Tiffani sauntered out looking smug as her eyes locked onto Kate’s. “Have fun …”
Kate muttered under her breath and entered inside.
《***》
“What’s going on?” Flynn noticed the hushed whispers during lunch as he sat down next to Caden.
“You didn’t hear? Kate got suspended for starting a fight in the girl's bathroom with Tiffani.”
Flynn’s staggered face said everything everybody was thinking. “What? Kate wouldn’t do a thing like that.”
Caden knew that assumption long ago. He knew his Kate wouldn’t hurt a fly. This had Tiffani all over it. “Oh, I know she wouldn’t. Which is why I plan on finding out the reason behind this new scheme.”
“She conned you into believing that what happened at the dinner was her doing didn’t she?” Flynn knew he accused Tiffani behind that awful date. He still had his doubts.
“Nevermind forget I said anything. I forgot when it came to Tiffani you always have her wrapped around her finger. To you she can do no harm.” A discouraged Caden told him as he got up from the table.
《***》
“What the hell is going on between you and my brother?” Caden asked Kate who took a sip of her soda. This was the last place she wanted to be, despite everything. But she got tired of staying at home all week.
“Nice to see you too.”
Caden was a man on a mission. He wasn't in the mood for mind games. If Flynn wasn't suspicious about this, he is, and he will get to the bottom of this, one way or another.
Kate knew he wasn't budging. “And FYI, nothing is going on between your brother and me.” She reassured him and her on top of it. There was nothing romantic between them, right? Only trying to expose a bitch for what she is. Kate noticed the dispirited look on his face. Accusing them of sneaking around. She understood the reason why. "There is no romance involved. I swear Caden.” She pats his shoulder reassuring him. She leaves him alone.
I want to believe you Kate, honest to god I do. Nobody stays 'friends' with my brother. A downhearted sigh escaped his mouth. Kate was a delicate girl. He fears their friendship will be destroyed if he listened to his emotions. He never experienced rejection beforehand. Knowing if your crush won't express the same feeling back. It's going to suck so much. Caden rather loves her from afar than reveals his true feelings in a person. No matter how the situation plays inside his head. Reality romance is a bittersweet saga. From watching his brother toy with girls' emotions on a weekly basis. Caden made a promise not to be like him when it came to love. Flynn will end up hurting Kate after a two-week play-date give or take. Worst of all, he won't be able to help. There was nothing he could do to stop the process. It'll only be a matter of time.
“You alright man?” Flynn's voice snapped his brother out of his train of thoughts. He didn’t realize he came downstairs.
“Fine, just thinking about something. How's Tiffani?” Caden lied to him about her 'condition' update status.
“A bit shook up still. I figured she wanted some alone time with the girls.”
“You sure you know what you're doing?” Caden wanted to make sure Kate will be protected.
“Yeah, relax will you,” Flynn knew his concern wasn't about his well-being but someone else. “Oh, this is about Kate?”
Caden felt his eyes droop down to the floor. Flynn knew how overprotective he was to Kate.
“She'll be fine, I'm not going to be too far away.”
Caden still had doubts. “You don't have any feelings?” Caden wanted to be absolutely sure he can trust both of them a hundred percent.
Flynn smiles seeing how cautious Caden became over this foolproof plan. “I promise man. She's not even my type, you should know that.” He lied through his teeth
“I wish I could believe you, Flynn. But I will say this, if you hurt Kate in any way—”
Flynn had no intention of doing that whatsoever. “Caden, I'll never betray Kate in any way. I know how special she is to you.” Flynn might have some feelings towards Kate. Kate is more than a two-week situation, as of now, they made a pact to take Tiffani down first. And when everything calms down. Whatever happens, happens.
Chapter 21
Christian and Ryder Rubey never went anywhere without the other one. They've survived a lot of things together over the years. When they were in middle school, Ryder got picked on by Avery, which forced Christian to be protective of him. By the time Avery made amends, both of them were ready for whatever outcome imaginable. Things were going pretty well, up until they dragged their sister Eileen into this. Still, the damage was already done, when they landed their marks on Heagertigh. That changed the relationship between the three of them, and the brothers wanted her back.
“Eileen, come on. Are you ever going to talk to us?” Ryder broached his sister. It's been months since she started giving them the silent treatment.
Torrie hated it twice as much as they did. Yes, they messed up. But they've been trying to get back on her good side.
“Why should I?” Eileen inscrutably asked, as she came downstairs. She was partly cranky because of her lack of sleep.
The brothers followed her in hot pursuit into the kitchen.
“After everything you two did? I tried to be forgiving. I've tried to give you the benefit of the doubt. I tried to help you. Instead, I got sucked in the middle with no way out.”
