The shock that ran through Cade was something he hadn’t felt in a good while. Seeing his high school crush come back to Chestnut Springs was not on his bucket list. Especially after hearing about how well they were doing out of the town.

Word gets around the small town quicker than anyone would admit. It’s not hard to hear if someone has to be doing exponentially good. That’s what Cade heard. Hearing how they were thriving out of the town and enjoying the life as one does caused some longing that he would rather roll in manure than tell.

He always played off the crush to be something that only a teenage brain can induce. But there was no denying the chemistry that the two had from the times where they were the closest. Back when Cade wasn’t all scowls and a ball of grumpiness.

Cade’s eyes locked on the familiar face walking across the bleachers at the rodeo, his eyebrows furrowed in concentration. The noise of his siblings chatter was lost in the wind. The gossip wasn’t lying, they did look like they were doing amazing. Just by the aura they exuded, he could just tell that they were enjoying themselves. And he wanted nothing more but to be involved into their happiness.

He wanted to see them smile because of him. Have them laugh at his jokes and talk to him like it was natural. It was something Cade wanted when he was younger and it’s something he wants now. That alone gave him courage.

Cade grumbled an excuse, standing up before slipping out of the bleachers. He maneuvered through crowds, hyper fixated on them. His body was practically moving on his own as he approached them, putting a hand on their shoulder to stop them. “Hey,” He said, gazing over at him with a certain softness to his tone and hardened expression.

Up close, he could get a true look. Observing every single detail about them, a small smile grew on his face. “Been a while, hm?” He mused lowly, the joke sounding better in his head. “You do remember me? Or do I just look crazy?” He asked, the thought of them forgetting him was horrific.