Kaden noticed my expression and asked,
"You okay?"
It took ten whole minutes for me to get a grip, then I said—almost in a whisper—
"I think I'm gonna go home now."
"Did something happen?"
"Yes," I replied.
Well of course something happened, you dumbass. My face looks like a wet ghost and I've clearly lost my cool. After that phone call, anyone could tell something was up. He didn't have to state the obvious.
"Come on, I'll drive you."
He grabbed my wrist without permission and dragged my ass into my dream car.
Okay, for a sec I forgot about the date, the dinner—everything—and just enjoyed the car. It was a glorious mechanical beast.
Haah. I'm in love.
Not with Kaden, I see you making those eyes—stop it!
The drive wasn't awkward at all. If anything, it was actually kind of nice. Kaden looked worried as he drove on without a word.
I peered at him.
Fuck, he's gorgeous.
I never really wanted to say this, but I'm gonna say it now:
Kaden Ambrose and Hunter Kim are on-par beauty.
I mean, dang. I should get glasses so I can see him better.
Wait—what the hell am I thinking? I hate how I sound right now. Maybe I should just bury myself in my thoughts and die from suffocation.
I closed my eyes and laid my head on the seat, and the next thing I know, Kaden's face is inches from mine when he whispers,
"We're here."
I freaked out and lifted my head, crashing it into his skull.
Bright light.
Loud noise.
"Ouch, that hurt."
The ouch you're seeing here is not the cute kind—it's the me kind.
"Geez, is your head made of rock or something? Why were you so close to me anyway? You could've just tapped me, y'know."
I rubbed my forehead, sirens wailing in my skull as my brain went through a hurricane.
Kaden didn't apologize. Instead, he smiled and called me cute.
Diabolical.
I grabbed my bag and hopped out of the car, yelling,
"For the record, I'm not cute!"
I slammed the door and ran inside my house, embarrassment all over my face.
Shit.
The following day, I spent most of the school day avoiding Kaden. At basketball practice, it was obvious he'd caught on, and I could literally see the fury in his eyes.
What's his deal anyway? I didn't do anything wrong—besides, he was the one who crashed my girls' date with Ivy.
I wanted to strangle Ivy, but she didn't make it easy and decided to get a fever.
Ranger didn't help either, hovering around making all sorts of unnecessary comments.
Marco joined in too, setting up "coincidental" little small talks between Hunter and me.
Later in the day, I went for karate class and found Hunter destroying our captain.
Wow. He was good. Really good. Too good.
Then I saw the crazy fangirls through the glass windows. Doing that thing I can never wrap my head around.
"Hey, Princess."
I looked at him and shook my head.
Fuck he just say?
"Uhm... are you talking to me?" I said, pretending like there was someone else behind me. Possibly a different dimension, preferably with no boys.
He smirked.
"Come on, Emily. You're not gonna pretend like we've never met."
"Emily? Which Emily do you speak of? I know no one who bears that name. I'm... Clara."
What am I doing?
"Oh really?" he said, smirking wider—dangerously so—and then suddenly grabbed my wrist.
Next thing I knew, I was being dipped. . In the middle of the dojo. In front of EVERYONE.
AGAIN
I gasped, my hand flying to his chest for balance because gravity was very much doing its job and my knees were not.
"Let go of me before I scream ghost rider," I hissed.
"Aw," he said, leaning in with a grin, his face painfully close, wow.
"still got that fire. I like that."
I narrowed my eyes. "Hunter Kim, I swear on all that is holy—"
"Emily uhm..i mean Clara," he corrected with a wink. "My bad."
I was this close to biting him. This close.
He pulled me back up like I weighed nothing and let go of my wrist, leaving my soul slightly unhinged. I stumbled a little, blinking like I'd just come out of anesthesia.
The worst part?
Everyone was staring.
The second worst part?
I was flustered.
Maybe I should kick him in the family jewels too.
Within minutes the fan girls were pouring through the dojo gates and I escaped into an Uber directly headed to my house.
Skipping my final class.
Later that night
I was dreading every single step as we got closer to the Steele Mansion's dinner table.
Yes I was excited to see Aunt Carol, uncle Dave, Cheyenne and of course my baby Mason.
I was also excited to see Ranger, couldn't wait to launch my fist in his face.
And a teeny bit excited to see Hunter
I mean he's eye candy but the reason why I'm dreading this night.
I hope he doesn't try to dip me here or this time I'll break his jaw.
Hold up
Ranger?
Mason?
Hunter?
What! Were all the sons of the Steele family born with jobs?
How did I not know this.
Maybe if they named Cheyenne nurse then it'd be complete.
My interesting thoughts did the heavy lifting easing the tension and overthinking.
I walked into the dining hall with a victory smile on my face.
I was so ready for this dinner, no over thinking. No stress, no nothing.
I spoke too soon
Immediately my butt touched the seat, a figure loomed over me from behind. It was too tall to be Ranger and too masculine to be Cheyenne.
It obviously wasn't Uncle Dave cause he was busy with Ava and Aunt Carol, putting the finishing touches on dinner.
"Hey Princess"
He said right beside my ear and I jumped ready to attack if he attempted to dip me.
He let out a small chuckle
"Relax Princess Clara, I mean no harm...yet". He sat down right beside my seat.
I wanted to slap that stupid smirk so hard it flew all the way to Neptune.
I sighed and went back to my seat, intentionally scooting a few inches away-- but then the bane of my existence A.K.A Ranger, shoved it back so hard mine and Hunter's shoulders touched.
I glared at him and Hunter smirked clearly enjoying this.
Cheyenne walked up to the table and immediately backed up.
Geez guys what's this
I can literally see the tension
Ranger stretched and said in the most casual tone I've ever heard.
Ohh this? it's cuz Hunter knows Emily called him hot
The room fell silent.
Fuck