“I threw up,” I said, “If you must know.”
“Probably a stomach bug that will go away in a day or so,” he said. “Anyway, do it as a favor to Ezra, please. He’s very worried about him.”
I blew out a raspberry. I sincerely did not want to do that, but my brother wasn’t going to let me go without some sort of commitment.
“I’ll think about it,” I finally said.
“Thank you.”
“Sure,” I said and rolled my eyes. “Gotta go. There’s a bed and some fresh clothes calling my name.”
“Just wear some of mine and be safe,” he said.
I ended the call with my brother and changed into a set of his clothes before heading out to my car to get it warmed up. As I passed Guy, I handed him his phone, told him thanks, and then intended to let that be the last time I ever saw the man again.
16
GUY
After Cadence handed my phone back to me, I stood beside myself, watching as she gathered her things—which wasn’t much—and started her car. I stood back and stared at her from the living room window. I didn’t know what else to do other than to stay out of her way. Everything else I did—or didn’t do, for that matter—only seemed to make things worse between us. Less than a minute after starting her car, she climbed out with an ice-scraper. She then started scraping away at the ice caked to her windows. The expression on her face was focused and determined.
I was at a complete and utter loss. And watching her prepare to leave after the long, painful week, it was as though my heart was being ripped from my chest.
She was in a hurry to leave, and after a solid week of being pinned up in her brother’s room for the majority of the time… I couldn’t blame her. She still clung to her belief having sex with me was wrong. She even stuck to the misconception that Cassidy and I were together until the morning after she and I had sex.
Top everything off with her being dead set against spending a minute longer than absolutely necessary within my presence.
I huffed and shook my head. Man, fate must have had it out for me. Or maybe I was stuck repaying all my karmic debts at once. Nothing else could make what I was going through make sense.
My phone rang.
I pulled the thing from my pocket and barely glanced at the name before answering. “Yeah?”
“Hey,” Cassidy said. “I am about to arrive, but I have no idea where I’m going once I reach the city limit.”
I sighed in relief. I had almost forgot all about her coming into town. We touched base on it the night before, but with Cadence leaving, it was the only thing I could focus on.
“There is a gas station right as you come into town. Park and hang out for a bit. I will meet you as soon as possible.”
“Will do,” she said. “See you soon.”
I ended the call and slid my phone into my pocket before heading toward the door. This was my last chance to change the course of things with Cadence. I wasn’t exactly sure what I would say, but I also knew I had to say something before she drove off. As I approached Cadence, the words slowly came to me.
I waited for her to acknowledge the fact I was standing next to her, but she hated the idea of my presence so much that she pretended I wasn’t standing there waiting on her. I hated to admit that I was getting used to her doing that, as sad as it was to admit. But her refusing to face me didn’t stop me from doing what I needed to do.
“Look, Cadence,” I started, “I understand I may never be able to say or do anything that will change your opinion of me, so I won’t try anymore. I will respect your need for space, and I only ask that when and if you are ever ready to hear me out, you will give me the chance to clear the air.”
She turned around and faced me with a frustrated huff. She didn’t meet my gaze, but she did nod. I gaped at her.
She was pale. Very pale. She seemed sick. I realized she threw up just before I brought the phone to her, but I didn’t get a good look at her then. I had no idea she was doing so horribly. I wanted to do something to help, but she would probably tell me to leave her alone again and continue pretending I didn’t exist.
I only hoped that she would find the help she needed and get back to health soon. The idea of her being so sickly didn’t sit well with me, but there was nothing I could do. She made up her mind about me and short of a miracle, that wasn’t about to change anytime soon.
But that didn’t mean I couldn’t at least make sure she made it most of the way home okay.
“Mind if I follow you back to the highway?” I asked. “I have to head in that direction for some supplies anyway.”
I might have been pushing my luck, but I couldn’t help myself. I had to know she made it back okay. Especially with the way she looked.