Page 160 of California Wild

Caiden let out a sharp breath, almost a laugh.

“Come on, Fox. Name one great band that didn’t have a couple in it. The passion, the fire—it makes the music better. Look at Fleetwood Mac. Look at Paramore. Look at—”

“Caiden.”

Her voice was soft but firm.

She met his gaze head-on.

“I can’t date you.”

It was gentle, careful.

But final.

For a second, she thought he was going to laugh it off.

Then—his jaw clenched.

His hands fisted at his sides.

His voice was quieter now, but sharper. “Is this about him?”

Hayley’s heart skipped.

Her stomach turned.

“What?”

Caiden took a step back, exhaling sharply, shaking his head. “Your ex. He’s back in your life, isn’t he?”

Hayley felt the weight of his words drop on her chest like a stone.

She had to lie.

She couldn’t tell him.

Not now.

“No.” Her voice was steady. “No, he’s not.”

Caiden’s lips pressed into a thin line.

Then—a scoff.

“Bullshit. He was at the show last night. You know that, right?”

She swallowed.

“Caiden—”

“Be real. That guy is toxic for you. Every fucking song you wrote… all that pain and agony. He cheated on you a thousand times. He’s a junkie. He couldn’t give a fuck less about you.”

His voice was cutting.

“Hayley, he destroyed you once, and he’s gonna do it again. You know that, right?”

Her pulse pounded in her ears.

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