what all this is about? You don’t feel right being with Caden because of how Grady felt about you?”
“That pretty much sums it up.”
He patted my leg. “I’m not sure there’s any part of my Dad arsenal that can give you advice on that. It’s an unusual and sad situation. But I know you’ll figure it out, Kenna. You always make good decisions.” He leaned closer to lower his voice, even though Mom was clanging around in the kitchen. “Like dumping that pompous lawyer in New York.” He winked at me. “See. Good decision.”
“I agree, Dad. I have to go back there and clear out my things from the apartment. In fact, I’m going to buy a ticket today.”
He looked disappointed. “It’s been so great having you around, Kenny. Where will you live? I don’t like the thought of you living alone in a big city.”
“I’ll be fine. I’m sure I can find a roommate. I need to be near school.”
He got up. “I’ll start that movie whenever you’re ready. But first, you might want to head over to Kevin’s house. I saw Caden sawing away at the shrubs as if he was Edward Scissorhands on steroids. It’s what gave me the idea for the chainsaw movie.”
My dad was the one person who could make me laugh no matter how down and out I was feeling.
He stopped in the doorway. “Kenny, don’t leave Mayfair without seeing Caden first. I think you two need to clear things up or you’ll regret it for the rest of your life.” He walked out.
I stood from the bed and walked over to the window. I stared at the house across the street just as I’d done so often a teen, just waiting to catch a glimpse of Caden walking to his dad’s or leaving to go back to his mom’s. Dad was right. I couldn’t return to New York without talking to him.
I glanced in the bathroom mirror on the way out. A day of off and on crying had left me with puffy eyes and a less than pretty pink nose. But that was all right. I just needed to see him. I wasn’t completely sure what I’d say to him. I just wanted him to know that even though this went from hard to impossible, I still cared for him. I still loved him.
I took a deep breath and headed out the front door. I looked both ways and crossed the street. Kevin’s shrubs really had gotten a buzz cut. I walked up to the door and knocked several times.
Sally answered just as I turned to leave. She’d lost a good amount of weight and had little color in her cheeks, but a polite grin crossed her face.
“Kenna, how are you?”
“I’m fine. How are you doing?”
“As good as can be expected.”
An awkward silence followed. I’d hardly seen or spoken to Sally since I’d been home, and suddenly, I was feeling guilty about it. “Is Caden around?”
“Yes, I mean no. He was here doing yard work but then he left. Said he was going back to the beach house.”
“Oh.” It took me a second to find my tongue. “All right. Thank you. I’ll be heading back to New York, and I just wanted to tell him good-bye.” I spoke as if I was reading directions off a manual. No emotion. Even though, inside, there was plenty of it going on.
“Oh, that’s too bad. We’ll miss having you around.”
“I’ll miss being here.” I could feel myself breaking apart. I needed badly to get off the porch. “Take care, Sally.” I spun around and ran back to my house. I shot inside and headed straight to my room, just like I used to do as a kid when something at school had upset me.
Luck was with me and I didn’t run into either parent. I closed my bedroom door behind me and flopped on the bed. I’d been such a fool. This was what happened when I stopped following my head and traipsed blindly after my heart. Two days. It had only been two days, and the second Caden had a chance, he’d headed straight back into the arms of the beautiful bikini model.
Chapter 29
Caden
I was still feeling the effects of Kenna’s leaving as if someone had punched me in the gut. She’d gone without a word or a text or a call. It seemed she wanted to make it clear that this should never have happened. Apparently, by being together, we’d crossed some