Taking Kade’s Side

Sora

Kaden Anthony Black is insane. Like, a complete and utter lunatic.

That's the only conclusion I can come to as he proudly narrates the disappearance of his shirt with a grin plastered across his face, like I’m supposed to pat him on the back for throwing away perfectly good clothing.

Yeah, that isn't happening.

“Kade, that's not a flex.” I point out with a frown, adjusting myself on the ridiculously uncomfortable hospital bed.

“It’s not?” He actually sounds disappointed, his lower lip puckering out. “I thought it'd make you proud. Or happy at least.”

“Why would it?”

“I dunno.” He shrugs. “Maybe because your boyfriend put your sworn enemy in her place.”

I roll my eyes.

The last thing I need right now is a childish back and forth. I almost met God a few hours ago and apparently He looked at me and decided, no thanks, send her back.

Why?

I'm still trying to figure that out.

“Are you good? Do you need food?” Kade is suddenly by my side, the pout gone, replaced with something that looks dangerously close to worry. “I was worried about you.”

I still.

It's strange hearing those words from him.

Worried.

Not annoyed. Not teasing. Not flirtatious.

Just worried.

I study him properly for the first time since he walked in. His hair is a mess, there are dark circles beneath his eyes and for a man who usually looks unfairly put together, Kade looks awful.

My chest tightens.

“You look terrible,” I blurt out before I can stop myself.

His lips twitch.

“Gee, thanks Shadow. That's exactly what every man wants to hear after spending hours in a hospital.”

I ignore the sarcasm. “How long was I out?”

“About four hours.”

Four hours, holy shit. “I scared you, didn't I?”

The question comes out more sad than I want it to.

Kade doesn't answer immediately.

Instead, he reaches for my hand, intertwining our fingers so naturally that I barely register it.

“You nearly died, Sora.” His voice is quiet, rough around the edges. “Of course you scared me.”

I don't say anything after that because honestly, what exactly am I supposed to say?

Thank you for not letting me die?

Sorry for nearly giving you a heart attack?

Neither seems particularly appropriate.

Thankfully, Kade doesn't push for a response.

"Are you hungry?" he asks again, concern still evident on his face.

"No," I answer immediately.

My stomach chooses that exact moment to let out the loudest growl known to mankind.

Kade stares at me, I stare back a long silence stretches between us.

"Not a word," I warn.

His lips twitch. "I didn't say anything."

"Your face did a lot of talking."

"My face is simply calling you out on your bullshit, Shadow."

I narrow my eyes at him. "I am not hungry."

"Sure."

He gives me a look that clearly says he doesn't believe a single word coming out of my mouth. Before I can argue further, he squeezes my hand gently and rises to his feet.

"I'll be back."

I watch him leave, the room suddenly feeling much quieter without his constant teasing.

Once the door clicks shut behind him, I sink deeper into the hospital bed and close my eyes. The events of the last twenty-four hours replay in my head, each memory more ridiculous than the last. I had almost died, reunited with Cameron, slept with Kade, started a fake relationship and somehow ended up genuinely caring about what said fake boyfriend thought of me.

My life had officially become absurd.

The door opens again much sooner than expected.

"That was quick," I murmur, keeping my eyes closed.

No one answers.

A strange feeling settles in my chest and I slowly open my eyes.

Cameron stands by the door looking absolutely wrecked.

His eyes are red and swollen, his hair is disheveled and his clothes look like he'd slept in them. He stares at me for a second before breaking down completely, tears stream down his face.

"Cam?" I whisper.

The sound of my voice seems to snap whatever restraint he had left because he crosses the room in seconds and wraps his arms around me carefully.

"I'm sorry," he chokes out. "I'm so fucking sorry, Sora."

I wrap my arms around him immediately.

"It's okay."

"No, it isn't." He pulls back just enough to look at me. "I found you lying on that floor and for a second I thought..." He stops, taking in a shaky breath. "I thought I lost you."

My own eyes sting with tears. “You won't lose me."

"I almost did." He scrubs a hand over his face. "The last few days have been hell, Sora. Everything felt wrong without you. I'd reach for my phone to text you something and then remember you were mad at me. I couldn't even enjoy being around Daisy because all I could think about was you."

I smile weakly. "You make it sound like we're breaking up."

He lets out a watery laugh. “Maybe because it felt like we did."

