I feel him before I see him.
It’s like a sixth sense or something, but I swear it’s like an invisible force that wants me to turn around. So I do, and come face to face with those intense blue eyes gazing at me. My breath catches as if that force just knocked the wind out of me. Caden walks right over to me, completely ignoring the looks his family is giving him, and he kisses me. Those hands cup each side of my face as mine land on his waist. The kiss doesn’t last too long, but it’s still just as powerful.
When he pulls away, I’m stuck in a daze for a second. Getting my bearings back, I glance up to ask, “What was that for?”
“Just needed some sugar, small fry,” he explains with a wide grin.
“I vote to never witness that shit again,” Cason deadpans.
“Cason, leave them alone.” Mrs. Harlow tells him, and I bite my lip to hold back a grin. Caden’s family is so much more than I thought. Granted I was a ball of nerves before, but now I shouldn’t have been. From the moment Caden’s mom saw me, I instantly felt as if I belonged here. The Harlow family is loving, caring, and they do make great company. They make me feel as if I’m a part of their family, and for the first time in a long time, I welcomed the feeling.
“Don’t worry about him, Mama,” Caden says as he pulls me under his arm. “Cas is just being a Debbie Downer.”
“I am not,” Cason snaps back. “I’m sorry I don’t want to see any of your PDA all up in my face.”
Shaking my head, I wonder if Cason is always like this. I’ve seen two sides to him. One is just like this, kind of cold and bitter. Then that other side can be very sweet and caring. There’s just more to him than he lets on, and it makes me curious to know more. “You do realize once Carter and Shelby get here, they’re goin’ to be ten times worse right?”
“You don’t have to remind me, Caden.”
“How about we move this outside,” Caden’s dad cuts in. Caden and Cason glare at each other for a few more moments before they concede.
Cason is the first to leave, and I glance up hearing Caden’s loud sigh. “Everything okay?”
The rest of the Harlow family follow behind Cason, and Caden rubs my shoulder. Once everyone but us is outside, he finally answers me. “I’m good, small fry. Cason just irritates me sometimes.”
“Isn’t that what brothers are there for?”
Grinning, Caden says, “I reckon so. Come on, small fry. I want you to meet Caleb.” Nodding, I follow him outside to the back porch. Cason stares at us, but at least now it seems as though he’s not as grumpy. Mr. and Mrs. Harlow stand by the grill, and Clark sits off to the side drinking a beer. The one brother I haven’t met yet is pulling out a cooler and sets it close by Caden and me. “Caleb, I want you to meet my small fry.”
Caleb snaps his gaze to me, and I hold out my hand. “I’m Savannah, or you can call me Savvy.”
Caleb takes my hand, and I don’t miss his quick glance to Caden. “Nice to meet you.”
He and Caden share another look, and I ask, “What gives with you two?”
Before Caden can answer, Caleb says, “Oh it’s nothin’. Just shocked Caden finally brought a girl home.”
Frowning, I turn to Caden. “You’ve never let anyone meet any of your previous girlfriends before?”
“I told you, small fry,” he begins as he turns to me. “You’re different from anyone else. You’re perfect.” Not knowing what to say, I stare at him in amazement. Now in the back of my mind, I know this is more than us being fuck buddies. I also know it means there are strong feelings here, but for once it doesn’t really scare me. It seems at every turn, Caden continues to break down the walls around my heart, and the warming sensation in the pit of my stomach tells me all I need to know.
I’m falling for him.
