Chapter 6 #2
“Oh no,” I said sarcastically. “Telling my friends not to talk to me must have been an act of true love.”
Kaden laughed softly. “I just mean that I think there’s more to it than that.
Maybe it’s got something to do with his grandfather and the rivalry with your families.
Or maybe he felt like he had to do it because he’s seeing Veronica now.
Noah is like a brother to me, but that doesn’t mean I know what goes on inside his head that often. Or that I agree with it.”
I’d seen Noah and Veronica together all week, and I’d speculated with my friends that they were together.
It was one thing to guess but another to hear it stated so matter-of-factly by one of his closest friends.
I’d be lying if I didn’t admit it hurt. I nodded at Kaden’s explanation but decided to move the conversation away from Noah.
“So, what could possibly have sparked this change of heart from you?” I smiled so he knew I was joking.
He swallowed nervously, and his cheeks flushed. “I mean, I always knew deep down it was wrong to ignore you. Cress just knocked some sense into me.”
“Good,” I nodded. “It’s about time you two got together.”
He smiled. “I know. I’ve liked her for the longest time, but she’s always had a boyfriend.
I finally decided to man up on Halloween, but then I was totally awkward on the Ferris wheel and felt like I’d blown my chance.
Then when I asked her on a date yesterday, she turned me down because of the way I was treating you, and I really thought I’d messed it up for good.
But in a way, that only made me like her more.
Anyone who would put their friend first like she did has to be pretty special. ”
“Yeah, she really is.” I smiled.
“So, do you think you could put in a good word for me? Maybe I can make the third time lucky.” He looked so hopeful I knew I couldn’t say no.
“Yeah, I’ll tell her that you and me are all good. She really likes you, Kaden, so that should be more than enough.”
He grinned brightly, and when he smiled that way, I could definitely see why Cress liked him so much. Kaden’s smile was a rare but powerful thing, and when you saw it, you naturally found yourself smiling in return.
“Thanks for being so cool about all this,” he said.
“It’s no problem.”
He glanced at the doorway over my shoulder and his face fell. I turned to see Luther entering the room.
His gaze went straight to Kaden, and there was a confused look in his eyes. He glanced between us and his regular seat at the back of the class, and I wondered if perhaps Kaden’s actions would give Luther the courage to forget Noah’s demands as well.
But he seemed torn, and eventually his expression hardened. He drew his shoulders back and continued past us without a word to take a seat at his usual desk.
I released a sigh, revealing my disappointment.
“I guess we just need someone to knock some sense into Luther now too,” I said.
Kaden didn’t look very optimistic. “I’m not sure there’s anyone who can,” he said with a wince. “He wasn’t happy about being made to choose. But he’s very protective of Noah. He won’t want to risk upsetting him.”
“And you don’t mind upsetting him?”
“I don’t want to hurt him,” he said. “But Cress made me realize that his family’s rivalry with yours isn’t my battle to fight. I’m always going to be there for him, but as far as I’m concerned, you’ve done nothing wrong. I guess he’s just going to have to understand.”
I wasn’t confident Noah would understand. He had been acting so strangely lately when it came to me, and I didn’t share Kaden’s faith Noah would be okay with him talking to me again.
The teacher entered the room and called the class to order, bringing our conversation to an end. Unlike Luther, Kaden actually liked to listen in class, so while I was disappointed I wasn’t sitting with both the boys, at least I’d be able to get some work done today.
When class was over, Kaden and I walked to lunch together. Unsurprisingly, Noah spotted the two of us as soon as we entered the dining hall. He gave Kaden a hard look making him grimace.
“Why do I feel like you’re about to have the world’s most awkward lunch?” I asked Kaden.
He swallowed. “Yeah, I better go talk with him. Enjoy the rest of your day, Isobel.”
“You too. And good luck.”
He gave me a parting smile before he walked over to his usual table. He sat at Noah’s side, and the two of them fell into quiet conversation. I would have loved to hear exactly what they were saying, and it looked incredibly serious. I really hoped Noah would be as understanding as Kaden expected.
“Why are you staring at Noah like that?” Cress asked as she stopped at my side. “He’s not being rude to you again, is he? You know I’m happy to talk to him…”
I realized I’d been watching his table for far too long, and I quickly dragged my gaze away. “Well, if you think it’ll be as effective as your talk with Kaden, then maybe you should.”
