Page 89 of Love Me

“Are you okay?”

“I am now. Thank you.”

Our moment is interrupted when Hunter says, “That would have been an awkward eulogy to write.”

I punch him straight in his stomach, and he bends over, whining.

“Asshole.”

Kaden eyes us quizzically, and I take the seat next to Abigail, putting me face to face with him.

His eyes are downcast, and he is staring at his plate, which he hasn’t touched.

His phone chimes, and he says, “I need to check on the house renovations. You’re not coming back with us, Celine. Find an excuse or a lie. We’ll back you up.”

He stands up, takes his plate to the sink, rinses it, and puts it back in the cabinet.

“It doesn’t work like that,” I insist.

“And I don’t fucking care. I don’t want you near that place.”

“Kaden.” Abigail tries to reason with him.

“No.”

He walks away, shutting the front door behind him. Abigail runs after him.

“He’s losing his fucking mind by the second,” Blake snarls.

“What is your problem, anyway?” I ask.

“Do you want me to tell him where you were last night?”

“Do you want me to tell him you know more?” I snap back.

“He knows that, Celine, but he doesn’t know everything… this is what family does. We protect each other.”

“While getting drunk and not letting anyone know what’s going on with you.”

We’re face to face, panting.

He peruses me. “That violence raging inside of you…”

“Say when?”

“Tonight.”

Mia, Hunter, and Bailey lament and disagree, but as I look at Blake I find we both need to expel some demons.

“Are you out of your mind?” Mia asks.

“I know what I’m doing. You can nurse his wounds afterward.”

“Kaden?” Abi places her hand on my shoulder. I look at my childhood home, where they await us inside. My parents have a penthouse in the city, but they still use this house for family meetings.

All I can think about is her. I carry Celine inside of me like a torch that never burns out.

I squeeze my eyes shut. How can I stay away to protect her when I want her so much? My body and soul ache to have her.

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