by E. L. Todd
I tried to keep my anger back so I wouldn’t push her over the edge. “I agree with you—for the most part. But Zack is a fucking psychopath. You claim he wouldn’t hurt you but you don’t know that for sure. And I’m sorry, Skye, but he’s a guy twice your size and height. If he wants to hurt you, he will. You will never be strong enough to match him. I had to do what was right to protect you.”
“Fuck you, Cayson.”
My eyes widened. “Don’t talk to me like that.”
“Don’t go behind my back and betray my trust!”
“It’s not the same thing and you know it. If you don’t want to be treated like a brat then don’t act like one!”
Her eyes were smoldering in rage. “I can’t believe you…”
“I stand by what I did and I won’t apologize for it.” I stood my ground and didn’t back down. “Zack has left you alone ever since and I know he won’t bother you again. I can sleep at night and so can your father. Now if you want to go for a damn jog in the middle of the night, you can. You have your independence back.”
She gripped her hair in frustration. “I’ve never been so angry in my life!”
I said nothing, staring her down.
“I can’t be with someone I can’t trust, Cayson. I just can’t.”
My heart skipped a beat. “What did you just say?”
“You heard me, Cayson. I can’t do this relationship anymore. Without trust, there is no relationship.”
Now I was pissed. I marched to her so fast she almost tripped. I slammed her against the door with my body. “Take that back. Now.”
Fear filled her eyes while she was pinned down.
“Don’t you ever say that to me again.” Spit was flying out of my mouth because I was so angry. “You’re being a pain in the ass about this, Skye. I love you more than anything on this damn planet and I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe. If that means you can’t trust me, fine. You’ll just have to deal with that. You can throw a hissy fit and play the victim all you want, but I know without a doubt that if the situation were reversed, you would do the same for me. And honestly, I would judge you if you didn’t.
“Now let’s get something straight here. Do not ever treat me like this again. I’ve been the perfect damn boyfriend of the year to you. I do everything for you and break my back just to make you smile. You do not have the right to say that to me. You do not have the right to get upset with me. Now shut up and deal with it.”
She stared at me, breathing hard. Her eyes started to water.
I stepped back and gave her space. “Now get out of my apartment.” I turned my back on her and walked into my bedroom. Then I slammed the door so hard it broke off the hinges.
Slade held the door while I used my screwdriver to put the door back into place. “So…you guys had a fight?”
I was still fuming about it. Skye and I hadn’t spoken since the night before. She didn’t call me and I didn’t call her. I didn’t go by the library during the day like I usually did. She owed me an apology and I wasn’t going to do anything until I got it. “Something like that…”
“You guys didn’t break up, right?” Fear was in his voice.
“No.” I wouldn’t let her go without a fight.
He nodded. “Is there something I can do to help?”
I shifted the door then drilled the hinge back into the case. “Just hold the door steady.”
“I am holding it steady.”
“Then keep doing it.”
Slade fell silent while he waited for me to finish.
When I was done, I opened the door then closed it again. It didn’t creak or shake. “It works.”
“You ripped the door off like the Incredible Hulk or what?”
“No. I just slammed it too hard.”
Slade kept staring at me like I might snap. “Damn…how hard did you slam it?”
“Pretty damn hard,” I snapped.
Slade was usually full of jokes but today he kept them to himself. He knew I wasn’t in the mood. “It’s probably not the best time to bring this up but…”
“What?” What more could possibly go wrong in my life?
“My dad called and said the family is getting together at the ski lodge in Connecticut. We’re staying at Sean’s ski Chalet. Since it’s a four day weekend coming up, they want to go then.”
I really didn’t want to deal with any of that right now. “Great.”
“I think it’ll be fun. I love snowboarding. None of that pretentious skiing bullshit.”
I didn’t give a damn about whether he preferred skiing or snowboarding. “I’m surprised my dad hasn’t called me.”
“I’m sure he will.”
“Well, thanks.”
“Yeah.” He nodded then headed to the front door. “Cay, you want my advice?”
“Not even a little bit,” I blurted.
“You’re going to get it anyway,” he said. “Chicks are always wrong. But always let them think they’re right.” He walked out and shut the door behind him.
I thought about his words for a long time after he left. Maybe he understood women more than I gave him credit for. I tested my bedroom door again when my father called.
“Hey, Son.”
“Hey, Dad.”
He knew something was off. “Everything okay?”
I didn’t want to talk about Skye right now. “I just fixed my bedroom door and I’m a little tired from it.”
“What happened?”
“Since you’re a computer geek, you wouldn’t understand.”
“Very funny,” he said sarcastically. “So, how’s school?”
“Boring.”
“And your lovely girlfriend?”
“She’s lovely—like usual.”
“Give her a kiss for me, please—on the cheek. None of that face-sucking stuff.”
“Sure, Dad.” I just wanted to get off the phone.
“We’re skiing this weekend. Everyone is going. You’re coming, right? Your mother and I would love to spend time with you.”
