Page 22 of Broken Love (Love 2)
I was told Cade turned down numerous requests to be interviewed alongside me.
I realize that when I punched him six years ago, it didn't really settle anything. I'll never forget how mad I felt when my sister told me what he'd done. We've never talked about why he did what he did. Not that there is any possible acceptable excuse, but we've never spoken since that day.
And it still hurts.
Hurts that he would do something like that to me. That our friendship and my sister meant so little to him that it was worth throwing away on something that was probably meaningless.
It's also not something the Cade I knew would have ever done. He was always the responsible one. The thoughtful one.
If I would have been asked to choose a man for my sister to marry, he would have been a man like Cade.
But I guess you never know.
I shake my head and look out at the nearly five-hundred-thousand people who have turned out in Tampa for the parade to celebrate our victory.
November 12th
Palmer
My brother has been in Florida celebrating with his team but is due back home today.
Cade and I haven't talked about my brother, but their story is splashed everywhere and is hard to get away from. Cade has gotten numerous requests for interviews about it. When I asked him why he turned them down, he said that it would be awkward. That he couldn't go on TV and talk about why he did what he did.
He saw something, owed something, and reacted.
And then he told me that he didn't want to discuss it anymore.
I could see the hurt in his eyes, so I finally dropped it.
Because I haven't been this happy in years.
Cade makes me feel whole--complete--again. The pieces of me I left with him that day I stormed out, are back where they belong.
I replay last night in my mind.
"We're so lucky, Palmer," he says, slowly trailing his finger down my side as we're cuddling post-sex.
"Why's that?" I ask dreamily, resting my head on his shoulder. Even though I know the answer, I want to hear him say it.
"Because we found our way back to each other."
"More like you found me in a snowstorm," I tease.
His finger stops on my hip. "Can I ask you a serious question?"
I look into his eyes and nod.
"If I ask you to marry me again, will you say yes?"
I smile at him, but don't reply. I'm so incredibly happy, but the guilt is starting to consume me.
How can I agree to a happily ever after with Cade when things are the way they are between him and my brother?
Cade brushes his fingers through my hair and smiles. "Are you free this Saturday night?"
"I am."
"Good," he says, his lips gliding across my cheek. "Because we're going to have another first date."
"I've got all sorts of goodies for you," Tory says, bursting through the door to my office and setting a kale smoothie on my desk.
I turn my nose up to the nasty green looking concoction. "No chocolate chip Frappuccino today?"
"I wouldn't think so. You have that cover shoot for the fitness magazine as soon as you get back from New York." I glance down at my calendar to check out my busy schedule and notice the little red star marked on yesterday's square--meaning I should be getting my period anytime now--as she holds out a pure white bikini and says, "And this is what you'll be wearing."
Great.
"I called your stylist" she says. "She'll be over shortly with options for you to try for your press junket. Are you so excited for this movie to release?"
I shrug. "Honestly, I didn't realize it was this week, but I also didn't realize it's already the middle of November. It's been crazy since Pike got hurt."
"And I was thinking it's been crazy since you got the sheets." She raises an eyebrow at me. "You're sleeping with Cade, aren't you?"
I sigh.
She points her finger at me. "I knew it! And you should be proud of me. I didn't say anything in front of your brother, because it's obvious you don't want him to know."
"How obvious?"
"You hugged the sheets and said they were better than roses...that and the fact that you've been on cloud nine since then--what can I say? I'm intuitive. Speaking of that--I was right to choose the guy in dick pic two. We totally meshed."
"Meshed?" I ask as my phone buzzes on my desk. "What does that even mean?"
"It means he was fucktacular. Have you ever had sex so good it was like you were tripping? Like it was almost fuckadelic?"
"Is that even a word?"
"Probably. You get my meaning though, right?"
"Yes, I get your meaning." I smile at my phone, seeing Cade's name pop up.
"Answer the question," she says, grabbing my phone.
"Maybe?"
"Fucktacular is so spectacular there are no words to properly describe its hotness. If you had it, you'd know. Is it that way with Cade?"
My face breaks out into a grin, before I can stop myself.
Tory points at me. "Ha! I knew it! So what are you going to do about him and your brother? Should we set up a playdate so they can become best friends again? Have they talked?"
"They haven't. Everyone wanted to interview them together, but Cade turned them down."
"Why?"
"I'm not sure," I admit, "but I think he is waiting for Pike to apologize."
"Is that ever going to happen?"
I shake my head as tears form. "I don't think so."
"Why are you crying?"
"Because I'm so incredibly happy with Cade, I can hardly stand it. But I'm not sure if I can be with someone my brother hates, no matter what Cade says."
"What did he say?"
"He said our happiness is all that matters."
"He's right," she says, handing me back my phone. "The rest will work itself out."
"Do you really think so?" I ask, clutching the phone to my chest.
"Yeah, Palmer. I do," she says as her phone rings, alerting us to the fact that my stylist is here.
While she answers the door, I read the text.
Cade: I miss you and desperately need to see you before you leave.
Me: I wish I could. The stylist is bringing clothes for me to try on. I have an hour and a half to choose them and pack before I have to leave for the airport.
Cade: Then I'll text you constantly until Saturday. I know how busy press junkets are. You don't even have to reply.
Me: It's nice that you understand.
Cade: Of course, I do.
Me: I'll miss you, but can't wait for our second "first" date when I get back.
Cade: I love you.
Me: I love you, too.
Upon arrival in New York, I'm shuttled from one event to the other. When I'm finally in my hotel room, I lie in bed and text Cade.
Me: It's been a long day. How was yours?
Cade: I've spent all day thinking about you.
Me: Have they been naughty thoughts?
Cade: Actually, no. I've got it so bad for you I may start writing poetry.
Me: I doubt you have it that bad. LOL
Cade: At the touch of love, everyone becomes a poet. --Plato
Me: You're too cute.
November 13th Cade
I spend entirely too much time today trying to find the perfect quote to send to Palmer. I know press junkets mean she will be interviewed all day. When she doesn't have interviews, she and the rest of the cast will be excepted to attend other events until they drop into bed for the night--only to get up and do it again the next day. I find one that seems fitting and send it off.
Me: The heart that truly loves never forgets. --Proverb
She doesn't reply until after midnight, East coast time.
Palmer: That's beautiful and very much us. I love you.
November 14th Cade
I glance at my watch and see it's already almost seven. No wonder my stomach is growling. Time to close up shop fo
r the day and get some dinner. Carter should be here any minute. But first, I need to call my mom and get a recipe. I'm going to cook Palmer dinner tomorrow night and something from a restaurant or out of the freezer won't cut it.
"Hey, Mom," I say, when she answers. "Can I get your recipe for spaghetti and meatballs."
