Chapter 37
Olivia
Kade leans casually against the doorframe of my bedroom, watching me tug at my tank top. “You sure that’s all you’re wearing?” His voice is low, teasing, eyes locked on me like I’m the only thing in the room.
I flush but try to keep my cool. “It’s summer. It’s hot.”
He steps closer, the confidence radiating off him like heat. “You look good. Really good.”
I can’t help the smile that creeps up. “Charmer.”
He shrugs, that cocky grin playing on his lips. “Just stating facts.”
I grab my light-washed, frayed jean shorts from the bed and slip them on, pulling my dark hair up into a high ponytail. My white Converse feel soft against the floor as I move.
Kade’s already dressed in khaki cargo shorts and a black T-shirt that somehow fits him like it was made for him. He catches my gaze and winks.
“Ready to go?”
I nod, heart speeding up as we step outside, the summer evening buzzing with the promise of fireworks, music, and that small-town magic that makes everything feel a little brighter.
As we wander through town, we pass the ice cream stand and the taco truck, the air thick with the scent of grilled meats and sweet treats, until we bump into Trent.
“Knew I’d find you near the food,” Kade says, clapping Trent’s hand before pulling him into a brief hug. Trent returns the gesture, then turns to hug me too.
“Fourth of July in Mayridge is the best. Feels like an all-you-can-eat buffet,” Trent says, slapping his flat stomach with a grin.
“It’s an expensive all-you-can-eat buffet, don’t you think?” Kade chuckles.
“Totally worth every penny,” Trent replies with a wink.
As Kade and Trent chat, I scan the crowd.
People wave as they pass, some stopping to talk to them, smiling politely at me.
Despite the friendly faces, anxiety creeps in.
I’ve never been great in big crowds; I always feel a little on display—probably because that’s exactly how it was when I attended functions with my parents.
I’m pulled out of my thoughts as Kade squeezes my hand, like he can feel the shift in me. When I glance at him, he gives me a soft smile, steady and reassuring, and the tension eases just enough to breathe again.
I take a deep breath, holding onto the warmth of his hand in mine. It grounds me, anchors me, reminds me how far I’ve come since I left home.
Just then, I spot Aubrey walking toward us. I wave until she sees me and heads over. Kade and Trent both turn, but I catch Trent stiffen the moment he spots her… and the man beside her.
“Hey, everyone… You remember Justin, right?” Aubrey says, barely glancing at Trent.
“Holy shit, man! When did you get back?” Kade asks, shaking Justin’s hand warmly.
“A couple of weeks ago. Just been catching up on life,” Justin replies, flashing a smile as his eyes flicker to Aubrey.
“Justin used to work for Jenkins Construction when my dad was still in charge. He worked on site with Kade and Trent,” Aubrey explains to me, giving me the rundown on how everyone knows each other. “This is Liv—Kade’s girl and my best friend.”
I blush slightly at the words “Kade’s girl” and reach out to shake Justin’s hand. “Nice to meet you.”
Justin dives into stories about his travels across the US and Australia, casually asking Kade how business has been. Meanwhile, Trent stands nearby with his arms crossed, shooting Justin a cold, hard glare which only gets worse when Justin talks about running into Aubrey again.
“He’s been in every day since he got back… and finally asked me out,” Aubrey says with a smile, her eyes flickering briefly over to Trent—sharp and loaded.
“Anyway, we’re off to check out the food trucks. It’s like an all-you-can-eat buffet here tonight.”
Kade chuckles. “Trent just said the same thing. Are you reading his mind or something?”
Aubrey glances between Kade and Trent, who’s now smirking smugly at her like they’re sharing a private joke.
“Uh, no. I’d rather get hit by a train than be inside his head,” she shoots back, the friendly mask snapping back into place.
“Anyway, catch you guys later.” She smiles softly at me before turning away, hand in hand with Justin, disappearing back into the bustling town.
We watch her disappear into the crowd, and finally, Kade breaks the silence.
“Justin, huh? I guess she could do worse.”
Trent scoffs, voice sharp. “That guy’s a prick. Fucks anything with a pulse.”
Kade shoots him a warning look. “Yeah, maybe don’t say that while he’s holding hands with my sister. Besides, people can change—it happens sometimes.” He glances at me and winks, making my cheeks flush.
“Whatever,” Trent mutters, clearly done with the conversation. “I’m out. See you guys later.” Without another word, he stomps off, leaving a heavy silence in his wake.
Kade chuckles as Trent sulks away. “He’s protective of her. Aubrey’s like a sister to him. He’s always been cautious when it comes to her dating.” He slides his arm around my waist, pulling me close.
He might believe that, but I doubt Aubrey or Trent see their relationship as anything resembling sibling-like—especially after the conversation me and Aubrey had a few weeks ago.
