“How’s the stomach?” I say.
“Fine. Better.”
He recovers from everything quicker than most, resilience has always been one of his strong points. He doesn’t look like he’s had much sleep the past week, given the purple bags that seem to be permanently stained under his eyes, but I’ve noticed he gets through the day without clutching his middle as much.
Elodie appears in the doorway wearing one of Cade’s Sleep Token tops and a pair of black ripped jeans rolled up at the ankles. It’s definitely time to get her into some clothes that fit her slight frame.
Bob jumps up and trots over to her, Bruiser following close behind. Sarge stays by Cade. She bends down and tentatively strokes both of them.
Caden slaps his knees and gets off the sofa. “Right, ready?”
Sarge jumps up too and follows him to the front doors.
I watch Elodie carefully as she hesitates, staring at Sarge.
Caden turns around to see the hold up, and it takes him a second to cotton on. He fiddles with his snakebite, licking and wiggling it. Even Alfie looks up from his Legos to watch this weird internal battle our dear brother’s going through right now.
Finally, Caden crouches down and cups Sarge’s face. “Sorry, boy, you gotta sit this one out. I’ll be back in a bit.”
My jaw drops. I fling round to look at Alfie and see his mouth hanging open too.
Caden straightens up and jerks his head toward the door. “You coming or what?”
We both turn our heads to gawk at Elodie, who awkwardly shuffles across the room and past Sarge, jumping out the door when Sarge comes over to inspect her. She’s oblivious to what just happened.
Caden shakes his head behind her before turning back to us. Seeing our shellshocked expressions, his brow flattens. His finger comes out to point at us. “Don’t say a fucking word. Catch ya later.” Then he’s gone.
I turn back to Alfie, and we finally pick our jaws back up. “Holy shit.”
Alf nods slowly. “Leaving his best friend behind to make her feel better? That had to have been as hard as cleansing.”
I blow out a bray like a horse, still stunned. “Boy’s got it bad.”
CHAPTER 44
ELODIE
Istand awkwardly by Caden’s black Mercedes AMG. He hovers on the other side, arching an eyebrow at me. “You gonna get in or just stare at your own reflection?”
My heart’s hammering in my chest. “Do you want me to sit in the back?”
He frowns, a bewildered look on his face. “So you can strangle me from behind when I’m not looking? Not likely. Front. Now.” He opens his door and climbs in.
I roll my eyes. That’s not what I meant, but whatever. I open the door and slide in.
He pulls out before I even get my seatbelt on. The car’s smooth interior is all black. I wring my fingers in my lap, clammy and shaking. This was a stupid idea. I should have asked Alfie in private. Nothing else has happened between us since Hunt Night, but I can sense his desire. He’s more handsy during gym sessions, more cuddly. It’s been nice. I haven’t been able to get the feel of his tongue on me out of my head. I don’t believe his apology. He wants me as much as I want him. It’s clearly his loyalty to his stupid cousin that’s getting in the way.
But maybe this could work better. If I can be a good girl like Caden wants, I can get his defences down.
We drive in silence for a while, and I’m about to scream from how hard this tension is choking me. “Do you miss Max?” Jesus. That’s the first thing that comes to mind?!
If he’s taken aback by the forward question, he hides it well. “Obviously. He’s my brother.”
I nod, fighting the urge to palm my forehead.
Caden pulls onto the motorway and leans farther back into his chair, hand hanging limply over the top of the steering wheel as we quickly build speed. “You miss Lewis.”
“Obviously. He’s my brother.”
