Page 20 of Home Stretch

“No,” I repeat. “I will not apologize to that asshole. It’s hard to believe you’re even asking me to, but then again, I shouldn’t be surprised.”

Silence stretches out between us, and I count every beat of my racing heart. I’ve never been this bold when talking back to my parents. I’ve never really stood up to them, but I must admit… it feels good. I can’t help but think Kade has something to do with my newfound confidence.

“Then your father and I have no choice but to cut you off.”

“What?”

The line goes dead, and my mouth drops open.

What?I… I wasn’t expecting that. Blinking a few times, I try to ground myself back in reality, but my head is spinning.

I should have seen this coming, but god… it happened so quickly. A snap of my mother’s fingers and now… I have nothing.

Taking a few breaths, I close my eyes and stem the flow of tears building up behind my eyes. Truthfully, I think my parents have been looking for a reason to cut me off for years. They want me to fail and come running back to them. They want me to beg them for help. They want me to promise to be the perfect daughter, the kid that they always wanted.

I can’t do that, though. And if their love is conditional… then I don’t want it. I have everything I need with Kade.

I tuck my phone back into my pocket and look up. As if on cue, Kade is headed my way, a wide smile on his face.

“Hey, there you are! I was looking for you over at your tree,” he calls to me as he closes the distance between us.

I can see the moment that he realizes I’m upset. His whole face drops, and he looks so concerned. He hurries to my side and pulls me into his arms.

“Malia, what’s wrong? What happened?”

I sniffle into his shirt, the tears finally winning the battle, and he holds me tighter. Being wrapped in his arms feels so perfect, and I know that I can’t give this up. Even if it means my parents cutting me off financially.

I can get a job or take a semester off. I can make this work. I can do anything as long as I have Kade by my side.

“My mom just called,” I tell him as I pull back slightly.

“Is everyone alright?” he asks in concern, and I nod.

“Everyone’s fine. They heard about what happened on my date with Sterling.”

“And she was pissed at that douchebag?” he asks, sounding pissed himself.

“She was pissed, alright. With me.”

“What?” he half shouts before he can compose himself. “She was mad at… you? For what?”

“For leaving my date for another guy.”

“Did you tell her what he did?” he asks, looking outraged. I nod.

“Yeah. I told her everything. She didn’t care,” I murmur, leaning against Kade as the last of my strength leaves me. He holds me close, running his hands down my back in a calming motion. “She said that she and my dad have no choice but to cut me off. That I’ve just embarrassed them and the family too much for them to have anything to do with me.”

“You’ve embarrassed them? After what that jerk did?” he growls. “I don’t understand them.”

More tears spill down my cheeks, and Kade pulls back just enough to wipe them away.

“Don’t cry, sweetheart. Things will be okay. We can fix this. I have some savings. It’s yours. I’ll do anything I can to help; just please don’t cry.”

“How can we fix this?” I sniffle. “Tuition is so much money. I’ll never be able to afford it in time.”

Kade squeezes me, and then his hold on me loosens as he smiles down at me.

“I have a way,” he says with that signature peace and confidence I love so much about him.

“What do you mean?”

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