Since Skye and I were going through a hard time, I didn’t want the added pressure of family. But I couldn’t think of a way to wiggle out of this one. “Sure.”
“Great. We’ll see you on Friday.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
“Okay, kid. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Bye, Dad.”
“Bye, Son. I love you.”
“I love you too.” I quickly hung up then shoved the phone into my pocket. Then I sat down on the couch and stared at the blank TV screen. I wanted Skye to call me but she never did. I guess I would have to keep waiting.
37
Skye
Five days had passed without speaking or seeing Cayson. I was starting to go through withdrawals. I missed my best friend. I missed looking at his ridiculously perfect face. His lips were unbelievably tasty. His hands fit my hips perfectly. I missed talking to him. Did he miss me?
But I was still so pissed at him.
I couldn’t believe he deliberately went behind my back and pulled that stunt. And to make it worse, he wasn’t even going to tell me about it. If he didn’t get caught, I never would have known. I knew I was headstrong and stubborn, but I was particularly passionate about this subject.
We were going skiing in a few days with my family, and with the drama going on with Cayson, I knew I wouldn’t have a good time. How would we act? Would we tell everyone we were fighting? Or would we pretend that nothing was going on?
Every time I was in the library, I hoped Cayson would stop by. He never did. Clearly, he was as pissed as I was. When I was home in the evenings, I always listened for a knock on my door. It never came. And my hand was glued to my phone, waiting for it to ring. It never did.
“Just talk to him,” Trinity said. “You’re being a big fat baby over this.”
“Big fat baby?” I asked.
“Yes.” She gave me a hard look. “It would be different if Cayson was trying to p
urposely hurt you but he’s not. He was just looking out for you.”
“He of all people should know how I feel about this.”
“Which only proves how much he loves you,” she snapped. “He was willing to piss you off in order to keep you safe. That’s the most selfless thing I’ve ever heard.”
“Trinity, just stay out of it.”
“If you lose him, I will beat you up, Skye.”
I gave her an incredulous look.
“I mean it. He’s my family too, Skye. Just because we’re related by blood, doesn’t make me more loyal to you. If you hurt Cayson, I’ll hurt you.”
“I can’t believe you’re taking his side.”
“I can’t believe you aren’t.” She grabbed her bag and stormed off. “Pull your head out of your ass, Skye.”
I growled then tried to focus on my textbook. But that was pretty much impossible.
Slade dropped into the seat across from me.
“Go away. I’m not in the mood to even look at you.”
He had a serious look on his face. “Then I’ll make this quick.”
The last thing I wanted to do was talk to Cayson’s best friend. “What?”
His eyes appeared lifeless and dull. He seemed sad and torn apart. “I just wanted to give you a heads up. I told Cayson I wouldn’t say anything but I’m going to.”
What was he talking about?
“Cayson doesn’t think this relationship is going to work. He says he loves you like crazy but you’re too headstrong for him. He understands you don’t want anyone to take care of you, but he hates how difficult it is. He thinks it’s best if he ends it now before it gets worse…and you can’t be friends again.”
My hands started to shake and I felt my heart fall into my stomach. It was a deathblow. I couldn’t live without him. I just couldn’t. When I suggested breaking up a few days ago, I didn’t mean it. Cayson was the best damn thing that ever happened to me. I couldn’t let him go.
Slade stood up again. “Since you’re my cousin, I wanted to make sure you were prepared.” He walked away without another word.
Fuck, I had to talk to Cayson.
I left the library then walked outside. When I looked at the time, I realized he just finished his class. He normally went to the library, but since he wasn’t going there, he was probably going to his apartment. Or he would be with Slade but he clearly wasn’t. I walked over there as fast as my short legs would carry me.
I was still pissed off at him for what he did, but I could let it go as long as I got to keep him. There was so much goodness to our relationship. Nothing was worth losing that bliss. He made me happier than I ever thought I could be. The idea of him being with someone else was sickening. It would be torture.
I arrived at his apartment and slammed my fist into the door, impatient. He opened it a moment later, his eyes guarded and his jaw clenched tight. He didn’t speak, just staring me down like he loathed me.
Tears sprang from my eyes and I moved into his chest, wrapping my arms around him. “I’m sorry… I’m so sorry.” I squeezed him hard, never wanting to let go.
Cayson pulled me inside the apartment then shut the door. Then his hands were on me. He rested his chin on my head then moved his fingers through my hair. He stood there, just holding me.
“I’m sorry about everything. Please don’t leave me. Please don’t go.”
“Shh,” he whispered in my ear. “I’m not going anywhere.”
I clutched him harder. “I know I can be stubborn and annoying but I’ll work on it. I know in my heart you were just trying to do the right thing for me. I know…”
“It’s alright, Skye.” His voice was gentle. His fingers soothed me, making me feel calm.
“Please don’t go. I’ll beg if I have to.”
“Skye, I would never leave you.”
I pulled away then looked into his eyes.
He used the pad of his thumb to wipe away my tears. “Ever.”
