Flynn knew she had doubting issues. He did too. Although, out of the two of them. She would manage to settle down with someone. “It kind of is.”
As a waitress interrupted their conversation to take their orders.
“How can you be so sure whatever I choose, it's going to work out?” Eileen wanted to understand how he sees things from his point of view. She asked halfway through their food.
Flynn took a break from his burger and tried to describe it the best he knew how. “I may not know per se, but with certain people, you know they can manage to work whatever kinks out. For others, it's a boundary issue.” Flynn sighs eating some of his comfort food to make him feel better.
Eileen can see the hopelessness in his eyes. “You and Caden are that bad?” Eileen assumed the brothers are fighting again.
He shrugs his shoulders finishing his soda. “It's looking like it, yeah. I—I know how much Kate means to him. I understand that. But every time I see her, I can't speak straight, can't focus on anything. She's the only thing that matters right now, you know?”
Boy, does she know about that feeling? Eileen takes a long down-casting a sip of her milkshake. Drowning her sorrows in at the same time. “Yeah,” Eileen said in a dulled whisper.
Flynn scrutinized over her direction. “Hey, talk to me? You seem to be a million miles away right now.”
She lays her head on his shoulders again. “Do you think I came back too soon?” She never cared to wonder what anybody thought before. She always assumed her choices were her decision to make.
Flynn couldn't answer that for her. He knew she'd find the strength to beat it. That was one of the times when he became vulnerable. Family means everything to Flynn. With him and Caden barely growing up without one. Memories were precious to them, and, when he couldn't save her. It nearly killed him. Whatever Caden said to her. He was grateful it worked. “It was your choice to make. What? You thought that if you stayed, none of this was going to happen?” Flynn joked as she nodded.
“Part of me does, yeah. That way I wouldn't have to hurt two great guys in the process.” Eileen thought it was a foolish, selfish idea of hers. “I know, I can't keep hiding anymore, can I?” She already knew the answer to that question. Hearing the chatter from the crowded diner. She heard the door open. It was based on instinct that she raised her head surveying Michael who came inside. She ducked under the table watching him get settled into the booth last, hoping not to be seen.
“Did I miss something?” Flynn asked lowering his voice seeing how spooked she has gotten.
She peeked up praying he didn't notice. “One of the guys we were talking about, came in.” Flynn swiveled his head to spot the one with the two cute very cute girls by his side. Mostly the blonde chick next to him.
Losing his concentration for a brief second. “Yeah?” Before putting two and two together ... "Oh,” rolling his eyes.
《***》
“Hey, what's eating you up?” Torrie asked Caden, who nearly collided with one another from upstairs.
“It's nothing,” Caden grumbled, making Torrie laugh.
“Who are you trying to fool? This is me, come on in, I don't bite.” Torrie guided him into her room, which was well; it looked like her closet threw up.
Caden's brow rose at the site of her unkempt room. Eileen must not be here; otherwise, she'd flip her lid. He's like that with Flynn's side. “Redecorating or something?” Caden stares at the littered bed. Finding a place to sit.
Torrie closed her door, so they could talk in private. “Uh, finding an outfit for the stupid party.”
“You got invited to Tiffani slumber party?” Assuming that was the logical situation.
“Actually, it's Kelli's she invited most of the school a few weeks back.” Torrie sat down on the bed next to him. Explaining and correcting his stories, which got crossed a bit.
“And you're going to go?” Caden wondered why she would want to put herself through that?
“I know it doesn't sound like me. With what happened with Marlowe.”
Caden sees she is still beating herself up over it. She ended up telling him that night. “It wasn't your fault Torrie. Some people react to other drastic news in their own way. You had nothing to feel bad about.”
Torrie rested her head on his shoulder. She was glad she wasn't talking to Flynn about this. He's not exactly the brightest tool in the shed to explain a sensible subject. Torrie knew it wasn't. She has a hard time letting things go. “I know it's not my fault. But I still feel guilty for pushing her.” Torrie expressed her emotions out.
Caden heard the short version of the story from Torrie. He knew there were heartless people out there. He assumed people would be open-hearted by accepting others' beliefs. This is a bitter, ruthless, dog-eat-dog world. Only one impression is all you need to survive.
“I told Marlowe to end all communication with me after she left. According to her mother, I already made her life a living hell. I'm not going to make things worse.”
Caden rubs her back trying to console her. Still drowning in his own cheerless world. “I guess that's why you're scared to be with Kasper?”
Torrie's brows knitted together gawking at him, wondering how he knew about him in the first place. “How'd you?”
Caden laughs. “You aren't the only ones with secrets. Besides, I heard you talking to Eileen before. It might be pretend but it's turning into a real thing for you huh?”
Damn, he's good. Torrie couldn't help but become impressed. Her cheeks started getting red and admitted the truth to him. “You're getting uncanny good with this mind reader thing you know that?” Torrie tells him as Caden smiles nodding. It was either that or he's been wallowing himself in self-pity.
