Page 128 of Love Me

“We didn’t want to keep things from you, but…” I say.

“Ah, look, Mommy and Daddy are reunited and protecting the kids.” Blake pretends to wipe a tear from his eye.

“Since we’re sharing a moment here. I was just at Dane’s.”

All eyes are on me. I can feel the tension rippling from Abi.

“Why?”

“He wants in.”

“Of course he does,” Abi says, sounding exhausted.

“Look at us. We were at each other’s throats, and now we’re sharing the same space,” I point out.

Kaden hasn’t said a word yet, his features drawn in deep thought.

“It doesn’t surprise me,” Blake says, looking at Kaden. “Come on, man, you know him too.”

“That’s why I have my issues with him being in.”

I leave the room, finding hope in the fact that no one said “no” outright.

My bedroom door opens and shuts. I said that too soon.

Our eyes lock in a relentless battle of wills.

“He’s too volatile.”

“Maybe, but how long did she suppress that, huh?”

Kaden flinches, and I go on. “Exactly. And knowing her, she would have kept it inside of her until she exploded. Dane broke down her walls. You two are too similar. She does the same as you did. Keeping me out to protect me, and that has to stop.”

“Why do you trust him? You barely know him.”

“I felt the same. Lost, angry, wanting to destroy things.”

“Fine.”

With that, he stalks out. I scream inwardly at him.

And it’s just day one. Great.

I’m getting ready for bed when Kaden returns. I knew he couldn’t stay away. We’ve lost too much time. We’ll figure everything out but without the distance and silent treatment.

I lift the blanket, and he gets into bed next to me. He props up on his elbow, facing me. “I don’t want to sleep without you.”

“Even if you’re mad at me?”

“Especially if we’re mad at each other. I don’t want to set a precedent when it’s okay to sleep apart because we have unresolved issues. We can do that tomorrow as well.”

“I love you.”

He leans in and kisses me. “I love you.”

Happiness bubbles inside of me, and snuggled together, we fall asleep.

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