Which I wasn’t going to complain about. This beat going home any day.
Michelle and I stepped out of the car while Cayden stayed in his seat. He held up his phone and told us he was going to make a phone call.
Michelle and I leaned against the car while we waited. We both had our arms folded, and I couldn’t help but feel the stress emanating off her. I knew she’d heard my conversation with Dad and Trinity. I knew she had questions for me.
But I also knew I didn’t want to talk about it. Like, at all.
“So, Bryant was telling Cayden about you,” I said, peeking over at her. Her gaze was trained on the ground.
A small smile played on her lips, and she tried to pinch them together to keep it from growing. “I know, right?”
I slipped my arm through hers and leaned against her shoulder. “That’s so amazing. I’m incredibly happy for you.”
Michelle laughed as she squeezed my arm with hers. Then she stilled, and I knew where she was going to take this conversation.
“Maybe you should let your dad know where we are,” she said. I could feel her nervous glance on me.
I chose not to meet her gaze. That wasn’t what I wanted to talk about right now. But I knew she was right. I sighed as I slipped my arm from hers and reached up to fiddle with my hair.
“I know,” I whispered.
I felt a tad betrayed that she was taking Dad’s side over mine. I mean, we were friends. She should be loyal to me.
“I know he hurt you,” she said, as if reading my mind.
I nodded as I swallowed hard. I could feel my eyelids prick from the tears that were forming there. Man, what was wrong with me? I sucked at being a good daughter and at being a defiant one.
“I know,” I said again, this time with a little bit more confidence. Maybe if I acted strong, it might come true.
Michelle wrapped her arm around me and squeezed. “He doesn’t know Cayden like you do, but running away won’t fix the problem either.”
Yet again, she was spot on. But it was hard to care when I was hurting this bad.
I nodded and pulled back, trying to break away. I knew I should face my problems. I knew I shouldn’t run away. All of this was the exact opposite of my usual personality. Since when did I behave this way?
It seemed that ever since Dad announced that he was marrying Trinity, my life had been slowly spiraling out of control. I didn’t like it, but what else could I do?
Talking to Dad seemed out of the question. All he wanted to do was dictate what I was supposed to do with my life and who I could do it with.
I doubted he ever thought about things from my perspective. If he did, he’d know that I was a good girl and that he could trust me to do the right thing. And maybe when I said Cayden was good, he’d believe me.
The sound of Cayden’s door opening drew our eyes over to him. He slipped his phone into his pocket and smiled as he slammed the door and pulled a baseball cap over his head.
“Just got off the phone with Bryant. He’s on his way,” Cayden said as he slipped on a pair of sunglasses. It was the same ensemble he wore on our first excursion.
I could feel Michelle tense next to me. I peeked over to see the smile that she was fighting to hide.
“Yay,” I cheered.
Cayden laughed as he walked over to me and slung his arm over my shoulders. He leaned over and pressed his lips to my temple, sending butterflies racing through my stomach again.
“I missed you,” he whispered into my ear. Shivers rushed across my skin.
I glanced over at him, reveling in the feeling of his body pressed against mine. Man, I was falling for Cayden. Hard.
“I missed you, too,” I said as my gaze involuntarily dropped down to his lips.
Was it wrong that I wanted to kiss him again? To prove to myself that last night hadn’t been a dream?
He leaned in, and, just when I thought he was going to kiss me, he pressed his lips to my nose and pulled away. “Ready?” he asked.
I grunted as I poked him in the side. He laughed and shifted away from me. Michelle nodded, and we walked side by side to the ticket counter, where Cayden paid for all of us.
We hung out outside the carnival, waiting for Bryant to show up. According to Cayden, he’d woken him up and he needed a quick shower before leaving.
We filled the time with light conversation. It consisted mostly of Cayden asking Michelle what she did for fun back home and what her plans were for after high school.