Christian signally told Ryder to block her way out. “We get it. You're pissed at us. You have every right to be, but it wasn't our—”
She wanted so badly to forgive them for everything, but Eileen was so sick of that excuse. She put her right hand up to shut them up. “Fault,” she said, finishing their sentence for her. She began to get peeved at their pathetic attempt to play the guilt card. Eileen rolled her eyes. “Yeah, I know. You two should learn to take a bit more responsibility for your actions. And stop being Avery's lap dogs all the time.”
They could hear the anger in her voice rise, and knew she was still pissed. It wasn't the first time, as their father forbade them countless times to walk away. “It's not that easy to walk away from him.”
She has heard their countless excuses before. Her lips pursed together. “It never is, is it? Don't you two ever wonder what it could be like? To be free from his grasp? Not looking over your shoulder. Or being afraid anymore?” Eileen could feel a headache creeping in on her, and this is not how she wanted to start her day. Hopefully, her advice will get through to them. She left them alone as she walked downstairs. There was nothing more she could say that would help. In the end she knew it was their choice to make.
《***》
Ryder and Christian pondered on their sister's words. Ryder leered at his brother. “She's right man. You know how much better it would feel?” Ryder asked him.
Christian fretted about the consequences. “Dude, come on, you know we tried that once too many times. We always talk about it, but that's all it ever is.”
Ryder hated to admit it. He recalled a few close moments, but his phone vibrated and interrupted their conversation.
“Avery?” Christian figured they needed to meet him somewhere.
Ryder shook his head. “Kas actually. He wants to meet up before school.”
Christian read the text over, as they wondered what the fuss was all about. “Let's go see what he wants,”
Ryder added as he grabbed his stuff. Christian followed as they texted Kasper along the way and agreed to rendezvous at their local hangout.
《***》
Kasper paced back and forth outside, as he tried to warm up his cold hands. He kept replaying the confrontation he had with Avery a few weeks ago. He didn’t mean for this to explode the way it has. But now comes the hard part, he has to make a choice.
Waiting outside the old hangout for Avery to return. Kasper knew they haven’t been on the best of terms lately. It’s mostly due to him trying to do the right thing, but how hard is it to walk away fr
om the only thing you knew?
Footsteps distracted Kasper from his thoughts as his brown eyes narrowed up at his former brother, who was surprised to see him there. “Been talking smack about me? You know you could say it to my face, right?” Kasper tossed his empty beer bottle on the grass.
The tension between the two former friends was heating up. This day was always possible because both men had a loose cannon with a short fuse, waiting to be lit. One wrong move and things would explode.
“Just stating the facts, Kas, it's nothing personal. You're confused. I get it. I understand. When I got out, I became you.” Avery bumped him a bit out of the way.
Kasper scoffs, knowing that's bull. “You don't want to start anything you won't be able to finish.” He snarled as his eyes locked with his. His fists began to curl into a ball, but he managed to keep his composure. He knew how to play this game just as Avery had.
Avery grins, seeing how testy Kasper has gotten, but he knew he was right. Kasper isn't the same man ever since he got released. Something changed inside him, or hell maybe he was going soft? Whatever it was he knew Kasper couldn't be relied on anymore, which was a shame. Once again Avery tried to shove him once more to get out of the way, but Kasper blocked his wrist this time, and shoved his arm away.
“What the hell is your problem with me? I thought we were cool.”
Avery ignored him for a brief moment and sauntered inside his place.
Kasper observed his every move carefully in case he had a plan of his own. The place has not changed since he last left it. This place is something you watch out of horror movies. With it being placed in the woods. Away from the city with no outside interference or cell service. He heard stories from the brothers that it's part of Avery’s family history, but there was no proof to back up the claims. There was nothing alluring about this place. So, why does he stay here? It baffled him to no end.
Avery’s voice snapped Kasper back out of his trance again. “It seems when someone betrays me, let's say I like to keep my guard up at all times.”
Kasper’s forehead puckered at Avery’s direction, watching him pace over towards the mini-fridge. “What the hell are you talking about? I never betrayed you.”
Avery heard Kasper's voice rose, as he let out a tittered laugh. “Then why has it come to my clarification, that you’ve been neglecting our meetings for a plaything in a skirt?” Avery sparked an interest in Kasper, who stared daggers at him.
The next thing Kasper knew he let his anger take control of his body and wrenched Avery’s arm behind his back.
Avery remained nonchalant about his situation. “Trying to impress someone?” Avery asked as he looked around.
Kasper didn't budge and showed no weakness. If he showed weakness in front of Avery, it was over for him. Whether Torrie is his safe haven or not. Truly he didn’t know what’s going on with his personal life. But that’s a story for a different day.
“Nobody's here for you to show off to. Face it, Lockhart, you let love cloud your judgment. You've changed and not for the better.” Avery said in a cheerless tone.
