The Past, The Present, The Future

by Amanda Kay

  Bennett frowned at me and let himself out of my room. I sat at the window. “I’m here, Caiden,” I whispered.

  “He knows.” I closed my eyes when his grandfather spoke.

  Chapter 26

  CAIDEN

  I knew he saw, and I felt his presence even after I entered the dark house. “So, boy...” I swallowed at his slurred words. Damn, how was he already drunk?

  “You’re home early,” I said, trying to calm myself down.

  “He’s watching over you.” I nodded at Corbin’s voice. I wished my grandfather could step in. I needed to be saved, and then it hit me. That was why I had been brought to Bryson. He was supposed to save me, but deep down, I knew I couldn’t be saved.

  “I knew that lady was trouble.”

  “Listen, Mark. I’ll do whatever I have to do, but please leave Mom alone. Whatever you want. Whatever you need,” I begged.

  “Damn straight you will, boy.” I gulped. Something in his tone told me this wouldn’t be a normal beating. This was going to be different from anything I’d ever experienced. I was terrified. Would Bryson want me after what was about to happen?

  “He’ll always want you.” Corbin’s voice was so crystal clear, but I wasn’t sure if what he spoke was the truth. He couldn’t know for sure what was about to happen. Only Mark knew what he wanted to do to me.

  BRYSON

  I woke the next morning with a crimp in my neck and my mother hovering over me. “Morning,” I yawned.

  “Do you know where Caiden is?” she stammered.

  I froze and glanced out the window. “He didn’t come home?”

  “No, his mother is terrified. Where is he?”

  I gulped. “Mark is home.”

  Her eyes widened and she flew out of my room. I didn’t bother with putting on clean clothes. The clothes from yesterday after practice that I fell asleep in would have to do. There wasn’t any time to waste.

  “Caiden, please pick up,” I willed him as the phone rang. “Please, Caiden.”

  “He’s hurt him,” I heard his mother sob as I reached the end of the stairs.

  “Caiden was protecting you,” I mumbled.

  Her wet eyes met mine, and she nodded. She looked over at my mother and was shaking. “Call the cops.” My eyes widened. I was surprised. As Mom reached for her phone, the door to the house swung open. Caiden’s lip was split open and he looked completely wrecked.

  I ran to him and gently ran my finger against his lip. “Oh, Caiden, what happened?”

  He shook his head. “I can’t.”

  “You can talk to me.” I wouldn’t judge him. He had to know this by now.

  “No.” I looked back over at my mom and his mom.

  “Call the cops, Charlotte,” Mrs. Rogers demanded.

  “No!” Caiden panicked, bringing all of us to a halt.

  “Caiden?” his mother questioned.

  “No, Mom, just leave it alone.” He walked out of the house and I followed him to the side entrance.

  “Caiden, what happened?”

  “It’s not important. I’m getting a shower and then laying down.”

  I reached for his hand and he pulled away. “Caiden?”

  He shook his head again. “Not now, Bry.” I exhaled and nodded, leaving him alone for the moment.

  I walked quietly back into the house. “Don’t call the cops,” I pleaded.

  “But Bryson...” my mother began. I shook my head.

  “He’s not going to tell them the truth.” I slowly walked back upstairs and laid down across my bed.

  “Corbin, what happened?”

  “Not my story to tell, Bry.”

  “He was hurt. He was hurt bad.”

  “He has to tell you.” I sighed, closing my eyes. I doubted he’d ever tell me what had happened.

  CAIDEN

  As I stood in the shower washing last night off me, I thought about Bryson. I thought about what I’d tell him. Mark was blackmailing me, and I didn’t know how to escape it. How would I explain this? He told me if we called the cops, he’d find a way to turn Mom against me again, and I did not doubt for a second that he could do that. She wasn’t strong enough to escape his manipulation.

  “What am I going to do?” I screamed.

  “Trust Bryson.”

  “Not yet. Not with this. No, I have to give Mark what he wants for now.”

  “No, you don’t, son.”

  “Yes, Grandpa, I do. I have to protect Mom.”

