse?” she called after me.

  I paused and turned to face her. “Yeah.” I gave her a worried look. “I hope he forgives me.”

  Mom slipped off the stool and walked over to give me a hug. “He will, honey. You’re a good girl. If he can’t see what a catch you are, then he’s blind.” She pulled back to give me a kiss on my cheek.

  I smiled at her. Worry flitted in my stomach. “Thanks. Are you doing okay?” After I had confessed everything to her, we talked for a while about Dad and Jenny. She admitted that it hurt, but that she’d done some stupid things in the marriage as well.

  I learned a lot more than I wanted to about Mom. Something about an emotional affair. None of it made me feel better, but it did help me see that perhaps splitting ways was really for the best. If I wanted my parents to be happy, I had to accept their decision.

  I told her it would take me time to get used to it, and she agreed, telling me that she was here to help me.

  All in all, I had a healthy conversation with both of my parents. There was no fighting. No name calling. Just two people talking. And even though it hurt me more than anything to say the words divorce and separate lives, I realized we were still a family. Nothing was going to change that.

  Mom nodded as she pulled back to walk over to the cupboard and fill a cup with water. Once she was done, she set it next to the sink. “I’ll be fine, sweetie,” she said, smiling at me.

  I could see the pain in her expression, even though she was trying to cover it up. I guess it was going to take some time for all of us to heal.

  I studied her. “You sure?”

  She nodded and waved toward the door. “Go. Fix this with Cade.”

  I glanced at the door, and my stomach churned. I’d been waiting all week to do this, and, suddenly, I was scared. What if he ignored me? What if it didn’t change anything with the judge? What if it didn’t change anything with us?

  I wasn’t sure how I’d come back from something like that.

  Deciding that wallowing in the what-ifs wasn’t going to help, I tried to think positive. I plastered a smile on my face and marched out the door.

  When I plopped into Crista’s front seat, she glanced over at me. “What’s with you?”

  I looked over at her. “What?”

  “You’re grinning like a ventriloquist doll.” She shuddered. “You look creepy.”

  I softened my smile and rubbed my cheeks. It actually hurt to force that smile. “Sorry. I’m just nervous.”

  She nodded as she pulled out of the drive. “I get that. But you have nothing to be worried about. Things will work out. Cade’s going to forgive you.” She paused to stare at me directly. “That boy loves you. I’ve never seen someone stare so intently at another person in my life.” She nodded again as she focused on the road. “He loves you,” she repeated.

  I wanted to shush her words. I was worried they would jinx us, or something.

  She drove to the courthouse, and I sat there, listening to her talk about her classes and Peter, the guy she was desperately in love with, but who didn’t even know she existed. By the time she pulled into the parking lot and killed the engine, I was pretty sure I was going to have a panic attack.

  I glanced over at her. “I can’t do this.”

  Crista reached out and squeezed my hand. “You can. Like I said—”

  “He loves me,” I whispered. I wished I could believe her words. But she hadn’t seen his face when he told me to leave him alone. I’d never seen someone so hurt and angry before. I was sure if he could have turned me into a pillar of salt right there, he would have.

  “Besides, I drove you all the way here. I want to see how this turns out.” She grinned at me as she unbuckled her seatbelt and pulled open her door.

  I groaned. Great. My life had become a soap opera for my best friend.

  Bolstering myself up on her confidence, I followed after her. I slammed my door and took a deep breath.
I could do this.

  The air conditioning hit us hard as we entered the courthouse. We lived in a small town, so the building consisted of a small counter on one side and a room on the other. A few people milled around the foyer, looking bored or upset.

  I let Crista lead me over to the closed doors. When we got there, she pulled on the handle, and we slipped into the room.

  In front of us sat a judge. A pair of reading glasses were perched on his nose. A bailiff stood off to the side. He was leaning on his elbow that was propped up on the bench. The stenographer was reading something to the courtroom.

  We slipped into the back row.

  My heart picked up speed when I saw the back of Cade’s head. I tried hard not to, but inside, I was willing him to turn around. I wanted him to see that I was here. That I was going to make all of this go away.

