The bus was scheduled to leave at six, and we still needed to get to the grocery store, so we said our goodbyes. "He seems sensible." Mom whispered before we left, so Kaden couldn’t hear that she liked him.
“And we just started dating. No kidding, Mom, we haven’t even been on a date officially. So, don’t get your mind fixated on your dream gay wedding!”
She huffed. “You’re impossible. Go on and rescue him from Pete. You know by now your godfather is giving him theGodfather treatment.”
“I should’ve known better than bringing him here.”
“Nonsense, this is our compensation for raising you, dear. We get to harass anyone you bring home. Now run along and remember to call me more. I worry about you.”
I chuckled as I put my arm into Kaden’s and pulled him out the door. Pete was still telling him a story involving the gory death of someone who’d mistreated his date. I was sure the message was clear enough.
“Sorry,” I said to Kaden as the same airbus driver from before picked us up, and whisked us toward the grocery store.
“I think he pretty-much threatened to have me dismembered if I screw with you.”
“No doubt. Pete is intense on the best of days.”
“They love you,” he said, his voice so full of emotion that I turned toward him.
“They do. I’m lucky.”
“You have no idea how lucky you are.”
“One day, when you feel up to it, I’d like to know how you grew up. I’m guessing it’s tough to talk about, but when you’re ready,” I said.
“One day,” was all he said.
We were silent the rest of the way to the store. I knew he needed some time to himself. I wasn’t sure how exactly I knew, but when it came to Kaden Pierce, I seemed to know more than I should.
By the time we got back to campus, I was exhausted. In one trip, we brought the groceries and my skiing equipment to my room before crashing onto the two beds that were still pushed together.
Kaden turned to me, and said, “I never knew my parents. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been moved from home to home. None of them lasted for more than a few months. Then, eventually, I was sold into slavery. The last foster parent I had…”
I listened as he told the story. He was intentionally vague, and I couldn’t say I blamed him, but as he told me his history, I could see in my mind’s eye what he’d encountered. I could feel the pain and anguish. The feeling of loss that little boy had, then the intense pain and internal judgment after he’d been sexually assaulted.
Even though he only shared a few thoughts, I’d seen it all. I’dfeltit all.
I didn’t cry, although that was what I wanted to do. I wanted to weep for that little boy. I wanted to attack those who’d hurt him. He blocked me from seeing the event when his powers finally came to him, but I could feel the sadness and shame around it.
Eventually, I knew he’d release that information to me, but as I was able to explore his entire youth, I figured the last days of his childhood were just too much to share right now.
That night, after putting things away, we lay in bed watching some ridiculous sitcom about a group of superhero wannabes. The show had been on forever, but the reruns were still hilarious.
Neither of us talked much. The day had been as exhausting for him as it had for me; but it had brought us closer as well. That night we slept soundly, but instead of him holding me, I slept spooned to him the entire night.
Kaden’s vulnerability was palpable. How someone could live through all he’d experienced and not be the villain I initially thought he was, was a testament to how strong this incredible man in my arms was.
Chapter nineteen
Kaden
Ididn’tmeantoshare my life story with Lysander. But meeting his family, even the very poorly veiled threats by Pete, his pseudo father, as he’d called himself, had told me how much the man loved him.
I’d never had that kind of love. No one had wanted me for long. Something had always gone wrong. I assumed it would just be a matter of time before Lysander felt the same, but for now, it felt good to have someone who wasn’t repulsed by me.
I’d let him in almost completely. Almost. I still couldn’t let him in entirely. The events that day, the way I felt as I destroyed the men who’d used me and hurt the other children in such horrific ways.
I was more afraid of him seeing that than anything else he might see in my past. I’d been swept up in my powers that day. They had consumed me. But I had also let them flow, not even trying to restrain myself. I wasn’t sure I could have, but that didn’t negate the fact that I hadn’t tried.
