Kingsley Academy

Chapter 45

The next morning, we head back to the penthouse, and as we step through the door, something feels different. Kade has that smug look on his face, the one that tells me he's up to something.

"Why are you smiling like that?" I ask, narrowing my eyes suspiciously.

He shrugs, sliding his hands into his pockets. "Oh, nothing. Just thought I'd mention—I bought it."

I freeze. "You what?"

Kade's grin widens. "The place. It's ours. I bought it this morning."

I blink, trying to process what he just said. "You... bought it? You mean you bought it without me?"

"We were supposed to split it!" I say, stepping toward him, my voice rising with frustration.

He shrugs again, completely unfazed. "Yeah, well, I didn't want you to worry about it. I can handle it."

I cross my arms, glaring at him. "Kade, we agreed to do this together. I don't need you swooping in and paying for everything like I can't handle it myself."

He sighs, stepping closer and resting his hands on my shoulders. "I know you can handle it, Allison. But I want to do this for you. I want to give you everything you deserve."

I shake my head, my frustration bubbling up again. "It's not about what I deserve. We were supposed to be partners in this, and now it feels like you're treating me like... I don't know, like I need rescuing or something."

Kade's jaw tightens, and for the first time, he looks serious. "I'm not trying to rescue you. I just... I want to take care of you. Is that so bad?"

I take a step back, crossing my arms. "It's not bad, Kade, but it's not fair. I want to be your equal, not someone you have to constantly protect."

"Can you please not make a big deal out of this? Please."

I raise an eyebrow, feeling a spark of determination. "Fine. But you wait. I'll figure out how to get even."

"Van Arden, you can't top this," he says, laughing. "I bought us a freaking penthouse. Good luck beating that."

I roll my eyes, but a smile tugs at my lips. "Oh, I'll top it. You just wait."

After the whole penthouse situation with Kade, I step into the quiet of the bedroom, pulling out my phone and staring at it for a moment. I haven't talked to my dad much since... well, everything. But now that I'm moving in with Kade, I know I can't put off the conversation any longer.

I take a deep breath, scrolling through my contacts and hitting "Dad." The phone rings a few times before he finally picks up.

"Allison," he says, his voice rougher than usual.

"Hey, Dad," I say, forcing a lightness into my voice. "I wanted to talk to you about something."

"What is it?" he asks, distracted like always.

"Well... I'm moving in with Kade."

There's a long pause on the other end of the line. "You're moving in with him? That Kingsley boy?"

"Yes, Dad," I say, bracing myself for whatever response he's about to give.

He's silent for a moment, then his voice softens, weighed down by exhaustion. "I don't have the energy to argue with you about this right now, Allison. After... after what happened with your uncle, I'm still processing everything."

I bite my lip, feeling the heaviness of that statement. My dad lost his brother, and as much as I've hated him for what he did to me, I know it's been hard for my dad to deal with the reality of it all.