《***》
Dammit! She breathed out.
Marlowe knew she overstayed her welcome. She felt like a burden. Listening to Kelli was her all-time low, and now seeing the hurt in Torrie's eyes. “I take it, I interrupted your love life?” Marlowe asked in a disappointed tone.
Can this night get any worse? Torrie wanted to curl up in a ball under the covers. “Mar it's—” Torrie stammers for words.
Watching Marlowe disappear too which made Torrie stomp her foot in frustration.
Eileen ended up heading in the opposite direction bumping into Torrie. Torrie who tried not to give in to peer pressure.
Eileen found Torrie holding a beer bottle in her hand. “You didn't by any chance see Caden?”
Torrie took a sip of her drink swallowing it hard. Hearing the worry in her question broke her concentration. “Why? Don't tell me you can't—?”
Eileen already had a guilty look on her face. “I might have, yeah. I only left him alone for a minute ...” Eileen can tell Torrie is upset by something. Adding this to her plate wasn't ending on a great night for anybody.
《***》
For where Caden was he ended up sulking in a corner. Caden, who sighs as he started to picture Kate and Flynn together, no matter how hard he forced himself not to. Right now, he loathes his brother for bringing her into his web of lies, to begin with. His eyes closed, once again, the voices came back to haunt him. He hated to even think that. But, he assumed Flynn would leave one day and never look back. Caden always felt he was holding him back from achieving great things. At this rate? He wasn't sure now if he's capable of doing something good for once in his life. Why the hell did it have to be her of all people?! Kate didn't need to be a part of this idiocy of plans. You could have avoided her, but, no you chose to bring her involved and why? Because you claim to be what? Interested in her? That's a load of crap man. You only want what you can't get. That's always been your weakness. You fight for things that are too good for you. Kate doesn't deserve you. She is sweet, down to earth, everything you aren't. The voices, his anger, growing more intense. His body began to rock back and forth like he was in a trance. He gulped down one shot after another.
I do love you, Katie, more than you probably ever know. Part of me wished I told you that night on the front doorsteps. Maybe if I actually kissed you on the lips instead of cheek, it would have made a difference. But, once again, I did what I always do best. I chickened out at the last minute because I'm never gonna be like Flynn. I'm never going to overcome my fears. Flynn's right, I should never come out of my shell. I should stay in my own bubble. At least nothing can hurt me if I keep my walls up. Obviously, when Caden is upset or gets worked up, everything he keeps bottled up comes out until there's nothing left. Hating, he feels this way at times. Sometimes he feels he whines a lot anyway. And, he’d rather not express his feelings to the girls all the time. It's best to keep it bottled up and suck it up, then complain all the time. According to his father's advice.
Let's face it, baby brother, I'm always gonna get the girls. I'm just better than you … at pretty much everything. You're just going to grow old and alone. Flynn's conceited voice echoed in his mind. Trying to block it out as the music drains his voice. He is never gonna grow up. Why should he when I keep taking everything he wants? What's the matter, kid? You gonna hit me? Do it! I know you want to! Caden felt a fist forming until a chilling voice approached him. Interrupting his quiet hour.
“Well, well this is a sight I thought I would never see, the baby brother himself. Drowning our sorrows in a pint of booze?” Avery provokes him which made Caden roll his eyes, as he was not in the mood.
“Go away, Avery,” Caden growled telling him.
Noticing Avery didn't budge.
Caden stumbles to his feet with Avery standing there. “I said back off!” Caden told Avery who knocked on his ass.
“What now?” Kasper groaned hearing yelling, maybe figuring Torrie was in trouble? Partygoers wondered where it was coming from. A few of them formed a small circle. Others were filming it.
“I'll give you that freebie kid.” Avery held his jaw in pain after that hit. As he checked for blood. “Next one you won't see coming.” Avery was getting up as Kasper held Caden back. His fist was getting ready for a punch.
“Easy tiger, he's one of those guys you do not want to tick off.” Kasper tried to reason with him holding him back.
Eileen and Torrie finally found him through the crowd.
“Well darlin' we meet again,” Avery said grinning. Getting to his feet.
“You punched him—” Torrie asked.
Kasper shook his head. Caden was struggling to break free.
“Not yet, he did.”
Caden loosened Kasper's grip starting to lose his balance. “I'm fine, leave me alone!” Caden snarled as he shoved everybody away.
Eileen glared at Torrie as they made eye contact. Torrie who nods let her sister go tend to Caden's condition.
Avery chuckles as he recalled they met earlier tonight. He didn't think she was the one. The one that whipped Kasper Lockhart. Avery saw Torrie for who she is for the first time. Her identity came out. Ethan sneaked his way in front of the case he needed help. Unknowing what was going on himself.
“You don't get to talk anymore,” Kasper says making sure Torrie isn't in harm's way.
“What's the matter, Kas? I want to see what the big deal is.” Avery told him. Enjoying what he sees.
