Caden is unnaturally still.
Alf takes a deep breath in, puffing out his massive chest. “If it is in my power, I will not, ever, let you get her pregnant. It’s not a weapon, it’s not a toy, it’s not a way to control someone. You think making her have your baby will make her bow to you? Worship you? What are you even expecting? You think she’d even love it if it came from this exhausting, relentless hate between the two of you?” He leans forward, pointing a shaking finger at his cousin. “Wake the fuck up. I’m not choosing you – or her – I’m choosing what’s right.” He pushes his chair out the way, making it clatter to the floor. “I’m going to give her the pill now, and you won’t do shit about it. Think about what the fuck I just said, what the fuck you’re playing at, and grow the fuck up.”
He marches out the room, leaving a stench of heavy clarity stinking up the room.
Gees.
Even I’m uncomfortable now.
I watch Caden carefully, wondering what’s going on in that head of his.
Finally, he slowly rises, so I do too.
He holds out a hand. “I want to be alone for a minute.”
“Cade,” I try.
“Please.” He fixes me with those green eyes of his, drowning in sorrow. “Just a minute.”
I fall back into my chair and let him leave the room.
I push back my curls, ruffle them, and blow out a long breath.
This wasn’t what I had in mind when Caden won the bet. She hates him more than ever now. And somehow, she’s managed to wedge herself between Alf and Caden. I think I’ll be making myself very scarce for the next few days.
CHAPTER 43
FIZ
Sure enough, it’s hell in this house.
It’s been a week since everything blew up at breakfast. Elodie avoids all of us like the plague. She only speaks to Alfie during their training sessions, which, surprisingly, she still wanted to continue. Now The Hunt’s over, I thought she’d quit. Alfie’s barely touched his Lego tower, only raked through the Zen garden once. He’s fidgety and on edge, going through coffees at a speed that gives my own heart palpitations.
Elodie doesn’t join us for any meals. Alfie or Maggie takes her meals up to her. Caden’s been abnormally quiet, carrying around this horrible air of defeat. I don’t know how the fuck to fix this.
The cousins made up two days later. Alfie approached Cade and apologised, said he lost it, let his emotions get the better of him. Cade waved it off, and they went back to normal. But I still feel a rip in the stitches of our foundation. It’s awkward, it’s weird.
I roll myself a zoot and let the dogs out, trailing the small field at the front of the house as slowly as possible. This house is my sanctuary, my serenity, and at this point, I’m wondering when it’ll feel like that again.
Maybe Elodie staying isn’t such a good idea. I want her to, more than anything, but maybe I was wrong. Perhaps Caden really can’t handle her. Or at least confront his real feelings for her and make an effort to address them. Denial is the biggest barrier for change. Elodie’s no better, she could admit that there’s a little interest there. They’re both as stubborn as each other, and I cannot take a lifetime of this misery.
The dogs circle back to me, so we return to the house.
Maggie’s laying out our plates, Alfie and Caden already sitting down.
“Morning,” I say, trying to keep my usual jovial tone.
They both say morning in the glum tones that have become their new usual.
I slump down, already feeling exhausted.
I have zero appetite, zero interest in being in this environment, and I’m about to snap and voice this when there’s a quiet shuffle of footsteps behind me.
I whip round.
There she stands. Unsure, nervous, tiny.
Just seeing her lifts my spirits. It makes the first genuine grin in a week spread across my face. “Good morning, Sleeping Beauty. I was beginning to forget what that pretty face looked like.”