“What do you mean?”
“Guess who just made up with me?”
Her eyes widened as she looked between Noah’s table and me. Luther had joined his friends there now, and Veronica was also sitting with them. But Cress only had eyes for one boy. “Please tell me it was Kaden.”
“It was Kaden.”
She squealed so loudly several girls at a nearby table looked over in concern. They probably thought there was something wrong with her. I took her by the arm and guided her to our table.
“Seriously?” she asked as we took a seat.
“Yeah. I guess he acts fast when he’s going after something he wants.”
Her cheeks turned bright pink. “So, what did he say?”
“Just that he never wanted to ignore me, and he apologized.”
“Oh, that’s great.” She smiled softly and glanced down at her hands. I could see how much it meant to her that Kaden had made up with me.
“He also mentioned that he’s liked you for a while.”
“Really?” Her eyes darted up with surprise.
“Yeah. I knew there was no reason to doubt him. He said he was just nervous on the Ferris wheel at the carnival. So, I guess that explains why he didn’t throw himself at you. You make him nervous.”
She laughed quietly. “I think it might be the other way around.” There was a dreamy look in Cress’s eyes, and she couldn’t keep the grin off her lips, but her face suddenly grew more thoughtful. “So, what now? Do you think I should approach him or wait for him to approach me?”
“Maybe give him a chance,” I said. “I don’t think you’ll have to wait long.”
She blushed again and glanced at his table.
I followed her gaze, but instead of seeking out Kaden, my eyes were drawn to Noah.
Veronica was Velcroed to his side as always, and something about the way she was grinning up at him felt forced.
Noah had been so quick to accuse Wes and I of lacking chemistry, but I wondered if he’d considered how his relationship with Veronica compared.
His arm was around her, sure, and they were trading smiles, but I honestly didn’t feel like I could sense much attraction between them.
Neither of them had the excited glow about them that shone from Cress at the mere mention of Kaden.
And I was certain I couldn’t see the same intensity of feeling that had flowed between Noah and me when we were together.
I wasn’t sure if it was wishful thinking or some baser instinct, but a part of me wondered if his relationship with her was just another way he was attempting to please his grandfather. Or another way to get to me.
Sawyer’s arrival at the table snapped me from my thoughts and drew my attention from Noah.
“Where’s Wes?” I asked once he’d said hello and sat down with us.
“School nurse,” he replied.
“What?” I gasped. “Is he okay?”
“I think he’s got some bug. He faded pretty fast this morning.”
“Oh no.”
“Yeah, it usually takes a lot to get my brother to admit he’s unwell, so he must be feeling pretty crap.”
“He didn’t look too good this morning,” Cress agreed. “He probably picked something up at the regatta.”
“I should go check on him,” I said.
“Unless you’re sick, I wouldn’t bother,” Sawyer replied. “Cress is right. Half the rowing team is down there. Miss Ludwell was kicking out anyone who didn’t need to see her.”
“Oh.”
“I’m sure Wes will text you with an update.”
“Yeah, okay.” Sawyer was right, but I still pulled out my phone and sent a message to Wes telling him to let me know if he needed anything.
I hated that he wasn’t feeling well, but I felt a little relieved his sickness was probably to blame for the way he acted earlier today.
He obviously wasn’t feeling his usual self.
It wasn’t until after lunch, when I’d left my friends to walk to class, that my phone vibrated with the arrival of a message. I quickly whipped my phone from my pocket, but I was slightly disappointed to see it wasn’t from Wes. The text was from Cress.
Cress: It happened!!!!!!!!
I’d left her barely five minutes ago. My fingers flew across the keyboard as I responded.
Me: What happened?
Cress: Kaden found me after lunch and asked me out again. I am officially going on a date with him!!!!!!!!!
I laughed because I felt like I could almost hear her squeals of delight through the phone.
Me: That’s great Cress! When are you going? What are you doing?
Cress: No idea, but he said to keep Saturday free and leave the plans to him!
Me: So exciting!!!!
I couldn’t keep the grin off my face as I made my way to my business management class, and not even the scowl Noah shot my way as I entered the room could bring me down.
He might not have been happy Kaden and I were talking again, but I really didn’t care what he thought.
It had been a turbulent week since Halloween, but today made me wonder if perhaps things were starting to turn around for me.