Page 120 of Fly Back to Me
The coconut scent provides a split second of peace until a dull buzz vibrates from Cade’s nightstand. My chin whips down, eyes connecting with the lit home screen of his iPhone, only for a wrecking ball to swing directly into my chest.
Jenna: You still wear the ring I gave you. That’s been in my head ever since I saw you, and I can’t stop thinking about the other night.
My heart ceases to sprint with delight, smashing into a million tiny fragments in the pit of my stomach. I’m arrested in place, my gaze lolling to the navy duvet of Cade’s bed as the creak of the bathroom door echoes behind me.
Agony invades my body like a parasite, eating away at every notch of progress Cade and I have made. Revulsion bubbles under my skin as I consider turning around and looking him in the eyes. Those gorgeous blues no longer familiar, but alien.
You still wear the ring I gave you.
The very object that brought Cade and I together, the symbol of our foundation, the token of our love—it was all a fallacy.
Make believe.
A mere fairytale.
“Hey.”
I release a weak breath, my fingers finally dropping from mymoisturized cheeks. When I rotate, Cade’s swiping a towel over his head as he stands inked and shirtless in black joggers.
His brows dip as soon as he catches sight of me, tossing his towel over the counter behind him. “What’s wrong?” he asks.
“Do you have something to tell me?” I challenge.
He shakes his head through his confusion. “What are you talking about?”
My jaw fastens as I jerk my chin toward his mahogany nightstand. “Maybe you should take a look at the message your ex left for you. Or should I even call her that?”
I return my eyes to him, my stare boring into his taut expression as his Adam’s apple cocks. “Obviously you read the message, so tell me what it said, and I’ll explain,” Cade says.
“It said she can’t stop thinking about the other night,” I answer quickly. “So, if you didn’t fuck her brains out, what thehellis she talking about?” Flames ignite in my lungs, my mouth breathing fire on every word.
He tilts his head gently, shaking his head as he walks the couple steps toward me. “I didn’t have sex with her, Olivia.”
“Shut the fuck up and start explaining,” I grind out as my chin tilts up to him.
His nostrils slightly flare, but his eyes remain soft. “Jenna texted me saying she wanted to talk. I ignored her until a few nights ago and invited her to my brewery to have a conversation. I needed closure for us. You and me.”
I peer at him through slitted eyes, the shattered pieces of my heart crashing to the floor under my sneakers. “Really? You must be one hell of a talker since she can’t seem to stop thinking about that conversation, so tell meexactlywhat happened.”
Cade matches my heated stare as he leans into my space. “You do realize I was cheated on, right?” he counters. “Why thefuckwould I inflict that pain onyou?Youof all people? Huh?”
I pop a shoulder. “I don’t know, maybe I’m just a rebound.For all I know, you could be using me to get back at Jenna.”
His chest rises as he straightens, his body pivoting to scrub two hands through his hair. “You can’t be serious,” he exhales.
“Answer the question.”
He faces me again, wailing one arm in the air. “After everything that’s happened, you’re going to focus on some goddamn text that means absolutely fucking shit to me?” His brows crinkle in horror. “After I just told you the truth? I have no reason to lie to you, goddammit!”
His anger fails to thwart my inquiry. “Did you kiss her, Cade?”
“Hey,” he whispers, his rough palms cradling the sides of my face.
I turn my cheek from him, battling his grip that somehow lights me up the same way it always does. Even when we’re in a crisis.
“Olivia, look at me. Because when I’m telling you something important, I’m going to look you in the eye and say what I need to say.”
Tears shade my vision, knowing that what he’s about to tell me could potentially rip me to shreds. His fresh scent threatens to pull me under his spell, those icy-blue eyes poking at my periphery until I submit.
