He probably was worried a family member was in the hospital, but my dad’s emergencies weren’t normal. By most people’s definitions they weren’t emergencies at all.
“The Kids Speak gala is next weekend. If you promise to come work for me, I’ll announce its expansion. If not, you’ll need to figure out what to tell people.” Dad’s voice raised with each word. I held the phone closer to my ear to block Cade from hearing.
“Dad, we can discuss this later. Now isn’t—" I’d never refused him before with good results. My heart thudded painfully in my chest—the blood roared in my ears.
“You work on my schedule, not the other way around.” It was the same annoyed tone he always used with me.
“Things are different now.”
There was a light tapping in the background—like he was drumming his fingers on the desk. “Stop this foolish act.”
He’d banked on me wanting the money for the Kids Speak more than anything else.
“Why would I want to work for you? You said yourself the business is a sinking ship.”
His voice hardened. “If you come back and smooth things over with Layton, Aiden invests in the company and you get the money for Kids Speak. We’ll announce everything at the gala.”
“This again? I’m not getting back together with Layton or coming to work for you so that you can make a business deal with Aiden Black.”
“You do what’s best for this family, not what you want.” Frustration filtered through the speaker.
“Not anymore. I need to do what’s best for me.” The sick feeling in my stomach, the pounding in my chest, and my tight grip on my cell told me being near my dad was not a good idea.
“You want Kids Speak to shut down? You know, you would never have gotten this far without my backing.”
“You know I don’t want to end the program.” My voice was smaller—my resolve cracking. I’d just left the Morrison’s loving home and the contrast between my family and others had never been more evident.
I looked at Cade—wanting to draw strength from him. He pulled into his driveway, turned off the ignition, before he faced me, concern etched on his face.
“Listen, Dad. I’ve got to go. I’m with someone.”
“It’s time you fulfilled your responsibilities to this family. If not, you won’t like the consequences.” Dread filled me as I pulled the phone away from my ear to see he’d hung up on me without another word.
He hadn’t asked me once how I was. If I was happy, safe, or content, it wasn’t something he’d ever done, but these last few days hanging out with Cade, the Morrison family, and Avery—the difference was noticeable. I’d always mourned the loss of my mother when maybe I should have been mourning the loss of my father. After mom died, he held on so tightly to his control—almost as if he was afraid one tug would unravel him completely.
“Are you alright?” Cade’s eyes filled with sympathy and something else—was it love or the beginnings of love? I hoped so because I would need every ounce of his love to resist my father.
“I think so.” I took a deep breath and tried to smile to reassure him. “It was nothing.”
“Don’t lie to me.” Cade grabbed my hand, stroking the delicate skin on the inside of my wrist. “What’s going on?”
I took a deep breath. “He thinks he can manipulate me to work for him and smooth things over with Layton. If the merger doesn’t go through, he won’t be able to fund Kids Speak.”
His fingers stilled and he gripped my hand tighter. “You’re going to New Orleans.”
His disappointment struck me dead center in my chest.
“Yes. I have to go to the gala. I’m the face of Kids Speak.”
“I want to go with you.” His tone was determined.
“That’s sweet, but I need to do this on my own. I need to face my dad. Otherwise, he’ll think you’re controlling me and making my decisions. I want him to know I’m strong and independent. That I make my own decisions.”
He ran his fingers through his hair. “I feel helpless in this situation. I want to be there for you. I want to stand next to you.”
After speaking to my dad, I was off-center. I felt out of control like I was careening down a hill without brakes. “On one hand, I’d love to have you there, but I feel like this is something I have to do myself. I came here to separate myself from my family. To find out who I was. I feel like facing him again is something I need to do on my own. Otherwise, he’ll never respect me.” I knew my dad. He’d assume Cade was influencing me. If he could eliminate Cade, I’d come around.
He shook his head but didn’t say anything else. A muscle in his jaw ticked, his mouth tightening into a thin line.
I couldn’t stand fighting with him—the distance between us. I unbuckled my seat belt, moving as gracefully as I could over the console and into his lap. His body was stiff. He didn’t make a move to touch me because he was unhappy with my decision. I laid my head onto his shoulder, my legs over his. I stroked the soft material of his shirt over his chest, breathing in his familiar scent.
After a few seconds, his fingers stroked my hair and his lips lowered to my temple. “I hate how your father makes you feel.”
“Me too.”
“I wish you’d cut the strings.” His frustration tightened the muscles under my fingers. His shoulders drew back. I could feel him physically withdrawing, but was he emotionally pulling back as well? I couldn’t bear the thought of that.
“I should go home.” I meant to go home to my apartment, but the silence after my words made me feel like I’d said go home to New Orleans.
The air between us cooled, the longer Cade was silent.
I hesitated, my fingers lifted from his chest. I’d moved to his lap
