Page 34 of Catch Me

“I might as well get this over with.”

“Be nice to him,” I say.

Reid stills, shooting me a look. I hold his gaze, not backing down. I know the situation is all twisted, but it’s Lex and Reid. I’m not coming between them. Never. I couldn’t.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” he says, as he strides out the open bedroom door. I hear him say good night to my parents and then the front door closes. My stomach twists as his car starts, and I hear it pull down the driveway.

It feels like something’s about to change. For good. And I don’t like it.

16

Idon’t hear from Reid the rest of the night, but in the morning, he sends me a single text.Cade’s picking you up.

I really want my own car. I hate the fact that they’re driving my ass around everywhere. It’s one thing when it’s Reid because I know he wants to, but Cade’s a different story. I feel like I’m putting him out.

The bagel I made for him is hot in my hand when I hear him beep outside. I tell my parents I’ll see them after school and walk outside. “Sorry,” I tell him, as soon as I open the door. I shove the bagel in his face.

He chuckles. “No problem, Shortie.”

“So, where’s Reid?” I ask. I’m digging for information, yes. I’m not ashamed to admit it. Reid doesn’t send the most forthcoming texts, loaded with information that sets me at ease. They’re actually the exact opposite.

“Up late fighting with Lex. He overslept.”

My stomach squeezes. I look over at Cade. He takes a huge bite out of the bagel and shrugs, acting like nothing’s wrong. I look away, feeling like this is all my fault.

“You want my advice?” Cade asks.

“Not really.”

He laughs. “Too bad. Listen, Briar, those two are so alike it’s crazy. They need to blow off steam, let them.”

“Do you know what they’re fighting about?”

He gives me a pointed look. “I’m not an idiot.”

“Yeah, well, what am I supposed to do about it?”

“You made your choice, right? It seems to me there’s not anything you can do about it. Lex just needs to move on or not. It’s his decision.”

“Why do you sound so blasé about it? They’re your friends.”

He shrugs. “Because I can’t imagine Lex not moving on. That’s why. And listen, they’re probably going to go all caveman on you, so if you need someone to hang around with who isn’t thinking about fucking you, give me a call.”

He winks, and I sigh, dropping my head to the window, so I can look outside.

“Okay, maybe I’ve thought about fucking you a couple of times. You don’t have to act so sad about it,” he finally says.

I peer over my shoulder to give him a dirty look, but the look on his face makes me laugh. “I really hate you sometimes.”

“You love me.”

I turn to look out the window again. “Except the times I hate you.”

Cade’s chuckle is deep and throaty. He polishes off the bagel and wipes his hands on his jeans. “Hey, you think Jules is doing okay lately?”

I sag into the car door and turn toward him. His face is thoughtful. “Yeah, I do,” I tell him. “How are you doing?”

He blinks. He takes a while to respond, and I realize I’ve probably never asked Cade that question regarding Brady. He leans back in his seat, leaving one hand on the steering wheel while the other touches his chin thoughtfully. “I’m doing okay, Briar.” He looks over to give me a small smile and reaches out to pat my leg. “I’m glad your goth phase is over.”

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