Kade (19 page)

Chapter Forty

KADE

They make me stay in the waiting room, and I use the time to make a few calls. I call Nikki’s parents first, then Layla and Chase. Layla says she'll call James. After a few hours of hell, waiting to see or hear if she’s okay, and the doctors not telling me anything, they finally let us see her. Her parents go in first, and when they walk out Layla and I go in. Layla is crying incessantly, and she leaves after a few minutes. I walk in and sit down next to her, my gaze raking over her. She has a bandage on her head, a bit of bruising and scratches, but nothing else that is visible. I get comfortable, because I'm not going anywhere for a while.

She finally wakes up, after two damn long days. I was getting nervous. When I see her eyes open, I go over to her straight away. She asks me to leave, but there's no way in hell I'm going to. I’d tell her everything when she was feeling better, I would tell her how much I loved her, how special she was to me. I fall asleep in the chair, and when I wake up, I notice Nikki is sitting up in bed. I go to talk to her, but she doesn’t respond, and then two security guards come rushing in. I can’t believe Nikki called them to get me out. I really fucked up. I need to find a way to make this right. When I storm down the hall, James passes me and asks where I’m going. I don’t say anything. I’ll give her some space, but not for long.

I sit out in the hospital waiting room.

Just in case she needs me.

Chapter Forty One

The nurse just visited and laughed when I asked her if it was okay if I had some rum, but I was being serious. Everything looks okay, I just need to relax, and the bruising on my ribs hurts like hell. My head hurts, too, but honestly I’m so lucky that nothing else happened. The truck didn’t hit my car head on, just bumped onto the side. Layla and Chase invited me to stay with them. So that’s where I’m at, now. In the guest room.

Kade comes by twice, but Chase tells him to leave. He doesn’t want to upset neither Layla nor me. Kade keeps calling me on my new phone which Chase bought me. It's some new flash phone I have no idea how to use. Layla got me a new green sparkly cover for it which made me extremely happy, and she also made me chicken and corn soup which is my favorite in the world.

“Do you need anything else, Nikki?” she asks gently.

“No I’m more than fine. You go and relax, Layla. You already have to worry about your son, don’t worry about me.” I lecture.

“You sound like Chase,” she mumbles, leaving the room. I lean back into the soft feathery pillow and sigh. Kade. I can’t avoid him forever. I have no idea what I’m supposed to do next. Move out? Find a new place?

I’m watching Sailor Moon with Layla and cuddling with baby Cole when I hear a knock on the door. Chase comes out of his office and goes to open it, and I see him slip out and close the door behind him. I can hear voices getting louder, but no idea what they're saying. Minutes later, Chase comes back in, alone.

“Who was that, baby?” Layla asks, a frown on her face.

“Kade,” Chase says, looking at me.

“So, have you talked to him about what you walked in on?” he asks, his eyes knowing.

“No, I’m not doing this with him anymore. After I walked in on him and Ashley, I realized that was it, I’m done. It hurts, but I can find someone better for me, someone who won’t fuck around on me. Even if it was all innocent, I’m done. Ashley always comes first with him. I think I deserve to be someone’s number one priority, and Kade can’t give me that.”

“Nikki, you need to at least hear him out before you make that decision,” Layla pleads with me.

“No, Layla. After my accident I realized that we were done for good. I’m going to start looking for my own place, and I won’t have to see him again.”

It’s quiet for a moment, and from the corner of my eye, I see Chase staring at me, his eyes hard.

“Do you love him?” he asks.

“Of course I do, but it’s not enough.” I say quietly, and get back to cooing at Cole.

******

It’s been a week since I got out of the hospital, and I’ve ignored every single text and phone call from Kade. I’m reading ‘Unbeautifully’ by Madeline Sheehan (this bitch rocks, wow), when there is a knock on the door. I open it and come face to face with Kade. I start to close the door in his face, but he puts his foot in the door so I can’t close it.

“Kade!” I say sternly, about to lecture him when suddenly I’m lifted over his shoulder.

“Kade, put me down! My ribs, you asshole.” I yell, pummeling my fists into his back.

Suddenly I find myself off his shoulder and pinned to a wall.

“Are you done avoiding me now? It’s been a week,” he states, looking pissed.

“I’m not avoiding you, we’re over. I’m moving on, simple as that,” I say, avoiding any eye contact with him.

