HIDDEN (Hidden Trilogy Book 1)

by Yelden, T. J.

  “You guys throw that word around a lot.” I replied with a frown. Cade was still nowhere in sight.

  “What? Protection?” Bree asked.

  “Yeah. It’s weird.” I shook my head before continuing. “I’m not in danger from anything here.”

  “Oh, I see what you mean.” Bree nodded. “Protection to us means safety, yes, but also that we are healthy, cared for, and emotionally stable.”

  “He thinks he has to see to all of those?” I asked with raised eyebrows.

  “Well, he makes sure we have the people around us that can provide those things.”

  “So when he asked questions about my parents…” I asked leadingly.

  “Is that what he did to piss you off this morning?” Hunter asked with a rare grin. “Have to admit you facing off with Cade in the hallway will be forever immortalized in my brain.” Apparently standing up to Cade was the only thing that could make Hunter smile.

  “Yes,” Bree said, answering my question while ignoring Hunter’s comment. “He will ask questions to make sure you are protected.”

  “What if I don’t want people asking questions?” Especially Cade.

  “Then you better be prepared for a long battle.” Hunter mumbled as he turned toward the boys’ locker room. I watched Cade stride up to our group, his eyes took us in at a glance.

  “Everything all right?” He asked as he looked around the group before his eyes settled on me. His brown, very alluring eyes. Why did he have to be so cute? Bree was the first to speak up.

  “Yeah, Cade, everything’s fine.” Bree assured him.

  “Lunch is next.” He stated, still looking at me. “You’ll sit with us.” My jaw dropped.

  “Excuse me?” I asked, shocked at his nerve.

  “Oh, what he means is Cassie will be there and she’ll want to catch up. She’ll be disappointed if you don’t sit with us.” Bree assured me. I was less than convinced. Bree was trying a little too hard at smoothing things over.

  “Fine.” I replied grudgingly. It wasn’t like I had anyone else to sit with and I did enjoy most of their company. Our class was excused and we followed the masses to the cafeteria. Brody and Cassie joined us in the hall and chatted with Bree as we stood in line for our food. Somehow Hunter had rounded our group and was in front, followed by Bree, Brody and Cassie. I stood right behind Cassie and couldn’t help but feel Cade’s brooding form behind me. I picked up a tray and proceeded to add a salad, apple, and drink to my tray.

  “That’s all you’re eating?” Cade rumbled from behind me. I ignored his comment and paid for my lunch. I heard Cade grunt in frustration. I followed Cassie to the round tables and saw that the only empty seats left were side by side, one for me and one for Cade. Great, that meant I was sitting by Mr. Grumpy Pants. I rolled my eyes and sat down on the right. Cade took the one to my left.

  “So, Kendra, what do you think of our school? You like it?” Cassie asked as she bit into her pizza.

  “Yeah, its fine.” I shrugged, extremely aware of Cade as he sat next to me and watched my every move.

  “Well the best part about being a senior is last period study hall.” Brody grinned. “One less class to fall asleep in.”

  “Aw, I would think you’d want one more class to sleep in.” Cassie teased. “You know, catch up on your beauty sleep and all.”

  “Hey, I’m beautiful enough.” He grinned before turning to me. “Don’t you think, Kendra?”

  “I…ah…” I stuttered, caught off guard.

  “Leave her alone.” Cade demanded. Brody abruptly stopped smiling and returned his attention to his food. I looked around the table and noticed no one would meet my eyes, or Cade’s. I rounded on Cade.

  “What the hell is your problem?” I scowled in his direction, which didn’t seem to faze him as he shrugged in response.

  “He shouldn’t ask questions like that to you.”

  “He was just joking around. I was just caught off guard.”

  “He was trying to weasel compliments out of you.”

  “Well,” I glanced back at Brody who watched us from under his eyelashes. “I think you’re very pretty, Brody.” Hunter choked on his drink and almost spewed it across the table. I watched a small smile play across Brody’s lips before he responded.

  “Pretty, huh?” He chuckled and everyone else joined in, except Cade. He just glared at no one in particular.