  “But who is protecting you? You’re still a kid, Caiden. It’s not your job to protect her.”

  “I have to because I love her.” He said no more, leaving me with nothing but the noise from the shower.

  BRYSON

  My phone buzzed an hour after my encounter with Caiden. I was desperately hoping it was him.

  CAIDEN: SCARED

  I’m scared to live. I’m scared to die. I’m scared to care. I’m scared to share. My pain runs deep. My heart feels hollow. If you knew, you’d disappear, of this, I fear. I know your heart, but it’s fragile too, and the pain that now runs through me will be too much to bear.

  I swallowed hard at the words he typed and thought about my answer. I didn’t want to keep him waiting for fear that he’d take my silence as a sign.

  BRYSON: I will never disappear.

  CAIDEN: You would if you knew the truth.

  BRYSON: I’m here, Caiden. You can tell me anything.

  CAIDEN: Not this. Not now.

  BRYSON: I won’t push, but can you tell me something?

  CAIDEN: I really need a hug.

  I laughed at his answer. That wasn’t all I had planned for, but I was grateful he wanted a hug, especially since he had pulled away when I reached for his hand.

  BRYSON: Meet me out back.

  CAIDEN: Okay.

  I flew down the stairs and out the back door right as he came around the corner from our side entrance. My arms went around him tightly, and I heard an audible wince. I pulled back. “It’s bad, isn’t it?”

  He nodded and dropped his head to my shoulder. “I had to protect her. She’s not strong enough.”

  “And who protects you?”

  He looked back up at me, tears welling up in his eyes. “Knowing I have you protects me.”

  “It doesn’t seem like enough.” I sighed. I took his hand and led him toward the trampoline. I wanted to do more. There had to be more I could do for him.

  “It is,” he whispered once we were laying side by side.

  “Why didn’t you want the cops called?”

  “He’d make bail,” he shrugged, “then things would only be worse.”

  “I’m so sorry, Caiden.” I pressed a kiss to the side of his head, and he pulled away.

  “I can’t,” he swallowed.

  “Caiden?”

  “We have to just be friends.”

  I stared at him, trying to process what he was saying. We had agreed to be friends and build a relationship. “You don’t want to build more?”

  “I just can’t.”

  I turned on my side and propped myself up with my hand. “Caiden, what happened?”

  “Promise me, Bryson. Friends.”

  I shook my head and closed my eyes. My loyalty was going to win out here. “I promise,” I whispered. I didn’t have a choice. I wouldn’t lose Caiden.

  “Thank you,” he exhaled. “I have to go.”

  “Go where?”

  He shook his head. “Please don’t ask.”

  I swallowed and nodded. I had to let him go. I had to let him do what he thought was best, but I hated that he was getting hurt.

  CAIDEN

  I wanted to tell him the truth, but I couldn’t. If Mark was able to snake his way back into my mom’s life, it was all over. We’d move away and I’d never see Bryson again. I had to do this. I had to play his game. It wasn’t just for Mom. It was for me as well. Bryson was important to me and I wasn’t going to lose that, but I also knew that any hopes of us having a rela
tionship past the friendship line had to end.

  When I let myself into what was once my house, Mark was sitting on the couch, a piece of paper in his hand. “Ah, you’re here. Come sit.”

  I swallowed but obeyed, and he handed me the piece of paper. It was an email. An email to me. From the daredevil company. “How did you get this?”

  “Did you really think I’d allow you to have privacy?” he smirked, “I needed to make sure you weren’t sinning.”

  I shuddered. “Wasn’t what happened last night a sin?” Damn hypocritical bastard.

  He reached out and slapped me across the face. “You listen here, you little shit, that was a lesson. A lesson I will repeat. You hear me?” I swallowed and nodded quickly. “Good, now read.”

  I slowly looked over the words and knew the game Mark was going to play. I had promised Bryson I wouldn’t be reckless with my life, but Mark was going to make sure I couldn’t keep that promise.