All of a sudden he growls and punches the wall by my head. I look up at him, startled. His eyes soften slightly when he sees my expression.

“Beautiful, we’re not over, we’ll never be over. We’re forever,” Kade whispers. “I’ll give you time and space, and when you’re ready to talk, I’ll be waiting.” Kissing me softly on my forehead, he turns, and walks out of the room. I hear the front door slam.

Chapter Forty Two

KADE

It’s been three weeks since Nikki left me. I’ve tried going to Chase’s place, but he never lets me in to talk to her. I feel like I’m going insane. I’ve tried calling, but last week the phone stopped ringing, saying it was disconnected instead. I tried to get her new number from Layla, but she wouldn’t budge. I’m such a fuck up.

When I pull up to the house and see Layla loading Nikki’s things into her car, I freak right out. I even start to pull her things out of Layla’s car. I'm not letting Nikki leave me. James comes out of the house and keeps a hold on me, while Layla finishes getting Nikki’s things, and he doesn’t let go until Layla is gone.

Fuck.

I wish I could go back and change things.

I’m going out tonight. Hopefully I can catch her out and about. I heard something about her and Ryder, but I can’t- no, I won’t, believe that right now.

NIKKI

It’s been a month since my accident. Kade tries to talk to me almost every day. He comes by Chase’s apartment, but never gets let in. I'm all ready to talk to him again, let him tell me what actually happened, and possibly try to work things out, until I find out he's still hanging around Ashley. Even Chase is now pissed at him; apparently Layla had to break up a fight between the two brothers. I never should have started anything with Kade because now I have Chase fighting with Kade- and that’s all on me. I really want to know what the fuck is going on with them. Why can’t he just break that friendship and be with me? We wouldn’t be in this mess now if he had just made a choice. Or hell, he could keep Ashley as a friend, just stop putting her before our relationship. I need a guy who will put me first. Layla went over to the house and grabbed all my stuff, apparently Kade tried to pull all of my things out of her car. James had to come over and hold him back.

I’ve been helping Layla take care of the baby. He’s just so damn cute. My heart hurts a little because I can’t help but think if Kade and I had worked out, we could be having a child together one day.

My mind made up, I walk up the stairs to Ryder’s apartment. I’ve never been here before, and the place looks pretty neat. Ryder is just locking up his front door as I approach.

“Hey, Nikki, is everything okay?” he asks as soon as he sees me.

“Everything is fine. I actually just wanted to talk to you about us,” I say, mustering a small grin.

“Us?” he asks, confused. “What about Kade?”

Kade, Ugh.

“Kade and I are over, have been for a while now. I was thinking maybe we could give us a shot? If you’re still interested?” I ask him, my gaze drawn to his lips. He has sexy lips. Not like Kade’s, but still sexy as sin.

“I think we should give this a go, Ryder, don’t you?” I add, when he stays quiet for a few moments.

“I guess we could give us a try, or we will always be wondering what if,” he says, still sounding unsure. To help him with his decision, I lean forward and kiss him. I just touch my tongue with his when I hear a gasp from behind me. I spin around and see the back of a woman, blonde hair and a stunning figure.

“Who was that?” I ask, eyes narrowing. At least with Ryder I know that the other women don’t mean anything to him, it won’t be a Kade repeat.

“A friend,” he says softly. Regret in his voice.

“Are you sure you want to do this, Ryder?” I ask him when he doesn’t say anything else.

“No, I think we should give this a shot,” he says with a smile.

There's only one problem.

The smile doesn’t reach his eyes.

******

Chase works his magic and gets me an apartment in the same building as his. I almost choke on my coffee when I find out that he does, in fact, own the whole building. Typical, just typical. My apartment is two bedrooms, one bathroom, and decorated all in white, black and grey. It’s very modern and classy, and I'm completely in love with it. The best part is I can see Layla and Cole whenever my heart desires. I can also babysit for Layla anytime she needs me. I splurge and buy myself a new bed with a wrought iron headboard. It’s simply gorgeous. To add some color to my room, I put on an emerald green bedcover and satin sheets. I do a little dance. I'm gonna love living here.

