Chapter 39 Confrontation

Chapter 39 Confrontation
Tate

I knocked on Leo's door, gently pushing it open.

The little boy was still sleeping, curled up in his blanket, breathing steadily. His crutches leaned against the bed, reminding me of his injured ankle.

I walked to the window, pulling open the curtains. Morning sunlight poured into the room, gilding everything in gold.

"Tate?" Leo's voice came, hoarse from just waking up.

I turned around, smiling as I walked toward him.

"Good morning, buddy," I said, sitting on the edge of the bed, "Sleep well?"

He rubbed his eyes, nodding.

"Had a dream," he said, "Dreamed Brayden took me racing."

My smile became more genuine.

"Sounds like a good dream."

"Yeah," he sat up, looking at me carefully, "You look tired."

I froze. This kid was too observant.

"Just didn't sleep well," I said lightly, "What do you want for breakfast?"

"Pancakes," he said immediately, eyes lighting up.

"Okay," I stood up, "I'll have the kitchen prepare them. You wash up first, I'll come help you downstairs in a bit."

"Tate," he called out.

I turned around.

"Did Kade come see me last night?" he asked, a hint of uncertainty in his voice.

My heart clenched.

"I... I don't know," I said honestly, "Why do you ask?"

Leo lowered his head, playing with the edge of his blanket.

"He hasn't been coming much lately," he said quietly, "I thought... I thought he didn't want me anymore."

"No," I immediately walked back, crouching by his bed, holding his hand, "Leo, listen to me. Your brother loves you. He's just... he has his own problems to deal with. But that doesn't mean he doesn't care about you."

Leo looked up at me, tears glistening in his eyes.

"Really?"

"Really," I said firmly, even though I wasn't sure myself.

But Leo needed to hear this. He needed to believe his brother wouldn't abandon him.

"I'll talk to him," I added, "Okay?"

Leo nodded, gripping my hand tightly.

"Thank you, Tate."

My throat tightened. This child was too easily hurt, and I didn't know how long I could protect him.

Especially after things between Kade and me had become so complicated.

"Go wash up," I said softly, standing, "I'll come get you in a bit."

Walking out of Leo's room, I leaned against the hallway wall, closing my eyes.

I had to talk to Kade.

Not about the kiss—we could pretend that never happened.

But about Leo. About how much this child needed his brother's attention.

Even if it meant facing Kade. Even if it meant enduring that awkwardness and tension.

For Leo, I had to do this.

I took a deep breath and walked toward Kade's room. My hand was raised to knock when I hesitated.

What if he was still asleep?

What if he didn't want to see me?

What if—

"Stop overthinking," I muttered to myself and knocked firmly.

No answer.

I knocked again, louder this time.

Still nothing.

Maybe he really was asleep. Or maybe he'd already left for his morning run.

I was about to turn away when the door suddenly opened.

And there stood Kade, shirtless, wearing only athletic shorts.

His hair was wet, obviously just showered. Water droplets slid down his chest, disappearing at his waistline.

Our eyes met.

The air instantly solidified.

"I..." my voice stuck in my throat, "Sorry, I should have—"

"What do you need?" he interrupted, voice low, with a dangerous calm.

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to focus on his face and not his very distracting chest.

"It's about Leo," I said, trying to make my voice sound normal, "He... he feels like you're distancing yourself from him."

Kade's expression didn't change, but I saw his jaw tighten.

"I'm not."

"But that's how he feels," I insisted, taking a step forward, "Kade, he needs you. He needs to know you still care about him. This morning he asked if you came to see him last night. He thinks you don't want him anymore."

Something flickered in Kade's eyes—pain, maybe guilt.

"I would never—" he started, then stopped, running a hand through his wet hair, "Fuck."

"He's a child," I continued, my voice softer now, "He doesn't understand that you're dealing with your own stuff. All he knows is that his brother used to spend time with him, and now he doesn't."

"I'm trying," Kade said, and there was a rawness in his voice that made my chest ache, "I'm trying to do the right thing here."

"The right thing is being there for him," I said, "Not avoiding him because—"

I stopped myself, but it was too late.

"Because of what?" Kade asked, stepping closer, "Because of you?"

The air between us crackled with tension.

"Because of last night," I said quietly, "You're avoiding him because you're avoiding me."

Kade's jaw clenched so hard I thought he might crack a tooth.

"That's not—"

"It is," I interrupted, "And Leo is the one suffering for it. So whatever this is between us, whatever happened last night, it can't affect him. He doesn't deserve that."

Kade stared at me for a long moment, and I could see the war raging behind his eyes.

"You're right," he finally said, voice rough, "You're right. I'll... I'll talk to him. Spend time with him."

"Thank you," I said, relief flooding through me.

I turned to leave, but his voice stopped me.

"Tatum."

I paused but didn't turn around.

"Last night—"

"Was a mistake," I finished for him, my voice steadier than I felt, "I know. You made that clear."

"That's not what I was going to say."

I turned to face him, heart pounding.

"Then what were you going to say?"

Kade opened his mouth, then closed it. The vulnerability I'd seen moments ago vanished, replaced by his usual mask.

"Nothing," he said, "Never mind."

"Right," I said, trying to ignore the disappointment crushing my chest, "Well, Leo's waiting for breakfast. I should go."

This time when I walked away, he didn't stop me.

But I could feel his eyes on my back the entire way down the hallway.

And when I finally turned the corner, out of his sight, I let out a shaky breath.

This was going to be harder than I thought.

So much harder.