  Dear Mr. Kamry,

  We were very pleased with your recent bungee jump. We would like to go over, with you, more stunts for our company. We will be doing a mini web series that we would like you to be a part of. The first item of business is a tattoo. You would be compensated one thousand dollars, and we would pay for the tattoo design of your choice.

  By the way, your stepfather has reached out to us and notified us that you are indeed underage. He’s agreed to sign off on all stunts that you do and from now on, we will be writing checks. All checks will be made out to him, in order to ensure proper appearances.

  “So, this is the game? You ratted me out but agreed to allow me to continue as long as you get the money.”

  “Pretty much,” he smirked, alerting me that there was more. His hand caressed my face, and I shuddered. “Plus, more of last night.”

  I didn’t want to go through that again. “You’d leave Mom alone?”

  “I would, but I own you until your eighteenth birthday. Are we clear?”

  I nodded, squeezing my eyes tight. “Agreed, but what about Bryson?” I had to know.

  He laughed and shrugged. “The sins you commit are yours to commit.” Hypocrite.

  “Can I go now?” He laughed harder and waved toward the door. I didn’t know what I was going to do.

  CAIDEN: I hate to ask this...

  BRYSON: What’s going on?

  CAIDEN: Can we be platonic?

  I didn’t want that. I wanted his kisses. I want his hugs. I wanted his love.

  BRYSON: If that’s what you need.

  CAIDEN: You’re okay with that?

  BRYSON: No, it sucks. But I also know you’re important to me. So, if that’s what you need, I’m willing to give it to you.

  CAIDEN: Thank you.

  I sighed after sending that last text and slowly made my way to the apartment. I wasn’t sure how I would face him. I wasn’t sure what I could tell him, but I knew I needed to back away, and not just slowly. My heart felt like it was shattering, but with Mark hanging over me, I didn’t have a choice. Bryson was someone truly special. He didn’t need someone like me tainting his future. He needed to forget I existed.

  “That’s not going to be possible.”

  “Can’t you make it possible, Corbin?”

  “No, if he wants to walk away, the choice has to be his, and he has to know everything.”

  I shook my head. That wasn’t going to be possible. No way I could tell Bryson this. He’d never look at me the same way again if he knew.

  Chapter 27

  BRYSON

  He had ridden into school with Bennett today and all week, and that disappointed me greatly. I didn’t think being platonic meant not seeing each other. It was Thursday. I had baseball workouts today. Coach had cut them down to once a week with the school year winding down. I wanted to talk to Caiden, so I hoped we could return to something that helped us talk before.

  I was hoping we’d ride,

  today side by side.

  I taped the note to his locker and went to homeroom. Maybe, he would see the note and come sit next to me for the first time all week.

  I smiled and waved him over to the empty seat next to me, but he sat on the opposite side of the room. I frowned and forced myself to pay attention.

  He had vanished quickly when the bell rang, and I slowly made my way down the hall to my locker, surprised to find the note on my locker now.

  A snail in a pail,

  my promise will fail.

  I reached for my phone, knowing we needed to talk, and not just this way.

  BRYSON: Can we talk at lunch?

  CAIDEN: Your car?

  BRYSON: See you there.

  I felt a small wave of relief that he was willing to talk to me. I was so worried about him. It hadn’t gone unnoticed that he was going across the street every night that Mark was home. Something was going on, and I was worried sick about him.

  “Is he okay, Corbin?”

  “He has to tell you.”

  “That’s not an answer I’m going to accept much longer, Corbin.”

  “I can’t, Bry. It has to be Caiden’s choice.”

  I shook my head, slamming my locker shut before making my way to my next period. I didn’t think I’d be able to pay attention. My mind and heart were completely with Caiden.

  CAIDEN

  On my way out to the parking lot, I ran smack into someone. “Sorry,” I mumbled, not looking up but attempting to sidestep. I was surprised when he blocked me. “Excuse me,” I hissed, looking up.

  “You have to tell him.” His arms crossed, his tone fierce.

  “Corbin?”

  He nodded. “Bryson doesn’t deserve this. He’s good. He’s trustworthy. He doesn’t deserve this.”

