“Okay. Cause I’m going to believe that. Did he kiss you?”
“What?” I choke on air and my lips tingle at the memory of the kiss. “Of course he didn’t. He thinks I have a boyfriend.”
“Thinks?”
“Knows.”What is wrong with me today?“He knows.”
“You’re a little skittish this morning, sis. Not at all like yourself.”
“I’m fine.”
“So you said.”
“Why…did…you…call?”
“Oh, yeah. I’m on my way to your place. Thought I’d stop by for a visit.”
“You’re hilarious. Why are you really—”
“It’s true.”
“Cade! No. Turn around. I’m fine.”
“Call it brotherly intuition but I think you’re lying. And so does Dad. So…I’m on my way to find out.”
“Go home, Cade,” I rush out, my voice panicked. “Please. I’m thinking about heading back for a visit soon anyway. You’re wasting your time.”
“I’m already in LA, Little B. And now I’m more convinced than ever that I made the right call. I’ll be there in an hour.”
“Cade. No.”
“Too late. Love ya. Bye.”
“Goddammit,” I scream into the phone when my lock screen appears and curse again under my breath. Cade’s in LA. L-fucking-A. And he’s coming here in an hour?Universe, what did I do to you?
Tossing my phone onto the bed, I get up and freeze, my foot hovering above the carpet. The carpet at Jenna’s.Shit. Cade’s not coming here. He’s going tomyplace. So, in short, I’m screwed.
After rushing around like I’m late for the night shift, I stub my toe on the edge of the couch and still make it out the door in record time. Though my record time was thirty minutes, meaning I’ll be lucky if I make it home five minutes before Cade.
I’d usually spend the drive listening to music or an audiobook, but I’m so anxious I suffer in silence, my mind too chaotic to concentrate.
Because every hour is rush hour in LA, the drive takes longer than expected, and I’m drenched in a cold sweat by the time I pull up, running through the garden to the condo the second I’ve parked my car.
After loudly jogging up the steps, I open the door quietly, tiptoeing into the house as though I broke in. Nathan should have left for practice by now, but that doesn’t eliminate my guilt.
I’ve just dropped my bag behind the couch when Cade waltzes in, not even bothering to knock. “I’m here!”
“I can see that.” I force a smile as I greet him, subtly kicking Nathan’s shoes out of the walkway.
Cade’s eyes drop to my feet but he smiles, rushing forward to pull me into a hug. “How are you?”
“Great,” I say with as much sarcasm as I can muster. “My big bro’s here for a surprise visit.”
“You love it. Come on. Show me around.” He playfully nudges me, and I roll my eyes before giving him a tour, finishing in the kitchen in case he leads me to drink.
“So…” Cade raises an eyebrow, his lips pulling into a self-satisfied smirk. “When did you and Nathan break up?”
“What?” I choke out. “We…uh…”
