Page 21

As I’m about to explain what’s going on, my sister gasps. “Cadence. Don’t lie to me. There is avocado on that plate.” She points at the meal, her eyes narrowing as she waits for me to answer.

I shrug. “So?”

Her nose scrunches, and she makes the most unimpressed noise. “Ugh. You know lying doesn’t suit you? You hate avocado, and I’ve never seen you make so much effort with your breakfast before.” Then she gasps. “Do you have a girlfriend you haven’t told me about?”

“Talk about jumping to conclusions,” I say.

“That’s not an answer.”

“No.” Even if I’d like to think Savannah could be mine one day, she isn’t at the moment.

Her shoulders slump. “Look, C. I know I’m not the person who should be preaching to you about keeping secrets. Hell, I kept the biggest one possible away from you, but this whole thing is just sad. We can’t talk anymore. I feel like you hate me. When are we going to finally get back to normal?”

“When you stop referring to me as Cadence,” I say, taking Savannah’s plate of food and throwing the rest out before putting it in the dishwasher.

“Okay, Cade . I’m sorry. I just like to add a little flair to it every now and again.”

“So why are you here, dear sister? I thought you were coming over later today.”

“I am, but this couldn’t wait.” She starts rummaging through her bag until she finds a red dog sweater with snowflakes embroidered all over it and showcases it to me. “I know it’s not even close to Christmas, but I saw this on the sale rack, and there was no way I could turn it down.”

I groan. “Seriously? Another outfit? How many does Stanley need?”

She drops the sweater. “Oh, come on. He loves it. Don’t you, Stanley?” She coos, kneeling down to slip the sweater on my dog. Stanley wags his tail, clearly enjoying all the attention. As if I don’t give him enough.

When Madison and I hear a door creak open, both of our heads turn in the direction of the noise. Then Savannah tentatively steps out of her room already dressed in her sweatshirt and leggings, which only makes me frown. All traces of my clothes, and by extension me, are removed from her body.

Yes, I said her room. That’s what I call it in my head because some part of me, some fucking delusional part of me, the part that’s apparently lost all grip on reality, wants it to be hers.

Her bag is packed, slung over her shoulder like she’s already decided she’s going and never coming back. My chest tightens, and I have to try really hard not to let the disappointment show. Especially in front of my sister.

“You’re such a liar, Cade.” Madison narrows her eyes before walking over to Savannah and holding her hand out. “Hi, I’m Madison, Cade’s sister.”

Savannah flicks her gaze to me for a beat before focusing on my sister and accepting her hand. “I’m, uh, Savannah,” she replies, her smile polite but distant. She’s already checked out and I hate it.

“Savannah,” Madison drawls out, playing with the name. “It’s nice to meet you. I hope Cade is treating you well.”

“He is,” Savannah replies, clearing her throat at the end. I can’t stop looking at her, desperately wanting to know what’s going on in that head of hers.

“Good.” Madison walks over to extra bacon in the pan and pops a strip into her mouth, throwing me a shit-eating grin as she chews. Meanwhile, Stanley is prancing around her like the king of the world in his stupid little sweater. “See? He loves it.”

“He’s just happy someone’s paying attention to him,” I mutter.

“So, Savannah. How long are you in town? Or are you, like, moving in permanently?”

I groan. “Seriously, Madison?”

“What?” She blinks, all fake innocence. “I’m just making conversation. Cade hasn’t introduced me to a girl since…” She fans her hand in the air, thinking about it. “You know what? I don’t think Cade’s ever introduced me to a girl.”

“She’s here because her apartment is being fumigated,” I say quickly, not wanting to make Savannah any more uncomfortable than she clearly already is.

“Fumigated?” Madison looks at me with an arched brow. “Right. Fumigated. Sure, that makes sense.” She turns to Savannah. “So are you Cade’s girlfriend, or…?”

“What? No. Definitely not.” Savannah nearly chokes on the response. Feedback. I get it. It’s all in my head, but damn, did she have to sound so repulsed by the idea?

“Madison,” I growl, sounding more like my grumpy best friend than I’d like.

She holds her hands up in mock surrender, looking between me and Savannah. “I was just asking. You can’t blame me for being curious.” She leans against the counter before winking at Savannah. “Welcome to Cade’s messy world, Savannah. I hope you survive it.”

Savannah laughs. It’s small and breathy, but it’s real, and fuck if that doesn’t do something to me. “Thanks,” she says. “I’ll try my best.”

Madison continues to munch on the extra bacon as I make my way to Savannah, guiding her to the hallway for a little privacy.

As we stand together in this small space, she takes a deep breath and her grip noticeably tightens on her bag strap.