Standing by Caden’s mom, I let out a laugh as she tells me more stories about Caden as a kid. Feeling his gaze on me, I look across the porch seeing him smiling. I’ll admit, being here most of the day has been wonderful. I’ve met so many of the Harlow family’s friends, and even though I can’t remember most of their names, it’s been a great day. I even got to meet Shelby, and I instantly liked her. She’s so friendly and down to earth. The love she and Carter share is something amazing to witness. She and I have talked a lot since she and Carter arrived, and I have a feeling we’re going to be close friends. She even introduced me to Annie and William Barrett. The love they have for Shelby was so pronounced, I thought they were her grandparents. However Shelby explained they were more of family friends to everyone else, but to her, they were like family. I feel like there’s a story behind it, but I didn’t want to pry. I didn’t feel as though it was the right time to ask, and I quickly agreed when Shelby asked me to come over one night to hangout. The only thing about today that I wish was different was how Clark still hasn’t warmed up to me. I saw Caden talking to him a while ago, but I wonder what his deal is. Even if Clark is dealing with his demons and doesn’t like me very much, I’m glad Caden brought me here. The Harlow family is wonderful to be around, and the love they have makes me wish my parents were here. It feels like home, and I could see myself coming over to see the Harlow family every day if possible. They’re just a tight knit family that a girl like me would love to be a part of. Being away from my parents has been hard, and feeling the way I do now, it makes me realize what I had all along. I’ve been so consumed with finding who my mother is that I missed what was right in front of me. But if I never knew about my birth mom, I never would’ve met Caden. If I hadn’t made the trip to Mississippi, I would’ve missed out on all these wonderful and loving people.
Caden’s gaze never wavers from mine, and he begins to walk toward me when he stops suddenly. Everyone’s gaze snaps to Carter as he walks to the middle of the porch, and asks for everyone’s attention. I smile seeing Shelby immediately go to him when he glances her way and wraps his arm around her. “I want to thank everyone for comin’ over to help celebrate my baby brother’s accomplishments today.” Carter stops for a moment to look at Caleb, and I see the pride written all over Carter’s face. “I’m so proud of you Caleb for all you’ve done and for graduatin’ at the top of your class. You’ve yet again shown and proven you’re the smartest Harlow brother.” Smiling as everyone chuckles at Carter’s joke, I’m sort of proud of Caleb too. It’s an unexplainable sensation because I don’t even know Caleb. However it’s there. Caleb raises his beer toward Carter and gives him a firm nod. “I also wanted to ask someone special to me a very important question.” Everyone, including me, gasps loudly when Carter drops to one knee in front of Shelby. The surprise is evident on her face and as her hand covers her mouth. “Shelby Ross, I’ve loved you since I was six years old. From the moment I laid eyes on you on that playground, I knew I would spend the rest of my life with you.” My eyes begin to water with Carter’s heartfelt words because anyone that isn’t blind can clearly see the love he has for Shelby. “I know life hasn’t been kind to us, but none of that matters now that you’re here with me. Every day you show me what a strong and beautiful woman you’ve become, and I know if you say yes, you’ll remind me for the rest of our lives how grateful I am to have you.”
“Just ask her already,” Caden yells, and everyone laughs loudly.
Carter shakes his head, but he has a huge grin on his face. “Since I’m bein’ rushed,” Carter says then turns his attention back to Shelby. “Will you do me the honor of becomin’ my wife?” With Shelby’s nod and her yes, we all cheer for the happy couple. Blinking the tears away as they embrace, I can’t believe I got to witness this. I don’t know Carter or Shelby, but their love somehow shines so brightly that I couldn’t help but feel it.
As the people at the party congratulate Carter and Shelby, I feel a gaze on me. Glancing up, my eyes lock with Caden’s. Sucking in a breath at the intensity of his gaze, it’s as if everyone around us disappears. I wouldn’t have believed it if anyone else had experienced this and was telling me about it, but just with one look, he’s telling me how he feels. Those blue eyes have been hiding the truth, but a part of me has always known how he felt. There’s just no way I can miss it now. My heart drums loudly in my chest and ears, and I have to suck in a deep breath realizing how deep his feelings run.
That’s a man with the look of love in his eyes.
A love so strong that it knocks me back with such a force I have to rub my chest.
Shitfire. He’s in love with me.