Smiling through the pain

Chapter Eleven

*Kade's POV*

"See you around" Nike says as she makes her way through the crowd. I stare at Ma's number on my phone, debating whether I should answer or not. I look around once making sure Pa isn't near me and hide behind a clump of bushes before I answer.

"Hey Bub" Mom's cheery voice comes from the other side. "Hi Ma"

"Where are you?" she asks. I faintly hear the sound of keys clacking as Ma types out something. Busy as usual. "Pa forced me to come to his business parties" I answer. I peep around the bush and skim over the crowd once more for Pa. There's no one I know around me other than a group of girls giggling near my bush. Well shit.

"The ones where he invites all the heads and they're all drunk halfway through?" she asks. "Yep those parties" I answer with a chuckle. "How's basketball going?" she asks nonchalantly. "Good. They made me the co-captain"

"That's amazing Bub!" she exclaims. I hum in reply while peeking out once more. Silas towers over the crowd as he looks around. For me. I freeze as soon as his shades turn towards me.

"Listen Ma I've got to go now"

Silas' bald head shines under the lights as he saunters towards me; the crowd parts as he walks. I'm so fucking dead now.

"Love you Bub"

I quickly walk out of the bushes and grab on of the girls standing near my hiding spot. She turns bright red as I drag her away into the crowd. Silas simply turns towards us and continues walking. I sigh while stopping in front of one of those horrendous chocolate fountains and lean against a pole, waiting for Silas to come and kick my ass for running away from Pa. The girl stares at me with huge green eyes, clearly startled.

"Act casual" I mutter as Silas walks up towards us. The girl continues to stare at me clearly bewildered. Great.

"Your father wants you to meet someone" Silas booms. "I've met everyone already"

"Now" he adds with a scowl.

I scowl back at Silas before stuffing my hands into my pockets and following him. He leads me into the building and towards Pa, who's seated under a huge chandelier. He's talking with another man while sipping on wine. Caroline sits next to Pa in a red gown, her ash blonde hair in a bun. My eyes land on their intertwined hands making hatred simmer in the pit of my stomach. That bitch.

"Mr. Brooks" Silas says with a nod before walking off. I stand behind Pa waiting for him to say something. Caroline decides to ignore my presence and merely smiles at the man who gives her a lopsided grin. His cheeks are pink; he's drunk.

"This is my son, Kade. Kade, Mr. Solace" Pa mumbles after an awkward silence. Mindy's father?

I offer him a small fake smile. He nods, gracing my presence. "Will you be spending the night at our house?" Caroline asks in her sickly sweet tone. It's like it's reserved, just for me.

My phone vibrates at that moment. I glance at the text from Nate:

Nate: where u

Nate: at ur place

"Definitely not at your house" I reply with a huge fake grin. Caroline pretends to look hurt but I can see the happiness swimming in her eyes. Pa clears his throat and says, "You don't have to be rude. Caroline's offering nicely"

NICELY?! That's nice? That bitch just enjoys your sympathy. It's not like she wants me to spend the night after all that she's done to our family. Our house, my ass.