Bully stepbrother

65. Kitchen

MADISON

After Caden left me stranded in the bathroom, confused about what just happened, I mustered up the strength to follow after him.

I was not letting this slide like it never happened.

I saw him! It wasn't just some instinct reaction about someone's safety. What happened had to do with something more, something he was concealing inside to prevent everyone from seeing.

He admitted he was in pain, and yes, he even made it obvious by almost killing Daisy. But what I saw in his eyes had nothing to do with losing his sister. He said he regretted what he did. So what was he suffering from?

How much devastation lies behind that gorgeous man who wanted me out of the bathtub?

Cautiously, I took hesitant steps to the kitchen where Caden was furiously throwing everything into the sink.

His shoulders were tensed, and all that was audible was the crash of dishes and spoons.

The place smelled like burnt sauce. It made me fear whether this is the right time, for he seems very angry.

I took two calming breaths to help steady my nerves: "Are we going to talk about what just happened?"

With his back to me, while he dumped the burnt pasta into the garbage disposal, he said, "The food, it's a little burnt though." His voice was gruff, as if he was struggling to calm himself.

"What was that?" I pressed instead, not caring about the food.

I needed to know why he was all panicked about the meditating thing.

"I will order pizza."

Oh dear God!

I can't have him doing this usual escape thing of his, where he tries to change the main subject despite how important the subject is.

So I softly pleaded: "Caden, please talk to me."

It got him to turn until our eyes connected.

He delayed before responding: "Some things are better the way they are."

I automatically stepped forward, in the medium-size towel wrapped around my body: "You don't understand..." I grabbed his hands in mine, looking up at him, desperately. "I need you to open up to me. I can't do this if I don't know who you are." My head was instinctively shaking.

His body was stiffened before me, while he quietly claimed: "You do know me more than all those I've come across. Isn't it enough?"

No! It's not... There's always something new about him. I don't understand.

"Caden. You're making it hard for me. When I thought I figured you out, some side of you I have no familiarity with appears. It happens regularly, and it's wearing me off."

Suddenly he leaned in, dipping his head. His eyes bore into mine. His hands slipped out from mine and cupped my cheeks.

"I-I am trying to be the person you want me to be."

He doesn't get it.

"I don't want you to be anything that you're not, Caden. I want to know you, let me love you. Let me share your difficulties and pains and happiness. Just let me in. It's you I want. I want the real you, along with the flaws and imperfections. It's still you I want. Can't you understand? I want Caden." I implored, desperately hoping he understands me.

I rest my hands to the sides of his waist before I continue.

"You're not happy, you're struggling. I can see it in your eyes. You may be able to fool others, but you're not fooling me." I frowned and swallowed. "Caden, you're going through pain, and it's getting the best of you. In the bathroom, I saw it... You're drowning in fear of something... What is it?" I begged.