Page 46 of Follow Me to Your Heart
Mom whipped her head around and interrogated, “Did you invite him here?”
“No. If I did, I would’ve told you.”
“Then what is he doing here, and how did he know you were here?”
She and I were wondering the same thing. There was no question on how Cage knew how to find me, but I didn’t expect him to show up, especially when we hadn’t talked. Him choosing to show up at Alana’s spoke volumes, making me love him even more.
“He has my location,” I informed Mom, eyes still on Cage. “I don’t know what he’s doing here, but you can ask him yourself.”
“What are you doing here, Cage?” Kasey quizzed again, crossing his arms over his broad chest.
Cage thumbed his nose and replied, “I’m here for Korren. When I saw where she was, I had to come be with her.”
“For what?” Mom scoffed with her hands on her hips.
“You.” Cage answered with no hesitation.
Silence fell over us as we all stared at one another. Kasey was trying his hardest to mask the smirk threatening to curve his lips. He gave me a knowing look, and when I nodded, he stepped to the side to allow Cage inside. Mom waved her hand, taking three steps forward.
“Oh, no. I did not invite him inside my home.”
Kasey told her, “I did. We have enough food for him to join us.”
“No. This is supposed to be my alone time with my children. I don’t want some thug interrupting us.”
“It’s funny how you call me a thug, but you dismiss the actions of a nigga who puts his hands on your daughter,” Cage spoke. “Judge me all you want. I truly don’t care about your opinion, Alana. I don’t need your approval when you haven’t been a present mother in either of your kid’s lives.”
Oh shit.
Mom pointed her finger at Cage. “You don’t know anything about me, Cage. You only go based off what Korren tells you.”
“Exactly. It’s her word over everybody’s. Don’t forget I’ve been in her life for a long time, so I know everything. I didn’t come here to argue with you. I’m here to support Korren because I know how you are and how you get to her. She’s more than capable of holding her own, but as her man, I’m here to back her up.”
My center throbbed, aching for the intimate connection with Cage. To know we weren’t in the best place and he was still here for me had me thinking differently.
The way Alana whipped her head back to mug me was comical. Cage was getting underneath her skin. She was crazy if she thought I was about to defend her or check Cage.
“How dare you allow him to talk to me like that? Both of you!” Mom shouted.
“How is he talking to you?” I asked for clarification.
“Don’t be naïve, Korren. You heard him. You do every time, but you stand by idle and allow it. I’m your mother. I don’t understand how you could do this.”
I tilted my head to the side. “Just like I don’t understand things you do, Mom. How you allowed Daddy to have full custody of us and didn’t even fight it. I’m not saying there was anything wrong with it because he has always been my preferred parent, but did you ever think about how your actions affected us? I can’t speak for Kasey, but you’ve always judged me, Mom. You wanted me to live a life to please you. You’ve never truly thought about how I feel. If it’s not pleasing to you, then I’m in the wrong.”
“Oh, please. That’s not true, Korren. You’ve always allowed your father and Cage to influence the way you think of me.”
“Out of everything I’ve said, that’s all you gathered from it?”
Kasey chimed in. “You’re not hearing her, Mom.”
“None of you are hearing me. If y’all are going to continue ganging up on me, then we don’t need to do this dinner. I was trying to spend some time with my children, but Cage’s presence ruined it. His influence on you is too strong, Korren. You followed him to Harley Grove when you easily could’ve stayed in Camden Cove to get your education. I don’t know what he’s done to you, but don’t come crying to me when he hurts you. I’m your mother. I’m forever. He’s not.”
Cage stepped inside and walked over to me. One of his hands grabbed mine while the other cupped my face, slowly rubbing his thumb over my cheek. Intently, we gazed at one another. From the rapid thump of my heart, I knew ours were beating in sync. The shallowness I felt was being filled with each swipe of his thumb.
My goodness. I missed this man.
Gently, he spoke. “Just let me know what you want to do, KoKo.”
