I rip myself away, skirt around him, and race outside, hoping the fresh air will finally let me take a deep breath.
The bright sun and humidity hit my face. The wind picks up, plastering my dress to my body.
I’m on the verge of tears, and I hate it.
I need to escape.
I run as fast as my heels will carry me on a dirt road and climb into my car. I kick off my shoes and toss them in the backseat before speeding away.
I don’t care how hard he chases; I won’t let the devil catch me.
11
Caden
By the time I catch up with Cat, she’s gone. All I see is the dust from her car, leaving a path in her wake as she speeds down the treelined drive. I frown, not sure where she might have gone.
I want to follow her.
Wyatt comes to stand next to me, looking off in the same direction.
The question that comes out of my mouth is telling, but I can’t stop it. “Do you know where she’s going?”
Wyatt shoots me a sidelong glance. “Is it any of your business?”
“Nope.” That’s honest, because it’s not. Except it feels like it is, like maybe I’m partially responsible for her distress. My jaw clenches. I made a mistake provoking her this morning. Now I need to rectify it. “But I still want to know.”
Wyatt shifts, addressing me directly. “And why’s that?”
Why is that?It’s a valid question. One I don’t have a good answer to, so I make a statement instead. “She’s upset.”
“Yeah.” He squints at me. “Do you think you can change that?”
“Probably not.”I’ll probably make it worse.
“Then why should I tell you where I think she’s gone?”
Brothers aren’t something I’m used to contending with, especially ones as protective of Cat as Wyatt and Jackson are. Again, I go for honest. “Because I think I can help with her struggle.”
“By making it worse? How does that work?”
I shrug. “Sometimes things have to get worse in order to get better.”
“Fair point.” He raises a brow. “Is there something going on between you and my sister?”
I slide one hand into my jeans pocket. Don’t have a great answer to that, but he’s already at the truth anyway, so what does it matter? I give him a sharp nod. “Yeah.”
“I thought so.” He crosses his arms over his chest. “One of the VPs at the meeting took a liking to her.”
At his words, my gut tightens. “Can’t say I blame him.”
“You should have seen her back in the day.”
The statement niggles at me, and I chase it down. “Care to explain?”
“Not really.” He flashes me a grin. “I told her if the guy asked her out, she should go for it.”
I grind my teeth at the prospect of her dating someone. Of his hands on her.