Kade, p.28
Kade, page 28
He holds her just a little tighter than before, his lids drifting closed. Tears fill my eyes. Shay’s fondness for him is no surprise, but the way he loves her back melts my heart.
“Bye, Mom. I’ll see you next week.” Shay gives me a quick kiss and hug.
“I love you, baby. Have fun.” With an ache in my heart, I watch as she trots down the walk to her father’s car. It’s been two years, but every time she goes, I still feel like a little piece of me goes with her.
“I have something for you, too, but you have to come with me.” My lips part to say something, but he rests his fingertips against them. “Trust me.”
“I’ll always trust you, Kade.”
My insides are teeming with intrigue as we pull away from my house. I can’t imagine what he has to show me, but I don’t have to wait long.
He pulls into a gated community on the other side of town. Looming high above the rest of the city, Fairfax Gardens is a community in and of itself. A black wrought-iron fence surrounds the neighborhood, and the only way in and out is through the guarded main gates.
I’m shocked when Kade pulls up and the gate opens like magic. I admire each property as he weaves around the quiet roads. Exquisite holiday decorations adorn each meticulous landscape. In all the years I’ve lived in this town, I’ve never been up here. It’s beautiful.
The car swings into a driveway belonging to a giant brick and vinyl-sided house at the end of a cul-de-sac. It’s a colonial-style home, but calling it that is far too modest. It’s enormous. The various peaks add a beautiful architectural detail, as does the clean modern porch along the front. “Whose house is this?”
A devilish gleam twinkles in his eye as he cuts the engine and steps out of the car. I follow him out, allowing him to lead me up the cobblestone walkway by hand. I feel self-conscious and underdressed in my yoga pants and sneakers. I don’t even have any makeup on. Had I known we were going to be visiting someone, I would have taken more time to get ready.
Kade unlocks the door and pulls me inside. Dark hardwood floors stretch as far as the eye can see, leading into an ultra-modern kitchen in the back. A two-sided fireplace sits off to the side separating what appears to be living space and a dining area. It’s hard to tell, though, because the house is totally empty.
Now, I’m really confused.
“Are you going to let me in on the secret or what?” My voice echoes through the huge open space, giving off the illusion that I’m shouting, and my snow-soaked sneakers squeak along the clean floors as I wander further into the house.
“You’re an incredible woman, Ainsley Daniels. When I came here last month, the only thing I wanted was you, but after being here, I realized I was wrong.” A surprised look must have registered on my face. He walks up to where I’m standing and rests his palm on my cheek. “I don’t just want you, I want all of it.”
“I don’t think I understand.”
“You, Shay, the house in the suburbs… It turns out the life you’ve built—the one I’ve spent my whole life running from—is exactly the one I want.”
My eyes gaze around the empty house again. “Are you saying this house…”
“I bought this house for us, A. I may have accomplished everything I’ve dreamed of, but without you, it means nothing.”
A tear rolls down my cheek. For the second time this morning, I’m speechless. “What about the band?”
His lip curls into a cocky side grin as he turns toward the gorgeous picture window in front of the house. “You see that house down there?” He pulls me close and points down the street. My gaze follows his finger to a large house in the crook of the cul-de-sac. “That one is Banger’s.”
My head snaps toward him with wide eyes. “Banger and Jenny are moving here too?”
“Yep! And Konner, JJ, Vic... the band is officially relocating. We don’t need to live in L.A. to make music. We only need each other. We broke ties with RatBird, and we’re starting our own label in New York.”
More tears cascade down my cheeks. It’s all too good to be true. I’m going to have everyone I love right here where they belong. “You really are full of surprises, aren’t you?” I choke out between sobs. “You’re not the only one, though. I have a surprise of my own.”
“What do you mean?” he asks, cocking his head.
“I’m pregnant.”
Every ounce of blood drains from his expressionless face. I’m prepared for this, and I will raise this baby alone. “Starting to rethink this whole plan, huh?”
