He looked at me through the corner of his eye before focusing on the TV again. “We aren’t talking anymore.”
“Why not?”
He shrugged for, like, the tenth time that night. Cane really sucked at pretending to be careless. “She got to know the real me in Destin, I guess.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” I asked through a small laugh.
He took a brief pause, squeezing the bridge of his nose and shutting his eyes. He swallowed hard after several seconds and then continued. “It started when we were at the beach. I’d had a little too much to drink and so did she.” He sighed. “We were in our room there. You guys were downstairs with music on, playing UNO. She was kissing me, trying to get me in the mood, but I was so damn drunk—” He stopped talking abruptly, staring me in the eyes. “I called her by your name, Kandy.”
When he said that, my heart sped up a notch. I wasn’t expecting that at all. “W-What?”
“Yeah.” A small smirk swept over his sculpted lips as he focused on the amber liquid in his glass. His eyes then flashed up to mine, and he took a long swallow before pulling his gaze away. “That’s how I know you’re fucking with my head, Bits.”
What was I supposed to say to that? Oh, I apologize that the woman who was in the way of us, left you? If that was the case, I wasn’t sorry. Though I liked Kelly now, I was glad she was out of the picture—happier than I should have been about it, honestly. I was selfish with Cane. So very, very selfish, and he knew that. We both did.
“She was drunk enough that she didn’t remember the name I’d called her the next day. I think all she remembers is that it was another woman’s…which is a good thing.”
“A very good thing.” If Kelly would have heard him say my name, I was certain she would have gotten suspicious and figured things out. She had developed a bond with my mom, so I knew she would tell her first thing.
Kelly was a Goody-Two-shoes kind of woman. Mom was all about justice. They liked honesty, which made them the perfect duo. Two good, honest, kind-hearted women.
“Well, if I can be honest for a second, I’m glad you two split up.”
His smile was faint. “Of course you are, Bits.” He drew in a breath. “Shit like this usually doesn’t bother me, but I guess since she’d been around for so long that it feels weird when she doesn’t call, text, or visit.”
“Yeah, I guess I can understand that.” It sucked to hear, but I was glad he was telling me.
He placed a hand on my knee. “But I have you. I’ll always have you, right?”
“Aren’t you usually trying to get rid of me?” I laughed.
He ignored my joke. “I mean it, Bits. If all else fails, I know you’ll be there. It feels good to know there are people out here who care about me.” He held my gaze, and I felt a swirl in the pit of my belly. A clench between my thighs. He had no idea how badly I wanted to climb on top of him and kiss him, show him how much I really cared about him.
I more than cared about Cane. I was in fucking love with the crazy man, and he was too blinded by lust and confusion to realize it.
A knock sounded at the door, and I gasped while Cane jerked back. I had been leaning into him, ready to press my lips to his. I believe he was about to give in and let me. He stood from the sofa and glanced back at me once before stepping around the corner and going for the door.
“Hi, Cane! I didn’t realize you’d be home so early!” It was Mom.
I straightened up and busied myself with my food.
They stepped around the corner and into the den. Mom smiled at me. “Did you get enough sun? You’re going to be burnt to a crisp if you keep it up,” she joked.
Cane chuckled.
I forced a laugh to keep the mood light.
“Yeah, we can go. Let me just take my plate to the kitchen.”
“Oh, Kandy. Don’t worry about that. I got it.” Cane took a step forward and grabbed my plate. “I’m sure your mother is tired. Maybe you should drive her home.”
“Yeah, maybe you should,” she agreed. “I’m tired of being your chauffeur.”
“Then get me a car.” I stuck my tongue out at her.
She laughed, but nothing more. I was still waiting on the day they’d give me a car. Mom and Dad had well-paying jobs, Mom in particular, but I was still carless at eighteen. It didn’t make any sense to me why they weren’t spoiling me with a Maserati or a Tesla. Okay…that was a bit much, but still.