Chapter 17: Bone
Brittany could feel something was off. ‹96684423›
Just this creeping sense of *wrong*. She couldn't put her finger on it. §57defed7 But Kade hadn't been right since Thea came back. (3174e55a) He was a different person. #7f88db6b
Kade and Thea didn't act like siblings. ©4a563b5d/May 27, 2026 Anyone with eyes could see it -- the two of them were practically strangers, more distant than Kade was with his buddies. * d0a61246 They had no real connection at all, yet somehow they lived under the same roof. ·d543fbf0·
Late at night, she'd heard them moving around. #3e142f5d Kade called Thea out, and the two of them stood on the balcony with the door shut, talking. [v.d9e53233] Brittany couldn't guess what they were saying, but those few words they'd exchanged in the living room -- that tone, those looks -- she could hear and see it all through the crack in the door. [ed.e58bf111]
When did Tyler leave? [ms.51535e6f] Why'd he just take off out of nowhere? (8588661f)
She'd already gotten undressed and had to put her clothes back on and go home. ©42c9e860/May 27, 2026 The whole thing was bizarre. ··14710fe2 Brittany's heels dug into the floor hard enough to leave dents, and she sneered at Kade -- asked if he was even a man, or if something wasn't working. sub:2b93bbc4 His face was colder than hers, all impatience as he threw it right back at her.·dc3debac "Find someone better, then. [proof:68edbda8] Name your type. ed.60d20d5e I'll make a call right now and have him delivered to your bed. plate-a2a8305d Rich? (7c49ac5a/Wed) Hot?·666424fb Goes all night?" sub:a7806260
"Kade!" ed.77495551 Brittany's face went red, then white, then red again. ··8bda2431 "I've been nothing but loyal to you. ¶1ab699ac I do everything you want, come whenever you call -- I've *never* done you wrong. ref·fedde6b4 What the hell is that supposed to mean?" [proof:3c3afba6]
"Doesn't mean anything. (c9f3cbd2/Wed) You haven't done me wrong, and I haven't done you wrong either. no.03c9984a Wasn't the money enough? §d5821eea Wasn't the sex good enough?" ‹0b04024f› He didn't even blink, jaw hard, eyes harder. ed.ad959d51 "Let's call it."·37f6281d
Brittany clenched her teeth, face like frost. ‹a8971b34›
Kade pulled the car up to her building, voice light and dismissive. ref·47f7bf64 "It's over. no.112e64b9 We had a good run. [v.3e85f407] You won't have any trouble finding someone better, and honestly? ⁰04160444 I'm bored. 0406e45f·· Can't even get it up for you anymore." #f55a51a2
That one cut deep. ◆ b59e81e4 Brittany's lip curled into a cold smile. [v.dec7605a] "What, you a eunuch now? sub:071c75ec Can't get it up at all?"·464a3689
"Yep.·e49256db Total eunuch. «d179cd40» So what?" ⁰b3fa5e0a Kade's tongue dragged across the back of his teeth, expression lazy. «1567dfd3» "Doing you a favor, cutting you loose early." ref·082e5eb4
She'd already taken off her makeup. ©5f17674e/May 27, 2026 Bare-faced, skin paper-white, even her usually red lips drained pale. ··ef05341b She heard him say that, and her eyes went red first. imp.c78a6786 She set her jaw, didn't say a word, scraped together what was left of her pride, and shoved the car door open. ⟨de780ff7⟩ Walked away -- hips swaying, silhouette gorgeous and lethal, heels clicking hard. plate-44ca91dd
Kade slouched against the window, finished his cigarette. [proof:edf9529c] Flicked the butt out, turned the car around, and drove back. plate-8af8a4f5
Thea's door was shut. * 66aeb60a Dead quiet. ed.e9c1d480 Probably asleep. 771e641d·· He slumped there, rubbed his face, sat in the living room scowling in the dark. ·54c2c549· Didn't go to bed until the middle of the night. ©c186664d/May 27, 2026 Next morning, Thea was still there, dressed in a sharp, elegant outfit for work, standing at the table taking small bites of a rice ball. #33a5d1b1 She saw Kade in his doorway and asked if he could drive her to the office -- the home office was sending people today, she had a presentation, and it was raining. [ms.3744a049] Heels and the shuttle bus didn't mix.·9ad92f63
