TWENTY-EIGHT
The next few days feel like a weird fever dream of distractions—amusement park dates, rough kisses, and amazing sex. I didn’t know I could enjoy someone’s company to the point where I’d be addicted to it. And I am. Addicted to Kayden.
The only time I’m not with him is during his training sessions with Julian, which I’ve now been permanently banned from. Julian thinks I’m a major distraction and I can’t blame him. Kayden can’t keep his attention on his opponent long before his eyes search for mine. And while it’s flattering, I certainly don’t want to be the person who costs Kayden his championship.
But apart from that, I like the moments we have. I finally got him to leave notes more frequently for me around the apartment before he leaves for a training session. He always signs it with a “<3,” which is sweet. And when Kayden gets back home, we stay up late, lying in his bed, while he tells me about his family. How his parents used to be. How sweet and amazing Clarissa was. I wish I could have met her. From the stories he’s told me about her and her funny, spunky, wise beyond her years nature, I think we would have gotten along well.
I tell him about Beth too. I have been seeing her around campus more often recently, and I wonder what’s been going on with her. A part of me wants to approach her since I’m still worried about her, but every time I build up the courage to try, I find myself hesitating, unable to keep my anger from overshadowing my guilt. The calls and texts from my dad to make up with her haven’t exactly helped the situation since I have a stubborn habit of not doing what my dad tells me to do.
He did take it as a small win that I finally decided to RSVP yes to the wedding. But I’m only doing it because I like Alyson and want to show my support for her. And I guess if she loves my dad, it means there’s at least something in there that’s worth loving. Even if I can’t see it.
All I really care right now is Kayden. Seeing him is more than enough to reel me back into a happy, contented state.
We usually take turns on whose bed we’re going to be sleeping in every night just to keep things fair. Tonight, Kayden sits up against my bed frame while my head rests in his lap as I churn out an assignment on my laptop. I can feel him watching me as he plays with my hair lazily. I pull my attention away from the laptop and look up at him, smiling and catching one in return.
He’s so beautiful like this. His black hair is an adorable mess from the many hours I spent running through it with my fingers. I suddenly envision myself tugging on it again while I let him have his way with me. I wonder if he shares the same sentiment I have right now.
“What’s up?” I whisper as his eyes continue to roam over my face.
“Come visit my parents with me this weekend,” Kayden blurts.
“What?” I shut my laptop and pull myself off his lap to really look at him. “Real y?”
“Yeah,” he says, uncertainty washing over his expression as he realizes how unsettled I look. “Is everything all right?”
“Yeah. No . . . I don’t know.” I let out a sigh, dragging a hand over the side of my face. The thought of visiting his parents make me nervous. Really nervous. “Look, it’s bad enough we’re missing one day before the finals for Alyson and my dad’s wedding. I just don’t know if we have the time to spare. You need to train.”
“Come on, it’s my family we’re talking about.” He arches an eyebrow. “I know it’s bad timing but I gotta go home.
Brent’s bringing Evans as well, and it’s a big deal to him. So I thought I’d bring you, too, because you’re really special,” he says, his voice drooping with tenderness, which makes me feel even more guilty. “Plus my adoptive parents have been good to me. And I really think they’d like you.”
“I don’t know . . .” My voice trails off. I pull my knees toward me, wrapping my arms around them. “We’ve only been together for less than a week.”
It sounds unnecessarily cruel when I admit the fact out loud, but isn’t it the truth? Everything suddenly feels like it’s getting really serious, which prickles a nervous feeling in my system.
“Yeah, so?” Kayden’s face falls slightly but he tries to cover up the disappointment of hearing those words with a strained smile. “We’ve known each other longer than that. I think we’re actually kind of overdue for a meet-the-parents session.”
I bite my lip in contemplation. I guess he’s right in a way.
It does feel like we’ve known each other longer since we see each other every day and are also living together.
And yet, I still don’t give him an answer. I know I should tell him what he wants to hear and I don’t know why I can’t.
A hesitant feeling tugs at me, and I feel bad for even feeling it.
Kayden lets out a frustrated sigh when he notices my silence. “It’s only for one weekend, Sienna. What’s the big deal?”
“I’m sorry,” I mutter, pulling my knees together to hug them. “I just want to set our priorities straight.”
Instead of agreeing with me like I’d expect, he narrows his eyes at me in odd suspicion. “Is that the only reason?”
Somehow, that rouses annoyance within me. I straighten up on the bed.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I glare at him.
Kayden forces himself to look away.
“Nothing.”