I stand. “I’ll stay as long as we burn his notes.”
“Have I told you lately that I love your brain?” Tossing me a candy bar, he grins, and it widens when I catch it. “Because I really do.”
If I didn’t know otherwise, I’d assume Cade had a secret girlfriend because the backyard is too perfect. Flowering garden beds line the tall fence, providing extra privacy. A picnic table sits in the middle of the yard, covered with Jenga blocks. But it’s the string lights hanging over us that are making me overthink. They’re too golden, and a little too romantic draped between two massive oak trees.
It’s as if we’re at our own backyard wedding.
“Do you throw a lot of parties?” I ask over the crackling fire. “You’ve got the perfect house for it.”
“No.” Tired eyes drift around the massive space. “The family I bought the house from left everything behind. It’s not my forever place, but I’m happy here until that day comes.”
His words land heavily, like he knows my little red house is where he should be. With me. Like we planned.
Crumpled yellow papers flutter across the gravel, carried by the cool breeze. Halfway through Jon’s disgusting notes, I lost it. The paper might as well have been his head, because I crushed each one in my fist.
As Cade loads fluffy marshmallows onto sticks, I ask, “Are you sure you want to do this with me?
“Without a doubt. I started this journey with you years ago, Shay. Way before going pro, it was me and you, filling out sticky notes and spending our days at the batting cages.” There’s a grounding intensity to him as he looks into my eyes. “So, if I’m closing a chapter, it’ll be with you. You’re the one I want here.”
He reaches for my hand, and I freeze, unsure if I should let him hold it. Instead, he uncurls my balled-up fingers and presses the stick into my palm, forcing me to relax.
“He’s no longer my problem. It’s time for me to let it go.”
Taking a page from his composed playbook, I straighten and hand him the box. “Then let’s make it an official ceremony. Do you have anything you want to say first?”
There’s no resentment as he studies the cardboard in his lap. Instead, his lips are curved upward in that small smile I know so well.
A real Cade Owens smile.
“Goodbye, Jon. Out of all the things you believed you did for me, I can only think of one to thank you for. Thanks for pushing me back to Shay.Every moment working with you hurt like hell, but I’m finally back with my favorite person.”
Then he tips the box into the fire. The flames greedily attack the paper, roaring to life before they settle, flickering and calm, like even they’ve had enough. As if they read the notes, the comments, and the doubts and decided there was nothing worth keeping.
And in the silence that follows, something shifts.
It’s a subtle kind of loosening, like the knot inside Cade finally lets go, and I can’t look away. Broad shoulders drop a fraction, and I realize how high they’ve been since he walked into Permian. His left hand loosens, fingers uncoiling one by one, no longer preparing to fight. His exhale is slow. Not a sigh, but something deeper and more serene.
Pushing his hand over the armrest, it hangs between our chairs for a moment. And even though I shouldn’t, I do the same. It’s not a surprise when our pinkies brush, nor is it a surprise when they interlock in a silent promise to always be there for each other.
No matter what.
With his free hand, he holds up a marshmallow. “To the future.”
I tip my marshmallow against his. “To the future.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
“Babysit? Shaylene Turner doesnot babysit.”
The other side of the phone is quiet for a beat too long. Then he laughs. “I did call you, didn’t I?”
I roll my eyes. “Lose the sarcasm, Cade. Did Mallory tell you no?”
Out of our little crew, Mallory is the best with children. Then Adri, leaving Jo and me tied for last place. Keeping kids entertained has never been my strong suit, which is why Mallory became the go-to babysitter to Jax and Jules, her favorite twins, and I’m the cool one who feeds them chocolate when she isn’t looking.
“Who says I called her first?” He clicks his tongue. “I love my MalPal, but I picked up the phone and dialed you. You’ve never been an afterthought to me, Agent Shay. First place forever.”
Using the yawn he lets out, I catch myself and reset. I can’t let his incessant flirting work on me today. It has never been so hard to follow my own rules, especially ones that directly affect my job and future. Rules give me control when nothing else does. Love is unpredictable. People leave. Feelings change. But rules have structure, giving me a sense of safety in a world that often doesn’t.
