My voice was empty. Completely devoid of emotion.
“Caden…” Grae pulled me down onto a small couch in the space, keeping the ice pressed to my jaw.
“He’s got so much hate in him. And I don’t have the first clue why.”
Grae ran her hand through my hair, and I leaned in to her touch. “It’s because you’re so good.”
I blinked at her.
A sad smile spread across her face. “You care so deeply about others. You always have. You looked after Clara, are an amazing friend, and an incredible son. Seeing all that just makes Gabe see what he isn’t.”
I felt a burn deep in my chest at how Grae saw me. Growing up the way I had, there were times when all I saw as I looked at my life was failure. Knowing it was the last thing she saw…it healed something inside me.
I let out a long breath. “I don’t think Gabe gives a crap about that stuff.”
“Maybe not. But he cares that others see it in you. Even your dad, who’s the worst, has a begrudging respect for you. And you light up your mom’s whole world. He hates that.”
I collapsed back into the couch. “I don’t get why we can’t just celebrate each other’s wins. Hell, we’re working for the same company. We’re a part of the same damned family.”
“Because Gabe sees everything as a competition.”
I slid a hand along Grae’s jaw and under her hair. “I don’t like that he’s fixating on you.”
She leaned in to my touch. “I can handle Gabe. He’s an entitled butthole, nothing more.”
My lips twitched. “Butthole, huh?”
“He’s not even worth a dollar in the swear jar.”
I leaned my forehead against Grae’s, breathing her in. Then I shifted, hauling her onto my lap. I needed to feel her body pressed against mine. To remember that while my world was falling apart, I still had her.
Grae curled against me, keeping my ice pack in place. I didn’t know how long we stayed like that, but the ice finally began to melt, and Grae set it in a champagne bucket on a side table. Then she studied me carefully. “You okay?”
“Do I have you?”
“Always.”
“Then I’m okay.”
The door to the office flew open, and Nash filled the entryway. “We have a problem.”
A million curses flew through my head. “What now?”
A look of pissed-off concern flashed across his face. “There’s another fire.”
31
GRAE
Fear pulsed through me. “Where?”I asked, scrambling off Caden’s lap.
Nash glanced at Caden before looking back at me as if he didn’t want to answer.
“Where?” I demanded.
“Vacation Adventures.”
Caden cursed as he stood. “When?”
