Chapter Five
Sunday passed quickly. Nicole and Steve didn’t ask too many questions about my day on Saturday or the ride home with Cade. The only awkward moment was when Steve opened the door early Sunday morning and found my backpack sitting right outside the door. He brought it in and handed it to me when I woke up, with a questioning look. I shrugged. Cade must have brought it back some time that morning since I forgot it at their house.
Nicole was gearing up for her new job at the childcare center. I could tell she was excited and it was contagious. By Sunday night I’d pretty much forgotten about the awkwardness between Cade and me. Another school week and more homework. Hopefully things would level out and be normal.
Monday morning rolled around and I was unsurprised to find Cade pull in the driveway to pick me up for school. Conversation was subdued beyond a greeting and I was glad when we pulled into the school parking lot. Hunter met us outside the door where the others were milling around. He stepped in front of Cade, cutting him off.
“Can I talk to you a minute?” Hunter spoke in a low voice, addressing Cade only. They regarded each other for a few seconds before Cade nodded subtly and stepped off to the side. Curiosity got the better of me and I pressed my back up against the pillar opposite of them to hear their conversation. Cassie and the others didn’t spare me much of a glance since I pulled out my phone to make it look like I was busy. Instead, I was intent on the conversation on the other side of the pillar.
“You have to stop, Cade.”
“Stop what?”
“You know what I mean. She can’t fit the role you need.”
“Don’t tell me what I need.”
“I’m just looking out for us. For the-“ The last word was uttered so low I missed it.
“You think I’m not?”
“I think you’re thinking with something other than your head.” There was a small scuffle and a grunt before Cade’s low voice returned.
“You want to run that by me again?” Cade’s voice was low and dangerous.
“Think about it Cade.” Hunter was closer like he was being pressed up against the pillar. Did Cade have him pinned? “You are more moody, irrational. You disappear for hours at a time each night.” Movement sounded from the other side, and Cade’s voice sounded farther away.
“What I do is my business.”
“Not when it affects us all.” Brody paused before adding. “I’ve followed you.”
“You’ve what?”Cade demanded.
“I know where you go. See you standing in the trees. Watching.”
“Damn it, Hunter. Can’t you leave well-enough alone?”
“She can’t be one of us. She can’t lead us.”
“Don’t you think I know that?” Cade growled. “Damn it all. I can’t control what I feel. What she makes me feel.”
“What do you feel?”
“That she’s mine. Mine to protect. Mine to care for. Just…mine.” Cade growled. A long paused followed before Hunter spoke softly.
“You need to get your shit together, man, or this, whatever this is, won’t end well.” Hunter stalked around the side of the pillar without glancing my way and went inside the school. A few seconds later, Cade emerged lost in thought and didn’t even notice me as he followed Hunter. Brody and Bree spared me a glance before also going inside. Cassie stepped up beside me and looped her arm through mine.
“We need to work on your stealth skills.” Cassie said as she pulled me toward the door.
“What? What do you mean?” I asked innocently.
“Oh please. Let’s add acting to the list too.” She chuckled. I had to laugh with her, even with Hunter and Cade’s words echoing in my head. Since the game was up, I decided to ask Cassie about the conversation.
“Who were they talking about?” I had a pretty good idea, but I wanted confirmation.
She sighed. “You showing up this year has thrown everyone. It’s going to take some getting used to.”
“So they were talking about me.”
“Yes.”
“And Hunter’s worried that Cade wants to be with me more than he should?”
“Yes, but that’s not something Hunter can demand. Cade’s happiness comes first.”
“I don’t know what everyone is going on about.” I replied and Cassie gave me an “are you stupid” look. “Ok, I know we are attracted to each other but this isn’t some Romeo and Juliet story. Right?”
“God I hope not.” Cassie muttered.
“Right. So, if, and I mean a big if here, Cade and I do end up seeing each other, what is the worst that could happen?”
“How about we worry about that when the time comes, yeah?” Cassie said dismissively.
“But-“
“No. Right now, we have English. Let’s be teenagers while we can. Okay?”
“Fine.”I sighed.
The conversation was dropped and for the next few days, the memory was pushed to the side. I was still escorted between classes, sat with them at lunch and common study hall, and Cade drove me to and from school. He didn’t attempt to talk to me about last weekend or what he tried to say. Or anything about his encounter with Hunter, even though it was on my mind.
Friday found me and Bree in the library. Brody was waiting outside because and I quote, “there’s just too much knowledge in there for one man to take”. Bree and I shook our heads in amusement as we entered the library. We were looking for resources on the topic of earth ecosystems for one of our classes. Bree wandered off to the computer to see what she could find while I went over to the bookcases.
