Only one way to find out.
I sped away from Alley Road, needle-tipped raindrops stabbing my skin. Winning her back would take a lot of honesty, and groveling. Maybe a little public humiliation would help too. My pride needed taught a lesson.
“She’s worth it.” I blew through a very yellow traffic light and pointed my car toward Ridgeway University. I wasn’t sure if my nerves would get the better of me when I saw her, or if I’d stutter every word I tried to speak. I also didn’t care. She was worth handing over my pride and my reputation.
Chapter Twenty-One
Tasha
The rain had stopped, but the clouds remained. I pulled in a deep breath as I left the building, hoping my bombed pathophysiology final wouldn’t keep me from graduating. I was pretty sure I’d be okay despite the low grade.
Professionally speaking.
Personally speaking, I wondered if I’d ever be okay again. I wasn’t sure how long heartbreak could last, considering I didn’t have the good sense to fall out of love with a certain tattooed, firm-chested, sandy-haired guy.
I’d spotted Tony on campus earlier today and he’d avoided me. I’d heard his girlfriend broke up with him. I’d failed to revel in the forlorn expression on his face, maybe because I empathized with him. It hurt to be hurt. But I also hadn’t been stupid enough to console him. Tony had spotted me and made a beeline for the library, head down. I’m assuming that had something to do with my father calling Anthony Fry, Senior. Morton Montgomery had reported proudly that he’d told Tony’s dad to “Keep that philandering excuse for a boy away from my daughter.”
I smiled every time I thought of my dad picking up the phone in my honor. He cared. And that felt good.
Work was going well and, despite feeling as if I might crumble to dust at any moment, life was inching forward. I’d indulged in a few clichéd ice cream/movie nights with Rena, who claimed Ben & Jerry were the best friends to have when navigating a breakup. She didn’t bring up Cade and I didn’t ask how he was doing. I was too afraid of bad news. Like, maybe Devlin had gone to talk some sense into him and Cade had told him in no uncertain terms that he hated me.
If that were true, there was no point in being so in love with him I couldn’t see straight. But I was. My heart needed a lobotomy.
“Tasha Montgomery.” The tinny, amplified voice coming from behind me was eerily familiar. “Has anyone seen Tasha Montgomery?”
Slowly, I turned, unsure if I’d manifested Cade like those law of attraction books claimed, or if I imagined him standing on a park bench in the center of campus. If I was imagining it, my brain was damn detailed. He stood, megaphone to his mouth, tattoos trailing down his arm. His shirt was damp, his hair a mess, like he’d been caught in the storm I’d just missed.
Cade spotted me then. I saw the curve of his smile behind the megaphone. Watching me closely, he said into the speaker, “You know Tasha. The beautiful blonde who owns me.”
“Yo, Fox!” a guy shouted, coming in for a high-five. Silver-tongued fox. A frisson of pride curled around my heart at hearing him speak so well. He’d done it. He’d freaking done it.
“I figured you would respond better to a public announcement than a text,” he continued, speaking into the megaphone as a growing crowd of students stopped to watch the show.
“You have my attention,” I called out, feeling several sets of curious eyes on me. “You can put it down now.”
His grin widened. “When I’m done.”
Around us, there were a few miniature rounds of applause and at least one wolf whistle. I felt as if I was under a giant spotlight.
“I lost my voice, kitten. You found it.” His eyes bored into me, his voice strong and steady. “Then you tore me in two. You ripped my chest open and climbed inside.”
“Whipped!” some guy shouted.
Cade turned his attention to him. “Love sucks, man. Especially when you’re totally gone for a girl who hates your guts.”
More eyes swiveled to me as my heart took a nosedive.
With quiet sincerity, Cade spoke into the megaphone again. He was too far away. There were too many people around. Regardless, he admitted, “I fucked up.”
The crowd silenced, waiting for my response. I had no idea what to say. He had fucked up. He also might love me, but I didn’t want to read too much into this public display. I was both terrified and hopeful.
“You know the story.” Cade spoke conversationally to the surrounding students, but his eyes were on mine. “I took a header into a fire hydrant which ended my illegal after-school activities.” Another whistle came from behind me.
Cade’s eyes smiled as he stepped off the bench and walked in my direction, megaphone pressed to his lips. “I lost everything I cared about. My car, my family. My future.”
A few feet away from me, he stopped.
“But I gained a few things too. A brother. Renewed passion for my favorite hobby.”
I cringed, remembering that I’d called cars a hobby. He winked, his smile evident. It’s okay.
He depressed the button on the megaphone and continued. “And a friend who refused to give up on me. I didn’t deserve her. Still don’t.” His voice rose. “And then she kissed me.” Wolf whistles sliced the air followed by a “Get ’er, Fox!” Cade grinned, and I admit I couldn’t keep from smiling. He was in his element again, but this time using his powers for good. Just what I’d prayed for. “I fell so hard I think it jarred something loose in here.” He tapped his head. “And definitely in here.” He pointed to his chest.
“Alas, I am not going to be a lawyer,” he announced. The crowd had split reactions. Some cheered, others booed. “I start working at Littman’s GMC next Thursday, so”—he held up a finger—“if you need a great deal on a used car with low, low financing, come see me.”
In spite of my skittering pulse and a possible pending sob-fest, I laughed at his attempt to break the tension. There was a lot of it. He was putting on a show, but I could tell he was nervous. His speech was crystal clear, but the megaphone shook ever so slightly in his hand.
My nose tingled with impending tears as he erased the space between us. He lowered the megaphone and said just for me, “I love you. I miss you. Please forgive every stupid shitty thing I said in your apartment that night. I was a complete and total jackass and I will never ever hurt you like that again.”
I simply stared, not knowing what to say.
When he dropped to his knees, my gasp was echoed by a choir of others. He spread his arms wide. “I’m sorry.”
“I forgive you, Cade!” a girl shouted from the distance.
“You’re the only one who matters.” He kept his eyes on mine.
“I’m not shallow because I have nice things.”
“I know.”
“I kept the Z4.”
“You should. It’s yours.”
“Are you really a car salesman?”
“Yes, and I signed up for business classes. In case BMW needs a new CEO someday.” His smile was brief. He swallowed thickly, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “That night I was mad at myself and scared shitless you’d leave me. And then you did, and I—God, Tasha, I can’t breathe. I swear this is the first full breath I’ve taken in nearly two weeks.” His thick eyebrows rose. “Forgive me?”