Rae of Sunshine (Light in the Dark 1)

“You’re something else Cade Montgomery,” I stated, staring at him in awe.

He chuckled. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Just that most guys in your position—being a superstar football player—would be a major asshole, but you’re not. You’re unlike any guy I’ve ever met.” It was in that moment that I realized Cade was an old soul. I’d often heard my mom use the term to describe people who seemed wise beyond their years, and that was Cade. Yeah, he could be cocky at times, but he’d never, not once, been a jerk to me.

He shrugged. “I never a

sked for popularity and I didn’t want it anyway. At the end of the day I’m really a dork,” he winked.

I laughed, smiling. “You’re not a dork you’re just…”

“I’m just what, Rae?” His voice grew husky and desire swirled in the air between us. My rapidly growing feelings for Cade scared me and made me feel like I was betraying my first love. But he was gone and Cade was here, and could I really suffer alone for the rest of my life? My mom always told me one day I’d have to accept the harsh facts and move on from the past. I used to think that was impossible, but Cade, and even Thea, had shown me that I could let go. I was still holding on tight to the past though, but one finger was slipping and it wouldn’t be long until I was forced to release it.

“You.” I finally answered. “You’re just you.”

He grinned, his whole face lighting up. “I take it that’s a good thing?”

“Yeah,” I cracked a smile, “because even when I want to hate you, I like you.”

He chuckled. “You want to hate me?”

I finished the soup—or at least what I could manage to get down—and set it aside. “Yes,” I answered honestly, “because hating you would be so much easier than wanting you.”

“So…” He started, “you know I want you, and now you’ve admitted to wanting me too, but we’re going to do nothing about it?”

I frowned, snuggling beneath the covers—more for a silly sense of protection than actual need for the warmth. “I can’t, Cade. You said you could try being my friend and that’s what I need from you right now.”

“I did say that,” he nodded, “and I meant it.” He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “This won’t be easy for me, but I’ll be damned if I can’t have you in my life in some way. I’m sick and tired of isolating myself because of fear.”

“What do you have to be afraid of?” I asked, suddenly grasping that there was more to Cade than I’d ever realized. Lately, I’d become too blinded by own thoughts and feelings to see other people’s problems. But now it was clear, things weren’t dandy for Cade.

He slowly raised his eyes to meet mine. The normally bright blue had become a stormy gray. “Monsters.”

I made no comment, because I understood his meaning.

With a sigh he kicked off his shoes. “Roll over. It’s cuddle time.”

“Uh…I don’t think friends cuddle.” My words fell flat since I was already scooting over to make room for him.

He brushed my hair away from my neck and his breath tickled my skin. “We’re special friends, Rae.”

If special was code for fucked up then that’s exactly what we were, because I knew now that we were two people haunted by very real demons.

eleven

Weeks passed and life seemed to be…not good, but okay.

Cade and I were working on being friends and Thea was…well, Thea.

Cade joined us now for lunch most days, unless he had something else he had to do. Since he was a senior he didn’t have many classes, which left him with a lot of free time.

He was already sitting at the lunch table when I arrived. His long legs were kicked up on the table and he had his hands crossed behind his head. People, guys and girls, tended to stare at Cade when he was around. I couldn’t blame them. There was something about the sight of him that was mesmerizing. Lord knew he made my brain and body do funny things.

“Hey, Rae of Sunshine,” he greeted me. “How’s your day been?”

“Boring,” I supplied with a shrug, sitting my bag and food down.

“Boring?” His brows rose. “We can’t have that.”