Chapter 30
Thirty
Jaclyn
“It’s a nice car. I like the stitching on the seats,” I say while tracing the word “Bambi” that is stitched in the driver seat.
Kayden’s girlfriend's car is a 2014 M3 F80 and she had all kinds of modifications on the car.
It’s a cool car.
Her exhaust was what really impressed me because I love loud cars.
“Yea, this was her brother's car first but after he died she took it. Bambi is stitched in because he used to call her Bambi,” Kayden says with a sad look on his face.
I wish I could ask him more about his past with this girlfriend he keeps talking about but I don’t want to be nosy and make him uncomfortable .
Kayden looks like he’s in complete and utter love with her even though she isn’t here and he isn’t looking at her.
“Why Bambi?”
“Because that was her favorite movie.”
Was.
Kayden’s voice cracked when he said that. I want to ask but I’m not going to. He looks like he would rather talk about anything else.
I close the car door and lean against the car, looking at Kayden. “Why do you have her car?” I ask.
It’s an innocent question but the way Kayden furrows his eyebrows as if he’s in pain says otherwise. “Her aunt put the car in my name after she passed.”
So his girlfriend is dead but he just doesn’t want to admit it. I had a feeling something was up with his girlfriend that is never around. I just thought there was more to the story than her being dead.
“When did she die?” I ask in a soft tone, afraid I’ll upset him.
But the thing about Kayden is that he doesn’t get upset. He isn’t like Hayden who wears his emotions. Kayden keeps it all in until he’s alone. I can’t help but wonder how he does it.
How does he stay so stoic?
“Almost two years ago.” Kayden leans off the wall across from me and he walks towards the car, running his hand on the hood. “She was driving to school and someone hit her. Luckily the car was repairable and I was about to fix it and keep it.”
I stare at him, patiently waiting for him to cry or do something but all he does is stare at the car.
“What was her name?”
“Alexis. She loved writing and reading.”
“Is that why you’re taking creative writing?”
Kayden nods his head. “She wrote something and I want to publish it. I want the world to know Alexis and how her writing can change lives with every word.”
“What about the camera? Did she like photography?” I say while looking at his camera that’s on the couch in the garage.
At that Kayden smiles while looking at the camera. “I didn’t pick up photography until last year. I found myself wanting to capture memories so that they last forever and I can look back on them.”
“Can I see some of the photos you take?” I ask with a small smile, hoping that will make him let me see some pictures.
Kayden smiles at me softly. “Someday I will let you. Not now though.”
I lean off the car and sit down on the couch, next to his camera. “Is photography or writing what you want to do when you’re out of college?”
Kayden shakes his head. “No. I want to become a race car driver. I love cars, always will. Writing is something I’m doing just for Alexis and photography is just a hobby.” Kayden crosses his arms over his chest and licks his bottom lips, looking nervous. “Also, can you not tell the others what I told you? I don’t talk to anyone about Alexis. You’re easy to talk to so I trust you.”
I nod my head. “Of course.”
“Only Hayden knows but that was because the asshole forced me to tell him after I raced.”
I chuckle. “He has that effect on people.”
Last night's memories still haunt me.
The way he touched me and spoke dirty words in my ear. He did it all so effortlessly and then left me breathless against the sink.
When I walked out of the restroom after fixing myself up, he was smirking at me as I walked to the booth where Lucas was waiting for me. He asked me if I was okay and I told him my mom called so that’s why it took so long.
The date was nice.
The only memorable part of the date was Hayden and I feel so shitty for that. Lucas deserves a girl who is completely gone for him and all I can think about since last night is that earth shattering moment with Hayden in the bathroom.
I still hate him.
He’s still a jerk that is nothing but rude but he touches me so well that I can’t verbally say no.
“What’s going on between the two of you?” I look up at Kayden and see his eyes squinted as if he’s trying to figure something out.
“What do you mean?”
“Things have been different with Hayden since Utah. Did something happen?”
I furrow my eyebrows at Kayden. “No. Hayden is an asshole. I would never be involved with someone like him.”
“Yesterday he went to the restroom at the same time as you,” Kayden states. “I may be quiet to other people but I’m surely not blind. If anything, I’m most likely more observant than anyone you have ever met.”
“Nothing is going on between Hayden and I. Why would there be? You’ve seen the way he acts towards me.”
“Yea but you ever thought that maybe it could all be a front?” Kayden leans off the hood. “Just saying, Hayden doesn’t act the way he does with you towards anyone. Just keep it in mind.”
Kayden walks past me and leaves the garage.
But if I keep what Kayden said in mind, it will just leave me thinking about the "what if" scenarios that cause me to overthink and obsess, which is something I definitely can’t do.
Especially if it concerns Hayden Night.