I square my shoulders, preparing for him to blow up. To yell, curse, accuse me of lying. Anything. But I’m shocked when he falls to his knees at my feet. His hand covers my still-flat stomach, admiring it like a precious artifact before pressing his lips against it. “Mine,” he whispers letting his fingers graze across my belly button. “All three of you.”
With shaky hands, he reaches into the pocket of his coat and pulls out a tiny black box. “I was going to wait until the time was right, but I can’t think of a better time than this.”
A sharp breath stabs my lungs. “What the hell are you doing?” I take a step back. “No. No. I’m not accepting another bullshit shotgun proposal.”
Tucking the little box into his palm, he grabs me by the hips and pulls me back. “A. You are the most stubborn and hardheaded woman I’ve ever known. From the moment I met you, you’ve done nothing but drive me crazy in every conceivable way. You’re always challenging me, always making me work overtime to prove the way I feel about you, and you know what?” He pauses, wetting his lips. “I wouldn’t have it any other way. I fuckin’ love you, Ainsley Daniels. If you tell me no, that’s fine. I get it. But you know I’ll never give up.” His mouth curls into a lascivious grin. “I always get what I want.”
“You’re such a cocky asshole,” I say with a half-smile.
“I am. But I’m your cocky asshole.”
Epilogue
Kade
“Kade, the bride is ready for you.”
Jenny’s voice filters into the room, but just as quickly as she appeared, she’s gone. It doesn’t matter, though. My girl is beckoning for me, and I’ll run to her side just like I always do. I was wrapped around her finger from the minute I looked into her huge brown eyes, and she knows it.
“Can I come in?” I say, knocking lightly on the door. The last time I was in a tuxedo like this was Banger and Jen’s wedding. It seems like only yesterday, but so much has happened since then. It’s crazy how fast the time goes.
“Yeah, I’m about as ready as I’ll ever be,” she calls through the door.
Dressed in white, she’s like an angel so lovely I can hardly hold back the emotion blooming in my chest. My eyes grow damp. “You look beautiful.” These years in the ‘burbs have made me soft. The first thirty-three years of my life, I was a hardcore, arrogant ass who cared about no one but myself and my music, but that’s not me anymore. Now, I’m the guy who records dance recitals and makes pancakes on Sunday mornings. You know what, though? Standing in front of her and seeing the hope and love in her eyes, I wouldn’t change any of it for the world. I thought I knew what love was, but I had no idea until she entered my life.
“Don’t make me cry. I’m nervous enough!” The overflowing charm bracelet on her wrist jingles as she lifts her arm to hand me a necklace. “Can you help me with this?” She holds up the thick golden curtain that rests over her bare shoulders so I can fasten the delicate chain around her neck. The clasp is tiny, and my hands are shaking.
She turns to face me, and I smile. Her freckles are hidden beneath a layer of professional makeup, and her teeth are even and straight now, but all I see when I look at her is that same gap-toothed little girl who, just like her mother, stole my heart the day I met her. “Jeff’s a lucky guy, kiddo.”
Laughter and squealing emanate from the hall, followed by a bang on the wall and the deep rumble of male voices. I open the door to investigate. “Ahem,” I say loud enough to break up the threesome of teenagers—two boys and one girl—standing too close for my comfort.
“Oh...uh...hey Kade, we...uh... didn’t realize you were in there.” He runs his fingers through his sandy hair, while the other one backs away from the girl like she’s poisonous. These two fuckers are just as sneaky as their old man was, and I trust them as far as I can throw them.
“Clearly. Stella, get in here.”
Razor-sharp blue eyes glint from beneath a wild mane of curly black hair. “Jesus, Dad, we were just talking. Take a chill pill,” she says, stalking into the bridal suite. She’s as pretty as her mother is, but as snarky and mean as I am. A combination the boys seem to love but is going to put me in an early grave.
