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Maybe leaving the room would send Cade and his folks’ home. God, I could only hope. And tomorrow was the party, and I’d have to see him again.
Coming home had been a horrible idea. Far worse than I had been prepared for, especially given how different Cade was now. Different in a gruff, sexy way. He obviously still cared about me, maybe even still loved me.
Why did that make me happy, even after the way he behaved just now?
7
Cade
“Billionaire.” Miles repeated the word for the… I’d lost count. At least a dozen times since Shelby ran out and Jake chased after her. “She’s never spoken about their finances.”
“Of course she hasn’t,” I grumbled low, trying to mind my mouth. “Money never mattered to her. She’s with him because she wants to be, not because he’s a billionaire.” I stood and removed my hat from the sideboard behind me. “Thank you for dinner, Debra. It was delicious, as always.”
“Cade, it was my pleasure. But won’t you stay? I’m sure she’ll be down shortly.” Debra glanced at Miles, then my mom.
“No mom,” Olivia cut in. “Let him go. He’s right. Shelby’s moved on with Jake. Why do you think she was so angry? She wanted us to treat Jake like family, but someone had to get all mouthy.”
I hiked my brow. That someone was me. Yep, I’d crossed the line, which was why I needed to get the fuck out of there before Shelby and her beau returned. I was pretty damn sure I couldn’t keep myself in check any longer.
Even if I believed Shelby was making a big mistake with the arrogant ass, she was her own woman. Strong and independent. She’d always known what she wanted and went after it. I didn’t have a damn say in the matter now, just as I hadn’t back when she told me good-bye at the airport…
Of all the songs to come on the radio, while I drove Shelby to the airport for the last time, it had to be the fucking country crooner himself, Josh Turner, singing “Your Man.” I hadn’t paid attention to lyrics like Shelby, but this song had been different. It would forever remind me of my Honeybee.
Normally, I parked my pickup and walked her in, but this time I pulled up to the drop off outside the terminal entrance. Why in the hell would I want to draw it out and torture myself, watching her go through security? She’d probably cry, despite breaking up being her choice, and I couldn’t fucking take it.
She gasped and whipped her head in my direction, a shocked expression on her face. “I mean, I understand. We need to rip it off like a Band-aid.”
I grunted as I exited the truck, grabbed her bags out of the back, took them over to the curb, and set them at her feet. I felt a little guilty for being pensive and quiet after we’d left my cabin. Should’ve let her sister Liv drive her after she’d offered, but a part of me had hoped Shelby would change her mind.
It didn’t appear things would go my way…
She stared at me, wide-eyed. This was it, but I could tell she didn’t know how to begin or what to say. She just stared at me, and by God, it killed me. I couldn’t get back in my truck and drive away, leaving her frozen on the sidewalk. I’d help her out so she could walk away from me like she wanted.
“I want you to know.” Stopping short, I needed to clear my throat. “I’ll always love you. If there’s anything you need, you can call me. But I won’t call you like before. I made you a promise, and I’ll honor it.” The urge to detach from her and to keep my words loving wasn’t easy. Her last memory of me needed to be of the man she’d loved most of her life.
A long distance relationship wasn’t sustainable. She wanted to focus on her career. I wanted to get married and have a family, and I refused to move to California. What else was sheto do but break up with me? Should’ve known one day she’d find the courage to call it quits.
“I’m so sorry,” she whispered.
“Just find what you’re looking for, Hon, er um, Shelby.” I tensed up after fumbling with my words. Some habits couldn’t be broken. I’d been calling her Honeybee for so long, it flowed out of my mouth like my own name.
She went up on her tiptoes, placed one hand on my scruffy cheek, and lightly kissed the other.
I gave her a nod, then turned to leave.
“Cade!” She grabbed my hand, stopping me.
I peered over my shoulder and found her lip quivering.
“Please, Cade. Please don’t hate me.” Giant tears rolled down her cheeks. “I, I know I’m the worst person ever, but I can’t stand the thought of you hating me.” She lifted my hand to her lips and softly kissed it.
“I don’t know what you want from me. I’m not a machine, Shelby. This is killing me. I can’t just pretend like we were only—”
“Best friends.” She finished my sentence, and goddamn did I hurt more. “We’ll always be much more than that.”
“Christ, Shelby. You were my first love and will be my last.” I shook my head and looked at my boots, because there was no way I could stand the sight of her sad brown eyes anymore.
She dropped my hand, and I knew our hearts were both shattering into a billion pieces.
