“What’s wrong?”
I swallowed hard. “Cade didn’t answer his phone. Do you know where he is?” I managed to say.
“Sorry, babe, he’s off doing some shit with Z. He’s probably turned his phone off. He’ll be back later. You okay?” His voice was concerned.
The tears came.
“Shit, Winter. What did that bitch do to you? Do you need me to come and get you?”
“No!” I sat upright, trying to compose myself. “I-I don’t want to talk about her. And Kinslee’s coming.”
“You sure?”
“Yes,” I croaked through my tears.
“Hey, it’s gonna be okay.” His voice was strong and reassuring. “You want me to get Cade to phone you back?”
“No,” I whispered. “It’s alright. Thanks, though.”
“You know you can call me anytime, alright?”
“Yeah. Thanks.” I swiped under my eyes, trying to stem the flow of tears. “Got to go.”
I let the phone fall from my hand as I drew my knees up and buried my head in my arms and cried. Cried for the woman who had been in such a dark place that she’d taken her own life, for the two boys who had lost their mother, for the husband who had lost a wife. And instead, she’d been replaced with my mother, a cold, unemotional woman, who had no empathy or love to give these people who had had a piece of them ripped away.
Fuck. Cade had this huge, heavy secret that he’d had to carry around, hiding from his brother. Knowing what I did of Arlo, I doubt he would have provided much comfort. Had Caiden been all alone in this? The thought broke my heart. I so, so hoped Cass and Zayde had been there for him. And no wonder Caiden had hated me so much. I would have, too, if I were him. I never stood a chance, not with Christine Clifford as my mother.
Eventually, I calmed myself enough to pick up my phone and call Kinslee.
“Winter?” Her warm voice came through the speaker.
“Are you busy?” My voice was hoarse and cracked.
“Winter? Are you okay? Where are you? You need me to come and get you?”
“Please. I’m not sure where I am.” I looked around me, no landmarks to give me a clue. “I think I’m somewhere just out of town.”
“Send me your location from your maps app. I’ll find you. Be there as quick as I can.”
“Thanks.”
When she picked me up, she took one look at my face and declared we were having a girls’ night in with popcorn, chocolate, and cheesy movies. She didn’t pry, just squeezed my hand and said she was here if I wanted to talk.
I appreciated it more than she’d ever know.
Later that evening, lying in my bed, I went over everything I’d discovered from the disastrous meeting with my mother. I had actual proof that she was lying about my dad now. The stuff about Caiden and Weston’s mum, though…I didn’t even know how to begin to unpack that. If Cade ever wanted me to know, he should have been the one to tell me—my mother had no right to say anything. How was I going to be able to act normally around him, without blurting it out? And even worse, how was I supposed to keep it a secret from West?
My phone interrupted my melancholy thoughts, vibrating across my desk.
Weston.
West: My brother really likes you.
Me: Hi to you too. And ??? Likes sleeping with me?!
West: I don’t mean that. He’s catching feelings.
Me: What? Why do you say that?