“You’re banned from fraternizing with anyone who bears the last name Daniels, especially those identical putzes.”
She rolls her eyes and smacks her over-glossed lips. “Whatever. Mom’s last name is Daniels.”
“What’s the problem with my last name?” Ainsley asks as she strolls into the room bogged down by a box full of bouquets bigger than she is.
I take the box from her arms, and she shakes them out, releasing the tension. “It’s not Black,” I add without missing a beat.
“It doesn’t need to be. I know you’re not going anywhere.”
I must have proposed at least a hundred times over the past sixteen years, and each time she’s shot me down. ‘Marry me, Ainsley’ is going to be written on my tombstone. The closest I ever came to getting a yes was when three-year-old Stella asked on my behalf. It’s a game between us now. I’ll never give up, and she’ll never give in.
She’s a tough cookie, my Ainsley, but she’s not wrong. There is nowhere else I’d rather be than right here. I love her today even more than I did back then. She’s just as beautiful, sweet, and stubborn as she ever was. And just as delicious.
“You almost ready to go, kid? It’s about that time,” I say, offering my hand to Shay. Today, I have the honor of walking her down the aisle. It’s one I didn’t expect, but one I’ll gladly accept. It’s been six years since Bob died. He suffered a massive heart attack not long after marrying wife number three. Shay was devastated, even though her time with him diminished substantially after he and Cami split.
Growing up, we idolize our parents. We blindly love them, because we don’t know anything else. It broke my heart when Shay had that moment of clarity and saw Bob for who he was. A lonely shell of a man who had a hard time loving anyone because he couldn’t stand himself. I know he loved her, though. In his own way.
“Can you guys give me a minute alone with Kade?”
“I’ll see you down there, my beautiful girl.” Ainsley gives Shay a quick hug before she, Stella, and the handful of young girls in identical blue dresses leave the room, closing the door behind them. The heavy satin of Shay’s gown makes a swooshing sound as she walks to the couch in the corner and sits. “I want to thank you.”
“Don’t thank me, kid. I’m more than happy to foot the bill on this shindig. You deserve it.”
“I’m not talking about the wedding,” she says, taking my hand in hers. “My entire life changed the second you walked into it. Most people only get to have one dad, but I was lucky enough to have two.” Red rings form around her eyes, and she pauses, giving the corners a dainty dab with a Kleenex.
“Do you remember what I said to you the day you gave me this?” She fingers the charms dangling from her wrist. The chain has been replaced, but the tiny rock, paper, and scissors are still attached, along with an airplane, a Superman emblem, a slice of pizza, and a dozen others. One for every year I’ve known her. A collage of her favorite things always with her, even when I can’t be.
My mind drifts back to that Christmas. The year I almost lost them both forever. Her bubblegum-scented breath on my cheek and her squeaky little whisper in my ear saying she put in a good word for me. Please don’t give up on us. “Of course, I do, baby. I’ll never forget, and I’ll never give up.”
“And for that, I say thank you.”
AINSLEY
I’m a blubbering mess as Shay and Kade come down the aisle. Glowing light seems to radiate all around her from the beauty she exudes. She’s grown up into such an amazing woman, and I couldn’t be more proud.
Turns out, Shay’s fascination with superheroes morphed into an obsession with flying. I used to joke about her becoming a flight attendant, but I wasn’t prepared for her to announce she was joining the Air Force. The pain I felt watching her leave for basic training was so great I didn’t think it would ever heal. But Kade held me as I cried, reminding me that kids grow up and leave. I couldn’t keep her forever, no matter how much I wanted to. Shay had wings, and it was her time to fly. Years later, she told me the only reason she had the courage to follow her dream was due to the strong example I’d set for her growing up.
Now, I’m watching my baby get married, and I’m a puddle of unmanageable emotion. Jeff’s cap sits low on his head, but I can see the love in his face when he looks at her, and I know he’s going to make her happy. It’s all I ever wanted for her. Just to be happy and surrounded by people who love her.
