It All Started With a Diary

exchange

Surprise, Surprise! Kade's first POV! Enjoy 🤍!

"Life is the first gift, love is the second, and understanding the third." – Marge Piercy

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Chapter 76
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|Kade|

My head snapped back as Levi landed another punch so hard, it rattled me. Son of a-

With a curse, I swept my fingers over my bloody lip. I scowled at his smirk. Cocky motherfucker.

I returned to my stance, even though it had landed me at least three punches from Levi so far. I didn't have it in me to give a shit right now, though.

"If I hit your sorry ass one more time, I'm going to tell Adrian to call this shit off," Levi grinned, wiping the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand. "What's up with you, man? Something with your girl?"

I shook my head, pulling in a breath; I was exhausted. "Just some shit at home. And no, it's not what you think."

His brows rose before he let them fall. "Your mom?" He motioned for me to put my arms up, then he swung, but this time I weaved, immediately aiming the fucker in his temple. It would have connected, but he blocked it just in time. "She being a bitch, again?"

"Don't call her that." My voice held an icy still.

Levi stared back at me with a look of disbelief. He was shocked. Hell, I was, too.

Ever since the talk with Susie a couple days ago, things were...strange to say the least. I had no idea if that was a good or bad strange.

Kimberly said that it was all about time, so I held onto that belief with more hope than I'd had in years. But, since things were as peaceful as they could be right now, I wasn't going to complain.

My mother and I, as odd as it sounded, were okay. Not best friends, but okay.

It was better than nothing. It was more than anything we ever had. Surely more than I ever thought we'd have.

Levi squinted at me in confusion before stepping away. "Okay," he drawled with uncertainty. "Since when did you like her, or even remotely respect her?"

With an eye roll, I began to undo the tape on my wrists. I was done with training for the day. "I don't like her, I just...respect her, now. We talked over our shit, and things have been better, I guess. Or, they're getting there. That's it."

That was all I would say for now. Levi and Luke were the only people other than Kimberly that I would trust with my life. But, the wounds were too fresh. I didn't want to talk about my mommy problems when I had my girl to get home to.

The thought of her made my insides flutter until it left a impression. I tried to suppress it, but when it came to her, every single feeling was raw.

For the first time, I was okay with that, with feelings, even the ones that I hated. Because I was trying to know them as good as they knew me, so that I could handle them better, as my aunt said. But I didn't want to hold back when it came to my person. That was the best part of it all, showing it to the woman who was my air, my reason, and my best everythings.