Page 24 of Daddy's Treat
Walt runs into the room, whining that he doesn’t want us to leave. “Sorry, kiddo. It’s a school night, you know the rules.”
I have to give the kid credit; he doesn’t argue at all. He simply hugs us both then runs up the stairs to what I assume is his bed. Louise walks us to the door. She gives Kade an overly familiar hug and kisses his cheek. She turns to me and hugs me too. I’m stiff as a board in her arms. I imagine her digging her claws into my back and tearing my skin from my body. But she just releases me and gives me that fake smile again.
“It was lovely to meet you, Penny.”
“Uhm… you too, Louise. Thanks for dinner.”
The drive home is full of stilted conversation. Totally my fault. I can’t get what Louise said out of my head. It’s one thing for my so-called sorority sisters to tell me Kade is using me. For someone who knows Kade better than maybe anyone else telling me the same thing has me questioning what I thought I knew.
Kade doesn’t seem like a user. From the minute I turned him into my hero in that stupid corn maze, he’s been nothing but caring. A gentleman even. He’s sweet and takes care of me. Making sure I’m eating right… he isn’t a fan of the amount of candy corn I consume in a day.
What can I say it’s an addiction.
He is constantly checking in with me. Wanting to know how my day has been, asking about schoolwork. He’s even helped me study a few times, though he wondered why I even bother with studying because I didn’t get one answer wrong. These don’t seem like the traits of a user.
Kade shuts off the car and walks around to open my door. I’m a little surprised to see we’re at his house instead of the sorority house. We didn’t talk about my staying over tonight.
“Come on, shortcake. We need to talk.”
Crap on a log.Why does that one little sentence sound so ominous?
11
Kade
I could have sworndinner went well. Walt is almost as crazy about Penny as I am. Louise seemed to warm up to her quickly. None of that explains why Penny is so distant. Is it whatever was going on at the sorority house? She was definitely upset when I picked her up. Or is it more?
“Shortcake, talk to me. Tell me what’s bothering you.”
Penny flops down on the couch, and I can tell she has no desire to talk about whatever is on her mind. I sit next to her and take her hands in mine, turning her to face me.
“Communication is key in relationships. You can tell me anything.”
Penny seems to relax a little, and I think maybe I’m on the right track to getting her to unburden her worries.
“Are we in a relationship?” She sounds so damn hopeful my heart clenches. How can she not know how I feel?
“Of course, we are, shortcake.”
She nods, chewing on her bottom lip. “What kind of relationship?”
Penny is so mature for her age that I sometimes forget how innocent she is. “A completely and totally monogamous one.”
“Are we dating? Am I your girlfriend? Lover? BFF for life?”
I don’t mean to laugh, because I’m trying to have a serious conversation with her, but she’s so damn cute I can’t help it. “Yes, we are dating. I hope you’re my girlfriend because I want to be your boyfriend. I’m definitely your lover,” I growl that last word because the thought of someone else taking that role makes me positively feral, “and I’m in the market for a BFF for life, so if you’re up for the task, I’m game.”
Penny’s face lights up with a smile. “So, I’m your girlfriend and lover, and we are testing the waters on BFF for life?”
“Sounds about right.”
Her smile dims a little. “If communication is so important to you… Why won’t you tell me why you don’t want me?”
I groan because she is so fucking far off base, she’s playing on a different field. “I do want you, shortcake, but before we take it to that next level, we need to have a conversation.”
“Okay, let’s try this communication on for size and see how it fits.” Her smile is back in full force. Now I’m the one in the conversation spotlight, and I’m ready squirm.
“I’ll be honest. I haven’t talked to you before this because I’m afraid of scaring you off. You’re so young and innocent.”