Just then I noticed Tyler trying to catch my eye from the other end of the bookshelf. He nodded his head in an invitation to talk. I smiled and walked down to meet him.
“Hey.” He said with a smile.
“Hi.” I replied, returning his smile.
“I wasn’t sure if you were going to get away.” He said as he looked beyond me to see if anyone else was around us.
“I’m free to go where I want.” I shrugged.
“Are you?” Tyler questioned quietly, I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to hear that so I didn’t acknowledge his question.
“Did you have something you wanted to talk about?” I asked, pulling his gaze back to me.
“Yeah, I wanted to see if you were interested or free for a bonfire this Saturday?”
“Yeah. I don’t have any plans.”
“Really?Cool.”He smiled.
“Could Bree and Cassie come too?”
“Uh sure.” I scowled at his hesitancy and he rushed to explain. “It’s not that I don’t like them or don’t want them to come. It’s just that usually wherever they are, Cade, Hunter, and Brody are too.”
“So you just have a problem with the boys?”
“Well, it’s easier when they aren’t around.” He hedged. I thought about it and couldn’t find fault with his reasoning. The boys didn’t really mix well with other boys in school.
“If I can get the girls alone, would that be better?”
“That would be an impressive feat.” He commented with raised eyebrows.
“Done.” I nodded. Confident I could find a way. “What time tomorrow?”
“Any time after 7 is fine. I’ll text you the address.”
“Great.” I smiled then looked over my shoulder. “I should go before someone comes looking.”
“Yeah, like Stalker Boy?”
“He’s not in this class.”
“Then one of his enforcers.” Tyler replied almost nervously as he looked around.
“His what?”I asked, confused.
“Oh, it’s a tag name that came up a few years ago. One of my friends overheard Brody talking about Cade being the leader and Hunter and Brody being his enforcers.” Tyler shrugged. “The name stuck.”
“Do they know you call them that?”
“Hell no.” He grinned. “We like to not get beat up on a daily basis.”
“They aren’t that bad.”
“You didn’t see them in their early-teen years.”
“True.” I nodded. I waved as I headed back to Bree to see what she found. As I sat next to her at another computer she turned to me and surprised me with her question.
“So, a bonfire, huh?”
“How did you…” I asked, confused how she could possibly have heard our conversation.
“Oh, I checked the bookcases when you were taking so long and overheard you talking to Tyler.” She shrugged as she dismissed my question. I wasn’t so convinced. I was sure Tyler and I were alone the entire time.
“Yeah, he invited us, but no boys.”
“How you going to manage that one?”
“I have an idea.” I said smiling.
“Oh, boy. This should be fun.” Bree chuckled before she returned her attention to the screen.
***
Saturday rolled around and I’d convinced Cassie and Bree to give it a shot. They were coming over to my house to have a “girl’s night.” The boys were put out that they weren’t invited but as soon as we started talking about painting toe nails and watching chick flicks, they soon found other things to do.
I told Steve and Nicole that the girls were coming over before we were going to the bonfire. Cassie and Bree were telling their parents that they were going to my house. Which wasn’t a lie, just a stretch of the truth and one little omission. I heard their car pull into the driveway and bounded to the door in excitement. I opened it before either of them had a chance to knock.
“Hi!” I said excitedly as I motioned them to come in.
“Hey!” They chorused. Both of them were just as excited as me. In a way it felt like we were breaking out of jail or something equally rebellious. I closed the door behind them and ushered them into the kitchen for introductions.
“Steve, Nicole,” I said, “You’ve met Cassie, and this is Bree.”
“Welcome! It is so nice to see you again, Cassie. And nice to finally meet you, Bree.” Nicole said warmly.
“Thank you.” Bree smiled.
“So, you girls are headed to a bonfire, huh?” Steve asked, leaning back against the kitchen counter.
“Yep.”I answered.
“Who’s house again?”
“Tyler Lunt.”
“Lunt…Lunt…Oh yeah. His dad works down at the building center.” Steve commented and I shrugged. I didn’t have a clue. “Nice family.”
“Yeah, he seems really nice.” I replied.
“What’s your brother up to these days, Cassie?” Nicole asked.
“Oh, he, Brody and Hunter made their own plans tonight. Something about tracking.”
“They’re tracking an animal in the forest?” Steve asked curiously.
“Yeah, but don’t worry. They know how to take care of themselves.”
