“Don’t be. It’s yours, anyway.”
“What’s mine?”
“Every piece of me.”
?
Marcus and Caleb fight over the same seat on the couch while Luke, Cayden, and Weston watch them with amused smiles.
“No! I want this seat!”
“Too bad, I was here first, asshole!”
I stifle a laugh, watching the ridiculousness of it. Something so simple yet it would’ve had us killed or tortured in The Academy.
“You okay?” Cayden nudges me, his face soft and happy. He looks down to the hoodie I’m wearing. The hoodie he gave me when we got home from the beach, and it smells like him.
“I’m okay.”
Neither of us looks away as the chaos continues around us, though the noise fades into the background. The way Cayden looks at me keeps me in a trance I can’t escape. His arms wrap around me as he pulls me into his chest, his hand going to my hair and gently playing with the strands.
“You’re tired.” It’s not a question, and I am. I’m exhausted. Although this has been the best day of my entire life, it’s been draining, too. And in typical Cayden fashion, he reads me like an open book.
“Ugh, you prick!” Caleb groans as Marcus wins the seat fight, breaking us out of the trance.
“Alright, you two, break it up,” Cayden orders, still holding me tightly. I smile into his chest, hiding it from view from everyone else.
“Yes, sir,” Caleb mocks with a pout before sitting down.
Chapter 36:
Darlia
Weston, Marcus, and Luke are standing around the kitchen table, looking over plans for the new Zone guards. Security has been tightened since Cayden saved me apparently, though I didn’t notice it on our trip to the beach yesterday.
“There’s no way all of us can go in one car.”
“So then Darlia, Cayden, Bella, and I will go in one, and you, Caleb, and Weston can go in another. If we split up and you go ahead, they will search your car, but not ours. It could work.” Marcus crosses his arms over his chest, looking over at me.
I’ve barely woken up, still in Cayden’s shirt and half asleep, so I’m not surprised they didn’t notice me sooner. “Darlia, coffee?”
I nod. “Please.”
The plans don’t continue after that. I’m pretty sure they don’t want me knowing where they plan on taking us. And while I understand, I am still a weapon of The Academy, after all. It still hurts that Cayden doesn’t trust me enough to let me in.
“Here.” Marcus slides me a mug and gives me a smile.
“Thanks.”
It doesn't take long for Bella to walk out, also looking half-asleep and yet like she hasn’t slept at all. She sits down beside me, taking the mug. “I need it more.”
“Rough night?” I laugh softly, earning me a glare. But I don’t miss the way Marcus watches her carefully, almost concerned. I’ll ask her about that later.
It’s no secret to me they’re together, in some sort of way, at least. I’ve known since the night at Cayden’s manor that they were together. But they hide it around the other boys for a reason I’ve yet to learn. I’m sure Cayden has noticed, too, but he doesn’t say anything, either.
I barely get time to process my own thoughts when the sound of the bedroom door opens, and Cayden walks out looking gruff and beautiful.
“Ah, here comes the sleeping beauty!” Caleb smirks as Cayden walks towards us. My face softens instantly as his eyes meet mine.
