Their earlier conversation came back to her, and she shook her head while laughing again. “Oh, my God. The Rock? Really?”
He flexed his shoulders. “I was twenty.”
Smiling, she lay down beside him, propping her head up on one hand. He’d never held back with her. She couldn’t imagine him like this with other women, but maybe he was. Was that why women had flocked toward him his whole life? Did he make them all feel as special as he made her feel? “How many women have you been with, Kade?”
He blinked but didn’t immediately answer. “You weren’t my first.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “Was I yours?”
She rolled her eyes. “Sure.”
He cuddled her closer, but his expression had darkened. “I don’t want to imagine . . . let’s drop this, okay?”
She nodded. She didn’t really want to imagine him with anyone else either.
In the silence that followed, Annie sought a way to lighten the mood. “So, how rich is rich?”
“Over a billion.”
Her eyes rounded. “Oh, my God. You’re serious?”
“Yep.” He tensed against her.
His tone told her everything she needed to know. He found it as overwhelming as she did. “I don’t even know what I’d do with that much.”
He sighed and rested his chin on the top of her head. “Promise me something, Annie.”
“Anything.”
“Kick my arse if it starts to change me.”
“Absolutely.” She hugged him.
If I’m part of your new life.
Chapter Eleven
‡
Early the next morning, Kade tossed his overnight bag in the back of his car. He stood, resting one arm on the open door of his vehicle while watching Annie drive off. She had an early run to Melbourne then one back later in the day. A little breathing room would be good for both of them. They’d quickly gone from long-lost friends to passionate lovers. His head was still spinning.
He fought the urge to call her right then and ask her to meet him as soon as she returned. Two days ago he’d wanted her with him because he hadn’t wanted to face his family alone. Now he felt her absence with an intensity that was unsettling.
Where were they headed and had she found it as hard to leave as he’d found it to watch her go?
His phone rang. He took it out, still staring blankly down the street where Annie had gone. “Thompson.”
“Kade, it’s Kenzi. Could you come by the lodge? Dad had a rough morning. He might be going to the hospital. Ian found a local doctor who is in with him now.” Her voice was thick with emotion. “You should be here.”
“On my way.” Kade climbed into his car and slammed the door. Because he’d assured Kenzi he’d be there shortly, he floored it. He almost called Annie, but he didn’t know what he’d be walking into, and he’d already laid more than enough family issues at her feet. He did call his parents. Sadly, through experience, his father knew which medical facilities were the best if it came to that. He told them what little he knew and promised to call as soon as he knew more.
He took a corner with screeching tires and cursed when a police siren wailed behind him. He pulled over, retrieved his paperwork from his glove box, and lowered his window.
The tall and lanky officer who leaned down to address Kade thankfully had a familiar face. Officer Shane had graduated from the same high school, and they’d played soccer on the same team for a couple years. “Well, if it isn’t Kade Thompson. Heard you were back in town.”
“G’day, Shane. Good to see you.”
“Same. It’s been too long. Where you off to in such a rush?”
Kade shook his head as he tried to compose himself. “The lodge at Lavender Farm. I got news that my—that someone I know is—I don’t even know what the hell is wrong with him. I should have asked. All I know is he can’t die now when I’ve just met him. I need time to figure out who he is—who I am—what we’re supposed to be to each other.” Kade blinked back tears. He couldn’t remember crying . . . ever. He wasn’t this person. This was not his life.
Shane removed his hat, tucked it beneath his arm. “You drunk?”
Kade rubbed a hand over his eyes. “I wish.” He lowered his hand. “It’s been a long week.”
“Why don’t you step out of the car, Kade, just so I know you’re safe.”
Kade opened the door . . . grudgingly. “See, sadly sober.”
Shane looked him over, then nodded. “Who’s at the lodge?” Kade’s fatigue was definitely catching up with him as he blinked to avoid the bright morning sun reflecting from Shane’s badge with blinding intensity. “Dale Barrington, my biological father.” Bright was a small town. He’d know soon enough.