It was nice, just standing next to Cayden, wrapped in his embrace, listening to him talk to my best friend. All my problems from earlier that day faded away, and all that existed was Michelle and Cayden. And really, that was all I cared about.
Cayden must have said something to me, because he squeezed my shoulder. I glanced up to see him studying me.
“You hungry?” he asked.
My stomach growled at the mention of food. “Yes,” I said, realizing that in my haste to get out of Dad’s house, I’d completely forgotten to eat breakfast.
Silly me.
Cayden dropped his arm from my shoulders, shoved his hand into his pocket, and pulled out a chocolate bar. He wiggled his eyebrows as he handed it to me.
The feelings that rose up inside of me made me blush and cheer at the same time. He remembered what I’d told him. He’d actually gone out to get me something I liked.
I threw my arms around his neck and pressed my lips to his. He laughed as he pulled back and wrapped his hands around my shoulders, holding me about a foot away from him.
“Wow,” he said. “I did not expect that reaction.”
I shrugged as I pulled the wrapper off the chocolate and bit into it.
“When I give her one, she doesn’t do that to me,” Michelle said as she smiled at me.
I was too busy enjoying the feeling of the chocolate as it melted on my tongue to listen to them talk back and forth. Then Michelle stilled and her face flushed.
Weaving through the cars was Bryant. His hair was tousled with gel, and he looked nervous as he smiled and raised a hand, jogging over to us.
Michelle got all awkward as they stood close to each other, but not too close. It was a strange dance that I’d never seen my best friend do. She was gorgeous and rarely acted shy. But seeing her get bashful around Bryant made me smile.
I could tell she really liked him, and it was obvious that Bryant felt the same.
And then, for a split second, I was jealous.
Their dads weren’t determined to keep them apart. They were just normal teenagers. No baggage. No crazy fans. It was so easy for them.
They could spend the summer getting to know each other without the threat of paparazzi or parents showing up to bring the hammer down.
They could be just them.
I felt Cayden wrap his arm around my waist and pull me next to him. I glanced up to see him staring down at me through his aviators. His eyebrows were knit together and his lips tight.
“Everything okay?” he asked. The concern in his voice washed over me and caused my stomach to lighten.
I could tell he cared about me like I did him. And as much as I wished that was all that mattered, it wasn’t. After this excursion, we were going to have to face facts.
I had to go home eventually. I was going to have to talk to Dad, and Cayden was going to have to work with him.
And we were going to have to realize that whatever was going on between us just might not be enough.
But right now, I didn’t want to worry about that. I wanted it to be just me and Cayden. I wasn’t going to let my anxiety cloud my happiness.
Right now, I was going to be free. I’d deal with reality later.
I smiled and nodded. “Of course. Everything’s fine.” I wrapped my arms around his waist and pulled him close. He pressed his lips to the top of my head as he held just as tight to me.
“Are you ready to have some fun?”
I nodded. “You have no idea.”
&nb
sp; Chapter Fifteen
As soon as we got through the front gates, forgetting my problems was easier than I’d thought. We spent most of the afternoon walking around, riding rides, and playing carnival games.
There was even an exotic animal show that we went to just to escape the blistering heat. Then we ate ice cream and spent time under the water misters, trying to cool down.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, we found a table near a stage that had been set up. We sat and listened to the band. I sat on the table while Cayden straddled the bench by my feet.
Bryant and Michelle seemed to have gotten over their shyness and were now sitting next to us, holding hands. I couldn’t help but smile at my best friend as she mouthed “best summer ever” to me.
I glanced down at Cayden, who was talking to Bryant and tapping his fingers to the beat of the music and I nodded. I couldn’t agree more.
The only thing that would make this more idyllic would be if Cayden could take off his hat and sunglasses. Somehow, he’d kept them on all day, and none of the carnival-goers seemed to notice. It was nice, pretending to be a normal couple. But it would be nicer if I could stare into his bright blue eyes instead of my reflection in his glasses.
