Throwing on a soft white robe from the back of my bathroom door, I pulled it tight against me, wishing it could somehow fill the little void that had made its way into my chest. I lifted my chin as I walked through my room. Life would go on, it always did. So I may as well just catch the next rotation. I need to figure out what to do about Simon, anyway.
I heard Max’s voice in the kitchen as I made my way downstairs. The anger I had felt the night before when I realized he was going after Cane was muted a bit. I recalled the fury in Max’s eyes when he realized Simon was responsible for my arm. Max wasn’t just a friend to Cane or to Kari; he was a friend to me, too.
I rounded the corner and paused in the doorway, holding my breath that maybe Cane would be sitting there with his friend. I glanced around the room and saw Max leaning against the island and Kari sitting at the table, holding a cup of coffee.
And that was it.
Any hope I had been holding on to melted away. I sighed, accepting reality and made my way dejectedly to the coffee pot. I gave him every chance. And last night was the last one.
“How do you feel?” Kari watched me move across the room.
“Wonderful,” I uttered sourly, pouring creamer into my mug.
“I’m betting that Simon is feeling worse.” Max chucked, shaking his head. “Cane would’ve killed him. I’ve seen that look in his eye a time or two and it never ends well for the other guy.”
I sipped my coffee and gave Max a look over the brim. He shook his head at my demeanor and that just irritated me farther.
“Something wrong, Jada?” he smirked.
“Why would anything be wrong?”
The sound of the front door opening took me by surprise and I nearly dropped my coffee. Max’s smirk deepened at my reaction, obviously knowing what I came downstairs thinking.
Maybe I don’t like Max after all.
I held my breath as a rustling sound making its way towards the kitchen, trying hard not to wish too badly that it was Cane. I didn’t want to be disappointed, but it was pointless to deny the hope that had blossomed.
I looked to the doorway and there he stood—light denim jeans, a plain black t-shirt, red baseball cap, and his sunglasses tucked through the front of his shirt. When our eyes met, I could see his smile in them and I melted a little.
He hadn’t left me after all.
Cane sat three bags on the countertop and made his way to me slowly, narrowing his eyes. The corner of his mouth was upturned. I started to speak but he kissed me before I could get any words out.
Holding my head in his hands, he examined my face with his eyes, trying to read what I was thinking. “How are you today?”
“Fine,” I whispered, embarrassed. “Better now.”
“I just ran home to grab some clothes and then to the grocery for some stuff for lunch,” he said as I looked away, my heart bursting. “What? You didn’t think I left you, did you?”
“No, you would never do something like that,” I laughed.
He laughed and kissed me gently. “We are in this together. Just relax.”
I turned into a little puddle. Together. He wants us to be in this together. I couldn’t wipe the silly grin off my face if I tried. That one word, together, held so much promise.
“It’s none of my business, I know that,” Kari said loudly. “But you know I make everything my business, so … what’s up with you kissing my sister?”
“Kari,” Max warned, shooting her a look.
“It’s about damn time,” Kari said.
“I’ll say,” Max said, taking a sip of his coffee. “Cane was getting soft on me, crying around all the time.”
“Really? That’s interesting,” Cane replied, pulling me in front of him and wrapping his arms around me, careful to avoid my arm. “I don’t recall crying. Ever.”
“Whatever you say,” Max smirked. “I won’t tell everything I know.”
“That’s the biggest load of dumbfuckery I’ve ever heard.” Cane shook his head at Max and I laughed at his choice of words.
“I think it’s cute that you guys cry in front of each other,” Kari said, egging them on. “Who would have thought?”
“Keep it up,” Max said, raising his eyebrows towards her.
“Or what?”
Max sighed as he stood up, grabbed Kari, and threw her over his shoulder. Kari squealed, pounding her fists against Max’s wide back. Cane and I couldn’t contain our laughter as Max carried her outside and threw her into the pool while she screamed for mercy.
“They seem occupied,” Cane said, leaving kisses up my neck. “We really need to see about getting you in an apartment of your own.”
“I know. I’ve been looking.” I tilted my head to the side. He made his way back to my mouth before pulling away, his eyes turning serious.
“On second thought, maybe you should stay here just a little while longer.” His throat bobbed as he forced a swallow. “I like knowing you aren’t alone right now.”
“I would probably be a little nervous by myself right now anyway, considering the past twenty-four hours.”
Cane pressed his forehead to mine. “Speaking of which, what do you want to do about that? Do you want to call the police?”
I closed my eyes, wishing I had never answered Simon’s call. Why did I have to answer that?!
But if I hadn’t, would Cane be here right now?