“I'm starting to figure out my feelings about her.”
Torrie was clueless about what he was trying to say in riddles. She gaped at him in shock. “You and Kate? You finally told her how you felt?” Torrie hoped he did.
Shaking his head. “I tried to tell her a few times. I have, Torrie. I—” Caden laid his head on the bed in frustration.
Torrie lays her head on besides his. “Flynn?” They said in unison.
Flynn is one of those kinds of womanizing hunks who get anything handed on a silver platter. Caden knew that since middle school. That wasn't the issue. It was when he started flirting with his best friend. That's when things started getting complicated.
“Caden, you need to let Kate know. You're trying yeah, and I know Flynn, he doesn't think with his brain when it comes to girls, but you do. You need to have the courage to believe in yourself. To find that inner confidence.” Torrie added.
Caden appreciated the pep talk. To him, he was incompetent when it came to girls. He didn't have swagger. He never had the charm.
“How can I, when I don't have half of everything he does? I can't give her anything, I don't drive, or…” Who the hell was Caden trying to fool? No wonder Caden never stood a chance with Kate. He wanted to give her the world at one point.
She smiles. Rubbing his hand. “None of that matters when it comes to women.”
Caden snorted knowing she was full of crap.
Torrie corrected herself. “Okay, besides the high-class maintenance ones. But, for Kate, I see the way you two look at each other, Flynn might be, and stop me at any time for saying this ... 'better looking'.” Trying not to gag without saying that with a straight face. Caden laughs forgetting for a split-second how they used to pick on each other. Missing that almost a bit. “But you are an affectionate, chivalrous, guy. She would be foolish enough not to realize it, and, if she doesn't pick you. In the end, you deserved someone who'll love you. Inside and out.”
Caden shares a hug smiling feeling a bit better. “Thanks, cuz,”
Torrie smiles returning the hold. “Anytime.” Torrie released the hold.
《***》
From her sight view, Eileen watches him from afar. Why was every fiber in her being shaking? Sure, they
were beautiful, there was no denying that. Part of her felt betrayed. Why?
Flynn glanced around the now crowded diner. “Obviously it's getting crowded here, sneak out the back way,” Flynn whispered to her.
Eileen tried to tiptoe her way around the back. But, ended up spotting Ethan coming that way, and took a detour right back to Flynn. “Got a different direction?” She got his attention spotting the football team.
His brow rose to question her taste in men. The jock? Figuring she could have done so much better than him. He heard some interesting stories about Ethan. Feeling both Ethan's and Michael's eyes shifting in her direction. She couldn't escape without some luck. Luckily for her, she managed to sneak out the front way shortly after the crowd died down. Flynn followed later on paying for their food and whistled around for her in the parking lot.
“Sorry our date got distracted,” she said sheepishly coming out from behind the car.
Flynn chuckles. Walking up to her. “It's fine, come on I got another place.” Flynn got back in the car as they drove off. He spoke after stopping at a red light. “You know hiding from them won't make it disappear any faster.”
She nods in agreement. Eileen needs to deal with her issues head-on. Hiding everything including emotions makes things worse. “I need a break just to sort out this situation. I’ll make a decision soon.” Eileen knew she interrupted enough of his time. “Guess I'm not a big help for you. Why don't you drop me off and you can go for your drive?”
Flynn wonders if that's a good idea. Tilting his eyes up in the rearview mirror for a second. “You sure you want to be alone right now?”
Eileen nods as they reach the house street. He pulls onto the side. “I'll be fine I'll see you later.” Eileen gave him a hug as she hops out of the car.
Flynn hoped Torrie could snap her out of this funk. Arriving up the steps hearing Flynn's car disappearing once again.
She nearly collided with Torrie inside the house.
《***》
“Where'd you come from?” A puzzled Torrie asked coming downstairs after talking to Caden moments ago.
“Uh, Flynn tried to cheer me up it was going fine until I ran into both of them.” Sitting down on the couch again.
“You okay?” Torrie saw the flustered look on her face.
She shrugs unsure about where her feelings lie between both men. “I will be, I need a few days to collect myself.” Eileen said climbing stairs with Torrie watching letting out a sigh.
Chapter 28
With spring break lurking around the corner Vixen Meadows started to warm up. Kelli had an idea to keep her status and put Tiffani’s slumber parties to shame. “So, rumor has it you're going to throw a party?” Travis repeated what she told him earlier.
Kelli nods her head. The halls were buzzing for weeks now. And now that it was coming up soon … she was beginning to have doubts. “S—so you're going to help me?” Kelli asked in her vulnerable state.
“Of course, I am. But isn't your mom still going to be home for the rest of the week?” He recalled she told him something about it a few weeks ago.
“Shoot I forgot. Can we have it at yours?”