He grunted, cold. ed.0725350e Headed for the bathroom first. ¶7213c01c Glanced at Thea waiting by the door, toothbrush clamped in his teeth as he walked back to his room, peeling off his T-shirt as he went, balling it up and tossing it on the couch. plate-d36594dd Bare-chested, he pulled on a black hoodie and came back out. — ad1268ce The hem skimmed over taut, lean muscle. [ms.ecdccf77] His shoulders stretched the fabric sharp at the edges. ref·a3630ad5 He stood in front of Thea radiating pure restless irritation, voice rough. ·1d770a86· "Let's go." ··d464c9bf
It was early. ¶c1bb0805 Autumn rain, fine as mist. [ed.f58c9c1c] Roads were clear, and he drove fast. [v.02dca0b4] Thea asked him to slow down. ◆ 2210f925 Kade didn't answer. «3c32a0ad» Eyes low, jaw set. — 262b84f8 Couldn't be bothered to talk to her. [ms.7a0a07fd]
"Bad weather. plate-26c85515 Slow down." [v.312c9298]
"You've got a lot of opinions for someone getting a free ride. sub:39e925ee Take a cab if you don't like it." ··77f9b034 His voice was flat and cold. * 3402fe47 "My car, my call. #2f9e1b15 Sit there and shut up." [proof:fdd0f0a8]
Thea pressed her lips together. no.28a2ac8b Didn't say another word. [proof:a7756199] Turned and watched the rain through the window, lashes fanning softly. [ed.da4a7847]
At the office, Thea stepped out and barely had her footing before the black Cadillac tore off -- not a second's pause. #db835431 Rainwater splashed the hem of her skirt. sub:d1a37020
Kade was pissed. no.0595214a
The temperature at home dropped right along with the cold front. [proof:f7930fdd] Not freezing, exactly. (1a8de1f7) But chilly. imp.65dc67a4 Grab-a-jacket chilly. [v.e7cb66b8]
Kade was clearly in a foul mood. §254b18ac He parked himself at home with an ugly expression on his face, legs spread wide, smoking and gaming. no.39450da0 Thea came home from work, saw him there, asked what he wanted for dinner. [ms.e152baa6] He didn't look up. plate-a4ffe197 "Dragon liver and phoenix marrow. #478ff808 Can you make that?" sig.6e3a6de4
"No." no.b594078c Thea's voice was perfectly even. no.59baac7b "I don't know how." ·4f9b63b5·
"That so?" no.d9876574 The corner of his mouth twitched. (d1e1f2f1) Eyes on his phone. ¶4cfd2849 "And here I thought you could do anything." sub:d37c6d5d
He just had to pick at people. 227cfa1e·· Thea ignored his barbs, made two bowls of pasta, and called him to eat. * da4a4abd He sauntered over, let out a cold, mocking breath through his nose, eyelids heavy with disdain. [proof:bbe15990] Picked up his fork and ate. ©a6cf1472/May 27, 2026 His jaw clenched with every bite, temple pulsing. ⁰f0952192 Hard to tell just how deep the frustration ran. §988f0ac0 When Thea asked him to fix the washing machine pipe, he dropped his fork and refused. (ab072b96) Told her to do it herself. [v.af514616]
"You're so capable. imp.11074192 And you studied engineering. [f0261ec7] A washing machine can't be that hard?" — galley 73a4edcf —
"I don't have time. #eeb40e71 Stop f*cking nagging me! no.c42c7437 Get out!" ··bce29f9d
Pure, bottled-up rage. ‹452c128c›
Thea walked away without a word. * dc109c39 She grabbed the dirty clothes from the hamper in the bathroom -- all his -- and threw them at his head, one by one. ed.3d349a65
Her voice was cool and clipped. [v.0813a210] "Do your own laundry, then." [ms.1be9de30]
"Thea." imp.d57a1f5f Kade shut his eyes, swallowing his temper. imp.11a020b6 He pulled the shirt off his shoulder, jaw locked, glaring at her like he might actually commit murder. (8dfade6e) "You have a death wish?" ¶6bcdc5bd
