Chapter 172
CADE
Sophie took time swallowing her mouthful of wine. I knew instinctively that there was something she didn't want to say.
"Sophie," I said. "Did she?"
Slowly she shook her head. "No. I mean yes..." She bit her lip. "I'm sorry but I can't tell you. I don't want to cause any more trouble between you two."
"Tell me," I urged.
She patted my arm. "No. It's going to hurt you really bad. Besides I'm sure she said it out of anger. I mean, no one who really loves her mate would say things like that and from what you said she really loves you. I'm certain she didn't mean all those terrible things. Just let it go, Cade."
But I wouldn't. I couldn't.
"We're friends, Sophie, aren't we?" I said.
"Of course!"
"Then tell me."
Sophie sighed and put down her glass.
"Well all right," she said unhappily. "When I asked her why she was angry with you she told me she was tired of you."
"Tired of me! You're sure Hannah said that?"
Sophie nodded, her eyes sympathetic. "She said you are and have always been emotionally immature, that she has always preferred Jace."
I bit down hard on my lip. I was angry but I reined it in. I wanted Sophie to tell me all of it because I had a feeling there was more.
"You're angry," she said, laying a comforting hand on my shoulder. I thought about denying it but didn't. I said nothing. "I knew you would react like this. That's why I didn't want to say anything."
"Was that all she said?"
"Well no... She told me you were pathetic, always acted tough but literally did nothing and that even if you eventually decided you wanted to be with me, she wouldn't be upset. Good riddance, I believe she said. Cruel words. Just for the record, Chase, I don't believe her. You're the best man I've ever known. Even though we haven't seen each other in a while, you can't have changed much."
I was barely listening to Sophie now. Thoughts, angry thoughts, buzzed like bees in my head.
How could Hannah say all these about me? All I had ever done was love and protect her and this was what I got in return?
Thrown aside like a used rag! The worst part was she didn't even have the decency to tell me all this to my face.
So much for the fucking mate bond!
"Cade?"
Sophie's arm was on my elbow. With a slight start, I realized she had been talking to me.
"Are you alright?" she asked softly. "Do you want me to-"
"Leave." Damn! That had come out sharper than I had intended. In a softer tone I said, "Please leave. I want to be alone for now."
"I understand. I'll be there if you want to talk."
I waited until the door had closed behind her, waited until I couldn't hear her retreating footsteps anymore. Then I got up. I went to Hannah's room, entered without knocking.
Hannah was laughing, her face radiant and carefree. Jace sat next to her feeding her strawberry and yoghurt. He held a spoonful next to her mouth. He let the yoghurt dribble down her lips and chin.
Hannah made a grab at the spoon. Jace let some of the yoghurt splatter on the floor. Hannah giggled and mock punched him on the shoulder. They were so caught up in each other they didn't notice me standing there.
"Is this what you want?" I said loud enough to be heard over the sound of their laughter.
Hannah looked at me, then away. She smiled at Cade, gestured for him to keep feeding her. I rushed forward and knocked the bowl of yoghurt off his hand. It fell to the floor with a wet splat.
"Hey! What was that for?" Jace said, sounding more surprised than angry.
Hannah sprang to her feet, eyes blazing.
Finally, a reaction, I thought savagely.
She pointed a trembling finger to the door.
"Get out of my room!" she barked.
Jace slowly rose. "Now now. Let's all calm down, sit and talk things o-"
"Stay out of this!" I told him.
Jace threw up his hands. "Fine. I just didn't want you two biting each other's heads off." He took a couple of steps back.
I walked up to Hannah until I was right in her face. "What did I ever do to you? Why are suddenly treating me like I'm trash?"
"Because you're fucking pathetic," she said.
Pathetic.
The word stung like a whip. It was the exact same word Sophie said Hannah had used. If I had any lingering doubts that Hannah hadn't said those things they were gone now.
"Now get out," Hannah said.
I didn't need to be told twice. I stormed out of the room.