Last Name (TIB Spin-Off)

Chapter 9

Kaden pushed the sliding door over and walked into the house as Lexi trailed behind him.

He laughed to himself and pushed his hair back out of his eyes as he continued walking toward me.

"You clean up nice." He said still laughing quietly. He put his hands in his jean pockets and the corners of his mouth turned up revealing a smile and his perfect teeth.

After ignoring Drew's haunting stare, I looked down at my planned outfit I picked out with Lexi at the mall and smiled back up at him, "uh, thanks. Sorry about earlier by the way. I didn't even realize that was you."

"Oh no-no don't worry about it. People use me as a stopping wall all the time; I'm completely used to it." He shrugged his shoulders and released yet another laugh. An adorable one might I add, "and no big deal. Quite frankly I didn't recognize you either. It has been a long time since our childhoods."

As we conversed Lexi was standing beside us taking in our exchange, "am I missing something?" She spoke up looking back and forth between us.

"Yeah, Lex, it's actually a funny story- I ran into someone at the store earlier. Like literally ran straight into him and knocked everything out of my hands. It was him." I said pointing to Kaden.

"Wow small world. Did you not realize it was him?" Lexi asked grabbing an hor d'oeuvre as it passed by our small circle.

"I thought he seemed familiar but I didn't have my phone to check so I just shrugged it off." I told her, waiting to hear Kaden's response

"Honestly," he spoke up, "I lied a second ago. I knew it was you but you didn't seem to realize so I though it would be a little strange for me to act like I recognized you. Truthfully I've been stalking all your socials." He shrugged nonchalantly and released yet another laugh. God it was hot.

I joined the laughter as I felt my checks blush. Drew coughed and I saw him roll his eyes before dismissing himself from the table, vanishing into the other room.

I ignored his actions as Kaden offered to give me a tour of the house. I hadn't been here since I was very little so the house was completely unfamiliar to me.

Lexi hugged me and we parted ways, as he had already given her the tour. However, not before giving me googly eyes toward Kaden.

"So this way and I'll start showing you around."

We started heading down the hall going the opposite way of the way we came in, and the opposite way Drew went to.

"Here's all the boring stuff; wash machine, garage, door to wine cellar...which I'll show you later," he added with a wink. We reached a staircase and I followed him up it, "so on this floor we have our game room, theater, gym, that kinda stuff. On a tmi note, this is my dad and step-monsters favorite bathroom... something about duel shower heads and a large bathtub? Why they didn't put it in their room I'll never know."

He laughed and I attempted to playfully shove him for his dirty comments that followed. We laughed as we contined to climb up the staircase to the next level.

We stopped on the next level and actually started walking through the halls, "here's where all the magic happens," he said ruffling his hair as he opened the first door. A dark gray walled room with a large king bed, minimal furniture, and poster filled walls appeared in front of me.

"What kind of magic are you referring to? cause I love me some Disney world magic." I smiled taking in his room.

It was simpler than I imagined. His closet door was open revealing his leather jackets, flannels, and black jeans that were hanging up. His posters were different rock bands and his bed was half made, covered in a dark blue duvet. He had one couch placed parallel to the bed with a TV and impressive movie collection. It was such a contrast to Drew's room.

"All the types of magic." He said smirking, bringing me out of my zone.

"What's out here?" I asked walking to the double doors along one of his walls.

"Oh, um, that's where I go to kinda relax. It's like my secret oasis. I can get away from it all, ya know? Like it overlooks our fields and I don't have to see anyone and I can just think." He opened the doors and a hammock was draped from each side, some outdoor furniture was placed and a guitar layed across one of the couch ends. He was right, the view was amazing.

"Do you play?" I asked pointing to the gutiar.

"Yeah, a little. It helps release some pressure people put on me."

I smiled at him as I responded to his prior comments, "Yeah, I get it," I responded walking over to the hammock, "we all need somewhere like that to go. Mine just isn't my bay window anymore because Drew is always in sight. I can't seem to escape him... he's everywhere... my thoughts, my neighborhood, my life..." I trailed off not realizing how much I just let Kaden know. I tried to ignore it as I stretched down to sit in the hammock.

It failed miserably as I toppled over, and out of, the swing, falling on my face onto the wood.

"Oh my God, shit, are you okay?" Kaden asked helping me up.

"Yeah, just a little cut, that's all."

"Well, yeah, that too, but I meant with the Drew thing. I didn't realize you guys had something going on." He said helping me up. We moved to sit on the couch overlooking the fields. He moved his guitar and propped it up against the edge of the couch.

"Oh, we're not really. Just friends I guess. Nothing more." I shrugged and looked up when I heard footsteps aproaching.

Drew appeared in the doorway with a angry look spread about his face.  It was clear he heard my response. Without breaking his glare he unclenched his jaw, "My mom wants to see you." With that he turned on his heel, and vanished into the next room once again.