I am so very sorry for the long wait. Between writers' block, school, clubs, and family bs, it was difficult to fit a chapter in. I do apologize from the bottom of my heart! And, thank you guys for the support!

poopmr made the top character aesthetics! Thank you so very much.

Enjoy the chapter!🤍

"Some people are worth melting for." —-Olaf.

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Chapter 51
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The rest of the day had changed into something else, for sure. Our peers continued to eye us with curiosity, their necks about breaking every single time Kade and I passed them. Whenever they caught Kade's eye though, they'd turn away so quick, I'd forget they were even staring at first. The whispers I'd experienced were long gone to my ear, as well. I guessed his threat had worked.

We stopped at my locker first. After shoving my bag inside of the space, I groaned at myself. I forgot my AP bio textbook inside. As much as I struggled getting the bag inside, this would surely be an event.

Kade stepped closer with a chuckle. "I got it." Before I could move away from the locker, his strong arm gripped my waist with a firm hold, yet it felt as if he were handling a small baby bird. Gentle.

I smiled with gratitude. "Thanks." My colors began to warm the longer his arm remained around me.

His smirk was loud as he pulled the book out with nearly no effort at all. "Anything to see your face so red."

I rolled my eyes at him. "My face has been red all day." I nodded towards our peers, who had went back to glancing at me now that Kade was turned away.

He didn't even glance in their direction. "I meant anything to see your face red because of me. Not because of these spineless motherfuckers who are too busy looking into our lives to be focused on their own."

I felt a small laugh escape my throat. "That's one way to put it." He zipped my bag, then shut my locker. 

He turned to me. "Yeah, and another way to shove it right up their nosy asses," he teased, his pink lips finally rising to show something other than a scowl.

I laughed at his words, my eyes falling down to my sneakers as I waited for the blush to fade. "You're ridiculous."

As my laughter died, I raised my eyes to him. His own were already on me.

I tilted my head at him, my smile still in tact. "What?"

"Your laugh," was all he said.

My eyebrow raised. "What about it?"

"It's beautiful," he said to me.

My head tilted. "So is your smile." The only person I'd seen him smile at was me, I believed. It was one of my favorite things, no matter how rare it was. I knew the angels in heaven were singing every single time he showed it.

Kade rolled his eyes at this. I frowned. "It is."

I went to grab my books from his hands, but he held it in a grip that was impossible to escape. "I got it."

I went to argue, but something behind him distracted me. Two things actually.

Carter and Levi seemed to be in an intense conversation. By their matching scowls, and tightened fists, I knew that something bad was bound to carry out.

My divided attention caught Kade's. His eyes followed mine, turning to see the ordeal for himself.

His entire mood seemed to change.

I shook my head. "Let's get to class," I said, grabbing Kade's hand.

I didn't want to cause a scene. And, I knew that Carter and Kade mixed would cause the largest one of them all.

Before my words could reach even graze his ears, he was walking away. I heard a mumbled 'I'll be back,' before I was staring at his backside.

I sighed, gripping my books tighter. I contemplated walking over there, but the thought decayed. I would only be more trouble.

"You're doing the wrong thing."

I jumped out of my skin. I turned around so quickly, that I felt my head spin.

Baby blues glared back at me. I swallowed hard as I attempted to calm my heartbeat.

I turned my head towards Kade, but his attention was on a pale-faced Carter. I turned back to Daniel.

"What are you talking about?" I said in a short tone. Hopefully, he'd take the hint and just walk away. But, he didn't.

Daniel sighed, his eyes focusing on the boys behind me before returning to mine. "You heard me. You're making a mistake with him. Kade...he'll—" I paused as I noticed the red streaks in the whites of his eyes.

I eyed him closer. "Are you okay?"

His eyes fell, blinking over until they raised to mine, all glossy and unfocused. "This isn't about me. I'm trying to help you, Kimberly," he warned me, leaning in closer. "He'll only hurt you, I can see it. It's what he does, Kimberly." He took a step closer, causing me to take the same one back.