“But Slade told me…”
His eyes narrowed. “Told you what?”
“That you were going to leave me…because you were sick of putting up with me.”
Realization came into his eyes then he sighed. “I never said that, Skye. Slade must have said that to get us back together.”
Now I felt like an idiot. But I was so relieved Cayson wasn’t leaving me that I didn’t care about my premature apology. “That jackass.”
He smirked. “He’s spent the week with me and he knew how upset I was. I’m sure he was just eager to get us back together.”
“That’s really sweet…but pisses me off at the same time.” I wiped my tears away then chuckled.
“He’s a jerk but he has a heart of gold.”
“Apparently…”
He looked down at me. “Does that mean you’re going to walk out again?”
“No…I miss you.”
He sighed. “God, I miss you too.”
“I’m sorry, Cayson. I just don’t want to get my father involved in anything. It’s really important to me.”
“I know, baby. I never would have done it if I didn’t have to.”
I was scared to ask my next question. “What did he do to Zack?”
“He just scared him a little bit then had two guys tail him everywhere he went. I’m sure Zack is scared to death to be seen within a hundred feet of you. He won’t bother you anymore, Skye.”
That kind of protection was excessive but at least they didn’t hurt Zack. And I didn’t have to deal with him anymore. “Okay.”
He cupped my cheek. “So…are we okay?”
I nodded. “I’m sorry about everything I said.”
His eyes turned serious. “I never want you to say that to me again. And if you say it, make sure you really mean it. Because there’s nothing worse you can do to hurt me.”
I felt lower than dirt. “I’m sorry. I was just angry.”
“That’s no excuse.”
“I know…it won’t happen again.”
“Good.”
I was feeling worse by the second. “I’m sorry I keep messing this up. I’m not doing it on purpose.”
“It’s okay.” He kissed my forehead. “It’s water under the bridge.”
“You always say that.”
“With you, it’ll always be water under the bridge.”
I held him close and cherished the moment. He was still mine. I didn’t mess this up too badly.
“Are you going skiing this weekend?” he asked.
“Yeah. Are you?”
“Like my parents would let me say no,” he said with a laugh.
“It should be fun.”
“It’ll be a lot more fun without us fighting.”
“Well, there is one good thing about fighting…”
“What?” He held me close.
“Make up sex.”
His eyes sparkled. “I do like sex—any sex—with you.”
“Well, let me make up for my behavior.”
“That sounds like a good idea.”
We piled our belongings into my SUV.
“Trinity, why do you always need to pack so much shit?” Conrad snapped. He tried shoving her final bag into the pile but it wouldn’t fit.
“Because we’re going skiing for four whole days.” She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at her brother. “I need clothes.”
“If you donated your wardrobe to a charity, they would have enough clothes to wear a different outfit every day for a year.” Conrad tried to push the bag in again. It still wouldn’t fit. It kept falling off. He dropped it on the ground. “Trinity, it’s not coming.”
“Find a place for it,” she snapped.
He looked at her like she was crazy. “It. Won’t. Fit.”
“Rearrange the bags,” she said.
“You rearrange the fucking bags,” Conrad snapped.
Cayson kept his arm around my waist. “This will be a fun trip…”
Slade sighed then approached the bac
k of the SUV. He pulled all the bags out and dropped them on the ground then started to rearrange them like a puzzle.
I shared a shocked look with Trinity. Roland looked at Conrad like he just saw a snake with wings. Cayson stared at Slade like he’s never seen him before.
Slade managed to fit in every single bag. Not an inch of space was unutilized. The luggage was packed so high Roland wouldn’t be able to see in his rearview mirror but everything was there.
Slade wiped his hands on his jeans. “Now shut up so we can get on the road.” He wore a t-shirt and jeans. His breath came out as vapor against the cold.
Trinity looked at Slade but didn’t say anything. It seemed like a silent conversation passed between them.
Did I just see that?
I must be seeing things.
“I sincerely hope you brought a jacket,” Roland said. “Remember, we’re going skiing.”
“Snowboarding,” Slade snapped. “And I don’t fall so I don’t need a jacket.”
I knew where this was going. I decided to stop the argument before it started. “Where’s Silke?”
“She’s riding with Theo and Thomas,” Slade answered. “She had something to do this morning.”
“Oh. I just saw her the other day and she didn’t mention that,” I said.
“Not my problem,” Slade said. “Now let’s get on the road before it gets dark. I don’t trust Roland’s driving.”
“I’m a fantastic driver,” Roland argued.
“In the snow, no one’s a fantastic driver,” Slade said. He walked to the side of the SUV then got in.
“Alright, let’s head out,” Conrad said.
Roland got behind the wheel and Conrad sat beside him.
I moved to the back seat and scooted over so Cayson could sit beside me. Trinity moved to the middle row and sat by the window. When Slade got inside, he glanced back and forth between the empty seats next to Cayson and Trinity.
I assumed he would sit next to Cayson because he despised Trinity. It was weird to watch him debate it.