“Did they say what kind of animal?” Steve questioned.
“Uh, I don’t think so.” She shrugged. I narrowed my eyes at Cassie. I could tell she was avoiding Steve’s question.
“Well, let me grab a sweatshirt then we can go.” I said and led the way out of the kitchen. Cassie and Bree followed me up the stairs and into my room.
“Wow, what a view.” Bree breathed as she moved to my window seat. “You can sit here and see right out to the forest.” The last was said while she looked at Cassie who moved to join her.
“Yeah, I like to sit there at night and look out into the darkness. The stars are pretty too.” I commented as I hunted for a decent sweatshirt.
“You ever see any animals?” Cassie asked, not turning from the window.
“No, I haven’t. Why?” I finally found my sweatshirt and pulled it free.
“Just curious.” She answered and turned back to me. “Ready?”
“Yep. Time for the great escape.” I grinned which they returned excitedly. They followed me down the stairs and after saying bye to Steve and Nicole, we headed out the front door. Bree sat in the back since I had the directions on my phone and Cassie drove. Even though it was a small town, Cassie wasn’t sure exactly where Tyler lived since she’d never been there. It didn’t take us very long before we were on the south edge of town and pulled up to a big house that butted up against the forest. One thing about the mountains, you never escaped the trees. We stepped out and made our way to the front door which opened before we were halfway up the sidewalk.
“Hey!” Tyler called standing in the doorway. “You guys made it.” I noticed his not so subtle search behind us and almost laughed when his face showed relief in not finding “Stalker Boy” and his “Enforcers”.
“Yeah, hope we’re not too early.” I replied as we walked up the front steps.
“Not at all. Things are just getting started.” He stepped aside and all three of us filed past him. Right away I recognized a few people from class, others only in passing. There were probably around ten people standing around inside the house.
“Come on.” Tyler grinned as he led us to the kitchen. He made a round of introductions but I didn’t catch everyone’s names. The intros had to be for my benefit since everyone else knew each other since birth. Tyler’s parents were there and really nice. His mom made some awesome snack food that we gathered up as we made our way outside. His dad had already lit the fire pit and the fire was well on its way to a blaze.
“Have a seat anywhere.” Tyler motioned to the logs placed haphazardly around the fire. We claimed one log and watched as other kids trickled in to sit down too.
“So, Kendra,” Tyler asked sitting on my other side on another log. “What do you think of our town so far?”
“It’s not bad. The people are nice so that helps the transition.”
“Is it different from where you were before?” Tyler asked. Which time? But I didn’t think he was referring to my multiple homes over the years.
“No. We moved from a small town just like this one.”
“Ah, but the friends here are much better, right?” He joked.
“Yes,” I laughed, if only he knew. A boy across the fire called to Tyler and they started a conversation about football. While I followed sports, I wasn’t an avid sports fan. I turned to Bree and Cassie beside me.
“So, you think our ruse worked?” I grinned, still high on our ploy. Cassie laughed a little nervously.
“I’ll let you know in a couple hours.”
If that wasn’t a buzzkill. “What do you mean?”
“Well,” Cassie said slowly, “I’m thinking that it will take that long until the boys return and check on us. When they find my car gone in the driveway, things could get a little…iffy.”
“What do you mean?” I asked, and then paled. “Will they tell your parents? Will they care?”
“Oh I don’t think they will tell our parents. But they will come looking.” Bree assured.
“Well,” I said relieved and smiled at them, “here’s to a couple hours of freedom, then.” They grinned in return.
The darkness slowly crept in and easy conversation flowed around the campfire. I found I was having a great time with Tyler and his friends with Cassie and Bree there to enjoy it with me. They were great story tellers and easy to talk to about anything. As full darkness surrounded us, I felt Cassie stiffen beside me. I looked over at her in concern.
“What’s wrong?”
“I can scent Cade.”
“You what?!” I asked, a little too loudly. What the hell did she mean she could “scent” Cade? Tyler looked in our direction.
“What’s up?” He leaned in our direction since the others were still laughing and being loud.
“Cade’s here.” Cassie said quietly. I saw Tyler’s eyes widen.
“So are Brody and Hunter.” Bree added just as quietly. If Tyler could have gone any whiter he’d be a ghost.
“Where?” I asked as I scanned the group around us for a scowling face.
“Coming through the trees behind us.” Cassie whispered. I turned around just as Cade’s form materialized from the trees. Hunter and Brody not far behind.