  “Thank you, Mrs. Nielsen,” the judge said as he turned to Cade. “Now that we got the notes from last time, let’s discuss why we are here.” He cleared his throat as he shuffled some papers on his desk. “So, Mr. Kelley, want to tell me why you are here?”

  I saw Cade move to speak, but I couldn’t let him. There was no way I was going to sit here and let him take the fall for me.

  I stood, raising my hand. “Your honor?”

  The judge stopped and turned to stare at me. The few people that dotted the room turned as well. When Cade’s gaze landed on me, I thought I would faint on the spot. His eyebrows shot up as he studied me.

  “Yes?” the judge asked.

  Taking that as my cue to keep going, I pushed past Crista and made my way to the front. I glanced around, summoning all the information I’d ever gleaned from all of the courtroom dramas Mom made me watch as a kid. “May I approach the bench?”

  The judge studied me. “What did you want to say?”

  I cleared my throat. “I have new evidence.” Was that the right thing to say?

  The judge stared at me from above his readers. “You do know that the people dropped the charges.”

  Relief flooded my chest. Good. Well, at least Jenny kept her word. That was nice.

  “Yes. But this is more to the character of Cade.” I winced at the feeling of his name rolling off my tongue. I missed him so much. I was pretty sure there was a Cade-sized hole in my heart.

  The judge raised his eyebrows and leaned back on his chair. “All right. If you feel it’s important.” He waved to the seat next to him. “Why don’t you join me up here?”

  I swallowed as I moved to sit. On one hand, my knees were about to give out, so sitting was a smart option. On the other hand, sitting here put me right in front of Cade. As I brought my gaze up, I saw him staring at the tabletop.

  I gathered my strength and started.

  “None of what happened to that garage was Cade’s fault.” I fiddled with the hem of my suit jacket. “It was all my fault.” I let my voice trail off. “Everything.”

  That seemed to get Cade’s attention. He glanced up at me, and his brows furrowed.

  “So he didn’t vandalize that house?”

  I turned back to the judge and shook my head. “It was me. I take responsibility for it all. I was upset and allowed some other kids to talk me into bringing them there. I took my anger out in the wrong way. Cade was there to stop me. He…” I closed my eyes for a moment as I allowed the memories we’d shared together this past week wash over me. “He was trying to help me.”

  When the judge didn’t respond, I continued.

  “Cade is the best person I know. He is kind. He is sweet. He is considerate. He loves his family, even though they’ve hurt and disappointed him.” I glanced back at his mom and grandmother, who were sitting behind him. “It’s a trait that I could learn.”

  When my gaze fell on Cade, I saw that his expression hadn’t changed. He looked as if he wasn’t sure how to process what I was saying. But I was on a roll, so I wasn’t going to stop.

  “I used to hate Cade. But as I got to know him, I learned that there is so much about him that I…” I hesitated. Did I want to say it? Yes, I did. Cade had to know. “That I love.” Tears filled my eyes. “He’s my best friend.” I laughed as I glanced up to the ceiling. “Oh, wow. It feels so weird to say that. For so long, he was my enemy.”

  I glanced over to the judge, who was watching me. “And I have you to thank.”

  “Me?” the judge asked.

  I nodded. “You forced him to be better. My principal asked me to help him. So, if it wasn’t for you, I’d still hate him.” I dabbed at my eyes. “Please don’t punish him for what I did. Cade’s a good guy. The world needs him in it.” I turned my attention back to Cade and let all the feelings that had bubbled up inside of me rest in my gaze. I wanted him to know that what I said was true. He meant so much to me.

  And I couldn’t lose him.

  When the judge realized that I was done, he excused me from the stand.

  I went back and collapsed next to Crista. She hugged me and told me that my confession was “daytime-television worthy.” I just nodded, trying to calm my shaking body.

  The rest of the session went by in a blur. The judge talked to Cade and told him he was disappointed, but happy to hear that he was turning his life around. Instead of any legal action, he was going to sentence him to community service. Cade accepted, and the judge excused him. Then the court was no longer in session.

