Page 65 of Cade

You never know who you are or what you’re made of until you’re forced to find out. I thought I’d be the person to walk away, to run when my heart and my mind threatened to pull me under the dark, terrifying waves of doubt and worry.

But instead, I found myself channeling Cade apparently, when all I’d said was, “Tell me what you need.”

I’d expected them both to tell me, “For you to take over,” or something along those lines. With my dad in the hospital, it would have been the perfect time to take advantage of my vulnerability, but... they only said they needed me.

So as I bustled through the hallways of Rhodes, checking on employees and delivering donuts and coffee to each floor, as I ran from conference room to office fetching papers from the printer, and answered calls in my father’s office, even if it was only to say, “Thank you for your concerns,” I couldn’t stop thinking about the fundraiser, which I’d taken upon myself to reinstate. It just didn’t sit right with me that the thing would be in limbo or cancelled, when our company was well within its means to continue the event. It had surprised me though, that my father was the one who oversaw all the fundraising and company events, that he was the one who had planned them. Thankfully, my dad’s right hand man, Rob, didn’t seem to mind. One less thing he had to worry about, I guess. He didn’t seem particularly interested in the philanthropy division.

I’d thought about that first event, the one on the main street. Where I’d found Cade after he’d left the morning after we...

Then again, when he’d pitched the numbers and the information to my father in that boardroom, how he’d been so compelling that my father greenlit the next two events.

Honestly, I couldn’t stop thinking about Cade, period.

His eyes as he held my hand, as he promised me everything would be okay.

No one in my life had ever shown me the genuine kindness that Cade did. Most of the people in my life were nice enough, but it was all polite veneer. When push came to shove, aside from Jamie, I didn’t have many people I felt I could actually turn to, to talk to. Who could help me sort my shit out. Who’d hold my hand and tell me it would be okay.

When Cade had asked me on the phone what I needed, I didn’t even have to think. I said, “You.”

And it was absolutely, one hundred percent true.

“Thanks for your help today, Weston,” Cynthia said with a smile as I readied to exit the building.

It was damn nearing five o’clock.

How had the day gone by so quickly?

I nodded in return as I texted Cade.

Just finishing up at the office. Pick you up in ten?

“Of course, if there’s anything else I can do, just let me know. I’ll probably stop by tomorrow to make sure everything is good for the fundraiser,” I said as my phone buzzed nearly instantly with a response.

Sounds good.

“I will let you know if there is anything. Have a good night.” Cynthia nodded as I headed out the door, toward home.

CHAPTER 37

Weston

With my parents gone for the time being, the house felt eerily silent. Though I’d always had the option of using one of my dad’s cars while in town, I usually didn’t like to. Mostly because he was a bit anal and fussy about his babies, more so than he was about his human son.

But something in me was shifting. I could feel it.

I didn’t want to share a car with Cade and some random stranger. I wanted him all to myself.

Okay and maybe I wanted to impress him a little. Show him a good time like he’d done with me.

So I grabbed the keys from the carport in the garage for the Audi, which was technically my car. I’d just never come back to claim it after I left all those years ago.

When I rejected everything my father offered me because I didn’t know if I could be who he wanted me to be. I guess I didn’t know who I wanted to be then, either, and in so many ways I still didn’t know who I was.

But as I got in the car, hearing that sweet, sexy purr of the engine, I felt at peace. Maybe I didn’t have to be someone my father wanted.

Maybe, just maybe being myself was enough.

It certainly seemed enough for Cade.

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