Ethan was lurking ready to strike on his command.
Avery's eyes shifted from Torrie to Kasper. “I'd say you could do better man, trust me on this. Girls like her are like boxes of chocolates when you pick one you never know what you'll get. Most will taste great at first, but when the sour ones come you'll throw them aside—”
Kasper had enough before tackling Avery once again.
《***》
Torrie watched in bewilderment as Marlowe approaches her.
“Can I talk to you for a second?” Marlowe asked while the rowdy crowd was cheering Kasper on. They went outside on the patio.
Torrie heard the water lapping in the background. The moonlight was reflecting both of them where they stand.
Marlowe takes a deep breath trying to block the chaotic noise from inside the condo. She wanted to explain her reason for her return. Hoping Torrie doesn't think she joined an alliance with Kelli. “Before you blow my head off. I'm not working with Kelli on this plan of hers.”
Torrie knew she wouldn't betray their friendship like that. “You had cold feet the first time we tried to shoplift together. Of course, I know you aren't capable of working with Kelli.”
Marlowe laughs as she recalled that first encounter. It ended with Torrie getting arrested. The next day she figured Marlowe would never speak to her again. “I didn't mean to interrupt whatever personal life you have going on with?” Marlowe tilted her head inside to see a massive blowout between Kasper and Avery.
Torrie saw Kasper take a punch to the face and turn her back. “Nothing is going on between us,” Torrie admitted to her.
Marlowe became intrigued. She noticed there was another reason why. “But, you want there to be?”
Torrie shrugs her shoulders. “I don't know yet. He's a great guy when we're together but, when I see him do these things ...” Torrie rubs her arms feeling the cool air blowing her way.
Marlowe knew why she's acting all furtive. “You still blame yourself for why I left don't you?” Marlowe knew Torrie cared about the guy. Not making eye contact already gave away the answer she was waiting for. “I knew it. Torrie comes on, he likes you. You need to stop doubting yourself. You didn't screw up my life, you helped me, and, by only seeing him for a brief minute, I can tell you're helping him too.”
Torrie laughs craning her head hearing crashes again. “Oh yeah, I'm doing a bang-up job.”
Marlowe laughs. “Okay, maybe that's a bad example, but, you know what I mean. You need t
o believe it in yourself. The Torrie I know wouldn't be scared of hiding. She'd fight for what she wants, and I know it's not me,” Marlowe admitted in a sad tone, but it was the truth. Marlowe was okay with them being only friends.
Torrie's vision never left the commotion inside the room.
Marlowe vaguely sees Torrie was distracted. “I do miss you though.” It might not have been the same but, she was glad to see her even if it was for a weekend visit.
Torrie's eyes widened as it came closer. Fearing for her safety she pulled Marlowe near her side, in time as the glass door broke. She ducked down behind the chair, so they wouldn't get hit by the glass.
《***》
“What the hell is going on?!” Travis yelled seeing the damage they did. He was furious at Kasper but, more infuriated at Kelli for inviting Avery here in the first place.
A spooked Marlowe stood up after the thud on the ground, realizing Torrie wasn't behind her. “T—Torr?” Marlowe looked around for any sight of her. There weren't many spots for where she could have ducked. “Where's Torrie?” She asked Travis who shrugged his shoulders.
His eyes, however, noticed the barricade broke when they fell into the sand. Half of the partygoers left; others tried to keep up with the fight following them down onto the beach. Everybody else scattered in case the cops were on their way.
Marlowe gulped down in fear. “Don't tell me she?” She didn't want to utter that thought.
《***》
Throughout the crowd, we spot Michael Heagertigh arriving past his drunken peers. He never wanted to attend in the first place. So why did he come anyway? Michael wasn't sure himself. His conscience told him too if that makes sense. Why the hell is she here? He pondered as they nearly collided into each other. Feeling a pair of arms in her reach, Eileen blinked in shock to see Michael in front of her. “Whoa, you okay?” Michael asked, seeing the frantic look on her face. Michael tried to help Eileen with Caden who collapsed in front of him.
She got lost an hour back. Never been in a room with a lot of people until now. “N-not really, wait ... why are you here?”
They both laugh at the same time. That was his question too.
“I came to ask you the same thing. With what happened at Ethan's.”
She nods knowing she needs to explain herself. Otherwise, she'd be calling herself a hypocrite.
“Torrie tricked me into coming, and I convinced my cousin Caden who ...” Eileen groans kneeling beside him, stumbling to lift him up.
He came to her aid as they made eye contact. “You need some help? I don't mind really. He wouldn't try anything would he?”
Eileen couldn't help but smile as she shook her head. “Caden? He's a sweetheart. I'll explain along the way, come on.” Eileen said with Michael lifting one arm around Caden's shoulder to guide him out of the house. She tries to explain the reason why Caden's been behaving like this.
