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“I am happy,” I say truthfully. “He cares about me, Cadence. We care about each other.”
She nods, and I swear it almost appears to be envy in that tight expression she’s wearing. Immediately, I want to lighten the mood.
“And for the record…it was me.”
“You?”
“Who came on to him.”
Her jaw drops. “You?”
An easy smile breaks on my lips. “Okay, don’t act too surprised.”
“I’m proud of you,” she jokes, and I chuckle before taking a sip of my drink.
“And…I know how it looks.”
“Good,” she says with her brows lifted. “Because you should be prepared. Not a lot of people are going to like this. And they’ll say terrible things…about both of you.”
“I don’t care,” I reply, trying to look tough.
Out of nowhere, my sister reaches across my lap and grips my hand.
“I just want us to be close again, Sun. I wanted you to share this stuff with me.”
By this stuff, I know she’s referring to sex. I lost my virginity, and I didn’t go running to my best friend to tell her about it, like I always thought I would have.
“We will, Cadence. I just needed to be away from her for a while.” My eyes glance over to where our mother is laughing with her friends.
“I know, and I’m glad you’re happy. I just…want you to be careful, Sunny. It’s easy to get attached to the first one…”
I have to clench my jaw to keep from looking too angry with my sister. I know she’s looking out for me, but every cautious warning only taints the peace and happiness.
Alexander told me he loved me. Nothing my sister says will ruin that.
When I don’t answer, she continues. “I’ve heard stories about him, Sunny. About what he’s like with women.”
“Stop,” I bark at my sister, and a few heads turn, including Alex’s. I send him a reassuring glance and a smile. I’m ready to go home, to be alone with him.
“I’m sorry,” Cadence mutters, squeezing my hand. “I just… I don’t want you getting hurt.”
When I look at my sister, I see years of feeling like she was the only person who loved me because she gave me attention when my father didn’t and stood between me and my mother when her tirades were the worst. I grew up knowing nothing but toxic cries for affection, and now I have someone who is actually trying for me, and I can’t express this to Cadence because I know it will crush her.
So, I touch her hand. “Thank you.”
Mom doesn’t talk to me much for the rest of the day. She doesn’t go anywhere near Alexander, but just when his eyes find mine from across the yard and we’re both sending each other the let’s get the fuck out of here vibes, my mother finds me and links her arm through mine, stumbling with me into the yard.
“I just want you to know that I’m okay with this.” Her breath smells like vodka, but her eyes are still sober enough as she bores them into me.
“Okay with what?” I mumble.
“You dating a man twice your age, Sunny.” She whispers it roughly against my ear, and it sends chills down my spine.
I pull away. “He’s good to me.”
“Yeah, middle-aged men are good to young girls at first, Sunny. And I know the comfort of money is appealing.”
I shouldn’t be shocked. This was coming either way, but it still hurts to know her true feelings about me. This is how everyone will feel about us, and I knew this would happen, but it feels like a slap in the face regardless.