He must have noticed me staring because he turned to face me. Through the darkness of his shades I could see him wink.
“You make a guy feel self-conscious when you stare at him like that.” He leaned his arm on my knees so he could thread his fingers through mine.
I smiled as warmth rushed across my skin from his touch. He was really the perfect guy for me. I leaned down and brushed my lips across his. When I pulled back, a sly smile spread across his face.
Michelle and Bryant announced that they were parched and slipped away, leaving Cayden and I alone. Wanting to be closer to him, I dropped down to the bench so I could lean against his chest. He wrapped his arms around me.
After a few minutes, he spoke. “When were you going to tell me about your fight?”
I stiffened and turned. “What?”
His eyebrows were furrowed as he studied me. “Your dad called my mom.”
I dropped my gaze, not wanting to face the inevitable truth. I was going to have to tell him what happened, what Dad had said. This perfect bubble that had formed around us was going to pop whether I wanted it to or not.
“Scarlett,” he said. He lightly pressed his forefinger to my chin, raising my face to meet his.
I swallowed, an emotional lump forming in my throat. “I didn’t want this to end.”
He pulled off his sunglasses and set them on the table next to us. He reached out and tucked some of my hair behind my ear. “Why would this end?”
It was my turn to be confused. “What did my dad tell your mom?”
“He just asked if you were with me. I told Mom that you were, and that I’d have you back home by ten.” He furrowed his brows more as he leaned in. “Why would this end?” he asked again.
I took in a deep breath, frustrated with myself that I’d even let that slip. “Dad’s mad that we were seen on the beach together. He doesn’t think that you’re a good influence on me. He wants to call off the fake-dating thing.” I waved my hand between us.
Cayden reached out, grabbing my hand and stilling it. “It’s not fake anymore,” he said, his voice low and gruff.
My whole body responded to his words. I couldn’t agree more. This had stopped being fake a long time ago.
“I know. He doesn’t care. He and Trinity want us to end it. They’re worried about what this image might do for me or something.”
Cayden’s jaw muscles flinched as he ran his hands through his hair. “Did he say it was because of me?”
I pinched my lips together, not wanting to confess the truth. I didn’t want him to think that he wasn’t worthy or something. ‘Cause that was stupid. Dad was stupid.
A slow song started up, and I glanced over at the band. The thought of swaying to the music with Cayden’s arms wrapped around me sounded divine. Plus, it gave us more time to live in the moment, and that was all I wanted to do.
Tomorrow was never guaranteed. I might as well take advantage of today.
So I stood and swung my leg over the bench. I grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the grass in front of the stage where other couples were already dancing.
“Scarlett,” he said in a tone that told me he wanted to continue our conversation.
I shook my head as I stopped in an open spot and brought his hands to my waist. Then I rested my hands on his chest as I leaned in. I closed my eyes and breathed in deep. Everything about this moment, from the feeling of his heart beating against my palms to the woody scent of his cologne, was intoxicating me.
I never wanted this moment to end no matter how much Dad hated the idea of Cayden and I being together.
Cayden danced stiffly for a moment before I felt his muscles relax and his arms grip me tighter. He brought his hand to my head and held it there. I’d never felt so protected. So complete as I did right then.
“I’m so glad you ran into that little nook at the studio,” he said. His voice was low and husky, and it sent shivers over my skin.
I leaned back so I could glance up at him. His bright blue eyes had turned dark with emotion. The adorable crease that appeared when he furrowed his brow made him so incredibly handsome that it took my breath away.
“I love you,” I whispered. Too scared of what he was going to say to that, I turned my gaze to the couple next to us, who were swaying with their hands shoved into each other’s pockets.
Suddenly, Cayden stopped. Confused, I glanced up to see his expression had stilled. He reached out and cradled my head in his hand. It was so light and tender that I couldn’t help but lean into it.
“Scarlett,” he said right before he dipped down and crushed his lips to mine.
