Bully stepbrother

71. Hell is knowing Caden

MADISON

"Coffee before we embark on our search?" Bryan asks as I climb into another one of his fancy cars early in the morning.
Remnants of sleep cling to me, having me yawning and causing Bryan's eyes to narrow in worry.

"I promise this isn't boredom, I'm just tired, and no is not an option right now," I tell him as I fasten my seatbelt. I stayed up studying last night for a test that got canceled this morning, which is why we now have the chance to look at the apartments that Bryan's friends have lined up for me.

He is more than anything I ever wished for. He's considerate, caring, gentle... the ideal man for me after how wrecked my relationship life has been. He even invites me to spend the holidays at his family's house. But the word "but" always comes with something negative, and now I have to use it. His kiss doesn't give me butterflies. His eyes don't make me nervous. His presence doesn't render me speechless. It's Caden who does that, no matter how much I want to prove to myself that I can fight it by testing the waters, maybe even find a better connection. I don't. There isn't one for me out there.

I have to soon tell the man who is staring back at me with a smile, his hand linked with mine as he drives, that I can't string him along.

All the cafés we pass are crowded, given the time. We keep searching, turning it into a game, until we find one with fewer people through its front glass.

"Well, what do you say?" I ask him, and he twists his lips.

"Be prepared to accept that their coffee is of lower quality," he says, and honestly, it's possible.

"Let's be positive. Look, it's even closer to the health center," I point out as I grab my bag. He adjusts his hat and pulls his hood up to avoid drawing attention from fans.

He circles the car, and we head inside. My phone pings with Julie's message, and I excuse myself, letting Bryan handle the order since he knows my regular.

Opening the message, it reads: You coming, right? The game is about to start.

"Oh, shit." My schedule might be clear now, but I promise Julie that if my test is lifted, since it isn't certain, I will come support her little boys at their basketball game.

The easiest option is to lie and say the test is still happening. I'm about to type that when Bryan calls out to me over the soft buzz of attention he is getting from the few customers and staff.

"You want anything else?" Bryan asks, and I look around. There are trays of donuts displayed behind the glass.

"Yup." I tuck my phone away and stroll over to him. "I might need two boxes of donuts to make it up to some kids," I tell him. He looks at the barista, who has clearly heard me and is half-distracted by Bryan.

"Which would you like?" the barista asks me.

"Just mixed," I order with a shrug, and Bryan smiles down at me.

"Change of plans?" he questions, unbothered.

"No. We'll just stop at a middle school. My coworker's twins have this game, and I promised to attend, but I forgot about it. I'll drop them the donuts, and then we're all set," I explain. He just nods and slides his card to the barista before I can offer mine.

He grabs the two boxes, I take our coffees, and we head back out through the door he pushes open.

The middle school is easy to find with the help of Google Maps.

When we arrive, I grab the boxes and unbuckle my belt. "I'll be quick," I tell Bryan.

But he already looks conflicted. "I'm not invited?"