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What do I want?
To be healed, but Kade can’t help me with that. He already covered my hospital bills.
I need a place to stay after graduation, but I don’t want to take his money.
My car could use a tune-up, but no, no money.
Graduation is coming up. I could use a new dress for the graduation party my father is throwing, so for once, I could meet his unbelievably high standards. But again, that would require Kade’s money.
My face lights up when the perfect idea creeps in. I shyly peek over at Kade. Do I have the balls to ask him this?
He’s looking at me eagerly, squeezing my hand twice, trying to coax words out of my mouth. I don’t have a choice but to ask him or come up with another way for him to pay me back, fast.
“My father is throwing me a graduation party in two weeks.”
“Isn’t that a bit early for a graduation party?”
I smirk. “Yes, but my father wants to throw it early, so he doesn’t have to cancel and be embarrassed in front of his friends on graduation day if I don’t graduate.”
“Is that a possibility? I mean…don’t answer that,” he says, his cheeks flushing. He draws his hand back and grabs his neck, like his collar is too tight, though his collar is barely brushing against his neck.
I’m not offended by his words, so I continue, forcing the words out. “Take me to my graduation party, and pretend I’m yours for the night.”
He sinks back in the chair next to my bed, like I pushed this conversation too far. But of course, I did. I asked Kade King to pretend to be mine for a night. It would ruin his reputation in Santa Barbara. If any of the wealthy women that run this town saw Kade King with me, the drama it would cause would never end. He can’t go on a date with me. Even if it might be the only thing to make the disappointment in my father’s eyes disappear.
“You mean, be your date for the night?” he asks.
I bite my lip again, considering not saying the next words, but I’m committed now. “No, I mean, pretend I’m your girlfriend for the night. It has to be more than just a date.”
Kade’s eyes narrow as he searches mine for the truth. For why I need him to pretend I’m his girlfriend. But he isn’t going to find the truth. If he pretends to be my boyfriend, he might get answers. It would take him five minutes in my father’s presence to figure out why I need him. But if he says no, he’ll never know the reason for my embarrassment.
The silence stretches, and I can’t take it any longer. If he wants to say no, he needs to say it and stop toying with my emotions.
“I understand,” I say, but I can’t continue. He should go.
“I’ll pretend you’re mine for as long as you want,” he says, with a wink.
I chuckle. “The one night will be enough.” I peer at his cocky grin and blush. I hope one night is enough.
5
Kade
Larkyn thinks I’m an ass. She has no idea how amazing I can be as a boyfriend. I’m about to blow her mind.
I’m supposed to meet her at her parent’s house for the graduation party they are throwing for her. Not happening. If I were her boyfriend, I wouldn’t be meeting her anywhere. I would pick her up in one of my fancy cars, and drive her around proudly. So that’s what I’m doing. If I’m going to pretend she’s mine, I’m doing this right.
Shortly after noon, I park the car outside the apartment building she shares with Serena. Thank god I got Serena’s number while waiting for Larkyn to wake up in the hospital. She told me where Larkyn lives, so I’m able to pull this off. I haven’t talked to Larkyn in two weeks, since she woke up in the hospital. My throat feels dry just thinking about what condition she’s going to be in. The last time I saw her, she was beaten up, broken. All I could focus on was her bruises and pain. I can’t imagine that two weeks will have changed much. She may even need crutches or a wheelchair to get around.
I run up the stairs to their floor, holding the flowers in my hand with a smirk on my face. I thought Larkyn would want me to do something horrible to pay her back. Like, perform at a gay strip club. Or dress in drag. Something creative. Instead, when she said she wanted me to claim her as mine, it was like she granted my wish. She gave me an excuse to put my hands on her. To kiss her. Worship her. And I plan on cashing in on that excuse all night long.
I knock on the door with my smug grin, knowing that this simple gesture is sure to earn me big points with Larkyn.
The door opens, and instead of the smile I’m expecting, she frowns.
“What are you doing here? I told you to meet me at my house.”
I roll my eyes. One thing I’m learning about Larkyn is she likes things her way. If she’s going to be mine for the night, she needs to learn to let go, because I like doing things my way. And that includes bringing her flowers and driving her to the party.
