Page 90 of The Obvious Check
“Wait,” she breathes, shock clear in her voice. “You’re engaged? Like, actually engaged?”
I take a shaky breath, suddenly aware of how insane it must sound. “Yeah. Cade asked me to marry him yesterday, and I said yes.”
Another brief silence, then a laugh filled with disbelief. “What the hell, Sav?”
“What do you mean?”
“You don’t date.”
“Yes, I do.” Even as the words fall out of my mouth, I know she’s right.
“You barely talk about anyone, and now you’re marrying a guy you slept with once?”
“Adley!”
“Sorry. His dog is cute, and you looked happy.”
“That’s because Iamhappy.”
“Good, but as your sister, it’s okay for me to be a little skeptical, especially since I thought you were pretty much done with men after Jeremy chose fighting over you.”
I rub my forehead. Jeremy’s name is causing me a giant headache today. “Jeremy and I were just friends. He didn’t choose anything over me. He didn’t have that option.”
“Mhm.” She sounded unconvinced and it felt ridiculous that I was defending myself against my little sister, but I keep going.
“It’s not crazy, I promise. We’ve known each other for over a year, and he’s incredible. Determined. Smart. He’s going to play hockey for the Atlanta Anglerfish next year.”
She pauses, absorbing it all before softly asking, “Does he love you?”
“Yes.” The answer comes immediately, confidently. I’ve seen it in the fierce protectiveness, the warmth in his eyes and the way he makes me feel safe and wanted. “Cade’s different, Ads. He makes me feel like I actually belong somewhere.”
With him.
“Do you love him?” Her voice is gentle, careful.
“Yes. He’s everything I could ever want. He’s gotten me through so much.”
Silence fills the line again, stretching uncomfortably. My stomach knots tighter with every passing second, my nerves taking hold. Did I say too much? Is she worried I’m rushing into something crazy or using Cade as an escape? Just as anxiety threatens to consume me, Adley finally speaks.
“Well, then I’m happy for you, Sav. You deserve it after everything you’ve been through.”
I let out a relieved breath. “Thanks. You do too. I can’t wait for you to meet him.”
“Really?” Skepticism colors her voice.
“I’m serious. He’s at a game tonight, but we’ll set up a video call soon, like last time.”
There’s a beat of silence, just long enough to make my chest tighten again before she scoffs quietly. “So over the phone like last time.”
“It’s all we can do.”For now, at least.
“Well, I look forward to meeting him, and would you mind holding off the wedding for another four years when I’m allowed to travel without my foster parent’s consent?” Irritation laces her voice, and I feel just as unsatisfied as her. She has no privacy there, but again, I’m finding it hard to hold back telling her about Fern.
So I change the subject.
“How’s school going?”
“It’s fine.” The response comes too quickly, forced.