Okay, I was finished with this. He was high on something so he was probably just having hallucinations. "Daniel—"

His eyes squinted. "No, listen to me," his words were loud, and so were his actions. "You're not listening, damn it."

His hand clamped around my wrist in a tight grip.

My throat became scratchy as I attempted to swallow my fear. "Kade's already told me your real intentions that night—"

He tilted his head, the crazed look in his eyes only growing more menacing. "Did he now?"

I nodded quickly. "But, it's over now. You're obviously not in your right mind and—" I glanced down at the grip he held on my wrist. It was tightening. "You're just confused, is all."

Daniel's expression became twisted with conflict as his gaze followed mine. He released my wrist slowly, a pained expression following.

Before he could look me in the eye once-more, he was on the ground. It was quick and fluid, but it happened.

"The fuck do you think you're doing?" the words were from an unexpected intruder.

Luke.

His expression was covered in irritation and a bit of rage as he stalked up to us. "Stay behind me," he mumbled as he stepped in front of me, leaving me as a speck behind him. Gently, he pushed me behind him and kept me there, his eyes on Daniel, who was sitting on the ground in a confused gaze.

"I asked you a question," Luke repeated, already popping his neck as he flicked his head at Daniel. "What the fuck were you doing with your hands on her when she obviously didn't want them there—"

I caught up, then. "Wait, Luke." I followed close behind him. "Don't do anything. I don't think he meant any harm."

Luke glanced at me as if I had grown two heads. "You crazy?"

"No—l..." I thought over my next words with consideration. "You don't deserve to be in trouble over him, Luke. Just let it go. Please."

That wasn't true at all. In truth, I wouldn't have a care in the world if Luke got in trouble, but with him, would come Kade, and that was a storm wanted to prevent.

Lukes' stormy eyes taunted mine with disbelief, and something that I couldn't decipher. I could guess concern, but this was Luke.

His eyes left mine, before falling behind me instead. I caught sight of the scar along his neck jumping with a chuckle. My worst fears came true at the smirk that crossed his face.

"Good luck telling Ryder that," he taunted.

I turned my body with a swiftness. "Kade—"

Before the words could even form a sentence, his body passed right by mine. But, I wouldn't let this carry on. Today had been too long.

The hallway was vacant, but if there were to be a fight, it wouldn't be. It was best to leave now.

Before he could grow any closer to him, I grabbed Kade's bicep in such a tight grip, he even looked surprised.

I flicked my head elsewhere. "Please. Let's just go."

I could tell he didn't want to. His gaze jerked between Daniel and I, before finally landing on mine. The frightful glare in his eyes settled down second by second.

I looked back to Daniel, but the spot was vacant. At least he was smart enough to get away while he had the chance.

"Hey," I looked at Kade, who directed his attention elsewhere now. "Let's just go to class, alright?"

The tardy bell rang minutes ago. But, I knew that being late was better than nothing at all.

With one last tip of a head at Luke, who returned it—I guess their way of saying thanks—Kade and I walked to the hallway my classroom was in.

We stopped inches away from the door. "We can meet right outside the doors after class is over, alright?" I offered, before frowning. "Hey."  Before he could object, I guided his face up to mine.

Kade's scowling lips shifted into a thin line. His eyebrows were furrowed, the conflicted look in his eyes visible.

"It's okay." Without thinking, my hands gripped his. "I'm okay, I promise you."

His eyes fell to my wrist. There were no bruises, but the red line was noticeable.

His angry expression returned. "I should go and fucking—" he began before I stopped him.

My hands went to his face, slowly grasping his jaw. "No, you shouldn't, and you won't. He was so high, I don't even think he meant to do it. He won't again, though so let's just forget it, okay?"

He wanted to argue. I could tell by the scowl on his face, or by the look in his eyes alone.

My gaze fell to my sneakers with confusion. "Luke helped me," I voiced the thought. "Why?"

He took a moment to breathe. "You're my girl, and he knows that. Him and Levi are my brothers, as annoying as they are," Kade told me. "We're family, all the other has. They'll protect you if I'm not there, no matter what. You're their family now, too."

