His eyes are pleading with mine. “So because you guys needed comfort, you snuggled all night? Right, so should I go and ask Derek, who is just a friend, if he can snuggle with me when I’m feeling down? Instead of turning to you?”
“I f**ked up,” Kade whispers, as a tear falls down his face. Fuck, that pulls at my heartstrings, but I just can’t do this with him.
“Damn right, you did. You can’t have us both, Kade. Ashley causes nothing but f**king problems for us. She wants you, and you are too f**king stupid to realize it. You always take her side over everything. One day, Kade, you will finally realize I’ve been right all along.”
Kade tries to pull me into his arms, but I shove him off.
“Well, I never thought I’d say this, Kade, but you have to choose, me or her. And while you decide, I’m going back to my boyfriend.” When I say the word boyfriend, Kade looks like he just lost his whole world, and I try not to let that bother me. He did this. I’m about to make my way past him when he stops me with a hand on my hip.
“You can’t mean that. I love you, Nikki, but I also can’t give up Ashley. I promised her brother I would always be there for her. Always. What kind of person would I be if I didn’t keep that promise?” he says, his eyes full of emotion.
“Then I guess you made your choice.” I have tears in my eyes, but I’m determined not to let them fall.
“I’ll see you around, Kade,” I say softly, raking my gaze over him one last time before I walk off.
I take a few steps away, my breath hitching when I hear him call out, “Please, Nikki, don’t do this!”
I ignore him and make my way back to my seat. Ryder is already into his first song and I didn’t even notice. Fuck. He beams at me when he sees me watching and I give him a little wave.
Then I down my drink in two gulps.
Chapter Forty Four
KADE
Nikki is dating another man. Ryder. My fists clench to deal with the pain in my gut. The thought of another man with her... It kills me. The way this whole situation played out was my fault. I know that. But I had no idea that she would try to move on. The fact that she has turned her back on us hurts like crazy, and I can’t believe that I pushed her to this point.
I feel like screaming. I have no idea how everything got so out of control. How things got so damn f**ked up. I close my eyes and exhale deeply. There is one thing I know for sure.
Nikki is mine, and I will get her back. There's no way she feels for Ryder what she does for me. I love her, and her dating Ryder is killing me.
NIKKI
I’m in the middle of some hardcore retail therapy when I literally bump into Ashley. Fuck! This week just keeps getting worse.
“Well, well, if it isn’t Kade’s trash,” she sneers gleefully at me.
I clench my fist, taking a deep, calming breath.
“Well, well, if it isn’t Kade’s little friend,” I sneer back at her, dragging out the friend part.
“We’re not just friends anymore. He has finally seen the light,” she says happily.
My stomach drops. I knew this would happen. God, it hurts.
“Whatever,” I mumble, starting to walk away from her before I end up punching her in the face.
“Wanna know a secret?” she says loudly. “Kade and I never slept together that night. I played up being upset about my brother, so I could spend the night in his bed.”
That’s it, I can’t do this. I start to walk away once more when she grabs my arm, and before I know it, I’ve reared up and punched her in the face. I hear a crunching sound and her hands fly to her face. “You f**king broke my nose,” she screams out. At least that’s what I think she said because it came out all muddled.
“I’m gonna enjoy f**king Kade tonight!” she adds. The woman doesn’t learn, does she? I turn around, planning on teaching her another lesson when I’m suddenly being lifted up by a pair or strong hands.
Kade.
He pulls me into him, but when I glance up at him, he’s staring at Ashley, an undefinable emotion in his eyes.
“I heard everything you said, Ashley,” he says in a strong, steady tone.
“Kade! I…”
“You’ve been like this to Nikki the whole time? I’ve never seen you be like this with anyone, and I’ve never known you to lie before. What the f**k, Ashley?” Kade interrupts.
She looks slightly ashamed for a moment. “I love you Kade, I always have. When you stopped f**king around, I thought that was my chance, but then I found out you were doing it for her, and I lost it. I need you, Kade. Please,” she whispers out the please. I kind of feel bad for her.
She really does love him.
“So this whole time, Nikki was right?” He’s shocked, and looks hurt by Ashley’s betrayal.
“Yes,” she mumbles. Oh wow, she’s telling the truth for once in her life. Kade lets go of me and walks over to Ashley.
“I never want to see you again, Ashley. I was your friend. I looked out for you. I promised your brother I’d always make sure you were ok. But this is a promise I’m going to have to break. I love Nikki. I want to marry her.” He takes a deep breath.
My heart skips a beat.
He walks away from Ashley, turning his back on her.
“Please, Nikki, come home with me. Let’s talk, work everything out,” he says in a solemn tone.
“No, Kade, I’m glad you finally know I was telling the truth, but you didn’t trust me, or believe me. You always chose her. I can’t be with you, I’m sorry. I wish you happiness, Kade. I love you, and I always will, but it’s just not enough anymore.”