“I’ll go talk to them.” I said reassuringly, to them or me I wasn’t sure. I stood up and stepped over the log. I walked to meet Cade who had stopped just outside of the trees. The glow from the fire didn’t reach out to him which made him look like a hulking shadow. I could just imagine the scowl he was wearing. Not to mention I could feel the angry vibes that flowed off him in waves. I stopped a couple feet from him.
“Hi.” I said simply. I waited for a response and watched as he looked to me, to the people gathered around the fire, then back to me.
“You lied.” I could hear the fury behind those words.
“About what?” I asked innocently, laying the sugar on thick.
“You said you were staying at your house.” Cade seethed. Apparently he wasn’t amused.
“No, we discussed staying at my house.” I clarified, dropping all pretenses of sweetness. “A better option presented itself.”
“Why didn’t you tell us?”
“Didn’t know we had to.” I pointed out. His eyes narrowed further before he answered.
“You might not, but Cassie knows.”
“Why is that again?” I asked, with a little steel of my own in my voice. “Why does your sister, who is the same age as you, have to report her movements to you? If anyone it should be her parents.”
“It’s just the way things are. You’re putting Cassie and Bree in danger when you rope them into your halfcocked ideas like this.”
“What danger? And what other ideas have I had?” I asked looking around. “We were having fun until you showed up.” I saw him flinch slightly and I instantly felt bad for my words.
“There are things in this world that you don’t understand. We,” he motioned to the three of them, “are responsible for our group. For maintaining their safety. For the future.”
“The future of what?”
“I can’t explain things.” He said impatiently. I felt like there was a hidden “to you” left off that statement. Like he was never going to be able to explain things to me.
“Do you want to know why we did this?” I asked.
“Do tell.” He replied as he crossed his arms.
“It’s because you guys are always hovering. I get that you are looking out for each other. It’s sweet and all but how do you expect Cassie and Bree to experience anything when you scare everyone away.”
“We don’t scare people away.”
“Oh really? Tyler did a good impression of a ghost when he heard you guys were back here.”
“Tyler’s an idiot.”
“Tyler’s nice.” I replied and Cade narrowed his eyes at me. I closed my eyes in frustration and sighed.
“Look,” I glanced behind me to see both Bree and Cassie looking over their shoulders and watching our exchange. I thought we were far enough from the fire to not be heard but we seemed to have their rapt attention. “While I don’t get why you need their exact location all the time,” I held up my hand to forestall him. “Not that I’m asking, but we have to come to some sort of arrangement.”
“Arrangement?”He asked, perplexed.
“Yes. Allow some freedom to do some girl stuff or hang out with other people.”
“In exchange for?”
“I don’t know, what do you want?” I asked, and he seemed to consider my question before answering.
“I want to know where all three of you are going and who you will be with.”
“So all you want is the details,” I asked. While I thought it was a little unreasonable to be giving someone my own age that information, it wasn’t anything different than what I would share with Steve and Nicole. If it granted us a little more freedom to do as we pleased, then, I guess I could deal with it. And if he tried later to say we couldn’t go somewhere, well, tough cookies, because he didn’t specify in the agreement.
“Yes.” He nodded in answer to my question.
“Deal.” I held out my hand and he accepted it, a little reluctantly. I think he was trying to figure out what he missed. His palm was warm, and lingered just a little too long around my hand. I pulled back first and turned to go when I saw him take a step forward. “What are you doing?” He looked at me in surprise.
“Joining you.”
“You can’t.”I said.
“Why not?” He asked, like it should be obvious he could be wherever we were.
“Well, first of all you weren’t invited, so that is called party crashing.” I said, and then added quickly at his scowl, “Second, you make people nervous.” I paused before asking out of curiosity, “What’d you do anyways? Beat the crap out of them or something?” I joked.
“Or something,” Hunter growled from beside Cade. I’d almost forgotten that both he and Brody were there during our discussion.
“So what are we supposed to do?” Brody asked, going back to the original discussion.
“Go back to tracking, or whatever you were doing.” I shrugged.
“It’s dark.”Brody pointed out.
“Can’t track in the dark?” I teased, and Hunter scoffed. “Regardless,” I continued, “go find something else to do. If you want to be invited, maybe you should be nicer to people.”
“Go ask Tyler if we can join.” Cade said. I narrowed my eyes at him.
“Now you’re fishing for an invite?” I shook my head. “No, showing up like this is weird enough. Go home. Or do something else. We will let you know when we leave.”
“I don’t want to leave.” Cade bit out, like it was a hard thing to admit. I looked at him in confusion. Why would he want to stay some place that tension would be high and hardly anyone liked him?