“I didn’t know you were adopted.” Shane looped a thumb into his duty belt at his waist.
“I didn’t either.”
“And he’s sick?”
Kade shrugged. “When I got the call a doctor was determining how serious it is. I should be there.”
The blessing of having grown up with almost everyone in Bright was that Shane not only believed him but cared. He used a radio on his uniform to call in that due to a possible medical emergency he’d be escorting a car to the lodge.
“Thanks, Shane.” Kade held out his hand.
Shane gave it a firm shake. “Good to have you back, Kade. Don’t be a stranger. Mum would love to see you.” It was then Kade remembered Shane had lost his father to illness at a young age.
“I’ll drop by soon,” Kade promised, returning to the driver’s seat of his car.
With that, Shane returned to his vehicle, turned the flashing lights on, and pulled out in front of Kade. They flew the rest of the way to the lodge.
Kade parked and jumped out of his car. He quickly thanked Shane then took the steps of the lodge two at a time.
Asher opened the door and whistled in appreciation. “I guess I won’t have to teach you how to arrive in style.” He nodded toward the retreating police car. “Any chance you told him nothing?”
“He’s a friend.” Mouth dry, Kade asked, “How’s Dale?”
Asher’s expression was tight. “Resting. What did you tell him?”
“Shane? Does it matter right now?”
“What’s his last name? I’ll handle it.”
“There’s nothing to handle. I trust Shane.”
“Trust. You’ll get over that. Shane who?”
Asher blocking the door was symbolic, at least to Kade. He did want Asher’s help, but that didn’t negate what he knew about the people of Bright or himself. “Drop it, Asher. He is a friend. Don’t let me hear that you so much as googled his name. If I go to Boston I’ll follow your lead, but this is my town, my people, my rules. Now are you going to tell me what’s going on with Dale or do I need to find someone else who will?”
Ian appeared behind him. “Is that Kade?” He took one look at Asher’s face and asked, “What’s wrong?”
Asher waved a dismissive hand. “Apparently nothing. He has everything under control.”
Kade sighed.
Asher stepped back to let Kade in. “Dad’s going to be fine. He accidentally double-dosed on his medication and got light-headed. We’re watching him, but the doctor said as long as there is no change he’s fine to remain here.”
Relief flooded in. “Good.” There was no need to hide it from them. “What’s the medication for?”
Ian closed the door behind them. “We think it’s stress. He’s been losing weight, battling mild angina. We finally convinced him to see a cardiac specialist back home. He was fine until we started looking for you . . .”
Asher shook his head at Ian. “And people say I have no tact. Kade, welcome to scared Ian. He found Dad on the floor this morning. He’s still rattled.”
Kade felt a wave of sympathy for them both. They were all going through this together. “I’m pretty rattled myself. I meant to talk to Dale yesterday but the timing was never right.”
The three of th
em walked into the foyer, shoulder to shoulder. Lance and Grant joined them. Grant said, “Kade’s here. Good. Dad’s looking more alert.”
Kade glanced around. “Where’s Sophie?”
Lance answered, “With Willa and the twins. The women are all trying to keep Mom’s mind off how Dad is doing, but she’s holding up better than the rest of us. She’ll be glad you’re here, Kade.”
“No Annie today?” Grant asked.
“Working,” Kade answered automatically.
Andrew joined the group. “Dad suggested we don’t tell Kade, but I’m guessing it’s too late for that.”
Kade tensed. “If my being here is going to add any stress, I can go—”
“No,” several of his brothers said in unison.
Grant gave Kade a sympathetic pat on the back. “You belong here. That’s your father in there too. You should go in.”
After a moment, Kade squared his shoulders. He scanned the faces of his brothers. Andrew was a tough read. Asher seemed unaffected, but Kade now knew it was all show. Ian was quieter than normal. Lance looked concerned. Grant was composed but ready to jump into action if called upon.
