“Okay,” I say while I lean my head against Kade’s shoulder, something that seems like second nature now.
“Yes,” Dad says. “Let’s go. I have a generator to fix.”
We all say our goodbyes to Gram before we turn to leave. I’m exhausted after yesterday and the emotional turmoil of this morning. I’m going to need a nap as soon as I get home.
Kade leads me out of the building and to his truck parked in front. Right next to Dad’s. I don’t question him when he opens the passenger door, lifts me into the seat, and buckles the seat belt for me.
I smile in thanks. No energy left to do anything else.
He gives me a rather chaste kiss on the lips before he backs out and closes the door, leaving me wanting more than just a quick kiss.
While he gets into the truck he whispers so only I can hear, “No need to worry, Princess. Once I get you to my place tonight, I’ll give you everything you could want. And more.”
“I’ll hold you to that.”
He chuckles, clearly pleased with my response. “You’re insatiable.”
Despite how much I want to stay awake, the past twenty-four hours are finally catching up with me and my eyes slowly fall shut. “Only with you,” I say while I let sleep take over. The last thing I see is the promise in his eyes. One that says he’ll make sure he’ll be the only one to make me feel like that in the future.
It’s a fantastic look on his handsome face.
Chapter Nineteen
I wake up in my bed, the comforter tucked in around me, and the room surprisingly warm. I keep my eyes closed, not yet ready to let the world intrude. I snuggle deeper in the comfortable mattress, enjoying the remnants of the dream I had where I won the Olympics, my father loved me, and I didn’t fuck this up with Kade—something I’m sure I’m bound to do eventually.
My eyes open when I hear the door creak open and soft footsteps on the wooden floor. Looking down the length of the bed, I watch Kade walk up to where I’m rolled into the blankets.
“You look comfortable,” he says and sits next to me on the edge of the bed. He leans into me, one hand bracing himself on the bed on my other side.
I study his features as he drops down to place a chaste kiss on my forehead. “How was your nap?”
“Surprisingly restful, but how did I get here? Last thing I remember is falling asleep in your truck.”
“I carried you,” he says nonchalantly, like he’s been doing this for years, carrying me to bed whenever I fall asleep.
“Oh,” I mumble, closing my eyes as he brushes some hair back that has fallen across my face. “I should probably get up.”
“Probably, Lizzie made something to eat if you’re hungry. You didn’t eat much at the diner.”
At the reminder of what happened today I groan and cover my eyes with my hands, embarrassment washing through me. “Shit, for one blissful moment I forgot what happened earlier today.”
He chuckles like my dramatics are cute and pulls my hands away while still leaning over me. “I know today was a lot, but I think it was high time it was addressed. Clearly, the past fourteen years have taken their toll on you. You needed to know the truth of what happened, and so did Wayne.”
“So much has been a lie. Why is she always lying? She’s my mother, she’s supposed to love me unconditionally. Is there something wrong with me?” I whisper the last question, craving the answer but not actually sure I want to know the truth.
“I don’t know what to tell you, Princess. I don’t know why your mother did what she did. But I do know there’s nothing wrong with you. I’m sure Wayne would agree with me. Something must have happened to your mother to make her this way, or maybe she’s just like that, but that’s not on you.”
“Maybe one day I’ll believe you.” I sigh, too overwhelmed to process everything at once. Without waiting for him to say anything, I move around him to climb out of bed.
When the chilly air hits my bare legs, I stop and frown at my own attire. “You could have at least taken off my socks along with my pants.” I shake my head. “That’s just weird.”
He bursts out laughing as he gets up from the bed and walks toward me. “You wouldn’t let me.”
I look at him confused. “Wouldn’t let you?”
He nods. “Yeah, kept pulling your feet away and told me to stop tickling you.”
“Huh,” is apparently the most sophisticated response I can come up with. I decide to change the subject since my brain is clearly lacking the capacity to process that he undressed me and put me to bed after all those emotional bombs went off today.
“Is the power back on?” I ask.
“They’re still working on that, but Wayne fixed the generator while he was giving me the third degree and simultaneously threatening my manhood if I hurt you.”
I smile at the thought of my dad threatening Kade, happiness slowly filling my body that he’d care enough to do that to his wife’s nephew—his own family. “He isn’t the only one,” I say and turn to the closet to put on some sweatpants.
I’m suddenly starving.
“Who else do I have to be afraid off?” Even though I have my back turned, I can hear the smile in his voice.
“Bob and Dakota. Adam isn’t currently your biggest fan either.” I shrug.
“Adam the kid you nearly—” He stops himself from finishing the sentence and an uncomfortable silence settles between us.
All the secrets suddenly revealed