Kade sits in his rightful seat by my side, trying to hide the glistening in his eyes. Family life has turned him from a grizzly bear to a teddy bear. Having daughters has certainly softened his jagged edges smooth and round, but the transition from Rock God to Step-Dad of the Year wasn’t all peaches and cream. Kade was gone a lot at first. Out on the road with Black Diamond, touring and playing shows, working day and night to get the label started. Shay, Stella, and I were often alone in that huge house. Jenny and her son, Trent, would come for sleepovers and Kade would call and Skype, but it wasn’t the same. I wanted my love. I wanted my family.
When he was home, Kade would put all of his energy into the girls. He was spreading himself too thin, insisting on being at every game, every recital, and every parent-teacher conference. He’d play a show on Saturday night, get home in the wee hours of the morning, and stay up so he wouldn’t miss pancakes bright and early Sunday. It was too much, and it took its toll.
He withdrew from the band in teeny tiny increments and eventually stopped touring altogether. The media blamed me. They called me the next Yoko, but it was all his idea. Being with us was the most important thing to him, and it was time to move on. Besides, Black Diamond Records was thriving at that point. There was no need to spend months on the road anymore.
He threads our fingers as Shay and Jeff exchange their vows. I know what he’s thinking. Another proposal is imminent—I can feel it. Sometimes, lavish events expertly carried out to plan, and other times, randomly asked while we’re settling into bed at night. I’m still the only one who tells him no, and it still drives him crazy.
His blue eyes blaze, wicked and scheming, and I can’t wait to see what he has in mind. It’d better be good because, after close to two decades together and hundreds of proposals, it’s going to be the last one.
This time, I plan to say yes.
***
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Novels by Jane Anthony
Last First Kiss
A Second Chance Romance
Blue
A Rockstar Romantic Suspense
KADE
A Second Chance Rockstar Romance
Pretty Reckless
A Roommates to Lovers, Tortured Hero Romance
Lawless
A Dark Romantic Suspense
Off Limits Collection
Three forbidden tales of love, lust, and betrayal:
Secret Promises
Chasing Casey
No Regrets
About The Author
Jane Anthony is a USA Today bestselling author of contemporary and new adult romance. She writes hot blue-collar dudes, raunchy rockstars, and fun feisty heroines. Her work is gritty and real and will have you cursing her name and begging for more.
Jane gives a bit of herself and her quirky knowledge in each novel by incorporating her love of music through a book-specific playlist and adding things uniquely Jane to the plot, like her crazy family or '80s trivia. When she’s not busy being mom or Mrs. A, you'll find her at a concert, lost in a book, or watching horror movies with her husband
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Acknowledgements
As I write this, I’m chock full of bubbling emotion just having been able to make this book happen. This one almost killed me. And by that, I mean I think my friends would have murdered me if I changed my mind about it one more time! This manuscript has seen so many evolutions, it could be charted in a museum alongside the circle of life. What started as a simple novella about one woman’s struggle to start over, turned into a year of sweat, tears, and so many rewrites even I had trouble keeping up. There were moments when I gave it up completely because I just couldn’t look at it anymore. But Kade wants what he wants, and he was determined to be heard.
Before I get into all my professional thank yous, I need to drop the two names that were behind me all the way during this fiasco:
Stephanie H., you wore so many hats during this process -- sounding board, soul soother, beta reader, and the wind beneath my wings. I drove you insane. I know you probably cringed seeing my name on your caller ID because it would just be another round of Kade and Ainsley bull-crap, but you always answered, and talked me down off every single ledge. In the end it was you who convinced me this book needed to be published. Your utter belief in me keeps me strong, even when I feel like my sanity is hanging on by a thread. I’ve said it before, and I’ll keep saying it until my vocal chords cease to work, in which case, I’ll write it: I couldn’t accomplish any of this without you. You are truly my “Jenny” in every sense of the word. Long live Rod Strumwell!