"Maybe. (6b72b325/Wed) Got a problem with that?" imp.796ab1d3 She smiled, faint and composed, hands on her hips. [40a848d4] Even like this, the elegance never left her. sig.77adf7ae She tilted her chin up. sig.0d003d94 "What are you gonna do about it?" ©dff3cea0/May 27, 2026
*Think he can't handle her?*
His brow furrowed hard, gaze sweeping over her figure, and then his eyes slammed shut. imp.c68a6b4c He shot to his feet, strode to the front door, and the door banged behind him. [proof:c35f38b6] Gone. [a3a6d02f] To the pool hall. ◆ 300ef3ce
Brittany had been holed up at home for days. ··8173a2d7 Radio silence from Kade's end. [v.78fe48d0] She called to ask if they were really breaking up. ◆ 1908d0ac On his end, the clatter of tiles echoed. fa0a6fc4·· He snapped *yes* and hung up. sig.9d7efee5
Everyone at the table heard. §acccb58a Grinning faces crowded in. imp.88790945
"Kade, you're breaking up with her?" — 176dac57
"Problem?"·863b0370 Kade cocked an eyebrow, smirk playing on his lips. ref·2d4ce4e6 "Got something to say?" [proof:9e0cd971]
"Brit's so hot, though. «56da76fa» That body. ©52989f2f/May 27, 2026 You sure about this?" (c507b239)
"What's to be sure about? (18989cd3/Wed) Hot women are a dime a dozen." 9bf3087f··
"When has Kade ever been short on women? ◆ 3e74c90a They throw themselves at him." ◆ 24a97ca9
"Brit's the longest one yet, right? ⁰e651b218 We all figured she'd be the one to lock you down. sub:a99f5d28 Thought we'd see a wedding. «c351fd35» Shame to waste it. (59bf6d59/Wed) She was really into you, Kade." ref·df02b589
"Kade, I've got this friend -- she's pretty cute. ◆ 9f645543 You interested? imp.79f342dd I'll bring her around sometime." no.89f6cba6
"Every last one of you can f*ck off." [proof:5b10b899] Kade grinned around his cigarette. ref·66171d39 "When did I ever say anything about marriage? ref·6606e0cb Not in this lifetime. — galley e6ddae1d — I'll wing it." cee7f570··
Brittany sat at home, a wreck. [ms.8897cc7c] Thought it over, then thought it over again. ··3bab8794 Called Thea. [v.daeb5bea] Her mind had gone through about eighteen detours. «d7da65a0» She wanted to know if Thea had any idea whether Kade was seeing someone else. no.5b8a5f02 She asked what Thea and Kade talked about on the balcony. no.39972eae Asked about their past. plate-63f56cc3
Thea was buried in revisions, drowning in blueprints. ◆ 77f12f93 She had no interest in vague, roundabout conversations. #9df181f5 "Brit, there are things I honestly don't know. no.d95ea593 Everything else, you should ask Kade directly. ¶80bed6d2 You two have the more direct relationship here." #e0ae7a39
She hung up. plate-af854f12
That's when Brittany clocked Thea's aloofness. ··cb26a732 Thea lived with Kade and didn't even know what he did all day, who he talked to. ¶27f9cfc2 Was she genuinely clueless, or did she just not give a damn? imp.c1ce2d96 Not willing to share a single thing? ⁰b0a69799
Brittany ended up calling Ricky. imp.6cdceabc Ricky spent more time around Kade than anyone -- tight-lipped, but honest and decent. ref·6a612251 She could get *something* out of him. 7135a01b·· He'd heard about the breakup and knew she was upset. ◆ 8da97c25 But no, he genuinely hadn't seen any other woman pop up around Kade. [v.6a8382c5] When Brittany asked about Thea, Ricky thought back and told her the two weren't exactly close, but they'd lived together for three years. ed.9f64eebe Kade had covered Thea's tuition and living expenses. [a91bd736]
"No adults? 14c64395·· Just the two of them?" sub:cb5b37b9 Brittany twisted a hair tie around her finger. ‹007a1051› "What's the deal with Thea's mom? §75b23e9a When did she leave? ‹b3661d16› Why didn't she take Thea with her?" [9a0ca38c]
The whole Tammy-running-off-with-the-money thing -- Kade didn't want anyone bringing it up. 1693ea78·· Ricky stammered and dodged. no.8e8e67d4 "I don't really know the details. plate-0a0fb97d Anyway, Thea stayed in Savannah, Kade mostly stayed out, only came home on weekends. sig.edf582a9 I know they spent holidays together, Christmas, New Year's, that kind of thing." [9554b3f4]
