AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Sounds good. What can I help with?” He leaned against the counter, watching me remove the plastic wrap over the pepperoni pizza we’d picked up.
I set the temperature and timer, then popped the food into the oven. “I was thinking.” I straightened, grimacing. “I haven’t told my parents about you or the cult. I realize I need to introduce you and let them know we’re together, but there’s all the icky shit I have to explain as well, and they’re going to want me to move back to Tennessee. I won’t go back, and they’ll be stressed and worried. I can’t put them through more hell. Not after everything they’ve done for me.” I swore Kane could hear the rapid rhythm of my heart slamming against my ribs. The mere idea of telling my parents sent my anxiety through the roof.
“I think now that we have security, it will help, but …” A crease dented the smooth skin between his eyebrows. “Are you positive that, if your parents insist that you move back home, you won’t go?” Uncertainty danced across his features.
I closed the gap between us and slid my arms around his waist, peering up at him. “No. I won’t go anywhere without you, Kane. Fate has brought us together again, and our souls reinforce the strength in each other.”
Kane grabbed my chin, tilting my face so I had to look at him. “I love you, baby. You’re the one bright light in all of this darkness. With that said, if moving back to Tennessee will protect you and keep you safe, I’ll go with you. I don’t want you to worry about talking to your family. We’ll figure this out together.”
“Okay. I’ll see what day this week they’re available for a video call.” I pressed my lips to Kane’s, grateful that he was willing to do what was necessary to protect me—protect us. But I would do the same for him. Kane had sacrificed enough for me, and I refused to let him do it again.
ChapterForty-Five
Brie
“Are you ready?” I asked Kane while I opened my laptop.
“Yeah. Are you?” Kane placed his warm palm on my thigh beneath the kitchen table, giving it a gentle squeeze.
I logged on to the video call, and seconds later, Mom and Dad came into view. My heart squeezed at the sight of them. I’d missed them more than I’d realized.
“Hi!” I beamed at them. “How are you?”
“Hi, honey. It’s so nice to see your beautiful face.” Mom’s eyes glistened with moisture, and she dabbed at them with her finger. Dad wrapped his arm around her, smiling at me.
“I miss you guys so much.” I smiled, willing myself not to start crying along with her. We had a ton of ground to cover. “I have a lot to fill you in on, but first, this is Kane.” I motioned to him.
“Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Langston. It’s nice to meet you.”
Good god, this man melted me into a hormonal puddle with his manners. Reeling in my overactive thoughts, I chided myself for having a sexual fantasy about my boyfriend and forced myself to focus on my parents.
“Kane is our quarterback and has already been approached by the NFL.” I was pretty sure Dad would be impressed. Who wouldn’t be?
“Wait, you’re Kane Cooper?”
Kane flashed them a confident smile. “I am.”
Dad’s eyes lit up when he realized who I was dating.
“I’m watching every one of your games that’s on here. You’ve got one hell of a throw.”
“I owe that to my dad.” Kane shifted in his chair and placed his arm on the back of mine, rubbing my shoulder.
Mom watched Kane’s every move. Knowing her, she was taking in what I wasn’t saying—that we loved each other.
“Are you coming home for Christmas? I know it’s still a few weeks away from Thanksgiving, but I’ll need to buy a ticket for you.” Eagerness danced in Mom’s expression.
I glanced at Kane, wondering if he would want to visit Tennessee with me. “Let me get back to you on that.” I might want Kane to go with me, but after my family learned how I knew him, I wasn’t sure if they would welcome him or slam the door in his face. A ball of anxiety lodged in my throat.
We continued with the small talk for a few more minutes, then it was time to drop the bomb on them.
“So, Kane and I actually knew each other before attending Whitmore.” I wondered if they would put it together.
“Oh? From where?” Dad asked. “Kane, have you attended school in Tennessee?”
“No, sir. My family is from Oregon.” Kane’s shoulders tensed with his confession.
Mom frowned. “Then how do you know each other?”
