“He wants what’s best for me too—that’s why he hasn’t shown up here. He gave me time to think things through, and I have.”
He scowled. “You ever think he didn’t show up because he knew he was no good for you?”
“No—and that wouldn’t be true. He sent me a letter—he didn’t show because he knew you’d run him off.”
“He’s just lonely, Kandy! And he has a lot to feel guilty for, so of course he’s going to send you some sappy letter to make you feel better! Going back with him wouldn’t be smart, and you’re a smart girl, so don’t let him make you stupid!”
A grimace took hold of every single one of my features. I should have known this conversation would go south. He could never let things go.
“Look,” he said, pushing to a stand, “just…stay home, okay? Be in a place where you know you’ll always be safe and won’t have targets on your back. Let him go, Kandy. You don’t need him.”
But that was where he was wrong—because with each passing day, I felt like I was losing more and more of myself by not having Cane around. I missed him so much that it was hard to breathe sometimes, and even harder to get him out of my head.
Dad dropped a kiss on my forehead before leaving the room, but little did he know that my mind had been made up way before he came upstairs to have that talk with me.
Chapter Twelve
KANDY
It was time. My suitcase was packed. I was nervous as hell, but ready.
Mom was in the kitchen, and as if she could just sense something different about my walk, she rounded the corner. She looked down at the suitcase next to me. “You’re actually going?” she asked, eyes wide, panicked as she focused on my face again.
“I have to, Mom.” I kept my voice strong and my chin high.
“No, Kandy—you don’t have to. You want to!”
I turned, rolling my eyes and going for the door.
“Kandy!” she called, hurrying around me. She stood in front of the door. “Do not leave like this again.”
“Well, how else am I supposed to go, when you guys are always trying to keep me trapped here? I get it, you’re scared! Well, guess what? So am I, but I’m not going to let my fears keep me trapped in this house!”
Mom blinked back her tears. “At least wait for your Dad to get back? He’s on the way—”
“You and I both know that wouldn’t be wise.” I looked her over as she pressed her back to the door. “Mom, would you rather me sneak away and not tell you? You can’t fight me on this. I’m going.”
“So your mind is made up?” She sounded defeated, like she knew she was losing the fight,
“My mind was made up weeks ago.”
Her back straightened and finally she moved away from the door. I walked past her, opening it and walking right out. Just as I expected, there was an Uber waiting for me at the curb.
“You called an Uber? What money do you have?” she asked.
“I have enough,” I told her.
“Who did you get it from?” she asked, catching up with me as I hustled to the car.
“Lora gave it to me. I guess she figured I would need it.”
“Jesus Christ. She’s no better than he is!”
The driver popped the trunk, and I tossed the suitcase into it.
“How will you get there? An Uber can’t take you that far,” Mom called after me.
“Bus,” I said.
“Jesus, Kandy. I know you love him, and I understand visiting, but staying with him? Why do you want him so much? You saw what happened last time, and you still want to go back?”
I pressed my lips, my eyes falling to the black asphalt. She was never going to understand. Neither of my parents were. Hell, I didn’t understand myself sometimes, but my heart was far from quiet. It was screaming. My heart wanted its beat to be in sync with Cane’s, and even though I knew my heart could be vulnerable and stupid, my mind had teamed up with it. This was happening. Besides, no one said anything about staying. I only wanted to visit.
I hugged Mom tight, sighing over her shoulder. “I love you,” I murmured.
“Kandy,” she whined. “What can I do to get you to stay?”
I pulled back. “Nothing, Mom. There’s nothing you can do that will get me to stay here. Even if you convinced me today, I would still want to see him tomorrow.”
She raked her fingers through her hair, looking both exasperated and terrified.
I heard tires rolling and looked over my shoulder. Dad’s truck.
“Shit,” I hissed.
Mom’s eyes expanded. I looked at his truck, and there was no chance in hell anyone could miss that frown through the window. He didn’t even park in the driveway. He stopped right in the middle of the street, putting the car in park, jumping out, and glaring at the Uber driver.