Chapter 4
Chills run through me and it’s not just from the cool air. I’ve gone from despising Barrick to being unable to breathe when he’s near me. The one thing I’m certain of is that I don’t want to share him with anyone else.
As I stand gazing at the stars, wrapped in his arms, I finally feel at peace. We don’t say a word until we hear the lead singer announce that it’s five minutes until midnight.
“Come on, let’s go back inside,” he says as I feel my clutch begin to vibrate. I quickly unfasten the clap and check my text. Dad. I pause to read the message and Barrick looks at me with confusion.
Dad: Cade, I hope you made it home okay. I’m sorry I haven’t called, but I couldn’t let this year end without telling you how sorry I am for how things ended here but no matter what happens, I will always love you.
“It was a text from my dad,” I state while putting my phone away. I have no intentions of replying.
“What did he say?” Barrick questions.
“Just trying to make himself feel better and wondering if I made it home okay. Let’s just go in and not let this ruin an amazing night,” I say, trying to move on from this subject.
“I think you should tell him you’re okay. It’s the right thing to do.” Taking a deep breath, I know he’s right and take out my phone.
Me: I’m home and fine.
Sliding my phone back into my purse, I walk back into The Loft with Barrick to find Jade and Aaron as the crowd begins the countdown.
Ten…Barrick wraps me in his arms…Nine…I look up at Barrick…Eight…Barrick looks into my eyes…Seven…Six…Five…Four…Three…We count down with the crowd…Two…Barrick pulls me in close…One…The crowd erupts around us but we haven’t moved. I can’t look away.
“Happy New Year, Barrick Carpenter,” I say as he smiles before giving me a sweet kiss on my lips.
“Happy New Year, Cadence Lewis. I know it’s gonna be one of the best,” he says confidently. “You wanna get out of here?”
“Yes,” I say. There’s nothing I want more than time with Barrick as the text from my dad weighs on my mind.
Barrick
As we leave The Loft, I know exactly where I’m taking her – the same spot we visited last night. I only wish that I were the only thing on her mind. Seeing the look on Cadence’s face when she got the text from her dad just about did me in. She was having such a good time and then one text almost ruined our night. I was surprised she didn’t run away like she usually does. I hope I’m having a positive effect on her. I lace my fingers with hers as I drive and she glances over at me.
“Where are we going?” she asks.
“Oh, just to a little place I thought you might like,” I say quietly, as I turn onto the dirt road.
“Barrick Carpenter, is this our spot?”
“If you want it to be.”
I park the truck and tell Cadence to wait while I grab a blanket and my jacket from the extended cab. Once I have the tailgate down and the blanket laid out I walk around to the passenger side and help Cadence out. I lead her to the back and place my hands on her waist to lift her up onto the tailgate.
“Here’s another blanket in case you’re cold,” I say as I take a seat next to her.
“Did you know you were going to bring me out here tonight?” she asks with a slight grin.
“Maybe,” I say as I nudge her shoulder and the sweetest laugh escapes.
I take her hand as we lie back on the blanket and stare at the stars while we take in the peacefulness around us.
Cadence speaks up. “You know how everyone makes a New Year’s resolution?” I nod in agreement. “Well, I don’t want to make a resolution because I never follow through with them. I want a genie to grant me a wish instead.”
“I don’t know a genie, but I know the next best thing,” I say as I look into the perfect Southern sky and see a shooting star.
“Oh, my gosh, was that a shooting star?” she asks.
“Yep! Ever wished on one?” She shakes her head no. I guess it’s hard to see a shooting star in the city with all the street lamps. “Now might be a good time.”
She closes her eyes, takes a deep breath and then opens them again. Just then, the big man upstairs sends her a shooting star.
“Cadence, that one was for you. Make your wish,” I say as I point to the sky.” She closes her eyes again and I can tell she’s making a big wish. Once she’s done, I wrap my arm around her shoulder and she snuggles into my side.
“That looked like a big wish.”
“It was. I wish that my dad put me first. I wish that my mom and I were important to him. But most of all, I want him to be here for me. I don’t want his money or gifts. I just want him. My mom has always been there and I know she’ll never leave me, but he’s always put work before us. When he would actually spend time with me, it was always too short and now I don’t even get a phone call. Just a text when he has time. And now… now he’s moving to Sweden with her and… and… they’re going to have a… a… baby. I’ll never see him.”
Cadence breaks down and starts crying on my shoulder. I can’t believe this man, who barely has time for his grown daughter, is going to be any kind of father to this baby. I know more than ever that I want to be the one that is here for her.
I wipe away her tears as I continue to hold her in my arms. Then I cup her cheek as she opens her eyes and looks at me. I slowly guide her perfectly plump lips to mine and she doesn’t pull away. Our lips fall in tune and we let them express everything our hearts are feeling.