I nodded slowly, absorbing the information. I didn't mind Levi, but Luke was an ass. I didn't want anything from him, let alone his help, but if the situation was dire, I'd accept it.

I felt my shoulders loosen as Kade raised my wrist to eye level. His soft lips trailed three kisses down my wrist, each and every one of them touching aging scars.

"Go," he mumbled. "You're late to class."

I chuckled at him. "So are you."

Kade nodded, releasing my wrist first, then my hand. "I'll meet you by the doors. Do you want to come over? We can eat, watch movies, you know, all that shit." He waved his hand, causing me to laugh.

I sighed. As badly as I wanted to, I needed to catch up on the work I missed during suspension.

"I can't," I declined. "I'm too deep in makeup work."

Kade watched over me. "I can help you get it finished, if you want. It'll be much quicker and easier on you."

My eyebrow arched. "You?" I cringed at the rudeness of my tone.

Kade chuckled, his eyes closing in on mine. "I do my work, Kimberly. Maybe not on time, but I do. I have a 3.9 gpa."

"Oh, shit," the words left my mouth in a matter of seconds. "I have a 3.8." I was trying to get it back to a 4.0 before Christmas break, but when my credits transferred from my last school, my grades had died a bit during the court case.

I thought over his offer quickly before nodding. "Okay, I'll come over."

I could have sworn I saw a small trace of a smile. As quick as it came was as quick as it left, though.

We said our last goodbyes before we parted. I walked to the door, dreading the next few moments of my life. It was too tempting to turn around, and book it right out those doors.

As soon as I stepped into the classroom, all attention was on me. At least twenty-four sets of eyes followed me, including the teacher.

Mrs. Lynn's glare was harsh. "Welcome, Miss Wrighton. It was nice of you to join us ten minutes past the tardy bell." Her feet were kicked up on the desk, a book glued to her lap.  I hadn't even interrupted her, since she wasn't even teaching.

I refrained from rolling my eyes. "Great to be here," I mumbled, shuffling to the back of the classroom.

Mrs. Lynn spoke again, "How about you come and take one of these empty desks in the front today?"

This bitch.

I shut my eyes, cursing under my breath. I sighed, face red as I turned to the front. My peers only continued to make things uncomfortable.

I ducked my head to shield my embarrassment, but I knew it did nothing.

The teacher finally stood, despite the time. The class continued on, as did the sneakiness from the teacher. She continued to call on me when she had a question, even though my hand wasn't raised. Every time though, I got the question correct.

I could have screamed with joy once the bell rang. Finally.

I fell in step behind the rowdy group of students. I made a journey for my locker, grabbed my bag, then went to the spot where Kade and I agreed to meet.

When I finally managed to push out of the doors, I smiled at the sight of Kade, but he wasn't alone. My smile fell into a frown.

A redhead stood next to him, her body growing closer to his by the second. Jealousy roared in my heart. I felt a twisted feeling grow in my stomach, anger soon following.

Kade's expression was dull. His disinterest in whatever conversation she was attempting to carry was obvious as he stepped away from her.

I walked up to him, gaining his attention. The redhead rolled her eyes as she saw me, but this didn't stop me.

"You ready to go?" Kade asked, eying the girl with an annoyed expression.

I went to answer, but the girl's glare was too hard to just ignore. I jerked my eyes over to our admirer before I could stop myself. "You can leave now." The jealousy tinted in my voice even left me shocked.

Her head tilted, pretending as if she had just now noticed my presence. "I'm sorry?"

I rolled my eyes "Are you as deaf as you are blind?" I retorted. "I'm not repeating myself. Leave."

With a scoff, she turned, murmuring something intelligible before finally walking off. I released a puff of shock, staring after her.

Kade watched me with a smirk. "Shit," he chuckled. "I think I'm rubbing off on you, sweetheart."

I bit my lip to stop from smiling at his comment. "Whatever, and quit with that..." I waved my hand over his handsome face that hadn't stopped smirking. "You know what."

He raised his hands in surrender. "Order heard." With another chuckle, his hand fell to mine. "Ready?"

