Do Ibelonghere? It makes me happy. That’s because I’m with Kade. As soon as it’s over, will I ever walk into this club or any like it again? Not without always thinking about Kade. “It’s okay. You need to get back to work anyway.”
“Fuck work. Until that dickhead turned up, I was taking you home anyway. You’re the one I—” He stops mid-sentence and clears his throat. “You’re the one I want to make sure is okay.”
My shoulders deflate, thinking he was about to say he cares about me. “I’m okay. Really.”
He stares at me intently, then shifts his gaze to one of the security guys. “Get that piece of shit out of here and don’t let him in again.”
The guard nods. “Yes, sir.” He grabs Jeremy’s arm, but he shakes him off.
“I can walk on my own,” Jeremy spits.
Once they’re out of sight, Kade says, “I’ll take you home.”
“No, that’s okay. I’ll call a cab.” These past few days, I’ve been consumed with Kade. Spending every moment I can with him. Ineed some time on my own. Work out my feelings and what I’m going to do about them.
“You’re not going home alone while that piece of shit is out there.”
“I’ll go with her,” Sally offers.
Evan puts an arm around Sally’s waist. “I’ll take them both home. Don’t worry, brother. I’ll get her home safe.”
“I’ll come over when I’m done here.”
Cupping his jaw, I give him a quick kiss on the lips. “It will be late. I’ll talk to you later.”
Kade’s expression tightens like he’s not happy with my decision, but he eventually nods. “Fine. Be careful.” With that, he turns and marches away, disappearing into the crowd.
“Come on, let’s go.” Sally rests her arm across my shoulders and guides me toward the exit.
I try to get one last look at Kade, and find him heading up the stairs toward his office. Like he feels me watching him, he turns and stares straight at me with a blank expression.
I stop myself from running to him and throwing myself into his arms. This is casual. Temporary.
If only things were different.
twenty-nine
DAISY
Thenextday,Ilet myself into the office. I don’t normally go into work on a Saturday, but I need to email some pamphlet designs to the printers by Monday. Something I’d forgotten to do during the week. My mind’s been preoccupied with Kade, so I’m surprised I get any work done.
I yawn as I pull up the document, my eyes blinking heavily as I proof them. I hardly got any sleep last night. Tossing and turning until the early morning. Seeing Jeremy unsettled me. I saw the disappointment and disgust on his face when he saw me at the club with Kade. He judged Kade without knowing him.
There’s a rattle at the door, and my father walks in. “Dad? What are you doing here?”
“I was on my way to see you when I saw your car parked outside.”
“Is everything okay?” I ask.
“We need to talk.”
Nothing good ever starts with ‘we need to talk.’
“Sure, Dad, what’s up?”
He takes a chair by the window, drags it next to me and sits down. Linking his fingers and placing his hands on his lap, he swivels on his chair so he’s facing me. “I had a visit from Jeremy this morning.”
My heart drops. “What did he have to say?” I have a good idea.
