Chapter 16

A few songs in I felt the shots start to take effect. I was dancing and laughing with Darby. Nora and Alex had joined us, even Emma was on the dance floor grinding all over her new husband who had a huge grin on his face. Darby danced behind me and I danced up against her laughing.

"Damn! That's not something you see every day!" Alex grinned watching us.

"You're a shameless flirt you know!" I laughed at him.

"So I'm told!" He winked at me holding on to Nora as he danced with her.

Darby was twerking in front of me. Suddenly she stood up and leaned toward me. "Kade is watching you." She told me in my ear. I glanced around and sure enough, he was sitting at a table across from us. His tux jacket was gone and his bow tie was undone, he was holding a beer and staring right at me. I grinned at her and started grinding against her. She giggled. "Good idea Addi. Make him jealous of me?"

"Don't think it will work?"

She laughed. "No, find a guy to dance with if you really want to piss him off." Nora heard her and moved to Alex in front of me. "Dance with him. That will get his attention." I laughed at them and continued to dance. I looked across the yard to where Kade was sitting and smiled playfully at him. He just glared at me. Well if he was going to be an asshole then I'd make him regret it. I turned around pressing my back into Alex who was dancing with me.

"Addi you are really going to piss him off. This isn't a good idea." Alex shook his head at me and moved back to Nora.

I looked back to where Kade was and he got up from the table walking away. I guess he realized what I was doing. I sighed and grabbed Darby's arm. "I need another drink, Dar."

"Ok, but when you are puking later do not blame me." She led me off the floor to the bar. I took two more shots and decided to go to the bathroom. Darby lead me into the house when we got inside the foyer Darby stopped in front of me.

"Dar what are you doing the bathrooms down the hall." I moved around her and then I realized why she had stopped. Kade was standing at the bottom of the stairs with his arms around Sara's waist.  Her arms were around his neck and she was leaning into him smiling.  I felt like someone had knocked the breath out of me.

"Addi come on, let's just go," Darby whispered pulling my hand. When she did Kade looked up and our eyes met. The color drained from his face. He immediately let go of Sara and she stumbled back. "Addi it's not what it looks like she's drunk and I was just going to help her upstairs." He walked toward us.

"Upstairs to your bed Kade?! Don't bother ok! I mean you don't owe me an explanation we aren't together right?!" I screamed.

"Addi! Come on let's just go. Remember it's Emma's night and the backyard is full of guests." Darby tugged on my hand but I didn't move.

"I don't care, Dar! I really don't give a fuck anymore!!" I screamed. I was drunk, exhausted, and broken-hearted. I really didn't care what people thought I couldn't take anymore.

"You causing a scene at your own event could ruin your career. Please come on. We can get more shots if you want??" She smiled at me.

Kade just stood there staring at me. Sara was leaning on the stairs and really didn't have a clue what was happening.

"Sure why not maybe you can call up that stripper of yours.  I'm sure he has a friend for me right?" She grinned knowing exactly what I was doing.

"Yeah if you want.  Come on."  I turned to leave with her.

"Damnit, Addison!!! Stop trying to make me jealous!!" Kade growled.

"Why would you be jealous Kade?! You don't want me to remember!!"

"Addi... I.. you know that's not true.  I don't know what I want.  I just need some time ok?"  His eyes pleaded with me.

"Take all the time you need Kade!!!! I don't care anymore!!!" I screamed.  Darby tugged on my hand and pulled me out the front door. She leads me back to the reception to tell everyone we were leaving.

"Nora, can you stay with her so I can go get our stuff?" Darby asked her.

"I don't need a babysitter! Just go." I yelled at her. She turned and left. I sat down and put my head on the table. A hand touched my shoulder and I sat up.

"Addi..." Kade was towering over me.

"What do you want? Come to stomp on my heart some more?!" I yelled bitterly.

"Addi, come with me I just want to talk." He held out his hand and I hesitated. He looked so good and I wanted nothing more than to run into his arms but I wasn't sure I wanted to be let down again.  My heart really couldn't take much more.

"You've said enough Kade.  I'm good I don't need to hear anymore."

I looked up at him.  Tears brimmed his eyes.  "Please baby?"  He whispered.  How could I tell him no now?  Seeing him hurting only broke my heart more.

Darby came back carrying our bags.  "Ready Addi?"  She looked around Kade giving me a questioning look.

"I'll be back in a minute." I told her my eyes never leaving Kades.  I took his hand and he led me back to the house, upstairs to his room.  He escorted me to his room and closed the door.  The room has been cleaned and looked nothing like it had last night.  The furniture had been rearranged, everything else was gone except for the bed and two sitting chairs.  Kade took a deep breath and looked at me.

