Page 43 of The Obvious Check

“Madison,” I growl, sounding more like my grumpy best friend than I’d like.

She holds her hands up in mock surrender, looking between me and Savannah. “I was just asking. You can’t blame me for being curious.” She leans against the counter before winking at Savannah. “Welcome to Cade’s messy world, Savannah. I hope you survive it.”

Savannah laughs. It’s small and breathy, but it’s real, and fuck if that doesn’t do something to me. “Thanks,” she says. “I’ll try my best.”

Madison continues to munch on the extra bacon as I make my way to Savannah, guiding her to the hallway for a little privacy.

As we stand together in this small space, she takes a deep breath and her grip noticeably tightens on her bag strap. I’m disappointed but not surprised. She’s just waiting for the right moment to bolt. She’s going to leave, go back to sleeping in her fucking car, and then what? I’m supposed to just forget I know? Pretend I didn’t see her curled up in the backseat like some forgotten thing?

“Thanks for breakfast and for letting me crash here last night,” she says, throwing a look at my apartment door. “I should probably head out. Got some stuff to do.”

No.

I lean back against the wall, trying to look like I’m not going to lose my shit if she leaves. Seriously. I know she’s lying. She has nowhere to go and no reason to leave. “I’ve already said you can stay here as long as you need to.”

She gives me a small smile, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “I know. But I’ve already imposed enough.” Her eyes flick to the kitchen and presumably my sister. “You’ve got your game to focus on, and I’ve got things I need to handle.”

More bullshit.The only thing she needs to handle is telling me the truth about why she's living in her car and dancing for Luke.

Before I can say anything else, she's already bolting for the door like it's a finish line. When she reaches it, I try one last desperate play. “Savannah, seriously. You don't need to do this. If you're leaving because you feel awkward around my sister, don't. She's always like that. She has boundary issues. I want you here, and more importantly, I want you to feel comfortable.”

What I don't say: I want you in my space. I want your scent lingering on my couch and your laugh echoing in my kitchen. I want to know you're safe, not sleeping in a metal box in some parking lot where anyone could hurt you.

She exhales through her nose, turning to face me, her expression careful. “Your sister’s great. Really. I just… need to handle some stuff. Thanks for everything, though.”

Savannah pauses for a second, staring at my chest before she falls into it, surprising me with a hug that knocks the air from my lungs. I instinctively wrap my arms around her, and my hands slide across her back, pulling her closer. Fuck, comforting her feels right. It’s like I was only put on this earth to hold her, shelter her, and keep her safe from whatever demons are chasing her.

As she pulls away, I’m ready to argue, but the look on her face stops me. She’s made up her mind. “If you need to, you can come back tonight.”

“I’m fine,” she says quickly, playing with the strap of her bag. “I’ve got it handled.”

“Savannah—”

“Really, Cade. I’ll be okay.” She gives me a look, the kind that says I’m starting to lose all the goodwill I’ve built up. “Good luck at the game. I’ll be rooting for you.”

I stand there, watching her walk away like she’s taking pieces of me with her. Part of me wants to tell her I want her here. That I’d rather see her curled up on my couch when I get home tomorrow, still in my shirt, stillmine, even if she doesn’t know it yet. That I'd rather come home to her than to another empty apartment that never feels like home no matter how many games of fetch Stanley and I play or how many times Madison redecorates.

“Thank you again, Cade,” she says quietly. “I really appreciate all you’ve done.” She hesitates for a second and I wonder if she’s considering another hug. I’d take it. But instead, she just gives me a small wave and opens the front door.

“Leaving already?” Madison calls from the living room, still picking at the bacon. “It was really nice meeting you. Hopefully, we can catch up some other time.”

Savannah smiles politely. “Thanks, Madison. It was nice meeting you, too.”

Madison looks over at me, clearly confused. I don’t offer any explanation. I just stand there, feeling that same unease settle in my chest as the door closes behind Savannah. This isn’t right. Savannah shouldn’t be walking away from me. She needs to be here where I can protect her from everything bad in this world… but what if she doesn’t want it?

“So is that the girl?” Madison asks as she settles Stanley down and sits on the couch.

“Which girl?”

“The one Dash told me you were stalking.”

I raise my eyebrows. So much for a moment to compartmentalize everything that happened last night. “Stalking? Also, thank Dash for reminding me I can’t have secrets anymore.”

Madison shrivels down onto the couch, staying quiet for once in her life. I'm assuming she's concerned she's made things worse between my best friend and me. She hasn't. If anything, at least I know Dash is treating her like a real partner and confiding in her. That's what I want for my sister, even if it's with my best friend who I still occasionally want to murder for keeping secrets from me. Progress, I guess.

As I head to the kitchen, trying to distract myself with whatever leftover cleanup there is, I can feel Madison vibrating with a need to talk. “What?”

She looks over at me, her eyes wide and surprised. “Huh?”

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