You Broke Me

Chapter 8

Cades POV

Today certainly hasn't gone to plan but I'm actually pleased with how it's gone. She let me in even if it's just the slightest. I don't know what it is about her but she draws me in like a moth to a flame. I have a feeling it is going to make what I have to do super hard. Trinity's words ring in my head. Don't do this, you don't know what she's going through. It makes me want to get to know her all the more. Can I get to know her without falling for her? Hell I almost found myself kissing her and for a second I thought she wanted me to. Her big doe eyes stared back at me. I won't lie, she is absolutely stunning. It also helps that it's easy to hold a conversation with her. Which is surprising considering she hardly talks to anyone. But her being shy and recluse leads me to believe that Trinity may be right. What is she going through? When she flinched outside, when I cornered her I could almost feel the fear radiating out of her. She thought I was going to hit her. I would never. It makes me wonder, has anyone hit her before? What happened to make Taylor the way she is?

Taylor left the room and I got dressed. The usual black slacks and a light blue button up with the sleeves rolled up. I walked downstairs to find my mom sitting at the kitchen island lost in thought.

“Everything okay, Ma?” I asked and she hummed.

“I was just thinking about things. You ready?” I nodded.

“Just waiting on the girls and dad.” she smiled. “Taylor seems like a nice girl. She's shy, maybe a bit skittish, but she seems sweet.”

I smile. “Yeah, she is. She's shy, but she's actually really nice and funny. She's smart too. I think we will get a good grade on this project.” which is the truth. She eyed me but didn't say anything. I know what she's thinking. She thinks I like her. If it was another time and another place I could see myself falling for a girl like her but I just can't. Cade Thomas does not fall in love. Love is a distraction. My parents have such a great love so how could I ever achieve something of that level?

Dad came out and kissed my mom's cheek. “You look wonderful love!” he said while kissing her forehead and she blushed. 20 years together and they still act like a couple of horny teenagers. Trinity came down the stairs and smirked at me and I raised my brow back.

“Where's Taylor?” Mom asked and my twin just lifted her chin to the stairs and that's when I saw her.

Taylor entered the room and I had to gulp. She was wearing a Navy blue dress. It had long sleeves, fit her like a second skin around her torso and fanned out in the skirt. It was modest, but she looked amazing. My dad leaned in my ear.

“What was that you said a while ago about love being for chumps?” he whispered so no one could hear and patted my shoulder.

“Taylor my dear you look wonderful.” mom said and walked up to her. I couldn't help but notice how Taylor eyed my dad wearily. Yeah, he was a tall son of a b***h. Tall and stocky, but he was the biggest softy. But Taylor was watching him like a hawk.

My mom turned to walk back towards me and raised a brow at me to say she noticed. She would certainly not drop the subject. Dad was oblivious. He reached out to shake Taylor's hand and she flinched. It was small, but I noticed. She took his hand gingerly and shook it.

“I'm Joe, Cade's dad. Nice to meet you!” she nodded but didn't say anything. I walked up to her and I could see the tension leave her body. We all piled in my mom's SUV and headed towards the restaurant. My phone buzzed and I pulled it out. It was my mom.

Mom: Do you know anything about her home life? she feels safe with you, but she's jumpy. And even though your dad wouldn't hurt a fly, she acted like she was terrified of him.

Me: I don't, but I can try to find out. I doubt she'll tell me.

Mom: Well, discuss it later.

I looked at my mom and nodded discreetly to her in the mirror.

“You okay?” I asked her quietly. She looked at me with her big doe eyes and nodded. Her knees were still bouncing and her hands were fidgety. Out of reaction, I reached over and intertwined my fingers with hers.

“Are you sure it's okay if I come to dinner? This place is fancy. I don't want to intrude.” I could hear the nerves in her voice.

“Of course. Mom isn't going to take no for an answer.” Taylor sighed and leaned back in her seat. Once we got to the restaurant dad handed the keys off to the Valet driver and we walked inside.

“Reservation for Thomas.” dad said and the hostess nodded. She gathered menus and we followed her inside. I was positive Taylor would bolt at the first opportunity so I made her walk in front of me. I'm not complaining, the view from back here was amazing. What? I'm a guy.

The table was round and mom and dad sat next to each other with Trinity next to Mom. Taylor sat next to me.

