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“So you just continue to blindside me? That’s not fair.”
“If I would have told you, it would have been an argument and we don’t have time for that.”
“Right. Because this is better?”
“He’s here. That’s all that matters.”
I glanced back and forth between them, unsure of who I wanted to look at more.
“Well,” Adrian spoke with conviction, making my stare land on his.
“For the first time in my life. I fucking surrender and you both know how hard that is for me. I don’t bow down to anyone.” He stood up tall. “I’m swallowing my pride. Actually, I’m fucking choking on it.” He cleared his throat, his jaw tightened. “I can’t save you, Cherry. At least not without him.”
I shivered, fully aware of how difficult that was for him to express. Although, appreciating it, nonetheless.
His sincere stare shifted to Cade.
“You can hate me all you want. You can despise me for the rest of your life if you need to but—” Adrian pointed at me with his gaze still focused on Cade “—you need to work your shit out with her. She doesn’t deserve what happened. I was the one who pursued her. It wasn’t her fault. It was all my idea. I was the one who told her we didn’t have to tell you. I was the one who threatened the entire male population of our school that she was off-limits. To protect her from guys like me.” He paused. “When that didn’t work, I broke my own rules and set out to have her instead. Even if it was at your expense.” He shook his head, shrugging. “Even if you found out the truth, I was willing to lose her to you, just to say she was mine for as long as I could have her. And what really fucks me up, is I’ve had to share her with you for most of my life, when I met her first.” He harshly pointed at himself.
“For fuck’s sake, Adrian.”
“Yeah.” He firmly nodded. “I’m the one who betrayed you. Not her. You see, Cade. I always knew I’d have to give her back to you, but if I’d have to do it again.” He got in his face. “I’d fucking fight till the death for her.”
I choked out a sob.
What the hell? How could he say all of this now? He picks this moment to be honest.
“I’m the bad guy,” he stressed. “She’s innocent in all this. Now do what’s right and make up with her.” He peered back and forth between us. “I’ll be in the lobby.” With that, he abruptly turned and left.
In true Adrian style, he was still in control. Despite feeling as if he didn’t have any.
Minutes could’ve turned into days.
Who the hell knows how much time flew by until Cade finally moved from the door and started walking toward me. He reached his hand out and I grabbed it, appreciating he was helping me off the floor.
My hand stayed in his for a couple seconds before we both pulled away.
The silence was replaced with his nod to the hoodie I was wearing. “That Adrian’s?”
“Yeah.”
He slowly nodded again. “How long have you been wearing his clothes?”
I swallowed hard, feeling that question in the pit of my stomach. “I know how this looks, but it’s not what you’re thinking.”
“That’s good to hear, considering I don’t know what I’m thinking.”
“How much has Adrian told you?”
“All he said was that you were in trouble. Life or death kind of shit, so I jumped on his plane and flew right out here. I can’t stay in suspense any longer. I have to ask…” He lingered for a second. “Please tell me you’re not sick, Paige.”
“Oh, God!” I adamantly shook my head. “I’m healthy!”
He breathed out a huge sigh of relief.
“It’s serious, but not like that.”
“All right.” He eyed me up and down, making me feel insecure.
“Do you need me to take his hoodie off?”
He waved me off. “I’m not trying to stare, but call me fucking stunned, Paige. I didn’t know you two were together again.”
“We’re not.”
“You’re standing in front of me wearing his clothes.”
“Right…but it’s not like that. He’s just helping me.”
“Because you’re in trouble?”
“Yeah. Deep shit kind of trouble.”
“Which is what?”
Nervously, I gestured toward the couch. “Maybe you should sit down? You look like you need to sit.”
“I’m fine.”
“You don’t look fine.”
“How would you know?” he snapped. “You haven’t seen me in ten years.”
I jerked back, and he instantly realized his sharp tone.
“Shit. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that. I’m just… fuck,” he exclaimed. “I’m still angry and seeing you in front of me after all these years wearing his clothes wasn’t exactly what I thought I’d be doing today.”
I couldn’t help myself, I reacted harsher than intended. “And who’s fault is that?”
He didn’t waver. “Yours.”
“Mine?” I gasped. “Are you for real? I tried reaching out to you like a million times to apologize. You blew me off! I never imagined you’d be able to kick me out of your life so easily.”
