“Hey!”
She got his attention. She didn't have time for this. “Look, she's feeling repentant from a previous encounter that transpired. I know how wariness she became. I saw it last night. Deep down she's conscience-stricken.” Marlowe hoped this doesn't come back to haunt her in the ass for telling him. But, here goes nothing. “I'm gay.” She blurted out a personal subject that very few people know about.
He was thunderstruck, to say the least and unsure of what to say at this point.
“I recently came out and let's say my mother had a hissy fit,” Marlowe explained her reason for leaving.
Kasper remained silent listening to her story.
“She accused Torrie of being a troublemaker. Thinking she had convinced me or turned me, but when that didn't work. She forbade me to see her and shipped me to California.”
He sighs taking everything in as Marlowe lowering her head in shame. “Damn, Marlowe I'm sorry you went through that.” Kasper was sincere for once.
She could tell he meant it. “Thanks, she thought keeping me far away from Torrie would change me back to normal. Even though that's not how it works, it does suck. Believe me, if I knew what Kelli was going to do, I wouldn't have come in the first place.” Marlowe did have a request though for him. “I have something to ask you … Keep protecting her no matter what happens between you two, okay? She's special to both of us.”
He wasn't going to disagree with that. She took a sip of his beer before handing it back. He raised his brow and puckered his forehead in her direction.
“See you around Kasper.”
He nods watching her head towards the front door.
Ethan came around catching his breath before she opened it. “I see the house is still standing.” Ethan teased them. Intrigued by what kind of conversation they had moments ago.
“See ya around jock boy,” Marlowe patted him on the back leaving the guys alone.
“Everything okay?”
She gave him something for Kasper to think about.
“Y-yeah I'm going to get out of your hair for a while.” Kasper got up with Ethan going to help him, but he had it under control. “I-I'm okay,”
Ethan watches him walk out of the cabin.
《***》
Later that day we see Caden and Kate who finally decided to leave the house for some fresh air.
“You sure you're okay?” Kate kept checking in right on cue.
Caden nods as if he was counting. “I know it might not sound like I'm having a good time. But, trust me Kate all I needed was a break away from everything. You've been the perfect distraction.”
Kate sat down on the bench near the park. “You know we promised no secrets. Caden, I saw the bruise. Did something happen last night?” She asked, inviting him to sit. “You can talk to me; you know that right?” She knew she was part of the reason for his peer pressure lately. Due to her hushed alliance with Flynn to get her name cleared again. Kate loathed to keep it from her best friend all this time and knew Caden would’ve been more than happy to help her.
He lowered her head in shame.
“Caden, what happened?” Kate gawked at the bruises in shock. Holding his hand up. A vacant stare was shown on his face.
“I uh—” Caden tried to come up with a convincing lie. “Not sure, must have been pretty wasted to block it out.”
Kate lets it slide.
“I-I know I've been difficult to put up with lately. I apologize for—”
Kate stops him right there. “You have nothing to apologize for. I understand why you're feeling this way.”
Caden was taken aback at her statement. Did he blurt something out he wasn't supposed to last night? “Y-you do?” Not sounding too desperate here at this moment.
She nodded her head in agreement. “Caden, you mean the world to me. I know we've been through a lot over the years. I never want to lose what we have together. No matter what happens between us.” She touches his cheek lightly; he squeezes her hand lightly with a smile.
“Kate, you aren't going to lose me. I'm always going to be there for you no matter what. You're my best friend.” Caden was hesitant to say that. Even if it meant staying in the friend zone forever, her being in his life was more important than not having her at all..
She knew who he was thinking about. “Even if something does happen between Flynn and I?”
He felt his eyes droop. Flynn will always be a topic he can't talk about without getting worked up.
Kate can see the discomfort in his eyes. “Yeah, that's what I was afraid of.” Kate wished it could be any other way, but she can't.
“Kate,” Caden tries to say as his voice trails off. Unsure what to tell her at this point.
“Caden, I wish part of you could tell me why you don't want me with Flynn. I understand why you wouldn't approve because of how he treats girls. But, I'm not those girls. You know me well enough by now.” She pleaded with him.
He doesn't budge at all. Even if he'll never express his true feelings to her. He couldn't approve of this relationship. “Kate, you know I will support you in anything you accomplish yourself. I'm sorry, but this is one thing I can't say yes to … he's already working on his charm. You just don't see it yet.” Caden did have a question of his own as he wanted to change the subject. “You never told me how you managed to get back to school. I sincerely think Tiffani had a change of heart.”
Kate giggles. “No, she didn’t. But let's say I had some outside help in getting my good name back.”