  “So, Kendra,” Cassie drawled. I turned to see her surveying the room. “I see you’ve managed to catch a few eyes around here.” I felt Cade stiffen beside me.

  “What do you mean?” Who was she talking about?

  “Look around.” She replied cryptically. I did as she asked, and noticed quite a few gazes our way. Mostly male. Oh shit. Attention of any kind was not something a new student wanted, or needed. I’d learned to keep a low profile. Apparently being with Cassie’s group put me under the spotlight.

  “When’s the last time you had a new student?” I asked, trying to keep the panic at bay.

  “Probably back in sixth grade.” Brody shrugged.

  “So they are just curious, right?”

  “Uh, have you looked at yourself today?” Cassie said. “I’m sure there is more than one boy out there wondering if you have a boyfriend back home.”

  “Do you?” Bree asked.

  “Do I what?” I asked absently, unnerved by the number of eyes watching me. I was used to fading into the background. Being undetected. Did my association with Cassie’s group gain that much attention? Or was it my confrontation with Cade this morning?

  “A boyfriend. Back home.” Bree stated. I looked back at her as I realized what she was asking.

  “Oh, no. No boyfriends.”

  “Oh good, then that leaves you open for prospects.” Cassie rubbed her hands together. “Let’s see who we can find.” She gazed around the room.

  “Oh, really, I don’t want a boy-“ I tried to say. Cassie cut me off.

  “Drew is nice. He’s the boy two tables over with shaggy blonde hair and blue eyes.” I couldn’t stop myself from looking in his direction. He was cute, I’ll admit, but there was something…off…that had me returning my gaze to the table.

  “No. Absolutely not.” Cade ground out.

  “Why not?” Cassie countered, eyes narrowing in Cade’s direction.

  “He’s a jerk. He doesn’t let on to everyone, but he has no respect what-so-ever for women.”

  “Oh.” Cassie almost looked crestfallen. “I didn’t realize.” She started looking around again.

  “There’s Tyler.” Bree piped up. Brody and Hunter joined in the scowling match with Cade.

  “Ooo…that’s a good one!” Cassie high fived Bree then turned to me. “He’s four tables the other way. Black hair, big build, red t-shirt.” Helplessly, I found my eyes traveling in Tyler’s direction. He was laughing with his friends about something said at his table and then caught my gaze for a second. I didn’t get any bad vibes from him, at least. A brief smile touched his lips before he turned back to his friends.

  “What’s wrong with one of us?” Brody asked, nonchalantly. I swung my gaze around.

  “Huh?” Cassie asked distractedly, still eyeing the crowded lunch room.

  “Why can’t Kendra date one of us?” He motioned to him, Hunter and Cade at the table. My eyes widened. Was he seriously asking that question while I sat right there?

  “Oh, please.” Cassie scoffed, returning her attention to our table. “She’d never put up with your bull. Right, Kendra?” Before I could respond, Bree piped up.

  “You guys are way to domineering. You’d butt heads all the time.”

  “So she’d rather have a guy she can lead around by his-“ Hunter started.

  “I’d rather not have anyone at all, thanks.” I interrupted as I stood up to dispose my tray. I heard arguing at the table behind me but figured I was better off not being in that conversation. I made my way to the trash can, took care of my tray, and was just turning around when I r
an into someone’s side.

  “Whoa! You okay?” A masculine voice asked as I bounced off a solid frame. I regained my balance and looked up to find Tyler standing in front of me.

  “Fine. Sorry for running into you.” I smiled apologetically. He was even cuter up close. His black hair was cropped short and his build rivaled Cade’s. Wait, why was I comparing him to Cade?

  “No problems.” He took care of his tray then faced me. “You’re Kendra, right?”

  “News travels fast.”

  “Yeah, well, we don’t have many new students here.”

  “So, I’ve heard.”

  “I’m Tyler.” He stuck out his hand and I shook it.

  “Nice to meet you.”