Kasper gripped Avery’s arm tighter. Both their eyes locked on one another, and they wondered who'll cave first. Kasper shoved Avery away. His words were echoing in his mind. What the hell was going on with him? Is this what it was coming to? Is Avery right? Has he changed? Is Torrie changing him for the better? All he knew was right now … he needed to get out of here before he’ll do something he’ll regret.
Avery heard his footsteps depart from the hideout. “Next time, figure out what you want or don't bother coming back here at all!” His wrathful voice yelled, as his brooding face snarled.
Lockhart slammed the door behind him on his way out. This was going to be a battle to the finish. No way out for either one of them unless he does something to break it.
Christan and Ryder finally arrived a few feet away near the school, as Kasper requested. They knew things have been going kind of sour between the four of them. Much as they loathed to be in the middle. They knew sooner or later they’ll have to pick a side.
“No, Avery like you requested. What's going on?” Christian looked over his shoulders as he wondered if this was an ambush or something.
Kasper knew this was risky, he had his doubts, but it was now or never, he needed to put the plan in motion. He needed all the help he could get. His optimism wasn't high, but he's playing with fate here. Not even their footsteps broke his concentration.
“Kas?” Ryder snapped Kasper out of his trance.
“Huh? Oh right. Sorry it's been a long few days.”
They noticed he was a tad skittish.
“Look what I'm about to tell you it stays here, okay? You won't go telling Avery?”
Ryder and Christian leered at one another in a more cautious way as they agreed to keep mum for now. Kasper took a deep breath.
“We promise man what's going on?” They gave him their word.
“You know that there is only one way out when it comes to Avery. He and I haven't been on the same page since I came back.”
Both brothers remained silent and gawked at Kasper with what he said. They wanted to know where this was coming from.
“You want us to turn on Avery?” Ryder wanted to make sure that is what Kasper said.
Kasper nodded and saw they remained befuddled. “All I ask is a distraction from you two. I'll handle the rest. I just want to know if you're in or not.” Kasper regrets putting trust into this rocky relationship. But he ran out of options and began to grasp at straws.
Christian glanced at Ryder, who tried to read his thoughts. “Can we think about it, at least?” Christian questions him.
Kasper nodded as he gave them a few days. “Yeah, but I need an answer soon.”
They walked away shortly.
Ryder watched Kasper leave, which made the coast clear before he spoke to his brother. “What are you going to do?”
Christian scratched the side of his head. Avery asked him to keep an eye on Kasper a few days ago. He knew Avery would lose a gasket. They hated being in the middle when they butted heads. Now with this war kicking into high gear. With no man backing down. In due time the brothers will have to pick sides. “I don't know, man. This is our one shot at this. We can't blow it. With Eileen hating us right now we can't ask her for advice. Not like she'll listen to us in the first place.” Christian said it was the truth at the moment.
“You know either way they will expect an answer from us soon. Guess the better question is, who do you feel safer with?” Ryder asked him.
Christian groaned as they walked to school, hoping to ignore the task at hand. One way or another they will betray someone, as it felt like a long walk back to school. Lost in their own world. The boys bumped into a familiar foe.
《***》
“Great. Are you two going to beat me up again?” Michael asked, regrouping himself. His eyes were heavenwards at them clearly not in the mood.
Neither were they for once. “We got more important things to worry about than you, kid. Leave before we changed our minds.”
Heagertigh wondered what crawled up their asses but lets it slide for now.
“What was that all about?” Ethan asked him as he saw from the corner of his eye; Michael leaned back against his locker.
Michael shrugged his shoulders unsure himself. “I don't know, and I don't care. What I do care about is this sadistic, twisted, idea that you thought working with Lockhart could be a good thing.” Michael added who still had his own doubts about him.
Ethan became contemplated to figure out what to do as well. “Look, all I know is I'm done fighting. Don't you want this to go away? Or to stop looking over our shoulders?” For Ethan, this was a year-long on again off again relationship he was willing to say goodbye too. Recognition dawned on Ethan's face. He noticed Michael glanced away after Eileen who came sauntering by. “Oh, I get it now. You still haven't told her yet, huh?”
Ethan caught up with him moments later. “You can't run from your problems. You two were partners for a reason remember? Look, I'm not saying you have to get along with her. Do the paper, and whatever happens, then you can figure it out later.”
Michael had one slight tiny issue about his plan. He tilted his head up at Ethan. “What about you and her?”
Ethan clenched his jaw. His eyes narrowed the floor. At this point, his feelings didn't matter. “This is about you; how do you know if you don't find the courage to say anything? Don't wait until the last second man. You'll regret it.” Ethan patted his shoulder as he entered their next class.
True Love:Follow Your Heart Page 15