Page 9 of Rejected Pretend Mate

"Buck up, it's not that bad outside. It was just one block, and I didn't want to waste the gas."

I rolled my eyes, glancing around the street. My eyes froze as I spotted April at a table in the cafe across the street. She was wearing a pair of jeans and a deep red blouse. Her jacket was thrown over the chair, and her hair was half up in a bun.

Riley was sitting next to her in a light pink dress. Her belly was a little larger now with the pregnancy. The rest of the girls were sitting around them. Wendy was sitting next to Laura, and they were looking at one of their phones. Gina and Ashley were nodding their heads at something Riley was saying. All ofthem were clutching mugs, and I figured they were waiting for their food.

"She did end up joining them for breakfast," Cayden said, breaking the silence. "I'm glad. I was worried she was going to bow out and stay home."

I looked away, glancing at him. I could see the worry in his eyes, and I couldn't imagine what he was thinking. Not only did he have a hard time protecting his wife, but then something happened with his sister. It was a lot to handle.

"How is she doing?" I glanced back at the girls, and I could see April was engaged in the conversation, but she was tense. I could see the way she was sitting and the way she was tapping her fingers on her knee. She was waiting for something to happen.

I ground my teeth together, wondering what exactly had happened in their relationship. What had Ivan done to her? I wanted all the details, and I knew I wasn't going to get them. I doubted even Cayden knew.

"She's doing okay, but she's not telling me much. She's even starting to hold things back from Riley, which has really rubbed her the wrong way. Riley is extremely worried about her."

I looked at him, a little surprised by that. Riley and April were closer than I'd ever seen people be.

"Why is that? I mean, why do you think she's keeping things from Riley?" I was trying not to sound too interested, but I wanted to know.

He shrugged, shaking his head. "I think she's afraid Riley will tell me. I mean, she would if it was serious. And this is. She'sacting like this is nothing. Her ex is just showing up here. I don't want a repeat of what happened with Brad."

I knew why it bothered him. Everything that happened with Brad was a lot to deal with. He had to restrain his wood floors to get the blood out, but even then, Riley made him get new furniture and a big ass rug. She said the space couldn't look the same.

"I just want her to be safe. I want her to have a comfortable life." He ran a hand over his face. "I even brought up her marrying you, and that was quickly stomped over again. She doesn't even want to consider it."

I snorted. "You think I'm just that good marriage material?"

Cayden rolled his eyes. "No. I just don't like the idea of him knowing where she's living. You weren't wrong when you said she would be safer."

My stomach twisted up slightly, but I held it down. "And what did she say?"

He sighed. "The same thing as last night. I'm fine. I'm not in danger. You need to just let it go."

We stopped in front of the bakery and stepped inside. The sudden smell of fresh bread was wonderful, and my mouth watered.

"And you don't think she can handle him?" I asked as we stopped in front of the counter.

"It's not about whether or not she can handle him. Riley said the same thing about her ex, and I had to restain the wood in my apartment after that. Even if he isn't dangerous, I don't want to find out."

I wanted to say maybe he was a little paranoid, which was understandable considering everything, but I didn't know if that was fair.

"Morning, guys," a young man stopped at the counter, smiling at us. "You guys here to pick up the order that Ayden placed?"

Cayden nodded.

"Let me go grab it. It's in the back."

The guy walked away, and Cayden turned to me. "We both know how the pack is. Just because she divorced my brother doesn't mean shit. They are going to want her to come back just as much as Ivan does. She needs something to ground her here. She doesn't have a job. She doesn't even have a bank account here yet. She is legally not part of this pack. I'm concerned because they could formally request her return, and really, we couldn't refuse without it causing a major fallout.

"What about her apartment? Doesn't that count for something?"

"I had to cosign with her," he said, rubbing his eyes again. "They were worried she might just up and leave one day and lose money on renting her the apartment. Really, it's in my name."

I didn't know that.

"Has she thought of working? Has she applied anywhere?"

He shrugged. "I don't think she feels like this is her home. Anytime I ask, she says she's looking, but I don't know. I just don't know what to do at this point."

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