I’m disappointed but not surprised. She’s just waiting for the right moment to bolt.

She’s going to leave, go back to sleeping in her fucking car, and then what?

I’m supposed to just forget I know? Pretend I didn’t see her curled up in the backseat like some forgotten thing?

“Thanks for breakfast and for letting me crash here last night,” she says, throwing a look at my apartment door. “I should probably head out. Got some stuff to do.”

No.

I lean back against the wall, trying to look like I’m not going to lose my shit if she leaves. Seriously. I know she’s lying. She has nowhere to go and no reason to leave. “I’ve already said you can stay here as long as you need to.”

She gives me a small smile, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “I know. But I’ve already imposed enough.” Her eyes flick to the kitchen and presumably my sister. “You’ve got your game to focus on, and I’ve got things I need to handle.”

More bullshit. The only thing she needs to handle is telling me the truth about why she's living in her car and dancing for Luke.

Before I can say anything else, she's already bolting for the door like it's a finish line.

When she reaches it, I try one last desperate play.

“Savannah, seriously. You don't need to do this.

If you're leaving because you feel awkward around my sister, don't. She's always like that. She has boundary issues. I want you here, and more importantly, I want you to feel comfortable.”

What I don't say: I want you in my space. I want your scent lingering on my couch and your laugh echoing in my kitchen. I want to know you're safe, not sleeping in a metal box in some parking lot where anyone could hurt you.

She exhales through her nose, turning to face me, her expression careful. “Your sister’s great. Really. I just… need to handle some stuff. Thanks for everything, though.”

Savannah pauses for a second, staring at my chest before she falls into it, surprising me with a hug that knocks the air from my lungs.

I instinctively wrap my arms around her, and my hands slide across her back, pulling her closer.

Fuck, comforting her feels right. It’s like I was only put on this earth to hold her, shelter her, and keep her safe from whatever demons are chasing her.

As she pulls away, I’m ready to argue, but the look on her face stops me. She’s made up her mind. “If you need to, you can come back tonight.”

“I’m fine,” she says quickly, playing with the strap of her bag. “I’ve got it handled.”

“Savannah—”

“Really, Cade. I’ll be okay.” She gives me a look, the kind that says I’m starting to lose all the goodwill I’ve built up. “Good luck at the game. I’ll be rooting for you.”

I stand there, watching her walk away like she’s taking pieces of me with her.

Part of me wants to tell her I want her here.

That I’d rather see her curled up on my couch when I get home tomorrow, still in my shirt, still mine , even if she doesn’t know it yet.

That I'd rather come home to her than to another empty apartment that never feels like home no matter how many games of fetch Stanley and I play or how many times Madison redecorates.

“Thank you again, Cade,” she says quietly. “I really appreciate all you’ve done.” She hesitates for a second and I wonder if she’s considering another hug. I’d take it. But instead, she just gives me a small wave and opens the front door.

“Leaving already?” Madison calls from the living room, still picking at the bacon. “It was really nice meeting you. Hopefully, we can catch up some other time.”

Savannah smiles politely. “Thanks, Madison. It was nice meeting you, too.”

Madison looks over at me, clearly confused.

I don’t offer any explanation. I just stand there, feeling that same unease settle in my chest as the door closes behind Savannah.

This isn’t right. Savannah shouldn’t be walking away from me.

She needs to be here where I can protect her from everything bad in this world… but what if she doesn’t want it?

“So is that the girl?” Madison asks as she settles Stanley down and sits on the couch.

“Which girl?”

“The one Dash told me you were stalking.”

I raise my eyebrows. So much for a moment to compartmentalize everything that happened last night. “ Stalking ? Also, thank Dash for reminding me I can’t have secrets anymore.”

Madison shrivels down onto the couch, staying quiet for once in her life.

I'm assuming she's concerned she's made things worse between my best friend and me.

She hasn't. If anything, at least I know Dash is treating her like a real partner and confiding in her.

That's what I want for my sister, even if it's with my best friend who I still occasionally want to murder for keeping secrets from me. Progress, I guess.

As I head to the kitchen, trying to distract myself with whatever leftover cleanup there is, I can feel Madison vibrating with a need to talk. “What?”

She looks over at me, her eyes wide and surprised. “Huh?”

“I know you want to say something. Just say it so I can clean these dishes in peace.”

A slow smile forms on her face. “I like her.”

“You met her for all of thirty seconds.”

“Yeah, but I’ve known you for longer and the way you changed around her lets me know she’s someone special. I can’t wait to learn more about her.”

“Mhm.”

I’d like to learn more about her too, but I think she’s going to do everything possible to stop me.