But I should have realized that Cayden worked out. He was fast, and in about two seconds flat, he was next to me and keeping pace.
“Where are you running to?” he asked. I could hear the hesitation in his voice. Like he wasn’t sure if it was okay to tease me or not.
“I just want to go back,” I said as I slowed my gait. My whole body felt heavy. It was like I was walking around with a hundred-pound weight on my chest.
It was strange, going from feeling completely free to being overwhelmed by the stifling feeling that came over me when reality reared its ugly head.
The reality of Cayden’s life. The reality of Dad and his new fiancée. The reality that I struggled with change and feeling out of control.
I enjoyed that, these last few hours, I’d felt like I could possibly be someone else. That I could live a semi-normal life. Cayden had helped me feel more free than I’d felt in a long time. But now?
This was my life. My weird, messed-up life. And no matter how much I wanted to ignore it, nothing would change the truth.
“I’ll give you a ride,” Cayden said, his voice soft, like he was trying to comfort me or something.
Despite the butterflies that assaulted my stomach at that thought, I forced myself to focus on the feeling of the sand underneath my feet.
The walk back to his car was quiet. I was grateful that Cayden didn’t feel the need to speak. As we neared the car, he jogged over to the passenger-side door and pulled it open. I nodded my thanks as I slipped onto the seat.
He shut the door, and while I buckled, he jogged around the front of the car and climbed into the driver’s side.
After he started the engine, he pulled out of the parking lot and onto the main road. He drove calmer this time. Smoother, less chaotic.
The silence must have been getting to him because he reached over and turned on the radio.
We drove all the way back to the studio, listening to the latest pop songs. I could see that Cayden wanted to say something. To ask me what was going on. But he didn’t. It was probably because I didn’t acknowledge him when he kept turning to look at me.
We pulled into the studio’s security checkpoint, and Cayden rolled down the window. The guard didn’t take long to wave him through. We drove through the streets that weaved around the large building until we got to the right door.
He pulled in alongside the town car Sasha used to pick us up and turned off the engine. Then he glanced over at me.
“This was fun,” he said.
I hated how hopeful his tone was. Why was he doing this? We were from two different worlds. Sure, for a moment, I managed to squelch my crazy and act normal, but look how quickly my compulsion for control had reared its ugly head?
He didn’t need to witness my breakdowns. He had way too much going on in his life to care about neurotic old me.
“Me too,” I said as I reached out and pulled on the door handle. The walls of the car felt as if they were closing in on me. I needed the freedom of the outside world.
Once my feet were firmly planted on the ground, I made my way toward the door that Sasha had led us through earlier.
The sound of footsteps behind me remained constant as we walked through the large room and over to the small hallway that led to Dad’s office.
I was surprised that Cayden remained behind me as I approached Dad’s open door.
From the way he’d bolted out of there earlier, I’d figured he’d make a break for it again.
I took a deep breath as I approached the opening and gathered my courage. No doubt Dad would be upset that I’d decided to run off the moment I’d gotten here. I needed the courage to face his wrath.
Once I felt prepared enough, I walked into the office where Dad, Michelle, Cayden’s mom, and a tall blonde were sitting.
Dad’s eyebrows rose as he stood. I could see the anger mixed with worry floating in his gaze. “Where have you been, young lady?” he asked as he approached me.
I smiled at him. “I’m fine. I just needed a break.”
Dad ran his gaze over me as he leaned back. Then he reached out and pulled me into a hug. After a few seconds, he said, “Why are you wet?”
“That would be my fault.” Cayden stepped into the room.
Dad stiffened as he whipped his gaze over to Cayden. “What? Why?”
“I may have taken Scarlett to the ocean.”
“Cayden,” his mom scolded.
“It’s okay. I willingly left with him,” I said as I glanced over to meet Michelle’s shocked expression.