  “You’re right, he doesn’t deserve someone tainted like me.” The tears burned my eyes as I sidestepped him, but he caught my arm.

  “That’s not what I meant. You’re his soulmate. You must tell him. He’s a good guy. He’ll help you.”

  “I don’t want his help. I’m not his problem,” I snapped.

  “Caiden? You aren’t a problem.”

  “I’m tainted.”

  “Bryson would disagree.”

  “I can’t, Corbin. I’m not ready. He’ll go after Mom.”

  “All the more reason for you to trust Bryson with this.” I shook my head. Corbin and I would have to agree to disagree on this one. He sighed. “One month.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “You have one month to tell him the truth, or I will. He has to have the facts to make the right choice.”

  “Corbin!” I screamed, but he had vanished. “That’s not fair,” I whispered as I made my way, now slower, toward Bryson’s parking spot.

  “No, it’s not, but you’re not being fair either. One month.”

  “Grandpa?” I was hoping he’d be able to get Corbin to back down.

  “I agree with Corbin, son.” I growled at his response as I neared Bryson’s car. He was leaning against the passenger side. His face unreadable. I was now extremely nervous about how this talk would go for us both.

  BRYSON

  I watched on bated breath as he walked toward my car. He looked completely defeated, a look that I thought I would be seeing less of.

  “Hey,” I said, shoving my hands into my pockets to avoid the temptation to hug him.

  “Hey.” He looked down, and I couldn’t stand it. I wrapped my arms around him and pulled him to me. “Bryson...”

  “Shut up, Caiden,” I whispered, holding him to me. “I’m here. I’ll always be here,” I continued to whisper.

  “Can we sit inside?”

  I released him and opened the passenger door. Once he was inside, I shut the door and went over to the driver side. “Music?” He shook his head.

  “You need to know something.”

  I reached for his hand and laced my fingers with his. “I’m here, Caiden.”

  He sat silently, staring out my windshield, so I joined him in looking straight ahead. “Do you h
ave practice today?” I was certain that wasn’t what he wanted to talk about, but I humored him.

  “Yes.”

  “Can I stay with you?”

  “Sure, but it’s likely that Bennett won’t stay.” I tried to hide the hurt and bitterness in my voice, but I knew I had failed when he sighed.

  “I wanted to ride with you,” he admitted.

  I turned toward him. “I would like that.” I licked my lips and gathered my thoughts. “I was upset at you riding with Bennett this past week.”

  “I’m so sorry, Bryson. It’s just...,” he paused and stared out the passenger window. “I can’t explain it. I’m afraid you won’t understand.”

  I looked forward again. “So, I haven’t earned your trust yet?”

  “It’s not that,” he whispered.

  “Then what is it?” I hissed.

  “I don’t trust myself. I don’t trust my mom to be strong if Mark reached out. And above everything, I don’t trust Mark.”

  “So, what happens to us?”

  He shrugged, crushing my soul. “I just... I can’t right now. I need time. I want us. I need us, like I need my next breath. I just...”

  When he stopped again, I took my chance, “Caiden...” When he looked over at me, I placed a light kiss against his lips.

  His eyes were closed. “Friends?”

  “Always, but also more, Caiden. Yes, we took a step back, but we need to be true to ourselves. So, we can be friends, but we aren’t just friends, we’re more. We both feel it and ignoring it would be a mistake.” I sucked in a breath and processed my next words. “I can give you time. If you feel like you can’t tell me what’s going on yet, then you can have time, but just promise me that you won’t shut me out.”

  “Can I promise to try?” I smiled and nodded and was caught off guard when he kissed me as I had kissed him. Whatever demons he was battling, I needed him to know I was here. Always.

  CAIDEN

  Sitting at his practice, watching him, was one of the best things in the world, so, of course, Mark had to ruin it.

  MARK: I’m home.

  I swallowed hard.

  CAIDEN: I’ll be there at ten.

  MARK: Yes, you will.

  CAIDEN: Why are you doing this?

  MARK: Oh, your mom just got home.

  I steadied myself from the anger and terror that was bubbling inside of me.