Page 30 of Teaching Cayden

She smiled before admitting, “I already knew that.”

“Wait, what?” I was confused. Why did she agree to come on this disaster of a date if she knew there was no future?

“I’ve seen you around, Cayden. I know you’re a nice guy. You’re not like most of the other Alphas. You talk to me like I’m a real person, and you’re looking at my face right now instead of my boobs.” She laughed lightly as I chuckled.

“So why come?” I motioned in front of me.

“Honestly?” She shifted to face the front of the cart.

“Yeah. If you knew this wasn’t a real date, why come?” This time I shifted towards her.

“Grace really likes Josh.” She rolled her eyes. “I don’t know why. He’s a pig, but she likes him. She didn’t want to come out alone in case she needed a buffer of sorts. I knew you were too nice to say no, so I suggested a double date.” She shrugged as I scoffed. “It was kinda fun watching your torment too.” This resulted in a full-on laugh.

“So you set me up?” I leaned back and crossed my arms over my chest.

“I saved you,” she corrected. “I’ve heard Josh speculating about your secret girlfriend. I knew if you were hiding something this would help cover it. I’m smarter than I look.” She grinned as she crossed her arms, mirroring me.

“So you’ve been faking all along.” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

“Kind of. Honestly, you’re the type of guy I would date if you were single, but you’re not, so it doesn’t really matter.”

“Now I just feel like an asshole.” I shook my head.

“Let’s just say you owe me one, and I might cash in sooner rather than later.” She grinned as we reached the bottom, this time stopping to get off the ride.

I didn’t have time to think about what she said because Josh came rushing over and almost tackled me. Someone needed to teach him some manners. “I’m starving. Let’s get food now.” He slugged me. “Then we can go.”

“You’re ready to leave already?” I was shocked. It wasn’t that late, and he and Grace seemed to be having a good time.

The girls continued to walk to the snack bar as Josh halted me. “I’m not going home yet if you know what I mean.” His brows wagged as he made a pumping motion with his hips.

“This is your first date.” I shook my head. It may make me a pussy, but I was raised to believe that you waited longer than a first date to take your girl to bed.

“Un huh.” He grinned. “I’m surprised I’ve lasted this long. I’m normally on round two by now.” He snickered. “Now let’s get that pizza. Big Daddy needs energy for what lies ahead tonight.”

“I don’t want to know, dude, that is all you.” I shook my head as I picked up my pace to catch up with the girls.

After grabbing a pizza, we made our way over to one of the tables and sat down. It was a mild night with a slight breeze, but it wasn’t too cold. The girls chatted happily as we served ourselves and began to discuss the upcoming Spring Formal.

“It’s not really a formal.” Serena shrugged as she bit into her pizza. “We’re wearing swimsuits and drinking out of Solo cups.”

“I actually like this better.” Grace smiled. “I’d rather invest in a new bikini that I’ll actually wear again than a dress that’ll just hang in my closet and collect dust.”

“I like the way you think.” Josh grinned as he leaned closer to her shoulder. “Need any help picking out that new bikini?”

“Maybe.” She giggled. “You’d have to ask me to this beach thing first though.”

“So do you want to go with me?” Josh cleared his throat.

“I don’t know. Maybe. Who are you going with?” Grace turned her attention toward me.

“Me?” My head snapped back as Josh scowled. “I…”

“He’s going with me,” Serena looped her arms around my bicep and leaned in closer. “He asked me when we were on the Ferris wheel.” She leaned closer to my ear and whispered, “This is the favor I was talking about.”

“Really?” Josh too seemed surprised as he turned a satisfied smirk at Grace. “He’s taken,” he nodded, “so I guess you’re stuck with me.”

“I don’t know if that’s a bad thing,” she teased as she leaned into him. Her eyes remained on my arm where Serena was still attached, and I could feel her fingertips burning my skin. It felt wrong that I was letting her touch me, but she knew I wasn’t into her.

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