Knowing his parents are hardly home as it was. “Yeah, why not. My folks aren't there anyway.” Plus, he knew Wyatt wouldn't mind.
Kelli kissed him on the lips. Squealing happily as she took out her phone to tell everybody a minor detail changed.
《***》
“Guess you heard about—?” Said a familiar voice who got Torrie’s attention.
She turned around after closing her locker. Kasper couldn't stop dreaming about that kiss they had. Neither could Torrie who nods her answer. “Yeah, not sure why I'm on the invite list. l don’t even like her.” Torrie told him.
“Yeah, I found out it's at Travis house. So, guess who won't be going either.” He possibly gave a hint, maybe they could do something together?
Torrie wonders why Kasper didn't like Travis to begin with. “What?” Torrie noticed that glare at her.
“Nothing, I'll see you around Angel,” he gives her a kiss on the cheek.
“I told you to stop calling me that!” She yelled watching him leave as she sighs.
“Sorry, couldn't hear you!” He yelled back making her smile lightly.
《***》
“You just missed your brother.” Torrie told her but she didn't budge. Wanting an excuse not to be … well here with her.
“Actually, I'm here to see you.”
Torrie laughs folding her arms across her chest. She thought this was some kind of joke, or prank, right? “Me huh? Are you going to push me off a cliff or down the stairs next?” Torrie wondered what other hurtful things she could do.
“No, and I apologized for what happened between us. Really, I truly am. I want a do-over. You think we can let bygones be bygones?” Kelli puts her hand out for Torrie to shake.
Torrie scoffs not believing a single word that she said. “After everything, you put my sister through. I’m supposed to forgive you.” Torrie snapped her fingers together. “Just like that? Easy peasy? And on top of it you don't approve of my relationship with your brother so why should I give a damn?” She thought about it for a moment. Kelli knew this was a horrible idea of hers. Torrie lets out a giggle. “Oh, I know what this is about.”
Kelli raised her brow wondering if she caught her true intentions. “Y-you do?” Kelli looked down at the ground.
“You're trying to outwit your mini-me, right?”
Kelli sighs happily she didn't totally catch her yet. “Yep, you caught me. There's a party at Travis's on Saturday,”
Torrie was still on to her little scheme. She decided to play dumb to get more information out of her. “And what? You want me there because?”
Kelli bit the inside of her cheeks as she regrets this meeting from the start. This was hopeless. She knew it wasn't going to work. “Because I thought it would be an icebreaker for us? To finally set things right. I meant what I said Torrie. I want us to at least try to be friends. If you come, I'll see you on Saturday ... if not—I’ll understand.” Kelli said as she walks away knowing she has her where she wants her.
Torrie didn't know what her endgame was to this. Part of her was intrigued to find out why she's wasting time to invite her. I'm on to you Lockhart as Torrie heads off in the opposite direction.
《***》
“Caden?” Eileen said seeing a shadow figure pacing back and forth in his room.
He stops to control his temper and collect his thoughts. He turns around leaning by the doorway spotting her. “Oh hey,” Caden croaked out in a light whisper.
“Is everything okay with you? Torrie filled me in on what's been going on between you and Flynn.” Eileen wanted to know if he wanted to talk.
Good, at least I won't have to talk about it. He thought to himself. If it was about anything else, Caden would talk. But as of late, he wanted the drama to end. He folds his arms across his chest as he leaned against the door. “Heard you have some of your own drama.” Caden tried to change the subject.
“Yeah, Torrie thought maybe going to 'the party of the century' would help distract me from it.”
Caden knew she wasn't the partying type, neither was he, and, from how he's been acting as of late. This was not one of the distractions he needed. “Take it you're going to Kelli's?”
Eileen shrugs. Knowing if she had it her way, Eileen would rather study instead of socializing. “It's not like I was invited to begin with. I know why Torrie's inviting me. But I know Ethan got invited to it, I already had a close encounter with both of them today. I just—” Like Caden, she wouldn't be in a good mood either.
Caden sat down on the bed. She paused her thoughts and followed inside. Burying her hand in her face. As she wanted to scream her anger out. He can relate. NO! No more love sappy advice. No more feeling sorry for himself. He didn't want to have another conversation about 'what could've been'.
; She leans up a bit. As she gazed at their brooding reflections. “Look at us Caden. We both need this party tonight.”
Caden laughs as he was in no condition for parties. Especially in his current state of mind.
She needed to convince him to go. There was no way she'd survive her first highschool party without a little encouragement. “Come on, please? Come with us? You know I won't be able to survive by myself at that party. Especially with Kelli no less. Plus, it'll take your mind off of Kate and Flynn.”
He wasn't going to admit. It could be a nice distraction for once. To see how his brother is. Why does he like these things? He had, however, one question. “I can bail anytime?” Caden asked.
True Love:Follow Your Heart Page 23