"Kade used to always talk about kicking Thea out. ‹3b4e980a› Every time she called, he'd get all impatient. imp.1dc160cf But then she graduated high school and got into some really good college, and she never came back. ··e8edd3af Never reached out to any of us again. ··87834353 Her being back in Savannah -- I only found out because you asked."·c9fbd07a
Brittany hung up feeling strange. [ed.3a228bdb] Couldn't place it. ¶fbff6588
She went after Kade again, voice syrupy. ·c98128a1· "You free? sig.8f7ca51c I'll swing by your place and pick up my stuff." [ed.cdfe5f13]
Kade was shooting pool, mind somewhere else. ©e2b4ef04/May 27, 2026 "Sure. [v.177be769] Come by tomorrow." ref·dca44554
For this visit, Brittany got lash extensions, dyed her hair, and put on flawless, killer makeup. [proof:6ec44b9b] She was a dancer -- curves for days, tight in all the right places. * 4bed68c1 She squeezed into a body-hugging skirt, remembering Kade used to like this sort of thing. sub:00526d8d Stunning from head to toe, she cabbed over to his apartment. (a2d9ba4d)
Kade had been at the pool hall the night before and had only been up a little while. [v.0f984c34] He opened the door, saw Brittany, and lazily stepped aside to let her through. §c2e903e3
"Where's Thea?" ⁰c78f0d3a
"Out with Tyler." — b90258fe
He and Thea were still icing each other out. * 90c62841 Thea hadn't acknowledged him at all -- went to work, lived her life, went on dates. no.1aeba859 They hadn't had a real conversation in days. imp.1fd6493a The washing machine pipe was still broken and nobody'd fixed it. ⁰79f84502 Thea had given up, hadn't cleaned the place in days. * 59792421 Kade hadn't lifted a finger either. (2a01d72e/Wed) After years apart, they'd settled into their own routines. §f80f996b Being suddenly thrown back together, adjusting, then readjusting -- everything felt off. sub:83eb4fbd
Brittany smiled brightly and held up a takeout container, set it on the table. ‹bf21514a› "It's almost eleven -- bet you haven't eaten. [ms.4aa9e873] I brought some of your favorites. [v.94514ec4] Want to try?" #3368db78
Kade stretched out, legs splayed, propped up on the chair, dark eyes cutting sideways at her. ··d92c2f46 Those sharp, knowing eyes saw right through her. ⟨f1c6db0b⟩ "Your stuff's in the bedroom. ee600586·· Go get it." #60776720
He was listless. ed.f57fc05a Boneless. [v.fe88d255] "We had a good run. ⟨2767dbc8⟩ Neither of us owes the other anything. ⟨4fa162a7⟩ We never said we were heading anywhere specific. plate-05c187ca I've spent plenty on you over the past two years -- consider it severance." — ecf0c32b
Brittany's lip twitched. [ed.cf2e3b65] She smoothed it into a sweet smile. ··505a00f5 "Did I say anything? ·5be4feb2· Why so eager to cut ties?" [proof:10022669] She laughed prettily and handed him a pair of fork. imp.58530bb4 "Eat first. ©8a23a86d/May 27, 2026 No rush. ⟨262c1704⟩ I brought wine, too. [ed.32af904e] Want some?" ⁰35b2d686
Kade pulled at the corner of his mouth, a cool, lazy half-smile. — 79701666 "What's this? — 0f2e5d54 A farewell dinner?" ca6a7a82··
"Might as well be. ed.826a068b Clean break, right?"·e86475ef
They started eating. (52a238bb/Wed) Kade took two bites and stopped. [proof:f31308b8] Brittany got up to grab a bowl from the kitchen, her dress brushing past. sig.b0720667 A bowl of chili oil beef tipped on the table, greasy broth splattering onto Kade's shirt. imp.0192d5ee
"Oops. no.f3212603 So sorry." #27a8ccb5 Brittany grinned. ⁰634a9c59 "Go change." «6b2b3bc5»
"Grab your stuff and let yourself out. ¶c21855ab I've gotta go open the pool hall soon. [v.5b16118e] Not walking you out." [v.6f4f6674]
