Page 40 of Teaching Cayden

Chapter 18

Cayden

Ever have one of those days where you feel like everything is working against you? Well, today would be that day for me. I woke up late this morning, and had to practically race to class. I’d planned to talk to Will, but I haven’t had the chance. Addison didn’t come to class today, and Dr. Haywood gave us our last assignment before the final. When I asked him if Addison would be conducting a study session, he said no. I was surprised and he must have noticed because he then added on that she’d had a family emergency and wouldn’t be around for the rest of the semester. This shocked me. What had happened that would make her leave so abruptly, and not even tell me?

I was torn when I left class. I need to go to the house, but I also felt like I needed to go talk to her. I had a two-hour break before my next class. I texted Addison and asked if I could come by. I figured that was better than just calling. I was wrong. It took a few minutes, but when the three dots showed up on the text screen and then disappeared multiple times, I knew I was screwed.

Addison: Too little, too late. Freshman.

Fuck! She hadn’t called me Freshman in months. That was term she used when she was pissed. I was trying to give her space, like my parents had suggested. Didn’t she get that? I stuffed my phone in my pocket, and decided to go to the house instead. Whatever Addison had told Dr. Haywood had been a lie. She was avoiding me… again.

As I made my way down Fraternity Row, I could see a bunch of the guys sitting out on the porch. Dylan and Josh were tossing a football in the front yard, so I knew Will wasn’t far away. Those three were always together. They stopped when they saw me, and just stared.

“I didn’t think you’d come around after what you did.” Josh crossed his arms over his chest.

“Where is he? I need to talk to him.” I ignored his jab. He knew what I meant, and what happened was none of his business.

“You’re not welcome here.” Dylan moved to block my path.

“Come on, Bro. Don’t be like this.” I shook my head at him.

“Pres says you’re not to be here, so we’re here to make sure that doesn’t happen. Capeesh?” Dylan moved closer to me while Josh had a pleading look on his face.

“So you talk for him now too?” I was irritated and they weren’t helping. “You agree with this nonsense, Josh?”

“I’m pulling rank here.” Dylan threw the football on the ground. “Will doesn’t want you here. I’m going to make sure it stays that way, and I’ll bloody up the other side of your face if I need to. My hands aren’t bruised.”

“Really?” I shouted. “You can’t come out here and fight your own battles, you’re going to let your sidekicks do it? What about Addison? Don’t you care what she wants?” I cupped my hands around my mouth as I yelled. I knew he heard me. It took a minute or two of our continued standoff in the yard before Will emerged from the house. He stood in the front doorway with his hands on his hips, glaring at me. “I just want to talk to you.” I flung my arms out to the side.

He shrugged before coming down the steps, walking past our little group, and waving his arms to suggest I follow him. I rolled my eyes as I turned to go in his direction and watched as the entire house stared at us. “You can stop now,” I called out as I jogged to keep up with him.

“No I can’t,” he growled over his shoulder. We kept up the frantic pace until we reached his truck, which was parked on the street. “Get in.” He motioned to the door. I glanced over at him in confusion. “Get in, Sutter, or I’m gonna put you in.”

I yanked open the door, and climbed in as he went around to the driver’s side. “You gonna tell me what this is about now? Or are you taking me somewhere to kill me?” I laughed and Will cranked the engine.

“We’re driving over to the Omega’s house and we’re gonna talk on the way there. Then you’ve got some explaining to do before I decided whether I want to fuck up my hand again.” As we pulled out into traffic, he glanced at me a few times. “Start talking.”

I took a deep breath before trying to find the right words to explain this. “I didn’t set out to do this, man. I met your sister before I even started school here. I had no idea she was your sister until that party at the beginning of the year. I tried to stay away from her, but I couldn’t. The harder I fought it, the more she pushed. It got to a point where I just had to see where it would go.”

“And where did it go?” He ground his jaw as his knuckles turned white against the steering wheel.

“I love her.” I glanced over at him. “I really do, Bro. I know that’s not what you want to hear, but I plan to be with her whether or not you like it. She’s worth getting kicked out of the house for, if that’s what you plan to do.”

“I think it’s funny that you’re saying all of this when you’re messing around with Serena too.” He chuckled humorlessly. “I mean, I guess it’s something I’d try to get away with too, but my sister deserves better.”

“What are you talking about?” This time I faced him.

“I saw her, man. She’s all into you. It was all I heard about at the party. Why would she be like that if you two weren’t messing around?” He flung his hands in the air after parking the truck. We were stopped in front of the Omega house, but no one was outside.

“I’m not with her. I mean, we went to the party together but it was because Addison and I were trying to hide our relationship. Serena was just my cover story. I don’t like her as more than a friend,” I muttered as I ran my palm down my face.

“Coulda fooled me.” He scoffed. “Why would she say all that shit about how great you were?”

“I honestly don’t know.” I was confused. Serena had been acting weird ever since our date at the fun park. The way she sprung this date on me, the way she kept leaning into me…it was all a bit over exaggerated.

Will slumped back into his seat. “I’m gonna tell you something that no one else at the house knows, except maybe Josh. I did get really wasted one night last year and I vaguely remember spilling my guts to him.”

“Ok.” I paused as I waited for him to continue.

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