“That’s really amazing, Ella,” Cade praised. “I’d love to see your projects one day.”
“Thank you. I’d love to show you one day,” I replied. “Tell me, do you have any interests outside of hockey?”
While he pondered over this, I stole the cigarette from hisfingers, surprising him.
His eyes widened when I brought it to my lips and took a drag. When I released the smoke, Cade was riveted by the lip-gloss stain on the tip.
I grinned and handed it back to him. “So?”
Gauging my reaction, he brought the cigarette to his mouth. Seeing the shine of my gloss transfer over to his lips made my toes curl.
Cade gave me a knowing look as he exhaled the smoke. “I love books.”
Interesting. I did notice that every time I saw Cade, he held a new book. I just assumed it was for a class reading. Not leisure. “Oh, that’s so cool. I don’t read much, though I have completed the entireTwilightseries because my best friend Darla gifted me the paperbacks.”
Cade nodded, looking wistfully at the ground for a moment. “I love reading. I read at least thirty books a year. Literature is the best form of escapism. I’ve turned towards fictional worlds whenever I’ve had the shittiest of days. It’s the best coping mechanism for me.”
His words tugged at my heartstrings.
If you spent more than a few minutes holding a deep conversation with him, it was clear he had lots of underlying pain. And no one to listen or help with it.
I wished I could be the person Cade trusted with his secrets.
I would safeguard them—him—to the ends of the earth if given the chance.
“It doesn’t surprise me that you’re an avid reader. You’re very smart and eloquent. I was taken aback by your essay onThe Scarlet Letterin English class last week when Mrs. Richards paired us for team work.”
“Thank you.” He seemed happy but uncomfortable under my praise…like he wasn’t used to people complimenting him. Itmade me a bit sad. I always empowered my loved ones. Moving forward, I’d remember to compliment him whenever the chance presented itself.
Cade deserved to be reminded how special he was.
For the next ten minutes, we continued playing twenty-one questions. Cade clearly wasn’t someone who opened up easily, but I adored that he lowered his guard with me.
We lost track of time during our game and completely forgot the main reason for us meeting up today. Though the weed was just an excuse to see him. Cade obviously saw through my pretense.
He knew I was here simply for him.
And he too was simply here for me.
I still had so many questions for him. About his past. About his family. About how he came to be adopted by the Remingtons. Yet all of those could wait for another day.
Eventually, my phone buzzed with a text from my driver.
Mypapásent a town car every day like clockwork.
“I have to go,” I informed regretfully since I wanted to spend more time with him. “My ride’s here. But it was nice seeing you, Cade. I’m really glad you’re at St. Victoria. I think you’re going to enjoy it here.”
“I think I will too,” he said softly.
“I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“Yes.”
But I couldn’t leave yet.
Not until I saw his smile.
I didn’t know why I was so fixated by the lack of it. Just knew that I had to see it.