My brothers.
“I’ll keep my visit short,” Kade promised.
Andrew stepped closer and in a low tone, he said, “Take your time, Kade. We can’t help him. You’re what he needs right now.”
“Thanks, Andrew.” Kade smiled.
Without smiling back, Andrew walked off.
Kade stood there, momentarily at a loss for how to react. Lance offered more confusing advice. “One relationship at a time, Kade. Go see Dad.”
Because there’s an issue with Andrew? I don’t even know him.
Shaking off the questions he had regarding the brother he’d originally thought he’d bond the best with, Kade followed Grant to the door of his father’s room. Grant opened the door to a suite then left him.
Kade took a deep breath and stepped inside.
During the downtime between flying one client to Melbourne and another one back, Annie texted her friend Claire to see if she was free for lunch. Like Annie, Claire was a small business owner. Annie joked that the love of telling people what to do had been the seed of inspiration for Claire’s Accountability Coaching Agency. Whatever the truth was, there was no denying the success Claire had found by relocating to Melbourne. Her client list included actors, business owners, and even some politicians—many of whom were also Annie’s clients.
Claire was already seated at a table in their favorite central business district restaurant. Of course it was vegan and gluten-free friendly—Claire wouldn’t have it any other way. Tall and thin with long, straight brown hair that was always done up in the latest style, if one didn’t know Claire they’d think fashion and fitness came easy to her. The truth was she’d fought and won against a good number of challenges. Born to a single, financially strapped mother, Claire had been heavy well into her late teens. Dedication to exercising and nutritional discipline had given her a body swimsuit models would envy. Grit and confidence had put her in the top of Melbourne’s social circle. She was her own poster child for success.
That day, however, she was simply Claire—one of Annie’s best friends and a much-needed sounding board. Annie hugged her then took a seat across from her. They ordered iced matcha tea lattes and smashed avocado on toast with a side of tomatoes and almond feta cheese.
“What time do you fly back?” Claire asked after the waitress walked away.
“Four. I’ll have time to hit the gym and shower. I need it.” She accepted her latte from the waitress and held it up in Claire’s direction. “I don’t eat like this without you.”
“You should.” Claire sipped on her own drink before answering. “You’re lucky you’ve never needed to, but you might want to cut down on the chips for the sake of your heart if not your waist.”
“Yes, Mum,” Annie said with a smile. “Speaking of doing something that might not be in my best interests . . .”
“You didn’t sleep with one of your clients, did you?”
“When have I ever done that?” When Claire opened her mouth to cite the time, Annie raised her hand to stop her. “One time. It was one time, and I learned my lesson. This is totally different.”
Claire wrinkled her nose. “Not one of my clients?”
“No. Relax. I’d never do that to you.”
“I know, but you look so guilty. I can’t think of what would put that expression on your face.”
“Kade is back in Bright.”
Claire shook her head and covered her eyes briefly with one hand. The waitress interrupted to deliver their food. Claire waited until she was gone before saying, “I thought you were over him.”
Annie grimaced and shrugged. “Over-ish?”
Claire unrolled her cutlery from her napkin. “Before I say anything, what are you looking for from me? Do you want me to have an opinion or just listen? I can’t control any twitches I may develop, but I’ll hold my silence if you need me to.”
That’s a good friend. “You probably couldn’t say anything worse than what I’ve been telling myself, so no need to hold back. Plus, I value your advice, even if I decide not to take it.”
“Fair enough. So, Kade is back. Did he ask you out?”
“It’s so much more complicated than that,” Annie said then stuck her fork through a succulent little tomato and popped it into her mouth. After chewing it, she said, “You have to swear to keep this between us. Hold your questions until the end, because it’s a wild tale that you need to hear in its entirety.”
Claire paused while cutting into her salad. “It’s in the vault, but start talking because I only have an hour for lunch and you’ve piqued my interest.”