The room falls silent for a moment, neither of us willing to acknowledge just how true that statement is.

"I missed you too," I admit quietly. "Life felt empty without you."

Cameron nods immediately. "Exactly. You're my best friend, Sora. I can't lose you, and if dating Kade is what makes you happy then I'll live with it. I'll hate every second of it because it's Kade, but I'll live with it."

A genuine smile spreads across my face. “Thank you."

He shrugs. "I don't really have a choice. Besides, after today I realized something. I'd rather have you in my life dating my idiot brother than not have you at all."

I laugh softly.

"That's surprisingly mature of you."

"Don't get used to it."

We lapse into another comfortable silence before Cameron clears his throat.

"There is something else I think you should know."

I frown. "What is it?"

"When I brought you downstairs, Daisy was holding Kade's shirt." He watches my face carefully. "Nothing happened as far as I know. Kade said he threw it away because Daisy touched him, but I thought you should be aware."

He really wasn’t lying when he said that.

I shrug lightly. “I know.”

Cameron stares at me incredulously. “You know?”

“Kade told me.”

His brows draw together immediately, confusion replacing the relief that had settled over his features moments ago.

“That’s it?” he asks slowly. “You’re not upset?”

I shift against the pillows, wincing slightly at the movement. “Why would I be upset? Daisy touched him, he threw the shirt away and threatened to end her hand privileges. I think he handled it.”

Cam stares at me like I’ve suddenly started speaking another language. “Sora, this is Kade we’re talking about.”

“Yes, Cameron, I’m aware of your brother’s identity.”

“No, I mean…” He drags a hand through his hair. “You’re just taking his word for it?”

I frown. “Why wouldn’t I?”

He opens and closes his mouth several times before narrowing his eyes at me.

“Okay, something weird is going on.”

“What?”

“You’ve never trusted people this easily.” He folds his arms across his chest. “Hell, you barely trust food that’s been sitting in the office fridge for more than a day, but you’re taking Kade’s side without hesitation?”

I sigh. “Cam, I nearly died today. Can we not do this right now?”

“That’s exactly why we should do this right now.” He takes a step closer to the bed. “Sora, are you actually dating Kade?”

I stare at him. “What kind of question is that?”

“Just answer.”

“I am dating him.”

“You’re lying.”

My eyes widen, we were back to square one? And this makes no sense, he’s prodding me for believing Kade but isn’t this his way of saying he doesn’t trust Daisy?

“What?”

“You’re lying,” he repeats, looking oddly triumphant. “This entire thing is fake. It has to be. You’re barely reacting to another woman having his shirt, you’re defending him and somehow that’s even weirder because you never defend anyone.”

“Cam—”

“No, hear me out.” He begins pacing the room. “You don’t just wake up one day and start dating Kade. You hated Kade.”

“I did not hate Kade.”

“You absolutely hated Kade.”

“I found him annoying.” I mean who wouldn’t find the guy who teased her all the time as annoying?

“Same thing.”

“It’s not the same thing!”

Cameron points at me. “See? You’re getting defensive because you’re lying.”

My heart monitor lets out an irritated series of beeps. “Cam, please lower your voice.”

He either doesn’t hear me or chooses not to.

“You don’t have to do this, Sora. Whatever deal you two made, whatever stupid arrangement Kade dragged you into, you can tell me.”

“I am not lying.”

“You are.”

“I’m not.”

“You are because if you were actually dating, where is he?” Cameron throws his hands in the air. “You almost died and he left. Kade left you, Sora.”

I roll my eyes. “He stepped out for a bit.”

“Yeah, leave your girlfriend in the hospital and step out for air.”

“Cam—”

“No, because think about it. If Kade cared about you the way you claim he does, he wouldn’t have left your side.”

The steady beeping beside me grows faster.

“Please stop.”

“You’re covering for him.”

“I’m not covering for anyone.”

“You don’t have to pretend anymore—”

Kade walks in carrying two bags of takeout and immediately comes to an abrupt stop, his eyes land on Cameron, then on Cameron standing entirely too close to my bed.

The temperature in the room drops several degrees.

“Lovely,” Kade drawls, setting the bags down slowly. “I leave for twenty minutes and come back to find my brother practically in my girlfriend’s lap.”

He flashes Cameron a smile that contains absolutely no warmth.

“Mind telling me what the fuck is going on?”