She flicked her gaze from Cayden to me and mouthed “Oh my gosh.” I nodded as I lifted my hand slightly, hoping she’d pick up on the fact that I really didn’t need her to freak out right now.
She pinched her lips together and nodded as she settled back in her seat.
The mysterious blonde stepped forward and a warm smile spread across her lips. She was holding her phone out to Dad. “You’re going to want to see this,” she said. Then she turned her attention over to me. “You must be Scarlett. I’m Trinity.”
My whole body went cold. I stared at her and then over to Michelle, who was nodding with her eyes wide. Trinity moved closer to me like she wanted to give me a hug. But I just stiffened up more.
She must have sensed my reaction because she didn’t push it further. Instead, she patted me on the shoulder.
“I’m excited to spend the entire summer getting to know each other,” she said.
My body shook from her pats. Or maybe it was just because she was touching me. I wanted to get away from her as fast as I possibly could.
“Laura,” Dad said, holding the phone out to Cayden’s mom.
She stood and walked over to stare down at the screen. “Did people see you?” she asked, glancing over at Cayden, who’d moved to lean against the wall, with his legs stretched out in front of him and his hands shoved into the front pocket of his jeans.
He glanced up. “Why?”
Mrs. Rivers walked over to him with phone in hand. “Looks like bad boy Rivers has found a new victim. This one seems tamer than the others. Is it possible for Hollywood’s rebel to fall for someone so vanilla?”
My eyes widened as I realized they were talking about me.
Me.
Scarlett Lamoroux was now officially classified as “vanilla.”
I could feel everyone staring at me, and I swallowed so hard that I feared I’d swallowed my tongue.
Dad’s face was beet red as he turned to Cayden with his fists clenched. “What did you do?”
Chapter Five
I kind of wished I’d been able to talk to Cayden after the photos surfaced. It was amazing how fast the world worked. I mean, thirty minutes ago all that existed in this world was Cayden and I.
Now, half the world knew who I was. And, according to Michelle, I had haters.
Great.
Mrs. Rivers whisked Cayden out of Dad’s office before Dad lost his cool, and Sasha was there to whisk us away so Dad could initiate damage control.
Whatever that meant.
Sasha was really hush hush as Demetri drove us out of the studio parking lot and over to Dad’s mansion. After he pulled through the gate and into the circular driveway, he parked the car and we all got out.
“What’s going to happen now?” Michelle asked as we followed Sasha up to the front door.
After putting in the security code, Sasha opened the door and ushered us through.
“Well, Cayden’s caught up in some bad press right now, so I’m sure Mr. Lamoroux will try to keep your name away from that,” Sasha said in a clinical, matter-of-fact tone.
That didn’t seem to appease Michelle, but before she could speak, Sasha beat her to it.
“I really don’t have time to talk about it. I have to get back and help. You’re welcome to anything in the fridge.” She turned and then glanced back. “And please stay here until your dad gets done.”
I tried not to roll my eyes. With the exception of my mom
entary lapse of judgment this afternoon, I was the straight arrow in our duo. I never broke rules.
The fact that it had happened with Cayden shocked me. I didn’t know what came over me, but I was sure it was out of my system.
Sasha’s phone rang and she pressed on her Bluetooth earpiece as she walked through the front door, shutting it behind her as she went.
Once she was gone, I let out my breath and flopped down on the oversized chair in the corner of the living room. A wave of exhaustion washed over me, and I tipped my head back and closed my eyes.
I was spent.
Michelle cleared her throat behind me, and I glanced over at her. She was staring at me with an expectant look on her face as she tapped her forearm. She wanted the details.
“What?” I asked, allowing my teasing smile to emerge.
She growled and shoved my shoulder as she wiggled her way in next to me. The chair was so big, we both fit.
“Tell me everything,” she said, her fingers emphasizing each word.
“There’s really not much to tell,” I said as I laced my fingers together and stretched.
She shifted and handed me her phone. She had her browser open to someone’s social media account where they’d posted a picture of Cayden and me outside the snow cone shop.