We watch Trent disappear into the crowd, and Kade’s arm stays firm around my waist, anchoring me in the middle of all the noise and color.
“Come on,” he beams, pressing a kiss to the side of my head. “Let’s look around, Trent and Strawbs aren’t wrong, the food here is always amazing.”
We pass a face-painting tent, a table of handmade jewelry, and an ice cream truck with a line snaking halfway down the street. Every time the crowd presses in, Kade’s hand finds the small of my back or his fingers catch on mine, steady and familiar in the summer chaos.
When we reach a stall serving fresh funnel cake, Kade slows to a stop. “We’re getting one,” he says, already pulling out his wallet.
The moment I take a bite, powdered sugar dusting my lips, I can’t help the soft moan that slips out. My eyes close as I savor the buttery sweetness. “Oh my God,” I breathe. “This is so good.”
Kade’s quiet for a beat, and when I open my eyes, I find him watching me. His gaze flickers to my mouth and back up again, darker now—hot and hungry in a way that makes my skin prickle.
“Yeah,” he teases, voice low. “Looks like it is.”
I laugh softly, nudging him with my shoulder as the spell between us breaks. He steals the last bite of my funnel cake, grinning when I swat at him, and we keep walking.
The hum of music grows louder as we near a small pop-up bar set up near the main square.
Fairy lights glow overhead, casting everything in soft gold.
The place is packed, people laughing over cold beers and neon-colored cocktails, the air thick with the scent of grilled burgers, popcorn, and sugar. The whole night feels alive.
I’m just about to suggest we try the lemonade stand when Kade’s phone buzzes in his pocket. He groans softly, pulling it free.
“Give me one second,” he says, glancing at the screen before answering. His expression shifts slightly. “Yeah? What’s up?” A pause. “Seriously? Okay, yeah—I’m coming.”
He ends the call with a sigh and turns to me, brushing a quick kiss over my lips. “Trent’s calling in a favor. The generator for the band just cut out, he needs a hand getting it back up and running.”
I smile, waving him off. “Go. I’ll be fine.”
He presses a folded bill into my hand. “Get yourself a drink and stay right here, okay? I’ll come find you.”
I nod, tucking the money into my pocket as I watch him jog off through the throng of people, already dialing Trent back.
I turn toward the bar, the glow of the string lights soft on my skin, the hum of music in my ears as I slide onto a stool against the bar.
I order myself some kind of fancy Fourth of July cocktail—something bright and colorful—and take a slow sip as I wait for Kade.
A few minutes pass, the buzz of conversation and laughter swirling around me, when someone bumps into my back, jostling me slightly. I glance over my shoulder as a man—probably a little tipsy—stutters a quick apology before weaving back into the crowd.
I offer a polite smile and turn back to my drink, lifting it for another slow sip.
The sweet, tangy flavor hits my tongue as my eyes drift over the glowing chaos of the party—the laughter, the music, the golden haze of lights strung above the square.
For a moment, everything feels easy, almost weightless.
But then something shifts.
It’s subtle at first. A faint heaviness behind my eyes. A strange warmth low in my stomach. I blink, brushing it off, and lift the glass for another sip, but the flavor hits sharper now, too sweet.
The weight inside me spreads, slow and syrupy, coiling through my limbs. The air thickens, the sounds of the festival stretching and softening until everything feels a beat too slow, a shade too far away.
I frown, shaking my head, but the blur only deepens.
And then the dizziness comes—soft at first, then swelling fast. The edges of the world twist and tilt, my heart skipping wildly as a cold flicker of panic rises sharp in my chest.
Something’s wrong.
I shove up from the stool as the ground suddenly lurches beneath me.
My hands reach out, searching for balance, while my heart pounds and my breath comes in short, ragged gasps.
Stumbling blindly toward where Kade went, the world around me blurs into a chaotic swirl of color and noise. Too bright, too loud, too overwhelming.
The crowd presses in tighter, and the ground seems to shift beneath my feet. I veer off, half-running, half-falling toward a quieter side street, desperate for fresh air and stillness.
My knees buckle, and I crash hard onto the ground. A sharp pain slices through my ribs, but the rest of me feels numb, distant, like my body isn’t even mine anymore.
I blink, trying to focus, but the world smears and swims, shadows twisting like smoke before my eyes.
A dark figure crouches over me, its shape rippling at the edges, unreal.
Panic claws up my throat, and I try to scramble back, unsure if this is real or just my mind fracturing—but my limbs feel heavy, useless, like they’re filled with wet sand.
My cheek presses against the cold, gritty ground, the taste of dirt and copper sharp on my tongue. My body gives up, sagging under whatever invisible weight has me pinned.
Through the muffled rush in my ears, a voice cuts through—low, warped, vibrating in my chest like it’s coming from inside me.
“Soon.”
And then—nothing.