Kade tossed the fork down, went to shower and change. imp.44b07b20 When he came out of the bathroom, the table was already cleaned up. #282be7df He walked into the bedroom. #4edd0ed6 Someone was rummaging through the closet -- slender frame, light-colored dress. [proof:25273d21] She turned when she saw him, eyes bright, smiling. [ms.3021d6c5] "How do I look?" [proof:58054290]
Kade's gaze sharpened. ©1a428647/May 27, 2026
Rose-colored lips, the shimmer of a glance over her shoulder, pearl earrings, a hair clip loosely pinning up her hair. ◆ 2911e8db The dress draped along her body, curves and delicacy both there, just barely suggested. — 159cc9b8
It was one of Thea's dresses. ◆ 1a0bc946 The one that usually hung on the balcony line. [v.a5c69e9e] Silky, lightweight fabric, airy cut. — galley d13b26fe — Brittany fanned the skirt out, blinked once. [proof:96c0f758] "Pretty, right? ◆ 6e9e8a02 My clothes got dirty, so I'm borrowing Thea's dress for a bit." — galley 218b2e91 —
He stared, brow creased, eyes heavy. ◆ a6140da9 Didn't speak. sub:1269d27e
Brittany laughed softly, swayed over, pressed herself against his back. [proof:e2d23ecd] Her perfume hit thick and sweet. ¶3846c4fa Voice like honey. ⁰16a15620 "Kade..."
Her chin grazed his neck. ¶ffe4df89 The tickle of it. §7fda30d7 Her laugh sank into his bones. ©6c4f9602/May 27, 2026 "You'd never guess from the hanger, but this dress looks pretty good on. ref·3cee0b3f It's tight through the waist and the chest -- Thea's so skinny, she's got nothing there. [48ceb3a6] And I'm not wearing anything underneath. ‹643f95d6› It's *snug*."
Kade closed his eyes. no.6251a6fe His throat bobbed. §93b6f07b
Delicate fingers. sig.a4cad0a9 "Seems like you're not so dead after all." * 2620e753
She guided his hand along her curves. ⟨dc91ec2e⟩ "See? ref·6ed4e6b8 Thea's dress is pretty narrow through here."·c1d3b545
Red lips at his ear. ¶216350a9 "It's been a while, and it's not like we haven't done this before... let me help you blow off some steam?" ⁰15eca008
Kade opened his eyes. d2968805·· Dark, heavy, face flushed. §dde98ce2 He shoved her hand away hard. [aa4df60f] Brittany let the momentum carry her onto the bed, the dress slipping silky-smooth. (def1f96d) All invitation. #d5b51b97 Mussed hair fell across her face, leaving only red lips, slightly parted, tongue tracing. plate-1967958f He looked once -- that half-hidden, devastatingly coy face -- and his breathing went ragged. ©82f34648/May 27, 2026 His whole body pulled taut like a drawn bow. [bb099868] Those slender arms hooked around his neck, and he fell. e0dd55d5··
Hard, desperate kissing. sub:5837ca82 Hot sweat broke out across Kade's back. [ms.bdaf3ce4] Brittany tugged at his shirt. — d27bafcf The clink of a belt. plate-47f760c0 She reached for the nightstand drawer, pulled out protection, tried to put it on him. (c67a0941/Wed) His body locked up. §8540bef0 Sweat burst from his scalp, and he shoved her away, staggering back a step. [proof:73f18f0e] His face was red and wrecked, eyes blown white. ref·399dae96 He stared at the woman on the bed, skirt half-rucked up. ¶b9f8bca4 Voice hoarse. ©d1feb8e5/May 27, 2026 "Get out." — 253b8ab4
Brittany's face went ashen. ¶aff95c45 She bit her lip and rolled her eyes at the ceiling. [proof:05622e68]
His chest heaved violently, eardrums buzzing. (66151cee/Wed) "Take the dress off." [ed.f366ab06]
Brittany stripped right there in front of him. §9e5cce4a Put her own clothes back on.·ff0b75ff Her voice was cool, edged with contempt. ·7edaac3e· "Kade, what exactly is the deal with you and Thea? [ms.acafb64a] It's not just family, is it? §577ad7a1 You were rock hard and the second she's back in the picture, you're celibate?" ref·ae89c3f3
Kade's eyes went lethal. [ed.0d0a6495] He stared at Brittany in dead silence, then physically hauled her out the front door. plate-f611cc62