It All Started With a Diary

answers

I heard a couple swears before the door swung open. Behind it, was a shirtless Kade. His usual blank expression swayed into an entirely different one as his eyes followed me.

He rubbed at his eyes. "Kimberly?" his voice was rough in tone.

By the tired look in his eyes, I knew that he had been sleeping or close to it before I came.

Guilt filled me to the brim. "I-I'm sorry." My throat choked with unshed tears, my eyes burning with hurt and anger. "I'll leave." I turned but before I even took a step, Kade had pulled me back by my wrist. "Hey, no."

He grew closer in a matter of seconds, watching me closely. "What's wrong, sweetheart?" he asked as he saw my hurt skimmed expression. His expression darkened, his head tilting as he ran me over from the bottom up. "Did someone hurt you?" 

My chin trembled as he grasped it, lifting my head up. I hoped the rain blended in well with the tears but by Kades' softened expression, I knew they didn't.

My eyes fell. "I didn't mean to bother you—"

"Fuck no," he said. "Fuck no you didn't bother me."

I shook my head, sighting into the cold air. "You were sleeping. I-I—"

"Hey, hey," his voice grew to a whisper, his other hand cupping my face as he shook his head. "Fuck that," he hissed. "You weren't bothering me, you never are, and you never will. I told you to come to me anytime, and I meant that. You get me?"

His eyes ran over me carefully, his expression shifting into a concerned one. His hands ran down my exposed arms. "Fuck me, you're freezing." Before I could object, he was pulling me into the warmth of the house.

My skin felt cold, but I knew I was trembling, either from the cold or from the events of the evening. My emotions were rattled until I was succumb to nothing, it felt.

Kade appeared in my line of view with a blanket. His expression remained tense until he had it fully wrapped around me. Then, he grasped my face again. "Can you tell me what's wrong?"

My head bobbed on its own as I glared down at the marble tile. "I...my—"

Susie entered the room from the kitchen. Her hair was down, the black strands casually grazing her face. As she looked at me, a frown grew across her pink lips.

"Oh my goodness, sweetheart, are you alright? You're drenched," she rushed to me, scanning me over for any bodily harm. "Did you walk here in the rain? Come on, I'll make you some tea." Her head tilted worriedly as she motioned for me.

I didn't realize the puddle I had left behind me until now. I looked back to his mother. "I'm sorry about the mess, Mrs. Ryder." My lips trembled as I spoke, but Kade tucked me into his arm even tighter. Even past my distraught figure, I felt his warmth hugging me into its embrace.

Susie shook her head, grasping my cool hands in her own. "Honey, it's nothing." I attempted a smile but it failed without doubt.

Kade noted it, pulling me away from his mother. "We're going to my room."

Susie nodded immediately, reaching over to squeeze my shoulder. Her eyes were sympathetic as she said, "Tell me if you guys need anything, alright, sweetie?" I nodded slowly, my eyes watering at her comfort. It was odd witnessing motherly love since I'd been deprived of it for so, so long.

"Thank you," I managed out. "I really appreciate it."

She smiled warmly, nodding. "Don't thank me, sweet girl. I'll be down here watching a movie, but let me know if I can help with whatever it is, alright? And, I mean anything." Her eyes jumped between Kade and I before I nodded.