  I stood next to Crista as Cade, his mom, and his grandmother made their way out of the room. I stared at him. Was it wrong that I’d hoped he would run into my arms and tell me that he forgave me?

  He didn’t, and my heart broke as he walked in front of me without acknowledging me.

  I glanced back at Crista. It was too late. He hated me and would never forgive me.

  She patted my back as we walked out of the courtroom. I sighed, trying to hold it together. I’d cried enough the last few days that I doubted I had anything left inside of me.

  When we pulled up to my house, I opened my door.

  “I’m sorry, Pen,” Crista said as I stepped out.

  I shrugged as I turned to lean back in. “It’s okay. I tried, right?”

  She nodded. “Yep. And he’s a dork for not seeing how great you are.”

  I laughed, but it sounded as forced and fake as it felt. She waved at me as I shut the door and made my way up the walkway. Just as I stepped onto my front porch, my phone chimed.

  Probably a supportive text from Crista. When I pulled out my phone, I glanced down, and my heart nearly stopped. It was a text from Cade.

  My hands shook as I swiped my phone on and read his words.

  Cade: Meet me at the water tower in twenty

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  My whole body shook as I drove to the water tower. I feared that I’d twitch and veer off the road, where I’d crash into the trees, die, and never hear what Cade wanted to tell me.

  I gripped the steering wheel tighter. There was no way I was going to heaven without talking to Cade.

  As I pulled up to the water tower, I took a deep breath. Cade’s bike was parked in front of me. My heartbeat picked up speed. He was here.

  He was here.

  He hadn’t chickened out. He wanted to talk to me. There just might be a chance for us.

  “Get a grip, Penny,” I muttered under my breath. Maybe he just wanted to thank me for taking responsibility and then say goodbye forever.

  That thought made my stomach twist. I blew out my breath; I needed to stop thinking. I was going to go crazy. I just needed to turn off the engine and step out of the car, go up to the platform, and listen to what he had to say. Then, I could decide if I was going to freak out.

  Silence filled my ears as I turned off the engine and slipped my keys into my purse. I opened my door and got out. When my gaze made its way up to the water tower, I found him sitting on the platform like we’d done just a few days ago.

  I could see his arms resting on the bottom rail.

  All I wanted to do was be up there with him.
I pushed out all the built-up fear inside of me and took a deep breath. I climbed the ladder in record time. When I stood on the platform, I hesitated.

  Was I ready for this?

  Then Cade turned around and met my gaze, and one thought flashed through my mind.

  Yes. I was ready for this.

  I waited for him to do something. At first, his expression was stoic. I wasn’t sure how to read it. Was he happy? Mad? Indifferent?

  He turned back to the railing, and the silence that surrounded us was palpable. I was frustrated. This was ridiculous, and it was rapidly becoming apparent that this was all a ruse. He just wanted to know if he could get me here. And I came. I fell for it, hook, line, and sinker.

  “This was a mistake,” I said, turning and positioning myself right on top of the ladder, preparing myself to go back down.

  “I stopped by the diner before I came here.”

  His voice made me stop. I glanced over and studied him. “What?” I asked.

  He shifted and stood. In two strides, he was next to me.

  Right next to me.

  My breath hitched in my throat. Why was he so close? Did he know what he was doing to me?

  “I went to the diner before I came here,” he said again. This time, his voice was deep.

  I reveled in the sound. How was I going to live without him?

  “You did? Why?” I glanced up to see him staring at me.

  His gaze was intense.

  “I needed to make a wish.” It may have been my imagination, but I swear he leaned closer to me.

  “And what was your wish?”

  He studied me. “I thought you believed that wishes won’t come true if you tell someone.”

  I shrugged. “You may have changed my mind.”

  A smile hinted on his lips. “Oh really?”

  I chewed my lip as I nodded. “Yeah.” Then I took a deep breath and allowed myself to be vulnerable. “You changed a lot about me. I—”

  He held up his finger to silence me. “It’s my turn. You had your turn earlier.”

  I pinched my lips together and nodded.

  He pushed his hands through his hair and glanced around. An uneasy expression passed over his face as if he suddenly realized that he had the floor. I just waited.