"Addi nothing happened with Sara I swear she's in Emma's bed passed out if you don't believe me go look for yourself."

"What difference does it make? Even if something happened you made it clear that we aren't together!  So your free to do whatever you want!"

"Addison! I don't want anyone but you! Look at me!" He yelled and I jumped. He had never really yelled at me before. I looked up at him and he held my gaze.

"I love you. And I know you love me. Everything I said last night was because I'm scared. I'm scared I'll hurt you, baby. I'm scared I'll lose my temper and scare you away. I'm scared I'll lose you. Hell, I even scare myself sometimes I wouldn't blame you for running away." He ran his hands through his hair and I could see his hands shaking.

"You are scared to hurt me? Everything you said last night hurt me. Every time I begged you and you turned me down. Every time I looked at you today and you acted like I was some stranger. It hurt. No one has ever hurt me like, you do. Grant cheated on me and it didn't hurt this bad! And do you know WHY it hurts so bad?! Because I love you more than I love myself!! You're scared?! So I am! You have all the power, Kade. I can't say no to you! If I could I wouldn't be standing here right now!" Tears streamed down my face I was so physically and emotionally exhausted that I couldn't stand anymore I sunk into the floor.

Kade sat down on the floor and touched my arm.  "Baby I'm so sorry.   See this is exactly what I didn't want to happen I never want to hurt you.  I want to be the reason you smile not cry. Please Addi let me fix this." He lifted me into his lap.  He sat with his legs crossed and I straddled him wrapping my legs around his waist and burying my head in his chest as I cried.  He ran his hands down my back trying to smooth me.  "I love you, Addison Hayes.  I only want you, baby.  Addi please stop crying you're killing me."

I raised my head and looked at him.  "I love you. Please don't put me through this again my heart can't take it."

"I won't babe, I'm sorry.  No matter what happens I want you.  Don't ever forget that."  He wiped my eyes with his hands.  I nodded as he leaned in kissing me. His kisses calmed my nerves and for the first time all day, I began to relax. He held me for a while before he spoke again.

"Why don't I call James to come to get us? He can drop Darby off too. I want you to stay with me." I nodded and he pulled out his phone. A few minutes later Kade gathered up his stuff and we headed outside to find Darby. Emma and Ryan must have left while we were inside, the white limo that was out front was gone. Most of the guests had left and the rest were saying their goodbyes. Darby was standing with Nora and Nicole. The boys we always hired to clean up had shown up and the rental companies were backing in trucks to pack up.

"Dar, are you coming with us? James will be here soon to pick us up."

"Us huh? You're going home with Kade." I nodded and she smiled. "Good. I can catch a ride with Nora if you don't want me interrupting."

"You're not interrupting anything. We will drop you off its on the way to Kade's anyway." She gathered our things and soon James was here to pick us up. The three of us climbed in the limo. Kade pulled me against his side and I laid my head on his chest closing my eyes. A few minutes later Darby spoke.

"If you hurt her again I'll be forced to kick your ass." Kade laughed.

"How much did she tell you?"

"Everything. Good job on putting Grant in the hospital by the way. He deserved it. I never liked his cheating ass."

"Not something I'm proud of. I didn't have to hurt him that bad. I really didn't intend too but when I saw him on her I lost it." He sighed.

They must think I'm asleep. So I just stayed still to see what else they would say.

"Don't blame you.  I probably would have kicked his ass too."  Darby told him.  "She loves you.  You are the only man she's ever really loved please be good to her.  She's like a sister to me and I hate to see her hurt."  She sighed.

"I'm going to try my best to make her happy.  I never want to see her hurt either.  I'm glad she has you looking out for her."

I didn't hear anything else they said because I actually fell asleep. I only woke up for a few minutes when Kade took off my dress and put me in his bed. He climbed into bed wrapping his arms around me. I snuggled close to him and went back to sleep.

The next day I woke up and looked over at Kade's alarm clock. It was ten a.m. I couldn't believe I'd slept that long. He came out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist and his hair dripping wet.

"Good morning beautiful. How do you feel?"  He smiled down at me.

"My head hurts but I feel much better." I smile up at him taking in his appearance.

"Like what you see babe?"  He smirked at me.

"Of course I do.  That towel is the best thing I've seen you wear yet."  I winked at him and he laughed.

"I would take it off but I'm supposed to be at dad's in thirty minutes for  brunch with Emma and Ryan before they leave on their honeymoon."

