Page 62 of Cade

At that moment, my phone went off, my alarm blaring at me to get up and get ready for work. I sighed, relenting for the moment as I headed back in the house, to my shower to wash off the pain, the sadness and the reality that I’d fucked up.

Again.

So much for a fresh start.

CHAPTER 34

Cade

At work, Diane sat at the desk, a serious look on her face.

“Everything okay?” I asked as I set my Dunkin Donuts iced coffee down. She looked pale.

“Something go wrong with the fundraiser, or...”

“No, it’s, uh... the fundraiser’s postponed,” she said calmly.

“Oh, okay...”

“The CEO of Rhodes Enterprises had a heart attack last night. He’d announced his retirement, but no replacement has been named yet, so...”

My blood chilled.

How could I have been so selfish, so self-centered?

No wonder Weston had left without a word of goodbye.

No kid wants to get that call about their parents, and that’s just the ones who don’t have parents trying to convince them to run the family business.

Which happens to make millions.

“Oh shit, Diane, I’m sorry, I—” I slide out my phone immediately as she sighs.

“I mean, it’s okay, we had two fundraisers, and while I haven’t counted the donations yet from last night, I’m sure... I’m sure we’ll be fine if they cancel the one on Friday.”

I could hear the sadness and the disappointment in her voice. Despite the fact I didn’t care for working the booths, I couldn’t deny that the events had really good results. High turnouts, and the first event alone had brought in almost five thousand dollars. All that would go toward the hospital, toward care for animals who needed life saving surgeries and care credit funds as well as our rescue friends.

In fact, I’d wager that Rhodes Enterprises had helped us bring in more money in two events than we’d been capable of doing on our own in the last two years.

I texted Weston immediately, worried for him and what he must be going through.

Are you okay? I texted, immediately sending another, I heard about your dad.

Weston texted back, No. I’m not.

My heart broke for him. Tell me what you need.

I’d said the words because I knew he was hurting, knew he must be worried sick about his dad regardless of their personal issues.

I wasn’t expecting his text back to say, You. I need you.

I looked up at Diane.

“Diane, I know I just came in but...”

She looked at me with a smirk.

“You think I don’t know about you and the Rhodes kid?” she said, shaking her head.

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