I placed my hand in his with a nod. "Let's go."

I was more than relieved to be leaving. The ride to his house was quiet, but comfortable, which I needed. Today was tiresome, but I'd made it through.

I wanted to ask about the argument he and Levi had with Carter. I made it a promise to myself to get the information sooner than later.

I blinked over the mistake as Kade drove past his road. I turned to face him.

"Your house is that way," I pointed out the obvious.

He nodded. "I'm just going to get us something to eat because I know we're going to be at my house for a while. I figured you were hungry."

As he said this, my stomach responded. The loud growl was almost animal-like.

Laughter bubbled up from my chest. "I guess you're right." I'd lost the appetite to eat at lunch but it was coming back to bite at me now.

Not too long after, we pulled into the familiar parking lot. Dylan's Dine-In. Despite the delicious food, I needed to get my work schedule from Celeste, so this worked.

I went to reach for my door, before Kade appeared in front of my side. I released a small laugh at his determination.

I thanked him before we walked into the diner. It was already inside, but as soon as Shay laid eyes on me, her lips raised, but when she saw Kade? I thought her eyes would pop from the sockets.

I smiled back at her, before motioning towards the customer at the cashier. Shay followed my eyes, before she was brought back to reality.

She blinked. "Oh, oh—" Shay glanced at him with feigned attention. "Here you go, ma'am." She placed the money in the woman's hand.

Kade bumped into my side. "You want a booth or do you want it to go?" he asked. "And, what do you want?"

"To go," I responded, taking a seat at the bar.

On my off days, I didn't want anything to do with my food service life for the day. The rude customers were enough to make you question every moral you had. 

I knew the menu like the back of my hand, but I glanced over the one above Shay's head, anyway. "A #3 sounds good to me," I told him. I reached in my pocket and held out enough to pay, but this earned a crazy look from Kade.

His eyebrow arched. "I'll be right back." I rolled my eyes at him when he didn't accept my money, shoving it back into my pocket. I'd leave it as a tip.

"He's finally here."

I almost fell out of my seat. Turning around, I met gazes with my aunt.

Celeste looked at me with a smile so large, Cheshire would be jealous.

"What in the hell are you—" I paused as Celeste glared me down so hard, I cringed. "What are you doing?"

Her glare shifted. "Kade! He's here," she grinned excitedly like a child on Christmas.

"He's been here before," I pointed out, shaking my head at her with a chuckle.

She threw a scoff at me. "Obviously! But, you two together?" she gushed, clenching her notepad to her chest.

Shay rounded the corner to join the conversation. "About time." She kissed my cheek, a hand staying on my shoulder.

"I'm so happy for you, baby," Celeste congratulated, kissing my other cheek. "He's such a handsome young man."

Shay agreed with a nod of her head. "I know! And, have you seen the ass on him?" She fanned herself with a twenty dollar bill. "Let me tell you, when Griff and I first got together, he couldn't keep me from smacking—"

"Shay!" I cut her off, my shock cutting over her prudence.

My eyes widened in disbelief at her words. Her very loud words. Half of the diner looked our way, including Kade, who seemed to be enjoying this from his spot.

I glared at both of them, my face shaded. "Thanks guys. Seriously."

Celeste chuckled, dropping her pen into her pouch. "We're sorry, we're just so happy for you, baby," her pride-filled eyes met mine. "I'm so, so proud."

"Me too," Shay agreed, leaning down to hug me from behind. "I'm so proud of you, sweet girl." My heart warmed at the nickname she'd given me when I was a child.

I placed a hand over hers, leaning back into her hug. "Thank you," I smiled at her and Shay. "I don't think I could have made it this far without you guys. You're what I always wanted my mother to be."

Shay stroked my hand, nodding with a smile. "You've been my baby since the moment I saw you, honey." Celeste nodded in agreement, her eyes growing glossy. "You know, I gambled your dad for you."

Past the lump in my throat, I chuckled. "What?"

