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ut you have no idea what it’s like” Kaden shook his head

Abby sed over the lump in her throat

He stepped forward, his chocolate eyes softening along with his voice “You don’t knohat it’s like to have to hide all of this from everyone Isocial life Set aside the fact that I have no cell phone, no computer, or access to the internet, or that my jeans are last season and have tears in them and not because they’re fashionable but because I can’t afford a new pair If people knew that our power gets shut off once every four months, ould they say?”

She opened her mouth to protest, but he continued, “Kids at our school aren’t always the nicest If they found out oods at a food bank three towns down just so that he’s not seen, what do you think they’d say then? Yeah, we’re not the only ones struggling, but people around here aren’t very forgiving They don’t want to see you struggling And when they do, they just look down on you even lanced away from her

Abby curled her hand around his ar more than to hold hi powerless to do so She could see how much this admission cost him already So, she took his acceptance of her hand and her support instead, relieved when he didn’t pull away These were the only gifts she had to give

“I didn’t knoas that bad, Kaden But you don’t have to be embarrassed withhis gaze with her own, refusing to have him look anywhere but at her

He ran a hand over his face, then returned his dark eyes to hers and said “It’s hard sometimes It shouldn’t matter, and it doesn’t I hate that I’et so mad because my dad He doesn’t deserve any of this, you know? I mean, yeah, he chose a profession in an area that makes it hard to h, but the leftover bills fro sick is what made it impossible It’s unfair, you know? If she were here with us, it’d be worth it One hundred percent But she’s not, and he has to work his butt off to pay for the fight that failed in saving her She’s been gone for years, and he’s still catching up Maybe he never will With his job in the community, he can’t lose the house And Sophie, well, she really gets the short end because she’s suffering by paying for a mom she never really even had in the first place”

Abby opened her arms, and Kaden all but fell into the

The warmth of his breath tickled her neck as heto have ain, and I know my dad would, too I don’t mean to sound like I wish—”

“Shhhh I know,” Abby said, stroking his back

After a h to kiss her, a soft brush of the lips before they parted “Are you sure you’ll be okay speaking with Anna Gutman alone tomorrow?”

Abby nodded “Totally Spend some time with Sophie and your dad”

“Looks like toet out of here”

She pressed a finger to his soft lips, silencing hi Monday”

“Monday” Kaden dipped his head and with a final brush of his ainst hers, opened the door and stepped inside