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“Yeah. I’ve been a little preoccupied.”
Cade nods, opening the door a little wider. “Do you want to come in?”
My heart thuds as I catch sight of Maeve in the living room, peering at the door. Her eyes look a little red behind her glasses, like she’s been crying, and when she catches sight of me, they go as wide as saucers.
Fuck, I hope she won’t hate me for this. I hope she’ll understand.
“Listen, Cade, I’ll cut straight to the chase,” I say firmly.
He raises an eyebrow, his cheerful expression slipping. “Yeah?”
I swallow hard and look my buddy straight in the eye.
“I’m in love with your sister.”
Silence.
Maeve is standing a few feet behind her brother looking like she might faint, and Cade is staring at me like I’ve started speaking a different language.
“I don’t get it,” he says slowly. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“I’m in love with your sister,” I repeat. “Maeve.”
It’s still not computing. Cade’s confused frown deepens. “You’re…in love? With Maeve?”
“Yes.”
Cade gives me a weird look. “Are you feeling okay, Jackson?”
I try not to lose my patience. I keep my voice steady and say, “I’m feeling fine, Cade. Listen to what I’m telling you.”
“You’re telling me you’re in love with Maeve?” Cade raises an eyebrow at me, his face turning angry but still disbelieving. “I don’t know what kind of joke you’re playing here Jackson, but you’re crossing a line. I think you should get out of here and come back when your head is screwed on right.”
Cade makes to shut the door when Maeve pipes up from behind him. “Wait!”
Maeve makes her way toward me, standing in the doorway between Cade and I. She looks terrified, and I desperately want to pull her into a hug, but I don’t want to make Cade any angrier than he’s about to be.
“What the hell is going on?” Cade asks, frowning between me and his sister. “Why are you both acting so weird?”
“Cade,” Maeve says, her voice wobbling with emotion, “Cade, you’re not…you’re not listening.”
“Well, what is it I’m supposed to be hearing?”
“Me and Jackson…” Maeve tapers off, swallowing hard before she says, “We’re…oh, Cade, I love him.”
I could have repeated myself a thousand times and Cade wouldn’t have heard me, but somehow when Maeve says those words, understanding immediately dawns on his face. It quickly turns to shock. He looks between the two of us, bewildered.
“What are you saying?” he mutters. His bewilderment is fast turning to anger, his fists clenching tight, and his gaze zeroing in on me. “What the fuck have you been doing with my sister?”
“Cade, please!” Maeve begs, tears streaming down her face. “Please, don’t get mad.”
Cade’s gaze softens for a moment as he looks at her. “I’m not mad at you. I’m mad at him.” He points at me accusingly, his eyes burning with rage. “What the fuck are you playing at, Jackson Ryder?”
“I didn’t mean for it to happen,” I tell him honestly. “But I can’t pretend anymore, Cade. She means everything to me. I loved her the second I laid eyes on her.”
Cade is desperate to hit me. I can see it written all over his face. If Maeve wasn’t standing between us, he’d already have thrown a punch my way.
“You’re old enough to be her FUCKING FATHER!” Cade’s final words turn into a shout that practically shakes the cabin. but I stand my ground.