Shay nodded, throwing a head flick at Celeste, who had to go and retrieve change for a customer. "It's true. You were only a couple months old. She and Jackson played a game of Blackjack over whether or not we could take you, and raise you as our own. Celeste won, even tried to run off with you, but Jackson beat her to it. It was an eventful night, to say the least."

Laughter spilled out of me, and they joined not long after. "I don't even have a response for that, honestly."

Celeste came back to us with a nod. "I've never forgot that bet, you know. Jackson claims he won, but your uncle can vouch that he didn't." An eye roll followed.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Griff found the bar. "You guys would have done amazing," I confirmed with a smile. "You already have." My voice fell to show my sincerity. It took a moment to bypass the growing tension in my throat.

"Aw," Griff's voice surpassed all of ours, a huge smile growing across his face. "Y'all get your asses over here and let's hug."

Soon, I felt myself being smothered by the three people that helped in providing a foundation for my life. I fell right into their hug, enveloping the peace that followed.

When I was released, Griff was grinning, and Celeste and Shay were either teary eyed or already crying.

Shay swept the back of her hand across her cheek with a chuckle. "Fucking hormones," she grumbled.

I giggled at her, leaning back into my stool. "How's the pregnancy going?"

She groaned, flinging her braids over her shoulder. "I'm barely making it, hun. I've consumed more caramel popcorn and thawed pickle juice in the past month than I like to admit."

We sat and talked until our food was ready. I was glad there were other employees here. If it were only Celeste, Griff, and Shay, they would definitely drive each other, or the customers off the roof.

When I saw Kade making his way back to me, I looked at them. "I'll catch you guys tomorrow."

Celeste cast a glance at him before looking to him. "Make sure you bring him around some more." With a grin, she lifted the hundred dollar tip he'd left her, and the others nodded in agreement, shaking theirs as well.

Shay grinned, dropping hers back in her bag. "Mama's getting a new robe."

Griff smiled at me, pulling me in for another hug. "If he hurts you, I'll help you bury the body," he whispered into my ear, before pulling back. I laughed as I felt the familiar scruff of his beard near my jaw.

I found my eyes drifting to Kade, again. His were already on me, and my family, a softened look on his face.

Shay shot me a serious look, earning my attention. "There goes that look again, missy."

I cocked my head. "What look?"

"Don't listen to her, baby," Celeste reassured, stroking my back with a chuckle. "She—"

Shay interrupted, squinting her eyes at me. "Let me tell you something. If I find out that you've been irresponsible with him, Kimberly, I swear, I will knock you out, wake you up, then knock your ass out again until you see Olaf pissing in your Cheerios, do you understand me?"

Shays' words cracked me up, but I took them anyway, nodding. "Yes ma'am."

Celeste ended our farewells with, "Yeah, exactly what Shay said." She kissed my cheek, and we all hugged once last time.

I was out the door a moment later. Kade placed the food in the backseat. He opened my door, waiting for me to get in, before shutting it and getting inside of the car.

"Do you need anything?" Kade asked before cranking up his car.

"No." I shook my head, tipping my gaze up to him. "Why would I?"

He threw a look at me. "I wanted to make sure you were comfortable," he admitted.

My lips hung into a smile at him. "I'm comfortable, don't worry."

The ride to his home was quick, so quick that it seemed to pass in the blink of eye. Once we arrived, Kade carried the food inside and up to his bedroom.

I shut the door behind us. "We can eat while we work," I offered. My hunger could only last so long.

He nodded his head, setting the food on the large bed. I sat next to it, grabbing my plate, immediately.

An hour later, we had managed to cover a large portion of the work. I was surprised at how quickly Kade worked, but he was impressive. With every one sheet I'd completed, he'd already done three.

I glanced up from my paragraph, and up to him. A thought popped into my head. I wanted to confirm it before dismissing it away.

"Hey, Kade?" I got his attention.

His eyes raised from the textbook. "Mhm?"

"Do you want to go to college?" I questioned. "I mean, I know that you mentioned the businesses your dad left to you, but do you want to go to school?"

He didn't answer for a minute. He stared at the book in his hands as his brain pondered my question.