Annie hadn’t said anything to anyone in Bright, but she and Claire had always told each other everything. There was no way to update Claire on her own life without bringing her up to speed on Kade’s as well. Annie started with the shock of seeing him in her family’s pub and didn’t hold back how she’d felt when she did. She walked Claire through the emotional dinner at her parents’ when Kade had told them about the Barringtons and how her father had suggested Annie go with him to meet them.
From there, the rest of the story flowed—right down to waking up in Kade’s arms that morning. Before saying anything, Claire did a quick search on her phone, then turned it for Annie to see. “These Barringtons?”
Annie scanned the photo. “That’s them.”
“Holy shit. That’s the family you want to find you. But still, I can’t even imagine how I’d deal.”
“Kade is struggling. So are they. But they seem like they want the best for him.”
“You picked a hell of a time to sleep with Kade.”
“I know.”
“He has to be freaking out about all of this.”
“He is.”
Claire laid her utensils down and held Annie’s gaze. “Have you considered he might be using you as a source of comfort during a tough time?”
I need to hear this. “I have.”
“Does he know how you feel about him?”
“No, not really.”
Claire pursed her lips, looking suddenly sad. “I don’t see this going anywhere good, Annie. You’re going to get your heart broken and he . . . he’s going to leave you again. From what you’ve said, the Barringtons came for their son. He’s going back to Boston with them whether he knows it or not yet. Then what?”
Annie stabbed her fork through a clump of cheese. “I don’t know. I’m trying not to think about that. It doesn’t feel wrong to be with him, Claire. It feels so right. He’s here at least until Viviana and Grant get married next weekend. Not every relationship lasts. If I go into this knowing it probably won’t—but it’ll be good while it does—is that so wrong?”
Claire sighed. “Not wrong, but it’s an unhealthy pattern for you. I was there when you waited for him to come back after college. Then after he moved to Wabonga. I commiserated with
you when you finally realized he wasn’t coming back. He’s like an addiction to you, and you’re better when you cut him completely out of your life.”
Tapping her fingers on the table, Annie processed the truth in Claire’s words. “He needs me,” she countered.
“He doesn’t,” Claire said with a sympathetic expression. “He’s a grown man. Maybe he was in shock at first, but that passes. I’ve known Kade as long as you have. He’s no pushover. He’ll be fine.”
Clasping her hands on the table, Annie dug deeper. “I want this time with him more than I care how much it might hurt to lose him later.”
“Does that sound like a healthy choice to you?”
Annie took her time before grudgingly admitting, “No, it doesn’t.”
Claire reached over and took Annie’s hands in hers. “I’m not saying anything you don’t already know. He’s confused, not sure what he feels about anything, and he was honest about that. Those are your words, not mine.”
“I lied to him about how I feel. I’m having a hard time dealing with that.”
“Because you are one of the kindest, most honest people I know. Don’t settle for what he offers while he’s in crisis. You can be there for him and not be his comfort fuck.”
“Ouch.” Tough love was, well, tough to hear. “What do I do? Just go back and tell him the sex was great but we need to close that door?” Please don’t say yes.
Claire nodded. “That sounds exactly like what you should say.”
Annie took a shaky breath. “And then it’s over.”
“Maybe, but I know you, Annie, and you’ll be okay. You don’t need him. You’ve not only survived without him—you’ve thrived. Don’t undervalue yourself. Tour guide or billionaire, he couldn’t find a better partner than you’d be. If he doesn’t see that, he doesn’t deserve you. You were there for him, now be there for you. If he’s really the man you think he is, he’ll come around. If he doesn’t, consider yourself a Kade-aholic and take it one day at time.”
“Kade-aholic.” Annie smiled. “How much do I owe you for this therapy session?”
“One week off sugar.”
Annie’s jaw fell in horror. “None?”
Forever Now (The Barrington Billionaires Book 6) Page 11