“This doesn’t look like ‘not much to tell,’ ” she said, moving so she could throw an annoyed look my way.
I stared at the picture, and a strange, almost sad feeling settled in my stomach. Cayden was staring at me in a wistful sort of way as he held onto my arm. My head was ducked down, and I remembered how I felt in that moment.
Shocked. Embarrassed. Hurt.
I wasn’t sure why, but I had a feeling Dad had something to do with that. Maybe it was the realization that once a person was famous, there wasn’t any getting out of it. Fame had a way of slipping between people and suffocating one until the relationship died.
I mean, that’s what happened to Mom and Dad.
“So?” Michelle asked, snapping me from my thoughts.
Right. She was expecting a story. I gave her all the details—sans my emotions. I told her about his crazy driving and how he dumped me into the ocean. I tried to sound relaxed about it all, but I couldn’t help the feelings that rose up inside of me as I thought about our conversations. I needed to finish before Michelle picked up on my change in tone.
“Then we just grabbed snow cones. I guess we both have people we are trying to avoid.” I handed her back her phone, unable to stare at it anymore. I hated that an intimate moment was now broadcasted for the world to see. I mean, seriously, that photo had over a million likes and just as many angry emojis.
I was making enemies of people I didn’t even know.
How did I get into this mess?
Oh, right. Because Cayden Rivers has this magnetic pull that sucked me in and made me want more.
Michelle sighed as she realized that I wasn’t going to be all talky-talky about this. Instead, she set her phone down on the side table and rested her head back. The room fell silent as we sat there next to each other. It was nice, being here with her.
I mean, I wouldn’t have been able to survive what happened today on my own. I was lucky to have such a good best friend.
“Thanks,” I whispered.
I felt her move to look at me. “For what?”
I glanced over at her. “For being here with me.” And then regret filled my chest. I’d run out on my best friend. “And I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have left you with my dad. I promise not to ditch you like that again.”
Michelle studied me for a moment and then shrugged. “It’s okay. It wasn’t all that bad. Besides, your mom warned me you get a tad crazy when you’re visiting your dad. So I was prepared.”
I scoffed, my mouth wide. “She said that?”
Michelle nodded. “Yep.”
“Wow. Mom actually called me crazy?”
Michelle waved her hand in the air. “And what you did today was sane?”
I pinched my lips together and then giggled. “Yeah. Not my finest hour.”
Michelle shrugged. “But you were with the Cayden Rivers. If it were me, I’d leave you in a heartbeat—no offense.”
I laughed harder. “None taken. I get it.” Then I covered my hands with my face. “Oh gosh, I told Cayden that I’m the treasurer to his fan club.”
“Nuh-uh. What does that even mean?”
“I don’t know. It just seemed like everything that came out of my mouth was an insult. I was trying to be nice, and that was all I could come up with.”
Michelle chuckled as she leaned her head back again. “So what’s he like?”
I swallowed as emotions began to rise in my throat. I wanted to say he was completely different than I’d expected. That he was sweet and had an amazing laugh—one that cut through the walls you built up around your heart and made you feel light and airy.
But I didn’t know how to say that without giving away that, maybe, Cayden Rivers wasn’t as bad as I’d thought he was.
“Nice. A little cocky.” All of that was true. None of it gave away what it was really like to spend time with him.
Michelle nodded. Then she grew silent as she ran her fingers through one of the shaggy throw pillows she’d pulled from behind her.
“Wow,” she whispered.
I glanced over to her. “What?”
She hugged the pillow to her chest. “Best summer ever.”
I threaded my arm through hers and leaned in. “You’re right.”
We sat there for a few more minutes before Michelle reached over and grabbed the remote. She flipped through the channels, and I just sat there, watching. My phone chimed. Mom texted to make sure I got in safely. I responded quickly, I didn’t need her asking any more questions, and then set my phone down.