“A bottle of Wine please,” mom asked and the waiter nodded.

“So Taylor, is Cade treating you well?” I almost choked on my water.

“Yes. We're just working together on the project though.”

My mom smiled. “Of course. Of course! So you're in the same grade yes? Excited about graduation? Have any colleges been picked out?”

I sighed. “Mom...” Taylor chimed in.

“It's fine. Yes. I am. I haven't given much thought about what I want to do. Maybe nursing or psychology but I'm excited to get out of this town. I've applied to just about every college in the surrounding area.”

Why is she so set on leaving?

“I'm a doctor up at the hospital. Well, I'm a pediatric surgeon. If you ever want to get in the medical field just let me know. I would be happy to help!” She nodded and clasped her hands in her lap. Her knee started bouncing again. She was nervous. Why? She had no reason to be.

The waiter came back and we ordered our food. After much protesting from Taylor that is.

“So what do your parents do?” what's with all the questions?

“What is this? An interrogation?” Mom kicked my shin from under the table and I let out a quiet yelp.

“I'm just trying to get to know Taylor.” Taylor looked at her lap, I saw her gulp and then raise her face.

“My dad is a police officer for the city.” she mumbled. Looking at her posture and how she seems to practically shut down, I'd venture to say she doesn't like her dad.

“And your mom?” jesus christ I'd like to throttle my mom out of the damn restaurant.

“Uh, I don't know. My mom left 10 years ago. I haven't heard from her since.” I turned towards her and saw she was meeting no one's gaze. She just looked down. Her eyes were glassy and I could tell she was sensitive to the subject.

“Alright that's enough questions.” my dad whispered to my mom.

“I'm sorry dear. I didn't mean to upset you.” she took a deep breath and I could see her set her shoulders and lift her head high. Almost regal.

“It's alright. I don't really talk about it much so it still bothers me sometimes. I'm used to people leaving though. My brother left too. He joined the army and never looked back. I've tried talking to him but after about a year he just gave up on us I guess.'' I felt so freaking bad for her. Trinity was right. Taylor has got some demons in her closet.

“I'm so sorry. So it's been just you and your dad all this time? You poor thing. I just want to hug you!” Taylor flashed a small but still bright smile at her. She looked at my mom as if she had 5 heads. But that's just how my mom is. Always taking in strays, super affectionate. But with Taylor's mom having abandoned her id guess she didn't have that kind of attention. That kind of mother's love.

I couldn't help but look at her in a new light. No wonder she's always quiet. I'd have to talk to her about it when we're alone. The rest of the dinner goes well. There's talking, laughing, and jokes. Taylor Actually came out of her shell. Turns out she and Trinity have a lot in common too.

After dinner, I decided it was time to drive Taylor home. It was already 930. She gave me the address and it plugged it into the GPS. Sure enough, she was right. She was just over 13 miles away from my house.

“So you want to talk about it?” she looked at me questioningly.

“About what?”

Once I got to a stoplight, I looked at her.

“That's why you're so quiet at school. The thing with your mom and brother?” she nodded.

“Among other things, yes. I don't need to pull anyone else down with my problems. I'm better off alone. The sooner you realize that the better. I'm no good for anyone and I never will be.” she looked out the window as I started driving again. She can't possibly think that can she?

“You really think that?” I asked and she shrugged.

“There's no point in thinking anything else. There's got to be more than just abandonment issues going on here."

We pulled into her driveway and I put the car in park. The house looked like once upon a time, it was loved and cherished. But now the siding was dirty, the lawn was unkempt, the roof looked like it could use replacing, and the front porch looked like it was rotting and going to collapse. There were bottles on bottles of beer overflowing the trashcans and cigarettes lining the yard. The house looked like it had been forgotten.

“Can I ask you a question? And you answer honestly?” she looked at me and bit her lip. God, I wanted to bite it myself. Stop Cade. just stop.

“It depends on the question,” she replied.

“Are you okay? And I don't mean it like that. I mean, Are you safe? Are you okay? You have been full of nervous energy all night, don't think I forgot you flinching when you first got to my house. Before you got warmed up to my dad you looked like you wanted to crawl under a rock and hide. You're afraid. You're scared of men. You were scared of me.” there she goes again with the fidgeting. Her knee bounced.