“Cade,” Cassie said softly as she approached us. She put a hand on her brother’s arm and tugged him aside. They had a private conversation, one I couldn’t hear over the loud laughing and joking that had resumed around the bonfire. Bree was standing and had taken a few steps closer to us but no further. She watched all five of us with interest, biting her lip in uncertainty. I pulled out my phone and saw that it was just after ten. Early to go home, but my fun meter was kind of shot at that point. I sighed and moved to stand next to Bree.
“Would you care if we went home?” I asked her.
“No, I think that would be a good idea.” She admitted as she looked over my shoulder. I nodded and turned around. Cassie and Cade had stopped talking and were looking at me.
“Cassie, you mind leaving?” I called.
“No. Let’s go.” Without a backward glance, she left the boys near the edge of the woods. I made myself turn back around without looking at any of them too and sought out Tyler. He was across the fire, laughing at something someone said while watching me. I smiled and nodded my head to the side, asking him to come over. He excused himself from the group he was talking to and wound his way to me.
“Something wrong?” He asked as his eyes slid past me.
“No, but I think we are going to call it a night.”
“Already?” He asked, disappointment heavy in his voice.
“Yeah, we need to get home. But it was a lot of fun. Thanks for inviting us.” I smiled up at him.
“Any time.” He grinned in return and wrapped his arms around me in a hug. Shocked, I didn’t have time to decide if I should put my arms around him before he stepped back with a smug grin on his face and said goodbye. I turned sideways to maneuver around the bonfire and saw Hunter with a restraining hand on Cade’s shoulder. Cade looked furious. What the hell?
Cassie, Bree, and I ignored the boys as we circled the house and found her car on the street. I looked up and down both sides but didn’t see Cade’s vehicles.
“Where’s Cade’s car or truck?” I asked, once we were inside Cassie’s.
“Oh, maybe they took Brody or Hunter’s.” Cassie commented as she pulled out onto the street and headed in the direction of my house. I really wasn’t ready to go home, but I guess I didn’t have much of a choice. It took about fifteen minutes to reach the other end of town. Cassie stopped in my driveway but didn’t shut off the car.
“I’m sorry I got you guys into this.” I said quietly.
“Are you kidding?” Cassie asked. I looked at her in surprise to see she was grinning. “Tonight was so much fun.”
“I agree.” Bree piped up from the backseat.
“Yeah, but them showing up-“ I started before Cassie interrupted me.
“You brokering that deal with him was genius.” Cassie grinned.
“Why’s that?”I asked innocently.
“Oh, don’t think you can fool us. You got him to agree to only knowing where we were and who we were with, nothing about being with us or telling us we couldn’t go.” Cassie laughed.
“Yeah, that was some brilliant maneuvering.” Bree giggled.
“Yeah, you learn the tricks of the trade fast growing up like I did.” I sighed. They stopped laughing.
“Oh, Kendra, I didn’t mean-“ Bree started. I interrupted.
“No, I know. At least I could use those skills to my advantage tonight, right?”
“Right.”Cassie agreed.
“I’ll see you guys Monday?” I changed the subject.
“Yeah.”Cassie replied.
“Yep.Bye Kendra.”Bree said.
“Bye guys. Thanks for tonight.” I climbed out and headed to the front door. The lights were off in the house so I assumed Steve and Nicole were already asleep. I locked the door behind me and quietly made my way up to my bedroom. Just as I shut the door behind me, a text beeped on my phone. I just knew who it was from. I checked and yep, from Cade.
U home?
I thought about not answering, but figured after our…confrontation…earlier, it would be best not to test the waters so soon. I texted back:
Yes
I set my phone down on the night stand next to my bed and went through my bed time routine. A few minutes later I curled up under my covers and shut the light off. A text was waiting for me.
Did u have fun tonight?
I did.
I’m sorry for ruining ur night. His response made me pause. Cade…apologizing? Why couldn’t he do that in person?
It wasn’t ruined. Just not how I imagined it going. There was a long pause before the next message came in.
How did u imagine it going?
Laughing, stories, joking – going home in a good mood. Even I could hear the implied sigh at the end of that message.
Do u like Tyler? My eyes widened at his bluntness. To the point, that was Cade.
He’s a nice guy.
U didn’t answer the question.
I like him as a friend. I waited for his response but none was forthcoming. I shook my head and pulled my covers up around my ears. Just as I was closing my eyes, another text came in.
Goodnight, Kendra.
Sweet dreams, Cade. I smiled a little at our crazy exchange and fell into a deep sleep.