I was pretty sure that the world stopped spinning in that moment. The only thing that existed at this moment was Cayden and me. The feeling of his lips on mine and the way his hand pressed into my lower back like he was never going to let me go, made me feel complete.
Everything that had hurt me in my life didn’t matter anymore. I had Cayden, and that was all I needed.
I’m not sure how long we kissed, but I think I heard the start and stop of at least three songs. When we finally came up for air, Cayden held onto me with both hands firmly pressed to my back and his forehead tipped toward mine.
He held my gaze. “I love you, too,” he whispered.
I smiled up at him. I was pretty sure it was goofy and made me look like a nerd, but I didn’t care. The smile that emerged on Cayden’s lips wasn’t like any smile I’d ever seen. It was soft and calm, like he was finally finished with being who everyone else wanted him to be. With me, he was just himself.
I reached up and ran my fingertips over his lips. His eyes widened.
“I love this smile,” I said as I rose up onto my toes to kiss him.
Once I broke the kiss, he leaned back. “Is it a different one than before?”
I chewed my lip and nodded. “Yeah. I think it’s my favorite.”
“So it’s not the Cayden Rivers smile or the Cayden smile. What are you going to name this one?”
I shrugged. “I think I’ll call it the president of my fan club smile.”
He chuckled. “I think that’s about right.”
I leaned into his chest, and he pulled me closer. We swayed to the music—which wasn’t slow anymore, but we didn’t care. Instead, we stood there, holding each other like nothing in the world could come between us.
“I think you should call your dad.”
Except for that.
Nothing like the guy you love telling you to call your overprotective, ridiculous father. Talk about mood kill.
“What?” I asked, pulling away from him. Didn’t he know what that meant for us? I was pretty sure Dad was not going to be happy with me. And he could kiss the thought of Dad blessing our relationship goodbye.
&nbs
p; Cayden took a deep breath as he nodded. “I don’t like the idea that we’re running around behind his back. Your dad’s reservations aren’t unjustified. I’ve had my moments.”
I raised my eyebrows and parted my lips to tease him, but he held up his hand and pressed his fingers to my lips.
“But, despite my past, I’m changing. Your dad needs to see that. And running away with me in defiance of him probably isn’t the best way to accomplish that.”
I scrunched up my nose as I mulled over his words. There was some truth to what he said. Dad wasn’t going to be too happy that I’d disobeyed him. It was probably best to push aside my fears of what he could do to my relationship with Cayden and face the things that had been hurting me over the years.
I hadn’t ever really been truthful with my dad. I’d always bottled up everything, never telling him just how much it was killing me inside. Partly because I’d never understood it myself.
“So will you let me take you home?” He dipped down so that he could catch my gaze.
I studied him as I mulled over his request. I knew what he was trying to do, I just hated that he was asking this of me. Facing Dad was not what I wanted to do. Especially not after the incredible day I’d just had hanging out with Cayden.
I was going to go from a really big high, to a really big low.
Cayden seemed to sense my hesitation, so he leaned in and rested his forehead against mine. “Please? For me? I need you to talk to your dad. Not only because I work for him, but because I want to see a lot more of you. And having him hate me doesn’t seem like it would help.”
I sighed. Cayden was right. If I wanted a future with Cayden—or a future this summer—I was going to have to face my Dad.
I nodded slowly, reveling in the large Cayden smile that was shining my way. He grabbed my hand and guided me through the crowd until we found Michelle and Bryant snuggling back at the table. They had a half-eaten funnel cake in front of them, and they looked so incredibly happy I couldn’t help but feel ecstatic for her.
“I’m going to take Scarlett home. Are you okay if we split?”
Michelle nodded, and Bryant agreed. “I’ll get Michelle home,” he said, tightening his grip on her.
Rule #6: You Can't Fall for Your Fake Summer Fling: A Standalone Sweet High School Romance (The Rules of Love) Page 11