"I've thought about it," was all he said before returning to the work.

I nodded my head and left it at that. For a minute, I focused on my work too. But, then I remembered the promise I made to myself earlier.

"Kade?"

His hand didn't pause as he wrote an answer down. "Talking won't finish your work any quicker, sweetheart," Kade chuckled.

I shrugged my shoulders, continuing on anyway. "I cant help myself."

"Talk to me then, love," he flicked his head at me.

I tapped my pen against his laptop before asking, "What was up with Carter and Levi?"

He paused, casting a glance in my direction. "You sure you want to know?"

I nodded my head. "Tell me."

He placed the pen in the crook of the book, giving me his full attention "Carter fucked Levis' sister."

My mouth fell. Out of all of the things I'd expected to hear, that wasn't one.

"But, Carter was away, wasn't he?" I thought aloud. "He was gone for months."

"Mhm," he hummed, picking the pen back up. "He was in juvenile."

I nodded slowly, watching over him. It didn't click right away but when it did, my jaw hurt from hanging. "You did it?"

Kade nodded. "I did."

"How?" I asked breathlessly.

"I know everything that goes on at that school, sweetheart," he chuckled at my shocked expression. "I had Susie send in a tip to the principal. He believes anything she says, because she's a major sponsor to the school."

I blinked over his confession for a minute. The laptop screen turned black from how long I remained still.

His eyes flickered over me. "He touched you. I wasn't going to let shit slide. He was lucky I didn't do worse."

"Carter was forced to go to rehab afterwards," he continued to explain. "Him and Levi's sister: the girl you saw in the hotel, they were both in the same center. Guess they bonded or some shit during it. Long story short, they fucked, Levi found out and now wants to kill him."

My mind was racing to place and disfigure information. "Oh," was all I managed. "How did Levi find out?"

"He'd been suspicious for a while, and finally searched through her room. They've been sleeping together for a while now."

"Wow," was all I could say. I'd gotten answers to things I never even remembered to ask.

Kade hummed in response before bumping into my shoulder. "C'mon," he nodded at his laptop, which was still black. "You're so slow."

I chuckled, moving my fingers over the pad. "Whatever."

We fell back into the work, and before we knew it, we were finished. I had to refrain from throwing his laptop down in happiness.

I swept a hand through my hair with a groan. "Finally," I turned to Kade with a smile. "Thank you for helping."

I expected his snarky response. "Helping? I did 99% of this," he motioned towards the large stack of papers.

I playfully smacked his arm, my laughter following. "Whatever, I helped. That 1% was much harder than you think."

After I placed my work and books into my bag, I sat it on his vacant couch then returned to his bed.

Kade nibbled on the inside of his cheek as he watched me. He usually did it when he wanted to ask me something. I waited patiently, pulling my legs under me.

He shifted to face me entirely. "I've been wanting to ask something," he started. "Susie wanted me to ask if you think your dad would like to come work for her company."

Kade stopped me before I could even argue, "I already know what you're going to say, but listen. The job is high paying as shit, and low maintenance. It'll be really low-stress, too."

I shook my head. "Kade, no. Your family has done so much for mine already, I couldn't ask more of you."

He pulled himself down onto his back. "You're not asking, though," he sighed, his hands reaching for mine. "I just thought—"

"You thought?" My eyebrow raised at him. "It was your idea, wasn't it?"

Kade looked startled, before casting his eyes to the side. "I may have had some input on the idea."

"Of course," I mumbled before shrugging. "I don't know."

Kade pulled me to him until our faces were inches apart. He placed warm hands on my cheeks.

"I just wanna make things easier," he mumbled to me. "Your dad deserves this and so much more." The honesty in his voice warmed my heart with agreement.

My dad had done a lot for both of us. A 'thank you' could never be enough to repay his actions.

Finally, I nodded. "I'll talk to him about it," I said. "I don't know if he'll say yes, but I don't know if he'll say no either."

Kade nodded his head at me, stroking my wrist. "He's a great man."

I smiled in agreement. "One of the best."