“Sorry, Kade,” I mumble, running out when the cab pulls up.
KADE
I watch her practically run to escape me. And it hurts. It. Fucking. Hurts. I know she has her own demons, and I want to find out what they are. Help her, let her know that no matter what it is, I will always be there to fix things, make them better. Make her better, happier. I understand now why Chase went so crazy for Layla. Why he fought so hard. Because at the end of the day, nothing else matters. I want Nikki, by my side. To go to sleep with, wake up with, and everything in between. I know Nikki is the woman for me, now I just need to convince her. To get her to let me in, let me prove myself. Prove my worth. It will never be over between Nikki and me.
Chapter Eight
NIKKI
After our night together, I’m feeling more confused than ever. It’s clear the sex between us is phenomenal, there's definitely no issue there. We have chemistry- a spark. I ignite every time he's near me. If it was just sex between us that would be fine, but boundaries are being crossed, and I don’t really know how to handle that. Do I want him? Yes. But am I willing to lower my guards and put myself out there with him? No, I’m not.
He tries calling the next day, but I don’t answer. Looks like I'm back to playing the avoidance game. I really need to get over this. I’m Nikki, I don't usually avoid situations, I confront. But what is it about Kade that has me so f**king freaked out?
Layla calls me up and says she's coming over. When she pulls into the driveway, she’s not alone. Chase is with her. When a Hummer pulls up behind them, I curse. James and Kade. Shit. I walk up to Layla.
“What’s going on?” I ask slowly, drawing out each word.
“Go get ready, we’re going somewhere,” she says with a grin.
******
I’m sitting in the back of Kade’s Hummer. I don’t know how I got talked into this, but we’re all going to visit his mom because their dad has been busy with work and she’s been feeling lonely. We pull up to the house, it’s beautiful. As we start to get out of the Hummer, a petite, blonde older woman comes running out to greet everyone.
“And who is this lovely lady?” she asks, moving in to give me a hug too.
“This is Nikki,” Kade says, sounding… proud?
Lucy glances between Kade and me and grins slyly. “Nice to meet you, Nikki. I’m Lucy, but you can call me mum if you like. Come on inside, everyone.”
I glance over at Layla and give her an evil look. She ignores me and gives me a huge smile in return. I know she’s happy I’m here so she’s not alone in meeting her future mother in law. I, on the other hand, would prefer to be somewhere else, not meeting the family of the man I have an extremely complicated relationship with. We all sit down and Lucy flutters around being a wonderful host, getting us all something to drink and eat. We all make small talk, and I avoid Kade’s penetrating gaze, listening to the family interact with each other instead. When I find out Lucy put alcohol into James’s coffee I burst out laughing, and when she says YOLO, I almost choke with laughter. Who knew this prim and proper looking woman had a sense of humor? Certainly not me. Kade’s mother really is lovely. This is why I didn’t want to come today. I don’t want to think of the ‘what-ifs’ anymore. I'm happy for Layla. It’s a little depressing to think she could have been my sister in law if Kade and I had worked out.
“Layla, you and Nikki will have to come visit sometime. We can have a girls' day; go to the spa, do some shopping, and maybe some lunch. How about it?” Lucy asks us, her eyes bright with excitement. Layla agrees on both of our behalf. I force a smile and avoid Kade’s knowing gaze.
******
My phone beeps with a text message from an unknown number. I scan over the message and frown.
It’s Layla.
She says that she's fine, not to worry about her, and she will call me in a few days. Also that I’m the only one with her new number, aside from her parents. I ask her why she has a new number, what the hell is going on, but she doesn’t respond. A few days later I get a call from Chase, begging me to tell him where Layla is or how he can find her. I had already guessed Layla’s running had something to do with Chase, and when I spoke to her yesterday, she confirmed it and told me everything. I tell Chase I’m sorry, but I can’t help him. When Kade calls me, asking me to please come over so we can all talk, I reluctantly relent.
When I step into their house, Chase, Kade, and James are all standing there looking quite pitiful.
“Alright, ass**le, what did you do?” I say to Chase with my arms on my hips. He puts his head down and fills me in on his version of what happened to make Layla take off.
“Can you please call her or give me her number? I need to talk to her; make her listen,” Chase pleads.
“I can’t do that, Chase. When she gets home, you can try talking to her then,” I tell him, avoiding his eyes. The man looks almost desperate.
“I need her home now, Nikki, what she walked in on was not what she thinks it was! She overreacted like always and took off.”
That's true, Layla overreacts over everything. James remains quiet the whole time, just staring at me intently.
Kade sighs, then grabs my arm and pulls me out of the kitchen. I roll my eyes- here we go.
“Nikki, the man is hurting. You need to tell us where she is,” Kade demands. “Kade…” I trail off.
“Nikki, you know she needs to be back home, with Chase; with us. She can’t run forever, and it’s not safe, Nikki. Think!” he says gruffly. I sigh. Layla does need to hear Chase’s side of the story. I know he’s telling the truth, the man loves Layla way too much to ever stray. He's totally whipped. Layla is going to kill me though.