Ever After Awaits (Layla) novel Chapter 32

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

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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.

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