"Oh well I'll just get going then I wouldn't want to make you late again."  I sat up.

"Why don't you come with me.  I'm sure Emma would like to see you."  He sat down on the edge of the bed leaning over me.  "Besides I wouldn't mind being a little late."  He kissed me and before long the towel was discarded on the floor.

An hour later we finally made it to the estate.  I didn't have any clothes at Kade's so we had to stop by the apartment where we found Darby wrapped around her stripper friend on the couch.  Turns out Kade knew her friend they went to the same high school.  Matt was his name he had been a freshman when Kade was a senior.  Matt apparently was very popular with the senior girls even as a freshman so he and Kade had hung out with each other a lot at parties.  After their little bromance reunion, we had finally left for the estate.

Tyler opened the door.  "Kade late again I see.  But there's no rush really your sister isn't here yet."  He laughed and then smiled at me.  "Good to see you here Addison.  I assume you two made up."

I smiled at me.  "Yes, we did.  Thank you for everything you said last night you were right."  Kade looked at his dad and then me questioningly.

Tyler laughed.  "Nothing for you to worry about son.  Please come in.  Mary has a whole table full of food, come eat.  There's no telling when the newlyweds will show up."   We went to the dining room and the table was full of breakfast foods.  Eggs, fruit, toast, bacon, pancakes, waffles, everything you could want for breakfast was there.

"Who is going to eat all this?" I asked and Tyler laughed.

"We are apparently.  Mary gets a little carried away sometimes."  He laughed.  "Kade I spoke with the detective on Grant's case this morning.  He ended up with a concussion and two broken ribs but he is fine.  Lucky for him, he is being smart and not pressing charges.  He doesn't want anyone knowing about this so he is keeping quiet."  Kade just nodded but I could see his hands were shaking in his lap.  I reached and took his hand.  He smiled at me.

"Thanks, dad."

"Your welcome son.  I would have taken care of it,  if he decided to force the issue.  Personally, I believe the bastard deserves it."  He smiled at his son and Kade laughed.

"Addison I wanted to tell you what a wonderful job you are done with the wedding.  It was well worth the money in fact you probably should charge more my dear.  Everyone wanted to know who was responsible for the event.  You're going to have a lot of business coming your way.  I think you should think about expanding that company of yours.  Hire a few more girls and you could be running every event in town.  I could help you do that if you'd like."  He smiled warmly at me.

"Really? That is so sweet of you to offer but you don't have to do that." I smiled at him.

"No, I don't have to.  I want to.  It would be a great investment for me Addi.  Your great at your job and there is no reason why you shouldn't be the best event planner in town."

I wiped a tear from my eye.  "Thank you so much.  Of course, I would love to expand I just haven't had the money to do it."

"Great I'll get you the money this week and you can get started."

"Oh, I actually took this coming week off.  I haven't had a vacation since I graduated from college."

"Good for you.  We can wait until next week then Addi.  Kade, you should take the girl on a proper vacation.  A Jacobs vacation is the only way to go my dear."  He winked at me and I laughed.

Emma came thru the door with Ryan running behind.

"Sorry, we are late!! We uhh overslept!!" Emma smiled brightly at us and Ryan laughed.  She elbowed him and he stopped.

"Overslept huh sure sis.  Ryan why don't you turn your shirt around man."  Kade laughed at him.  Ryan's black t-shirt was backwards with the tag hanging in the front.

We all laughed as Ryan cussed and fixed his shirt.  "Kade leave your sister alone.  She's married now I would expect no less.  Besides I'd like some grandkids one day."  Tyler grinned at Emma.

"I'm in no rush dad we have plenty of time," Emma told him blushing.

"I'm not rushing just a suggestion darling now can we eat I'm sure this damn food is cold."  He laughed.

As we ate I looked up and Emma was sitting across from me smiling at me.  She caught my eye and nodded toward her brother and then smiled again.  I guess it was her way of saying I told you so.  I just laughed and shook my head.  After we ate my phone started vibrating in my pocket.  It was Darby texting me.

Have you seen the tabloids?  Omg Addi you need to go look!!!! Call me when you do!!!

I held my phone up and everyone looked at me.  "What is it, babe?"  Kade asked.

"I don't know Darby asked me if I'd seen the tabloids she said I needed to look at them."

"There's no telling what those jackasses have come up with now.  I'll get my laptop and we can have a look."  Tyler said getting up from the table.

While he was gone we all searched on our phones.  When I came across one story I couldn't believe my eyes.