The Good Intentions

Chapter 28 - Kaden

Kaden

Well, I'm so happy everyone else is having a good time because I'm in hell. I mean, what the fuck is Teddy Wilson doing here? The guy is everywhere and it's driving me insane. But what drives me more insane is listening to Bethany talk about him nonstop. Just his name makes me tense up. And hearing it come from her lips, fucking hell.

And now I have to see him again today. I'd be happy if I never see that guy for the rest of my life. The sad part is we used to be friends and he hasn't done anything wrong. But I hate him.

The cruise docks in Mexico once we finish our breakfast. Bethany pays no mind to me as we make our way off the ship. She's too busy searching the port for Teddy. And there he is. In his stupid light blue swim-trunks and ugly ass white tank top.

"Come on everyone. Stop dilly-dallying, we have a reservation," Valerie nags and we all follow her.

Is anyone even having fun on this trip? Because I sure as hell am not.

No time for sightseeing according to Valerie. I wish she would take her stupid schedule and shove it. This feels more like boot camp than a vacation. I should have stayed back on the ship. Faked the flu or something. No, not believable enough. A wicked hangover then. But that would only help me get away from Valerie. I thought Bethany would be more out of sight out of mind. But the thought of not keeping an eye on her while Teddy's hanging around physically makes me feel sick to my stomach.

Per my prediction, though, Teddy is walking at the front of the group talking with Jace while Bethany hangs back with Loni. She tried to put on this front like she had it all together. Like she knew what she was doing. Truthfully, I think she was just trying to get away from me. I want to be offended by that, and yet there's a part of me that's flattered at the fact that maybe she likes me a little too much and she's trying to keep her distance.

Or maybe I'm totally wrong and she actually is ready to wrestle under the sheets with Teddy. Oh, fuck, yup now I feel sick again.

"I hope it's no trouble to add an additional person to our reservation," Valerie says to the man behind the desk once we reach the gazebo for the ziplining.

"No trouble, Miss," The man says with a smile.

"Have you ever zip lined before?" Chloe, Valerie's friend, asks me with a cheesy grin. A little too wide that it makes me shift on my feet.

I nod. "Yeah, a bunch actually." I shove my hands in my pockets and look elsewhere. Her bright blue eyes and overly bleached teeth are actually starting to freak me out. Seeing Bethany get fitted in her helmet puts me at ease until Teddy walks up next to her. I'm about to walk over there when a warm hand grabs my forearm.

"I've never been before. I'm pretty nervous actually."

I look down at Chloe and nod. "The instructors will be up there with us."

"Oh," she says under her breath.

I'm not missing the fact that she's trying to flirt with me or seem scared in hopes that I'll coddle her. I'm not interested. After what happened with Mariana, I'm not taking the risk of being with a girl I'm not interested in. But maybe that's better than pinning over a girl who's clearly not interested in me.

"What are you doing, man?" Asher says, shoving my shoulder. "Get geared up. Let's go." He shoves a helmet into my chest and Chloe gives me a sad forced smile before trotting up behind Valerie. Probably telling her everything that just happened between us because Valerie is giving me a stare that could literally kill me.

I look down at the helmet in my hands. My cold reflection stares back at me and I can barely recognize the person in the chrome. Who the hell am I? This isn't me. I'm Kaden fucking Kell. I'm the guy that can get anything. Any girl. Am I going to let Teddy Wilson— Teddy fucking Wilson— stand in my way? Am I going to back down and coward in the corner like a little bitch? I don't fucking this so. So, it's decided.