*Monroe's POV*The second Cade’s step dad walks into the room I understand why he doesn’t like him. That look he’s giving me is the same look that used to make me want to crawl out of my skin when it started coming from my dad’s friends. I instantly put my walls up and school my features into the look of cool indifference that I’ve perfected over the years. I’m thankful that our conversation is cut short when Sue comes in and tells us that dinner will be in 20 minutes. I take the opportunity to remove myself from the situation before I can do something I’ll probably regret.I head into the kitchen and say, “Is there anything I can help you with?” “Oh, sure. That would be wonderful. How about if you set th

*Monroe's POV*Hearing those words coming from his mouth makes my heart feel like it’s being shredded into pieces. Is that really what he thinks of me? That I’m just some spoiled little rich girl? God, I’m such an idiot! I knew who he was right from the start yet I still thought I would be different than all the others. He knew exactly what I needed to hear so that I would sleep with him. With the tears streaming down my face, it’s a miracle I make it home in one piece.I run straight to the basement and take several drinks straight from a bottle of whiskey. A pang of longing crushes my heart as I think about how much I wish my mom was here to hug me and tell me everything will be okay. I consider calling Maddy and Charlie, but I really can’t bear to explain my entire history right now

*Monroe's POV*On Saturday, I get a text from Maddy saying that Mackenzie is having another party that night and that I’m invited. I decide that I’ve spent more than enough time hiding. I need to be there for Maddy and Charlie and I need to stop letting Cade ruin my life. I promptly text Matt, asking if he wants to go with me. If I’m gonna show up to this, I’m gonna need him there with me. I tell him to meet me at my house at 8pm and we’ll have a couple drinks and go together.Alright so I need to look hot as fuck for this thing. I start tearing through my closet before I decide to take a page out of Maddy’s playbook and wear a black lace bralette that is definitely not supposed to be worn as a shirt and a tight black leather skirt that covers only a couple inches below my butt. I put on a choker necklace, straighten my hair,

*Monroe's POV*As I stand there holding onto Cade, the hole in my heart feels full again. I tried so hard to hide my past, and yet, telling Cade felt like a giant weight was being lifted off my shoulders. He knows everything and he’s still here. “You know what you said earlier about me taking your heart with me?” I say into his chest.“What about it?” I pull back and look into his eyes and say, “Well, you have mine, too.” He leans down and kisses me with so much emotion that it overwhelms me. It’s like I can feel all the things neither of us is capable of putting into words. He pulls away and presses his forehead to mine. 

*Cade's POV*When we walk into the kitchen, Mom smiles and says, “Oh good, I wasn’t sure you two would make it down here.”“Yeah, unfortunately we were interrupted,” I shoot back.“Cade!” Monroe yells in shock. “Your door has a lock to prevent such interruptions,” she says.“Okay! Can we not have this conversation now? Or like ever really.” Monroe says, her face closely resembling a tomato.“Alright, fine, but you guys are setting the table,” she says. “Deal,” Monroe says, clearly relieved to have something else to do.