Caden raised his brow as he already knew the answer to this question. “My brother being one of those allies?”
Kate nods. “Yes. I involved him in the plan.”
A sadden Caden shook his head.
Kate knew what his doubts were. “Look, I know you still have issues with him, Caden. I get that. But he came through for me when I needed him. He’s not that bad of a guy.”
Caden wasn’t in the mood to talk about it. “Come on it’s getting late we should head back.”
Kate was glad he didn’t ask for details as she remained silent while they walked back to her apartment.
《***》
Debating on going in after leaving Kate’s, Caden found it deserted, for now.
“Whoa! What the hell reeks?!” Flynn saw him. After a disappointing Caden did the walk of shame. “What happened to you? Were you drinking?”
Caden shoved him towards the wall. He wasn't in the mood to deal with him.
Flynn grabbed his hand stopping him from heading upstairs. “What?—Going to hit me now? What happened last night?”
Caden shoved him off behind the door. “None of your business to what happened last night.”
He was taken aback for someone who plays video games Caden had a tight grip. Caden didn't want to deal with his fatherly advice right now.
Flynn spins around. “Uh-uh, it's time you and I—” Flynn already saw the bruise on his hand. A furious Flynn was bewildered by his brother's actions. He thought he knew better. “Drinking and fighting Caden? Thought I raised you better than—”
Caden shoved his grip away. Both of them catching their breaths. “What? A better version of you?” Caden snarls his mouth.
Flynn pursed his lips together to calm himself down. He did not want to have this same exhausting fight again. Despite how flustered he became.
“Guess I'm not you after all. I don't end up hurting girls I care about!”
Flynn had enough of the blame game. Nobody knew what happened next because Flynn tackled his brother to the ground. Both men were vexed with how this relationship was ruining each other. He was getting tired of being called names, he's tired of being the playboy womanizer, and nobody will give him the opportunity to change
Caden swore he'd never to become his brother nor his father. He’ll never abuse his love for personal gain or disappearing on them when needed the most. But when Kate came into the picture as a future two-week
potential love interest for Flynn. That lit a spark from inside. He was going to do whatever it took to protect her from his brother.
《***》
“Hey! Hey, break it up right now!” Said the voice of Eileen who came home from school with Michael wondering how this started.
Footsteps approached as Christian and Ryder came downstairs hearing the commotion. Trying to separate the brothers who wouldn't break. Christian took Flynn as Ryder and Michael held Caden down.
Torrie who was to be recovering from her injured back woke up from the outburst. “What the hell is going on here?” Torrie asked trying to calm the choleric, brooding brothers.
Everybody turned their attention towards her.
“Never mind them, what happened to you?” Eileen asked out of concern as Flynn raised his brow wondering the same about her condition.
“This isn't about me, it's about you two. You're supposed to be brothers, family.”
Caden released Ryder's grip shaking his head. He clenched his jaw. “I don't have a brother anymore.” Caden stormed upstairs.
Flynn tells Christian to release the grip promising to behave. He sauntered into the opposite direction.
Torrie looks at her sister, once again playing peacekeeping between them. “I got the big lug, you got loverboy?”
Eileen nods knowing the plan. Forgetting her guest came over today. As she turned her head at him. “You mind if—”
Michael shook his head understanding. “Go ahead, I'll text you later?”
Eileen nods as she apologized and headed upstairs to check on Caden.
Chapter 34
Ryder and Christian nod figuring this could be a good time to get him alone.
“Yo, Michael wait up,” they jogged up to him.
Haven't they done enough already? Wondering what other mischiefs they could do. “Not in the—” Michael was going to say, but they cut him off.
“We wanted to apologize for what happened.”
Christian started to apologize for all the damage they did to him.
Michael folds his arms across his chest eager to see where this goes. “I'm listening.” Michael hoped this wasn't another setup.
“Obviously we can't take it back. The damage and scars we've already caused. We've been talking and since we left Avery.”
To his surprise as he remained silent letting them continue.
“We're trying to make amends along the way.” Ryder added hoping they will accept their revamped new direction.
Questioning their motive here. He remained skeptical at first. “I'm supposed to forgive you guys?" Michael snapped his fingers together. “Just like that? After everything, you put me through?”
They understood it was going to be a long struggle road for everybody involved. “We know now it was heinous of us. Our betrayal to a loyal friend was the end of this alliance.” Ryder told him.
Michael speculated it must've been Kasper after what happened in the woods.
“Trust us we still don't forgive ourselves for what we've done either. All we're asking is if you meet us halfway?” Christian pleaded with him.
Ryder knew it was going to be a while obviously. Being as they were sincere about it. Contemplating on trusting them again.
