“Yeah, I guess,” I sighed.
“I’m always happy to give you extra tutoring, if you know what I mean? A helping hand? Or two?” He nudged me, grinning down at me.
“Cass, please,” I groaned. “I’m not sure Cade would be down for that.”
“He could join us.”
“You ask him, see what he says. I bet you a tenner he gives you a black eye.”
“Not the face!” He clasped his hands to his cheeks dramatically, before he laughed. “I’d like to see him take me on.” His brows creased. “On second thoughts, maybe not. I reckon I could take him, but he’d fuck me up badly enough in the process.”
“Maybe keep your thoughts to yourself, then, huh?”
We walked across the quad towards the library building and he left me at the doors. “Meet you here at four? If you still want a lift home?”
“Please. See you later.” I waved him off. Caiden and Weston were meeting Arlo after university for some male bonding thing, so I couldn’t get a lift home with Cade. It had been the only time Arlo’s secretary could fit them in, and I was so glad that they were finally starting to build bridges. I hoped with everything in me that Arlo wasn’t involved in any of this shit with my mother.
On the top floor of the library, I found a quiet table towards the back corner, next to the windows. The sky outside had darkened again, black clouds rolling in, and the first drops of rain hit the windows. It turned into a downpour, and I watched as students ran between the buildings, trying to shelter from the sudden onslaught of rain.
“Hi.” I looked up to see Caiden, his hair all wet, water droplets still clinging to his lashes and running off his body.
“Hi.” I licked my lips, staring up at him. “Has anyone ever told you how good you look all wet from the rain?”
He smirked. “Once or twice. You know who else looks good all wet?” He dropped into the seat next to me and leaned close to my ear. “You.”
Fuck me. His husky tone, full of promise—
I was suddenly jolted out of my haze of lust by the pointedly loud thump of a leather messenger bag being thrown on the table.
My gaze flew up to meet James’ unimpressed face. He sat down opposite me and Caiden, pulling a sleek silver tablet out of his bag. No one said anything, the boys giving each other wary glances.
I rolled my eyes. This wasn’t at all awkward.
“Just so you know, I don’t like you.” Caiden narrowed his eyes at James.
“The feeling’s mutual, Cavendish.”
I huffed loudly. “Can we not, please?”
“Fine,” Caiden muttered, folding his arms and leaning back in his seat, stretching out his legs in front of him and splaying his palms over his thighs. Deceptively casual, but I could feel the tension from his body. I lowered my hand under the table, threading my fingers through his, and he squeezed my hand, some of the tension leaving him.
“Okay. What’s going on, James?” I turned back to him, desperate to find out the reason he’d called us here.
“I couldn’t get to see Joseph. He’s ‘gone away,’ whatever that means, but I don’t think there was anything nefarious in his plans. I did some subtle digging and invited myself round to my uncle’s house for dinner.” He swallowed nervously. “I hate being caught up in all this shit. I said I needed to get some textbooks that Joseph had promised I could borrow, and his dad didn’t even think twice. I went to his room, and I-I turned on his laptop. No idea what I was looking for, but I figured that emails were a good place to start. I found this email in his trash.” He slid a tablet across the table to us, and Caiden bent his head close to mine, both of us studying the words on the screen.
FROM: [email protected]
TO: [email protected]
SUBJECT: W H
As agreed, proceed with the plan. Winter and the Cavendish boy need to break up. Do what you must. Payment
will be deposited once the plan has been carried out satisfactorily.
I expect regular photographs and updates on Winter to ensure your end of the bargain is being upheld. Drive a wedge between them, at any cost. Further payments will follow.
Regards