  “Like wise.” He smiled. A loud clattering made me glance over my shoulder to see Cade. He had just disposed of his trash and now scowled at us. I rolled my eyes at him and turned back to Tyler who regarded Cade over my shoulder. He squeezed my hand one last time before letting go. “Maybe we will have some classes together this afternoon.”

  “Are you a senior?” I asked.

  “Yeah.”

  “Then we’ll have study hall together.” Making friends was never my forte but Tyler seemed like a nice guy. Wouldn’t hurt to have one more in my corner, right?

  “Cool. Maybe we could talk sometime then.”

  “Sure, I’d like that.” I felt Cade come up beside me and watched out of the corner of my eye as he folded his arms across his chest.

  “See you later.” Tyler nodded nervously, clearly intimidated by Cade. He really didn’t have anything to worry about since they were about the same size but that didn’t seem to matter. He turned and walked back in the direction of his table.

  “I thought you said you didn’t want a boyfriend.” Cade stated beside me. I glanced at him but saw that he was still watching Tyler.

  “I don’t.”

  “Then what are you doing encouraging Tyler?”

  “I wasn’t encouraging anything.” I denied. He scoffed.

  “You don’t promise a guy you’re looking forward to talking to him and believe he’s not going to assume you like him.”

  “I never said I didn’t like him.” I watched as his eyes snapped to my face.

  “What?”

  “He seems nice. I’m allowed to like a guy and not date him.”

  “He’ll want more than friendship.”

  “Well, I’ll cross that bridge when I get there.” I shrugged. “What do you care anyways? Don’t you have someone else to watch over? A girlfriend, maybe?” I cringed internally. That question sounded way too interested even to me.

  “I don’t date.”

  “Uh huh.” I paused before adding out of curiosity, “Why not?”

  “What aren’t you telling me about your parents?” He countered. I turned away without responding and made my way back to our table. Neither of us brought the subject up again and soon we had to leave for our next class. Turned out the class after lunch, science, was with Hunter and Bree, and the next, history, was with Cade again. Finally study hall was up. Of course since the previous class was with Cade, he escorted me, without permission, to the cafeteria.

  Since this was our first day we didn’t have any homework. I followed Cade’s not so subtle directions to the table we ate at for lunch. This time I took a seat between Cassie and Bree. I tuned out the conversation for a while as I watched the senior student population in study hall.

  You had your typical clicks at the surrounding tables, but I had a hard time figuring out where Cassie and Cade’s group fit in. They were all good looking, which you would think would have automatically placed them in the “in” group. But I could see the rambunctious “in” crowd on the other side of the room.

  Then there were the football types, like Tyler, that were huddled at another table. But Hunter, Brody, and Cade didn’t seem to be on good terms with them, although they had the build for sports. The shy, quiet ones were in the far corner looking at something in a book but I never saw any of them with Bree all day. I was puzzled how this group functioned with so many different personalities.

  “Earth to Kendra.” A hand waved in front of my face and I noticed that Cassie was smiling as she brought her hand back to her side.

  “What?” I asked as I looked around the table. All of them had questioning looks on their faces.

  “You were a long way off. Thinking about Tyler?” Cassie teased. Cade scowled at her.

  “No. I was trying to figure out the clique system here.”

  “Oh. Well.” Cassie bit her lip and looked for help from someone else.

  “We’ve always been our own group.” Bree explained. “We grew up near each other and have always been there for each other.”

  “So, why did you adopt me?” I asked curiously.

  “Adopt you?” Cassie laughed. “There’s something different about you and I knew you’d fit in just fine with us. First day jitters are bad, but a new school makes it worse. This was better than most days, right?”

  “Absolutely.” I answered honestly.

  “Good.” Bree nodded at my answer. “I’m glad we could make your transition a little easier.” Easy conversation flowed around the table and I found myself smiling a few times. They really were interesting to watch. Brody was the joker of the group, always cracking a joke or teasing someone. Bree was quiet but had a quick wit. She surprised me sometimes with a bold statement before she retreated back into her shy demeanor.