When Michelle finally settled on some ocean documentary, the need to pee overtook me. I wiggled out of the chair and padded over to a small bathroom next to one of the guest rooms.
When I got back, Michelle asked if I could grab her a drink, and I agreed. I felt parched.
I headed into the kitchen and pulled open the fridge. Just as I stepped away, a buzzing noise sounded. I glanced around, wondering what the heck that was.
A small intercom on the far wall had a screen that was lit up. I walked over to see that it was the outside gate and a very familiar car was parked next to it.
Cayden.
My whole body went numb as I stared at his perfect profile. He was staring ahead as if he didn’t know that I was looking at him.
Feeling like a creeper, I pressed the talk button and leaned in. “Hello?”
He snapped his gaze over to the camera. A slow smile spread across his lips. “Scarlett?”
I swallowed. Why was he here? “Yes?” Wait, why was that a question?
Cayden drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. “Wanna let me in?”
“Um…” I flicked my gaze over to Michelle, who was still cuddled up on the chair. What would she think? Well, I had ditched her earlier today. I might as well make it up to her. So, I took a deep breath and said, “Sure.” And then I stared at the buttons on the intercom. “Once I figure out how to do that.”
I hovered my fingers over a few of the buttons only to decide not to push them. I mean, what if I accidentally blew up the place?
“See the button with the picture of the gates opening?” Cayden’s playful voice was making me sweat more. I was going to have to take a shower before he got to the front door.
“Yes,” I said after I located the button and touched it with my finger. I closed my eyes and pressed. Thankfully, nothing out of the ordinary happened. Cayden’s car slowly rolled forward, and soon he was out of sight of the camera.
Now that he was on his way to the front door, I figured it was probably time I warned Michelle.
I moved over to her and glanced down. I stood there for a few seconds, bracing myself for the scream that was sure to come.
�
��Cayden is on his way to the front door,” I said.
Michelle’s gaze snapped to me. Her eyes widened and her lips parted. “What?” she squealed, jumping off the chair and rushing me.
I braced for impact as she wrapped both arms around me and squeezed like an anaconda.
“Michelle, air…” I rasped.
She giggled as she let me go. Then she stared at me with a serious expression. “Are you lying to me? Don’t lie to me,” she said as she punched my arm.
I jumped back and shook my head. “Why would I lie about this? He’s here”—cue doorbell—“see?” I said, waving my hand toward the door.
She jumped and then rushed to the mirror to begin primping. “I wish you would have told me sooner. I look like a Pomeranian.” She fiddled with her blonde hair that was definitely not as frizzy as a dog’s.
“You look fine,” I said as I made my way over to the door. I hesitated as I rested my hand on the doorknob.
Why was Cayden here? I mean, it wasn’t like we were friends. I was now an internet sensation because of him. Death threats against me were up to the double digits—according to Michelle’s meticulous research.
A knock at the door startled me, and I realized that I looked like a dork just standing there.
So I pressed down on the handle and pulled open the door, revealing Cayden. He was leaning one arm on the doorframe and his gaze flicked over to me—like the start of some rom-com or something.
His smile spread across his lips as he winked. “Hey,” he said, pushing off the door and sliding his hands through his hair.
Okay, this was getting ridiculous. I glanced around, half-expecting a film crew to be standing around recording his every move.
Nothing.
When I peeked over at him, I saw him watching me. Why did his smirky smile have to be so adorable?
Man, my head was really out of whack today.
Not wanting him to discover just what his grin was doing to me, I folded my arms and forced my most uninterested expression. “What are you doing here?” I asked.
He glanced through the open door and shoved his hands into his front pockets. “Aren’t you going to invite me in?”
I let out a breath, hoping he’d catch on to how annoyed I was. “Depends on what you want.”
Rule #6: You Can't Fall for Your Fake Summer Fling: A Standalone Sweet High School Romance (The Rules of Love) Page 4