Page 21 of Sweet Ruin

I blew out a breath. “It’s okay. I forgive you.”

“Just like that?”

“I’m not big on holding grudges unless they’re well deserved.” I tilted my head as I looked at him. "Just tell me why.”

“Why what?”

“Why did Noah suddenly make you pick a side?”

“He didn’t really say.” Kaden shrugged. “He just asked us to trust him. Luther and I know he would only ask something like that of us if he had a good reason.”

“But what reason could he have other than the fact he hates me?”

“I don’t think he hates you.”

“Oh no,” I said sarcastically. “Telling my friends not to talk to me must have been an act of true love.”

Kaden laughed softly. “I just mean that I think there’s more to it than that. Maybe it’s got something to do with his grandfather and the rivalry with your families. Or maybe he felt like he had to do it because he’s seeing Veronica now. Noah is like a brother to me, but that doesn’t mean I know what goes on inside his head that often. Or that I agree with it.”

I’d seen Noah and Veronica together all week, and I’d speculated with my friends that they were together. It was one thing to guess but another to hear it stated so matter-of-factly by one of his closest friends. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit it hurt. I nodded at Kaden’s explanation but decided to move the conversation away from Noah.

“So, what could possibly have sparked this change of heart from you?” I smiled so he knew I was joking.

He swallowed nervously, and his cheeks flushed. “I mean, I always knew deep down it was wrong to ignore you. Cress just knocked some sense into me.”

"Good,” I nodded. “It’s about time you two got together.”

He smiled. “I know. I’ve liked her for the longest time, but she’s always had a boyfriend. I finally decided to man up on Halloween, but then I was totally awkward on the Ferris wheel and felt like I’d blown my chance. Then when I asked her on a date yesterday, she turned me down because of the way I was treating you, and I really thought I’d messed it up for good. But in a way, that only made me like her more. Anyone who would put their friend first like she did has to be pretty special.”

“Yeah, she really is.” I smiled.

“So, do you think you could put in a good word for me? Maybe I can make the third time lucky.” He looked so hopeful I knew I couldn’t say no.

“Yeah, I’ll tell her that you and me are all good. She really likes you, Kaden, so that should be more than enough.”

He grinned brightly, and when he smiled that way, I could definitely see why Cress liked him so much. Kaden’s smile was a rare but powerful thing, and when you saw it, you naturally found yourself smiling in return.

“Thanks for being so cool about all this,” he said.

“It’s no problem.”

He glanced at the doorway over my shoulder and his face fell. I turned to see Luther entering the room.

His gaze went straight to Kaden, and there was a confused look in his eyes. He glanced between us and his regular seat at the back of the class, and I wondered if perhaps Kaden’s actions would give Luther the courage to forget Noah’s demands as well.

But he seemed torn, and eventually his expression hardened. He drew his shoulders back and continued past us without a word to take a seat at his usual desk.

I released a sigh, revealing my disappointment.

“I guess we just need someone to knock some sense into Luther now too,” I said.

Kaden didn’t look very optimistic. “I’m not sure there’s anyone who can,” he said with a wince. “He wasn’t happy about being made to choose. But he’s very protective of Noah. He won’t want to risk upsetting him.”

“And you don’t mind upsetting him?”

“I don’t want to hurt him,” he said. “But Cress made me realize that his family’s rivalry with yours isn’t my battle to fight. I’m always going to be there for him, but as far as I’m concerned, you’ve done nothing wrong. I guess he’s just going to have to understand.”

I wasn’t confident Noah would understand. He had been acting so strangely lately when it came to me, and I didn’t share Kaden’s faith Noah would be okay with him talking to me again.

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