Quit Me If You Can

37. Cade

37

CADE

I can’t believe how deep the abyss is that opens in front of me after she disappears from my life for a second time.

Days have gone by without a word from her. I texted a few times, asking how she is or just letting her know I’m thinking about her.

No replies.

I send a text from my work email too.

“Hey Baby,

I’ve been thinking about you a lot and just wanted to see how you’re holding up.

I really miss you.”

Nothing. It’s like shouting into the void.

I can’t tell if anything is getting through to her. Whenever I’m out, I’m scanning faces, praying for a chance encounter. At this rate, my only shot at seeing or speaking to her again would be some random, unexpected meeting.

I know I promised four weeks, but damn it, this is the hardest thing I’ve ever done.

I even find myself walking past her apartment building, when I have no reason to be in her neighborhood (definitely not my finest moment), hoping against all odds that I’ll catch sight of her.

But no, no sign of her.

It kills me that I can’t sort things out with her right away. I know I walked away once before. Not this time. I’m not letting this go, no matter how damn long it takes.

I will find her. I will find a way to make this right. I will win her back.

I want to make all the dreams we had together a reality. I want to and I will spend the rest of my life with this woman. That much is certain.

But first I need to settle things with her father, once and for all. I know how much Kennedy loves him, and unless I want to watch her be torn apart by trying to choose between us—which I don’t—I need to at least reach some kind of ceasefire with the stubborn mule. But John Hayes didn’t listen to me back then, and what are the chances that the bullheaded old judge has gotten wiser with age? Slim. Really fucking slim.

I just need to figure out where to find him. He’s not going to be eager to talk to me, that’s for sure, and I can’t just show up at his place unannounced. If Kennedy’s there, things could get messy, and I need this situation with the judge handled before I talk to her.

He’s retired now, which means the courthouse isn’t the answer. So, who might know where I can find him?