A stumbling drunk Caden being guided by Eileen and Michael. They were almost home. Caden was revealing his bottled feelings out. “Y—you know, I thought I wasn't going to be like him ... I tried so hard to do the opposite of what he would do.”
Michael wondered what he was babbling about.
Eileen knew exactly what he was rambling about. “Caden, I know how much you're hurting.” Eileen tries to make him feel better. Knowing he won't remember most of this in the morning.
“I need to go find her!” Caden exclaimed. He starts to spin around, but she was able to hold onto him.
“M-maybe you should do that sober huh? Before, you'll regret something later on.”
Caden nods as he felt the booze coming back up and couldn't hold it any longer. Caden vomits behind a trash can near the alleyway to their house.
Michael patted his back. “It's okay let it out.”
Eileen turned away not watching as she recalled a few episodes of her own.
“You okay?” Michael asked wrapping his jacket around her noticing she was cold.
“Y—yeah ... thanks.” She turns around seeing Caden who was slowly feeling a bit better.
“You okay?” Michael asked Caden who nods wiping his mouth off with his jacket as they continue to walk home.
Chapter 32
“How's our patient doing?” Michael lifted his head up as he offered to stay a bit, wanting to talk about some things while he had a chance.
Eileen came downstairs from checking in on Caden who is sleeping. She makes her way down to the living room. “Sleeping it off, I put a bucket by the bed in case he starts again, sorry for the wait, Caden kinda ...”
He nods. “You okay?” He noticed her concern stare.
She shrugs tilting her head back upstairs. Thinking about Caden. “Wishing there was something I could do to help him. But, I know I need to let him do this on his own.”
Michael slides over to her spot, sitting next to her. He noticed she didn't move away. “Believe me, I know the feeling, my old man, he had an anger problem since I started middle school.”
She lowered her head unsure what to say next. “Oh, I'm sorry,”
He nods, clearing his throat. He rarely talked about his personal life to anybody other than his uncle. It felt good letting some of this bottled tension out to someone he trusted. “He blamed me for a lot of crap. Most of it I deserved … other times I didn't. If Caden keeps his feelings bottled in, he'll succumb to everything he cared about.” Michael hoped Caden doesn't take anything for granted. Like he had.
“You forgave him? Your dad?”
He cleared his throat. She could tell he was contemplating the answer. “I had a long talk with myself on how I was going to handle this when I came back. There were times when I couldn't stay with him because we'd duke it out. So, I lived with my uncle, and my cousins Ava and Nicole.”
She wanted to facepalm herself feeling stupid. That's who he was hanging out that day. God, I'm an idiot.
Michael sees her looking blanched again. He puts his hand on top of hers. “Hey, you don't need to worry. In the end, I chose this. Part of me wanted to see if he had changed over the years, until,” Michael drifted off making her smile.
Finishing the sentence for him. “Until … you met me,” not sure she would take it as a compliment or was it a discredit.
He gently squeezes her hand over his. “And, I wouldn't have changed anything when I met you.”
Eileen was convinced this was all talk. Nobody in their right mind would ever. “You're just saying that. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
He doesn't see it like that. “That's not how I saw it. I may have had a girlfriend prior before bumping into you. Her name was Mari, we broke up before I came over here.” Michael explained his side of the story. “Then, I saw you after and, I promised myself I was going to wait but, after breaking my knee ... my identity disappeared after I stopped playing football. Hell, I’m still confused. But, ever since you came into my life, it's been full of surprises.” They both laugh for a few minutes. He raised her head up with his finger to gaze into those eyes of hers. “I don't regret a single second of it. Throughout all the crap we've already been through.” He cupped her face with his hand.
A sigh escaped her lips. “I don't want to be a burden—”
Michael stopped her midway through with a passionate kiss. After a few minutes, he pulls out, leaning his forehead on hers as they catch their breath. “You are never a burden and you need to stop selling yourself short.”
《***》
The calm waves woke an aching Kasper who groans laying on the sand below him. His heavenward up at the nighttime sky. Ow … damn what the hell happened? His forehead puckered. He blinked as his eyes opened. The fall from the impact took its toll on him. Kasper got dizzy as he tried to sit up. He re-closes his eyes before reopening them again to focus. Other than dizziness he experienced a slight stiffness to his lower back. He noticed Avery was nowhere near him. Wait … He tries to reflect on something. If Avery isn't here, then wh
o came down with him? From his vision, he noticed a shadow of an unconscious figure a few feet away. Unable to stand, he crawled over to the lifeless body. Kasper's heartbeat started rising faster with every beat, he had an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach, having a hunch of who it was.
Crap! He thought as he hated being right. His vision became clearer as he crawled over to the lifeless body of Torrie. Checking for a pulse as he sighs of relief. Thank god. He would've felt very devastated and wouldn't forgive himself if something bad happened. Kasper touches the side of her angelic face, as he never meant for any of this to happen. “Angel, please wake up,” Kasper whispered as he gave her a kiss on her forehead.
True Love:Follow Your Heart Page 26