“I’m not your honey or your baby,” Cade snapped. “You cheated on me with dozens of men. We’re not putting that behind us. We’re through, and you already know that. We’ve been through for months.”
Inside, I cheered. Cade had taken control. He obviously realized at last that he was worth more than that scumbag. He’d even been brave enough to do it in front of the cameras, instead of pretending to go along with it so he could save face. He wasn’t going to just let Brody claim all this media attention like he was owed it.
“Don’t be like that,” Brody said. He was frowning slightly. I could see from his body language and the strained look on his face that he was trying to convince Cade to at least play along. “We both made mistakes.”
No. I wasn’t having this. I wasn’t going to let Brody weasel his way back in. No matter what was next for Cade and me – even if we never saw each other again after today – I wasn’t going to let him get worn down and take this asshole back. Not even to fake it for the cameras.
I stepped forward, past Cade’s Mom and Caleb. “Excuse me,” I said.
“What?” Brody asked, his eyes snapping to me. He was starting to lose his cool. To forget he was playing for the cameras.
“Are you Brody?” I asked. “Cade’s ex?”
His nostrils flared. “I’m hisboyfriend, yes.”
“I’m Aiden Thornton. Nice to meet you,” I said and punched him in the nose.
He swore, staggering backward and putting his hands to his nose, as I shook out my sore knuckles. There had been an audible gasp from the news crews, all of whom were now training their cameras firmly on me and Brody.
“Jesus!” Cade exclaimed. I looked at him, afraid I’d just lost him for good –
He grabbed my hand, examining my knuckles closely.
“I’m alright,” I murmured, staggered by the fact that he was concerned for me. “I just couldn’t let that bastard pretend he was a loyal boyfriend waiting for you to come out.”
“We banned him from the family area,” Cade’s Mom said sternly, fixing Brody with a glare. Apparently, she was supportive of my actions, too. “He just wouldn’t stay away. Like a bad stench you can’t get out.”
“Are you sure you’re alright?” Cade asked. He was holding my hand in both of his, gingerly prodding my knuckles.
“No, I’m not,” I said honestly. I knew the cameras were watching us. I looked up and took a deep breath. “These fucking cameras should stop fucking filming that dickhead piece of shit pussy ass bastard.”
“Hey,” Cade’s Mom complained, but the cameras were turning away. I’d achieved what I wanted to.
“Sorry for my French,” I said, turning to her with a deferential nod. “I just wanted to make sure they wouldn’t be able to use the news footage. I need to talk to Cade. I don’t mind doing it in front of family and friends, but I don’t want to do it in front of the world like that sorry excuse for a man.”
Brody was slinking away in the corner of my eye. He was gone. No longer a threat.
And then I looked back at Cade and it was like no one else in the world existed anymore.
“You said you’re not alright,” he reminded me, worry creasing his features.
“Nope.” I reached out and touched the side of his face with my free hand. “And I’m not gonna be. Not if this is really over.”
I heard an intake of breath from somewhere nearby, but I ignored it. It didn’t matter. I truly didn’t care who knew how I felt about Cade.
“What…” Cade spluttered, stumbling over his words. I could feel his hands shaking where they gripped mine. “Are you saying…?”
“I don’t want it to end,” I said. “I want to be with you. I like you, Red. More than a little bit. Do you really want it to be over just because we got out?”
Cade spluttered again, his eyes darting off to the sides. To our family. Our friends. So many people watching and waiting to hear his response. I didn’t take my eyes off him. I didn’t want him to feel any pressure – but even if he did, he’d just proven to me with Brody that he could handle it. He wasn’t going to give me the answer I wanted just because everyone was watching. He was braver than that.
“No,” he said, at last, his voice dry. “I don’t want it to be over.”
It felt like my heart exploded in my chest. He still wanted me.
I still had a shot.
I knew I had to take this chance.
