Chapter 32 : Cade POV I haven't spoken to Xavier since his outburst in the gym . Sitting across from him in the living room while Al and Hunter prepare dinner , I'm internally seething at him . How dare he call our lifelong friendship and loyalty into question ? If he would only pull his head out of his ass , he'd see that Layla isn't a threat to us or our friendship . She'll be an amazing addition to our dynamic . But being stubborn is his superpower , and he is willing to die on that hill . That does not mean I'll be his doormat though . I've not always approved of all his decisions or actions , but I've never disrespected him like he did me before . I don't expect an apology ( because a Reed man does not apologize - his dad's words , not mine ) but he can forget about us being okay after his outburst earlier . Not paying attention to the TV , my mind drifts to Layla and what we learned earlier . I'm still stunned and appalled at what I heard . Working alongside her at the coffee shop , I would never have thought that she carried so much trauma with her . She's always been so strong and positive . Losing your parent to then being made out to be the villain by her mom , just to be abused as well - that shit is tough , and most people would have crumpled by now . But not Layla . She has persevered and stayed positive through it all . I know some days were harder than others for her , I could see it when she came into work and her smile wasn't as bright or her voice wasn't as bubbly as always . But who could blame her ? Those days I tried my best to cheer her up with small acts : throwing out the trash before she could get to it , wiping down the tables in her section as sout as the patrons left , or slipping a portion of my tips into her tip jar . And I'm pleased to say that it worked . It wouldn't be long before her laugh was heard ringing through the shop . Or she'd be blushing at me when I handed her an order , making sure our fingers touched longer than would be the societal norm . I lived for those moments because every blush , giggle , and smile helped me to get through a tough day after I visited Luther and Leah . My 11 - year - old twin brother and sister were unexpected but a welcome blessing . Mom and Dad never planned on getting pregnant again after the complications she had while she was carrying me , but when they received the news , we all were elated and vowed to spoil them rotten . I initially thought the ten - year gap between us would be an annoyance but once I peered into their baby blues in the hospital that day , I knew I would become the best big brother ever . Believe me , there were days when I wanted to pull my hair out because they irritated me so much , but it wouldn't be long before Leah's dimples or Luther's little scowl would melt my resolve , and I'd include them in what I was doing or do something they wanted to do . When they got sick about six years ago , we were devastated . I went through the stages of grief like a hurricane through Texas . Denial - I couldn't believe that two young innocent souls like them were being put through something so devastating . The doctors must be wrong . The tests must have been accidentally switched around in the laboratory . I looked for any alternative answers . They were no more than five years old . How does one justify saddling them with this kind of Anger - What did they do to deserve such pain and suffering ? burden ? A burden that is sometimes even too hard for adults to bear . Bargaining I wasn't religious , but I got on my knees numerous times and prayed , begged , and pleaded to any entity that would listen . I asked them to take me instead . To give me the pain , the sleepless nights , and the hours - long chemotherapy sessions . Depression - I locked myself in my room , refusing to go and visit them in the hospital . Somedays , it got so bad that I didn't want to go down to the kitchen to find something to eat . What was the use ? Luther and Leah couldn't eat normal food , so why was Lallowed to ? And finally , acceptance came . After Hunter and Xavier came over one day , they essentially kicked down my bedroom door , threw me in the shower , and then walked my grumpy ass downstairs to have a healthy meal . They sat with me and listened while I laid out all my feelings and frustrations before them , without fear of them judging me in my moment of vulnerability Eventually , they made me realize that I need to cherish the moments I still have with the twins because they might not be in my life for much longer . And having a few memorable and remarkable days with them is better than secluding myself for however long they still roam the earth , all to avoid getting juri 1/2 Chapter 32 : Cade POV should they pass away . And until today , I'll be eternally grateful to them because , after that verbal ass - kicking , we have had another six years ( and hopefully many more ) of extraordinary experiences that I'll hold dear for the rest of my life . And even though they've been in remission since then , there have been moments when they felt tired or a bit down and I immediately became suspicious that the cancer might be back . But on those rare days , Layla was my bright shining star and unbeknownst to her , gave me hope and lifted my spirits . When I saw her so vulnerable earlier , my protective instinct towards her roared to life . I want to safeguard her from anything and everything that could ever make her feel less than because to me , she is everything and I can't imagine a future without her . Xavier keeps fidgeting and casting glances my way . From experience , I know he wants to say something but doesn't know how to approach the subject . Honestly , I don't want to hear the bullshit he wants to spew to justify his attitude and comments earlier . Getting up , I move to the kitchen and start putting out plates and utensils to keep my hands busy because I'm vibrating with a need to stay fist into his face . AJ is quiet and contemplative . Hunter is stirring all the ingredients for our dinner together and the smell makes my stomach gram " Are we going to talk about what happened earlier ? " I ask , trying to break the silence that hangs in the air . Hunter is the first to answer me , " Nothing that was said or what happened , has changed how I feel about Layla . What about you ? " " It's the same for me , " my answer is swift and decisive . AJ hasn't responded and I wonder who peed in his cheerios . Hunter , the pragmatist , with a mischievous smile , bluntly asks , " So , are we sharing Even though I've never done something like sharing a girl , and I would normally be jealous as all hell , the idea of Layla being with me and Hunter , openly and unabashedly , causes my blood to sizzle and my jeans to fit snugger in the groin area . The smile that spreads on my face must be confirmation enough for Hunter because in the next moment , he saunters around the island and slaps me on the back with a satisfied smile , " In that case , tomorrow , we inform our girl of our intentions . " He's practically vibrating with excitement , and I can't help but share his enthusiasm . Because imagining Layla , sandwiched between us , bringing her to the brink of ecstasy , makes me simply light - headed with anticipation . Chapter Comments