Uncaged Obsessions (Uncaged Duet #2)

43. Caine

CHAPTER 43

CAINE

I ’m wrapping my hands at the gym when my phone rings. I want to ignore it, especially when I see it’s my mom. I rarely hear from her, usually if my parents have something to say to me it’s going to be my dad. I thought I was done with them after his little visit.

I’ve been happy these past few days after we all talked to Danner. I was ready to commit a murder when we left, but Max knew exactly what I needed that night and distracted all of us perfectly.

I’ve known I loved her, I said the words after my fight in California. I’m sure she saw, but I didn’t say it to her again, only while she was asleep. But the fact that she loves all of us. I shake my head thinking about that night. There’s no denying my feelings for her, because clearly I’ll give her whatever she wants since I’m willing to share her, and that’s something I didn’t think I would ever do.

My phone rings again, and I’m annoyed as I go to answer it. “Hello?”

“Hi, Caine, do you have a minute?”

I huff out a breath. “Not really, but what? I thought I was cut off.”

She’s quiet for a second, and I hear some shuffling before she speaks again. “It’s no mystery we aren’t happy with the decisions you’ve made. I do think you should know what’s going on even though your father didn’t want to tell you.”

I sigh, because I’m sure there’s a lot going on he doesn’t want me to know. Especially in regard to Carson and the case since he and my brother are apparently representing Max’s parents. Which is so many levels of fucked up I can’t even get into it. “What?” I ask.

“You’re involved with the Barclay girl, correct?”

“Mhmm.”

“The one who’s fiancé was just murdered.”

“Supposedly,” I murmur.

“You know your father’s firm is representing her parents since they are suspects in the case?”

“Mom, what is the point to any of this? I don’t care who dad is representing. You guys don’t want me in your family anymore so I don’t know why you’re talking to me.”

She sighs. “You’re still my son, and you’re still an Aldridge. I don’t want you to go to prison. I still care even if you think I don’t.”

I scoff, “You care about the family’s reputation. So what? Dad wants to put this on me then?”

“He wants it to be put on anyone other than his clients.”

“Well, his clients are guilty. He can try, but he’s not a cop, so he doesn’t have the pull to put this on anyone else.”

“He has connections though, Caine. I don’t think you understand.”

“So do I. But I wasn’t involved. Neither was Max, and if you guys want me out of your life I’m out of it. Don’t call just to threaten me or whatever the point of this was.”

“The point was to tell you I don’t want to see you end up in prison. It wasn’t my decision to cut you off, I didn’t want this.”

“Could’ve fooled me, mom. You will do whatever dad says, it’s how you’ve always been. Don’t worry about my life and don’t worry about me. I don’t need you guys anymore.”

She sighs. “Okay. I just thought you should know. Especially since your father reached out to them for representation.”

I clench my phone in my fist. Of course he fucking did. I’m sure he’s had his nose in this case the entire time with whatever connections he has. Good thing Danner has set it up perfectly and we aren’t going to get caught. Though, clearly that doesn’t mean my dad isn’t going to try.

“Of course he fucking did,” I grit out.

“I’ve never liked this fighting thing you do, but didn’t think it would lead to murder,” she whispers the last word.

“It. Didn’t,” I say through clenched teeth.

She sighs again. “If you say so.”

We hang up shortly after with no words of love between us, which isn’t unusual. Like I said I’ve never had that before. No one said they loved me before Max. She’s yet another first. The feeling of it is unique to only her as well.

The positive to the phone call is that I’m ready to practice more than ever, sending my fist flying into the heavy bag furiously as I work out all the tenseness and anger in my body.

Adam comes up to me, and I hardly acknowledge him; he watches me for several seconds before commenting, “Your form is sloppy.”

“Don’t give a fuck,” I grunt.

“You could hurt yourself.”

“Don’t give a single fuck.”

“You will when you lose out on fights.”

I stop, huffing with anger. “You trying to piss me off more? Because right now is not the fucking time for it.”

“What happened?”

I don’t want to say anything. Talking about it is only going to piss me off more, because I don't feel like talking and I just want to get into my training for the day. Then I can go home and fuck my girl again.

Adam doesn’t let up because he’s a persistent fucker. And because of this relationship we’ve found ourselves in with the same girl, I think he feels like he has more of a right to know about my life and talk shit out.

“My mom called,” I say finally, not wanting to get more into it than that.

“What did she want?”

“To butt into my fucking life, just like you’re doing right now,” I snap.

“Fuck off with that shit, Caine. Your life is a part of mine, and Max’s and Drew’s. You have to fucking deal with it. What did she call about?”

“My dad’s firm representing Max’s parents. Same shit we already know. They want to pin Carson’s murder on someone, and they want that to be one of us.”

“Why would she call about that?”

“How the fuck should I know? They wanted me out of their lives and I want out of theirs.”

He’s quiet, seeming to think and I want to get back to throwing my fist into the bag again. Because just like I knew it would, this conversation has pissed me off.

“Danner said it’ll be fine, and I believe her,” Adam finally says.

“Great, then the conversation doesn’t matter.”

“We still have one thing to deal with, though.” He stops me from throwing my fist into the leather again.

“Yeah, I know, I have a plan for him,” I refer to the certain Officer who sold out our girl and is the reason she was taken from us.

“You need to talk about any plan you may have with us because we’re not dealing with another murder investigation.”

“Sure.” I want him to let it go for now and let me get my anger out before it ends up being taken out on him.

“Seriously, Caine, no going off half cocked and doing whatever the fuck you want.”

I don’t know why they always accuse me of going off half cocked; I’m smart, despite what they think. I may act impulsively, but I’m not stupid. “I know.” I tighten the wraps on my hands a bit too tight.

“Later at home we’re talking about this. All of us.”

“Sure, can I fucking train now?”

He nods, stepping back and I immediately send my fist into the bag knowing today is going to be a training day that ends with me dripping in sweat, and tired enough that my anger doesn’t completely consume me.

“Adam,” I bark out between hits. “You and me in the cage soon.”

He doesn’t say anything, but I’ve wanted to fight him, and I mean really fight him for awhile. I know that could be just the thing I need.