“But,” I interrupt Cade when he interrupts me. “He was your pass. Your only pass. If you ever treat another one of my boyfriends the way you treated him, I will cut you off completely. You said you hated the distance between us when I started dating Nathan. Well, that will be nothing compared to the distance you feel when I refuse to speak to you again.”
Cade blinks a few times before he frowns. “Boyfriends? Multiple?”
“Are you serious right now?” I huff out an incredulous laugh as Jenna joins us in the kitchen.
“You’re digging a pretty big hole there, Stevens,” she says, patting Cade on the back. “I think you should just agree and zip those pretty lips of yours.”
“My lips aren’t pretty.”
“Not the point.”
I groan again and quickly shove a spoonful of oatmeal in my mouth so I don’t say anything I’ll regret. Cade’s always been protective, but he’s never usually this obnoxious.
“Just be careful with Zane. Please. He’s not the same guy he was before he left. Before the accident. Idowant the two of you to sort your shit out, but jumping into bed with him is something else entirely.”
“I didn’t—”
“He left without saying goodbye, Blair. He’s—”
My phone buzzes on the counter, drawing our eyes, and when it’s Zane’s name lighting up my screen, Jenna snorts while a giddy warmth takes over me.
“What were you saying, Cade?” I arch a brow, biting back my grin.
“You make it sound like I wanted him to be an asshole. I’m glad he texted. The Zane I once knew never would have ghosted any of us. But we don’t know him anymore. I just want you to be careful.”
“Awww.” Jenna fawns while I smile in appreciation.
“I will. I promise. There’s no me and Zane. Like you said, I just ended a relationship.”
“Get back on a horse, I say.” Jenna bounces her eyebrows as Cade rushes to give his opinion.
“Take your time.” He shoots Jenna another glare. “You’re young. There’s nothing wrong with being single for a while.”
“I know. Thanks for looking out for me, Cade. But next time, remember I’m capable of making my own decisions. And if I fuck up, it’s on me.”
“Okay.” His face contorts uncomfortably. “Okay.”
“Good. I’m glad we got that sorted.” Jenna heads over to the fridge, grabbing the orange juice and pouring herself a glass. “Cade, can I get your help in my bedroom? There’s a spider that needs removing.”
Cade rolls his eyes but jumps up from his chair. “Lead the way.” He motions toward the hallway.
I frown as Jenna walks past. She’s not scared of spiders; we had that conversation when we found a nasty looking thing on her balcony last week.
Seeing my confusion, she squeezes my arm and winks before pointing to my phone. “You’re now free to enjoy your oatmeal in peace.” She mimes texting with her hand as her wide eyes bore into mine.
“Thanks, Jenna. I will.”
The second they’re gone, I reach for my phone, opening Zane’s message as fast as I can.
ZANE: Morning beautiful. You looked too peaceful to wake but now I’m regretting it. Why the fuck do you live so far away?
A laugh bursts out of me and I cover my mouth to stifle the noise.
I shouldn’t want him, but God, he makes it impossibly hard not to.
He always has.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