I’ve been living on my own for a week now, and I have to say, this fucking sucks. I feel so lonely. Layla is always busy with the baby, so we really don’t get much time together. James stops over a few times during the week, but doesn’t really stay for long before he gets a call and needs to leave. He’s been great to hang out with. We also never talk about Kade. Last I heard from Layla was that James and Kade have been fighting. James is pissed about the whole Kade and Ashley thing.

I’m just lounging out on the couch, feeling depressed, when there is a knock on my door. I’m shocked to see who's on the other side. Lucy.

“Um, hey, Lucy, come in.” I’m sure the shock is plastered all over my face.

“What have I told you, Nikki? Call me mum,” she says while giving me a hug. “I just wanted to see how you’ve been doing. I heard about your accident. I’m sorry I haven’t visited sooner, we’ve been away overseas.”

“I’m fine, actually. I was really lucky.” We go into my living room and sit down. “Would you like anything to drink?”

“No, thank you.” She gets comfortable on my couch and then sighs. “I heard about you and Kade breaking up.” She gives me a sad smile.

“Yeah, it was bound to happen. I don’t know why he just doesn’t get with Ashley, they act like they're together anyway.”

Lucy shakes her head. “Kade doesn’t feel that way about her, he never has. Their whole friendship basically stems from Damon, and that damn letter.”

I frown. “This is the third time I’ve heard about Damon, who is he?”

Her eyes get watery. “He was Ashley’s big brother and Kade’s best friend. He died in the army.” She shakes her head and the watery eyes disappear. “I hope Kade comes to his senses about her soon, I’m still convinced you're the one for him.” I smile sadly, knowing I’m not his number one priority, and probably never will be. I don’t say anything back to her about Kade. We make more small talk for a while, and then she gets up to leave, telling me to call her any time.

Chapter Forty Three

For our first date Ryder and I decide to go to the movies. I drag him out to see the latest Twilight movie (sue me, I’m a Twi-hard).

“Seriously, Nikki? Twilight?” he says it like he’s going to get shot for being here. I laugh at him.

“Trust me, it’s good.” I smile sweetly at him.

“If you say so. But if it sucks, I’m making you watch BASEketball.” I instantly groan because I hate that fucking movie.

We find our seats and move up the arm that’s resting between us, out of the way so we can snuggle. I have to say when I think certain people died, I bawl like a baby, and Ryder just laughs at me. Jerk! He laughs even harder when I scream out loud, “You have got to be fucking kidding me!”

When the movie's over we walk out hand in hand. “So, what did you think?”

“Actually, not too bad. I didn’t know it was a comedy.” I smack him.

“Oh, shut up.” I laugh. “But was it good enough that I don’t have to watch that stupid BASEketball movie with you?” I bat my eyelashes at him.

He chuckles. “No, I won’t make you watch it.”

Phew, thank god.

When he takes me home, he kisses me goodnight. It's a sweet, gentle kiss. I don’t try and analyze how it makes me feel.

Before he turns to leave he asks me to go out with him again. “Want to come watch my band play tomorrow night?”

“Sure, no plans, want me to meet you there?”

“Yeah, that works. See you then.” Then he leans in and gives me another kiss.

I call Layla when I get in, knowing she's probably waiting up for the details of our date. Layla wasn’t too happy when she found out I was dating Ryder. She was hoping for Kade and me to get back together.

The phone only rings twice before she picks up. “So, how was it?” Whoa, straight to the point, not even a hello.

“It was good. We just went to the movies, he brought me home, kissed me goodnight, and asked me to watch him play tomorrow.”

Silence. “How was the kiss?” Why is she asking me something like that?

“It was nice,” I say slowly.

“Nice? Just nice?”

“Yeah. Nice,” I repeat.

“Just nice sucks, Nikki. You know that. When are you going to see that Kade is perfect for you? And I don’t like it that you’re using my cousin to get over Kade. I don’t want him hurt either. Ryder was seeing someone before he started dating you, and she was perfect for him. I want them to get back together!” She’s getting mad.

“Look, Layla, Kade fucked up, okay? So I’m giving Ryder a chance, and if he was seeing someone before me, that’s his decision,” I say defensively.

“Yeah, he did, but he’s tried making up for it. Now you're the one screwing it all up.” Layla and I barely ever fight. And I really don’t want to now.

“Look, I gotta go, I don’t want to fight over this. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

She sighs. “Ok, Nikki. Later.”

I flip my phone off and sit back onto my bed.

This whole thing is one huge, giant mess.