50. Caden
CHAPTER 50
Caden
“Ewwww,” Reuben’s high-pitched voice breaks through the bubble I’ve found myself wrapped up in. “Cade just kissed Millie… on the lips !”
Daisie brings her hands up to his ear, whispering, “I think he’s got a crush, Reubie.”
Kids .
They’re objectively cooler than adults, but still a pain in the fucking ass. It’s a good thing I love those two so much.
Millie’s cheeks are scarlett, but I don’t have any regrets.
I meant what I said – I’ll make it known how much I love her. Anywhere, anytime, and I don’t care who’s watching.
“Okay, you two love birds.” Maura’s bony finger taps my shoulder. “Enough traumatizing the children, there’s plenty of work to go around.”
“Yes, boss,” I mock, reluctantly letting my arms slip from Millie’s waist as I follow Maura to the salad table. “What can I do for you? ”
I’m barely taking in her instructions, her words mere background noise as my mind wanders somewhere else entirely.
To my bed.
With significantly less clothing.
And the girl I miss the second we’re apart.
“Caden!” Maura reprimands me, shoving an apron into my chest and throwing a pair of tongs down in front of me. “Get rid of those heart eyes and focus on the task at hand. The meat is almost ready, and I don’t want the guests to have to serve themselves.”
It appears I have very little interest in the task at hand.
The line up starts to trickle past the BBQ and towards my station. I dutifully hover over the fancy lettuce, heaping generous servings onto paper plates as I steal secret glances in Millie’s direction.
“Ummm, daydreamer.” A soft Scottish accent pulls me from my reverie. “Care to throw some salad on my plate?”
“Hey, Brenna.” I smile. “Sorry, I was… distracted .”
“We can tell,” Evan butts in. “And I’m not surprised. How’d you manage to lock that one down?” He tilts his head towards the table where Millie’s helping Elodie with raffles.
“Fucked if I know,” I answer truthfully, rubbing my palm across my jaw. “Chance, or luck… or fate, maybe. All I do know is that I feel like the luckiest man alive.”
They share a knowing look between themselves that I can’t quite decode.
“What’s that look for?” I ask.
“It’s just… Josie told us you were down bad.” Evan la ughs. “But this—” he gestures towards me extravagantly, looking me up and down, “—this is truly something else.”
Maura bumps my hip, shunting me to the side, as she swaps out my salad bowl for a fresh one.
“All thanks to me,” she gloats, slotting herself into the conversation with ease. “Did you know that when Millie arrived Caden wanted to send her packing?”
Brenna and Evan both shake their heads, jaws agape with horror as they lap up Maura’s tale.
“Had the cheek to come sit at my kitchen table demanding I book her the next bus home... But I knew she was supposed to be here. I believe that everything happens for a reason. I had this feeling in my bones – a good feeling.”
I can’t help but feel like I’m going to be hearing this story on repeat for the rest of my life.
“And well—” she shrugs her shoulders, faking nonchalance, as if proving me wrong doesn’t bring her infinite joy, “—looks like I was right.”
“Yup,” I agree, accepting defeat and giving her the win. “Looks like you were right.”
And for once in my life, I’m not even remotely mad about it.
The sun has dipped behind the mountains, leaving behind candyfloss clouds dipped in orange and pink. The crowd seems to double, filling the empty spaces on the lawn with camping chairs and blankets as the band performs their final sound check.
As Weston Hayes takes to the stage to close out the evening, cheers, wolf whistles, and the odd ‘Fuck Me Weston’ float through the air.
His songs are the perfect blend of rock and country, all raspy vocals and heavy drums, belting out stories of heartbreak, hot sex, and undeniable chemistry.
And, for whatever reason, whether it’s the few beers I’ve thrown back throughout the day, or the love I have for the girl twirling around in front of me, I find myself dancing.
Two left feet, be damned.
Millie’s arms fall around my neck, and I pull her into my chest, desperate to be closer.
“Millie?” I whisper her name, a distinct quiver to my voice.
“Mhmm?” My hands rest on her hips as they dip from side to side in effortless loops.
“I’ve got one more for your bucket list.”
“Is it skydiving?” she asks. “Because I really think that’s a step too far.”
“No,” I tut, raising an eyebrow.
“Some sort of unorthodox sex position you’ve seen on Reddit?”
“Still no.” I laugh. “But I do like that idea.”
She opens her mouth to speak, but I stop her, pressing my index finger down on her top lip, cherry flavoured lip balm coating my skin.
“Number fourteen,” I say, steady breathing suddenly harder to come by. “Fall in love with me, Millie. It doesn’t have to be right now, but when you’re ready, whenever it feels right. Please… try to fall in love with me.”
She stops swaying, pushing her hand against my chest to create some distance.
“Caden…” She pauses, looking at me like I’ve lost my damn mind. “I’m not adding falling in love with you to my bucket list.”
I can’t tell whether my heart is beating out of my chest or not at all.
“Why not?” I beg.
“Because I don’t need to.” She laughs, as if what she’s about to say next is the most obvious thing in the world. “Because I’ve already fallen, dumbass. Deeply, completely, without question. I’ve fallen for you, Caden Thompson – so fucking hard.”
It's not until I hear her say the words that I realize just how much I needed them.
“You have?”
“I have.” She smiles, clasping her hands around my flannel as she pulls my body back towards hers. “I can’t believe you even have to ask. You’ve seen all of my broken parts, the ugly ones, the unfinished, and you haven’t forced me to put them back together, haven’t asked me to be anything other than myself. I’m still healing from my past, and probably always will be, yet you’ve chosen to love me as I am. You walked right into the heart of my chaos, met me in the mess, and still decided to stay. How could I not be in love with you?”
I draw her mouth towards mine, desperate to taste her now that I know she loves me too.
“Not finished,” she mumbles over my lips. “I came to Braggan Valley looking for something, and I’m not sure I ever really knew what that was. A chance to start over, maybe. A place that my heart didn’t need to run from. A little bit of peace. What I didn’t expect to find was… well… you. But I did. And in our laughter and adventure, our shared quiet and untamed tears, I found my tiny something to live for. I found it here—” she breaks her sentence with the kiss I’ve been waiting for, pausing only to give me her final words, “—I found it with you.”