A sigh escaped his mouth. Michael lifted his head after taking everything in. “I'll think about it. I'm not making any promises, but I'll consider it.”
The brother's breathe a sigh of relief watching him leave. Taking whatever they can get.
“One down ...” Ryder whispered with a nod from his brother.
“Two more to go.” They head back inside knowing the last two will be a bit of a challenge to figure out.”
《***》
Eileen followed upstairs to Caden's room as she was going to knock.
“It's open,” his voice trailed from the inside.
She took a deep breath before closing the door behind her. Seeing him who was laying on the bed.
“H—how'd you know it was me?” Eileen sat down on the bed next to him.
His eyes heavenward up at the ceiling with his arm resting on his head. “Just a hunch, besides Torrie cares more about Flynn than me.” Caden felt Eileen lay down on the opposite side next to him.
“That's not true,” she told him, getting comfortable as he smiled. She does it to agitate him to make Caden feel better.
“I know, but we do have a strong bond. I knew you'd show up sooner or later. You don't need to babysit me every time I do something idiotic.”
She knew he wasn't lying about that. Eileen thinks of Caden as a little brother, not a cousin. He has always been there for her, even when she was sick. He always tried to visit her every weekend when he didn't need to keep her preoccupied. Making sure she was never alone. She was always so grateful because of that. “How are you screwing everything up?” Eileen asked out of concern.
Caden sat up on the bed. Running a hand through his hair, before he exhales and starts pacing back and forth in front of her, to calm himself down.
Eileen sees how worked up he was getting. “Come on Caden, I always knew you had a crush on her. But you had plenty of opportunities to say something.” Eileen pointed out.
He knew she was right, he chickened out most chances to do so. There was one flaw interfering with each brother's plan. Caden sat back down on the edge of the bed.
Eileen crawled over next to him. “I know it's hard to understand what you should trust. Heart or gut in this predicament. Part of you doesn't want to lose your friendship with Kate. I understand but if you don't express yourself. You'll never know if she will feel the same way.” Eileen rubs Caden’s back soothing him. “Actually, I know what you are going through,” Eileen said in a whisper.
Seeking interest in her love life using it as a distraction. “You and Michael?” Caden raised his brow and started to wonder how that was going.
Eileen shrugs. Unsure how it was going. “I want to say it's going well,”
Caden knew there was a but coming. “But ...”
“But, I'm scared to move forward with him. I had to break things off with Ethan a few months ago. Let's just say that didn't go how I wanted it to.” Eileen still feels bad about accusing him after their fight.
《***》
“So? Going to tell me what's going on?” Torrie bugged Flynn who was working on his car. He tried to avoid any communication interest with her whatsoever. Torrie leaned against the doorway watching from the garage.
“Nope, nothing is going on.” Flynn mumbled to himself pretending something was wrong with the car.
She rolled her eyes. Okay, we'll do things the hard way then. Torrie suggested. The only way to get his undivided attention. She slides inside the car to piss him off even more so.
Hearing the door slam as he saw her wave in his direction to get his attention. “Get the hell out of my car.” He complained but she didn't budge. He mutters under his breath before crawling inside. Staring at Torrie who had her eyes beaming. “You always gotta win don't you?”
A wicked smirk approached her face. Shrugging her shoulders. “Not always and this conversation isn't about me. This is about you and Caden.”
A grouchy Flynn rolled his eyes. It's always about you. He thought to himself.
Why does she even try with him at times? They were never able to have a civil conversation without bickering. “You want to stop with the snappy thoughts and tell me what's going on? You need some venting to do. Think it's time to have one of our talks.” Torrie leaned back in the seat getting comfortable.
Flynn sighs. He was too worked up to argue with her. “I'm screwing everything up … with Caden, Kate,” Flynn started to vent.
Torrie raised her brow. She recalled Caden was starting to have feelings for her. “W—wait … you're falling for her?”
Flynn nods admitting the truth. He can't deny it any longer. “I know I shouldn't be. I can't help it, Torrie. Every time I see her I get
weak-kneed; I can't think straight when she's around.”
Both brothers begin to pour their feelings out in a back and forth genuine conversation.
“Caden,” Flynn admits feeling censurable about betraying him. “He never knows a good thing when he sees it, and Kate is just a friend to him.” Flynn hated to explain the truth, but he was right … wasn't he?
Torrie needed to tone him down a bit. “Flynn I know you; you'd flirt with anything that moves in a skirt. I can tell you might be serious about this relationship with Kate. What if Caden has a point? All this chasing is only a game to you? What happens when or if you finally catch her?”
True Love:Follow Your Heart Page 28