  Hunter was the silent, brooding type. His lips would twitch in humor or amusement would dance behind his eyes a few times but his face remained a stone wall for the most part. Cassie was full of life. She’d laugh, tease, and defend absolutely anything. She could be on your side one minute, then arguing against you the next. How she was related to Cade I didn’t understand. He watched, observed, occasionally added a comment in, but mostly was silent. I would have given anything to know what was going on inside his head.

  Finally school ended and I said goodbye to everyone before I headed into the hall. I made a last stop at my locker before I followed the masses outside. I headed down the sidewalk that ran parallel to the parking lot and just about made it to the end when a hand clasped around my upper arm and stopped me in my tracks.

  “Where are you going?” Cade demanded. I looked up and found him glaring down at me.

  “Home.” I replied slowly, like it was obvious.

  “I’m driving.”

  “Good for you.” I stated. He rolled his eyes.

  “I’m driving YOU home.”

  “I can walk.” I replied.

  “I’m glad to hear it.” He pulled me back a few steps until we stopped in front of his car. He opened the door and gestured inside. “Now get in.”

  “Does this whole caveman routine usually work for you?” I asked as I crossed my arms and glared at him from the other side of the door. Cade raised one of his hands and rubbed the back of his neck in frustration before he sighed in patience.

  “Kendra, I would like to give you a ride home. Please allow me to take you.” He finally stated as he dropped his arm to his side. He looked at me steadily as he waited for my answer. I was shocked. That had to be the nicest thing I’ve heard come out of his mouth all day. While it wasn’t exactly a question, it did have a “please” in there. I decided since he was being nice, so could I.

  “Why thank you Cade, I would love a ride home.” I smiled sweetly which made him grin in return and shake his head. I caught my breath. The guy really was too attractive for his own good. His laughter cut off at my quick intake of breath and an intense look came into his eyes. I quickly looked away and slid into his sleek, sexy car as he shut my door behind me. He was around the car and folding himself in before I was completely settled. Once again he took my bag and set it behind us with his own. As he opened his mouth, I held up my hand to stop him.

  “I know. Seat belt.” He grinned in return. He pulled out of the parking lot and headed toward my house.<
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  “Are you going to do this every day?” I asked as the scenery passed by.

  “This being?”

  “Drive me to school. Steve talked about getting me a car so I won’t need you to drive me forever.” He didn’t answer and I was about to ask again when he spoke up.

  “Steve’s not your father.”

  “No. I thought we covered that.”

  “He’s not your stepdad either.” I didn’t answer which was answer in and of itself.

  “Are you related to either of them?” He asked quietly.

  “Have you been brooding about this all day?” I evaded as I lifted my necklace from beneath my shirt and ran the pendant along the chain. I saw him look at me sideways from his seat.

  I’m not…brooding.” I could hear the annoyance in his voice but refused to look in his direction. “Just curious.”

  “Nosy.” I muttered.

  “Concerned.” He countered. I sighed. He wasn’t going to relent, just as Hunter said.

  “Steve and Nicole are my foster parents.” I replied looking out the window. There was silence in the car before he spoke up.

  “For how long?”

  “How long have I lived with them or how long have I been in the system?” I asked humorlessly. Before he had a chance to answer, I added, “Three years with them. Since I was two in the system. I don’t know who, or where, my parents are.” We pulled into my driveway and he put the car in park.

  “What’s on your necklace?” The sudden change of subject startled me and I looked down. I was still playing with my necklace around my neck.

  “It’s a depiction of a wolf.” I said as I tucked it back under my shirt.

  “Really?” I heard the surprise in his voice before he added, “You must wear it a lot.” I turned to him confused as to how he would know that. “You play with it when you’re upset or thinking too hard.”

  “Oh.” I responded.

  “Where did you get it?” He asked.

  “Someone in my past.” Silence reigned for a brief moment before Cade asked his next question quietly.

  “Why didn’t you want to tell me about your parents?”

  “Because people look at me differently after they know.” I retorted as my emotions flew to the surface. “They think, ‘Poor Kendra who lost her parents. No wonder she’s messed up.’”