A Betting Man

Chapter Twenty-Two

Justin's Point of View

Cayden pulls me outside the door of the restaurant, past couples and families and businessmen who are awaiting a table. It's drizzling slightly, so we stand beneath the overhang.

"What's up, Cay?" I ask casually.

He rests against the wall. "So what's going on, man?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean with you and Addie."

I frown. "I don't know what you're talking about," I say honestly.

"You like her." It's a statement, not a question.

"So? You knew that already."

"I haven't seen you look at a girl that way in—well, fuck. Years, I think."

Was it that obvious? I shrug casually, not sure where he's going with this.

"So you like her? Like really like her?"

"Yes, Cayden," I say, exasperated. "But there's more to it than that. It's complicated."

"Complicated." He says the word with disgust. "You always want to make everything complicated. I see the way you look at her, dude. And I'm happy for you, man. I really am. But you need to step up your shit unless you wanna lose her. Don't hold anything back from her – be completely honest." His tone is hushed, his expression serious.

And I'm confused. Cayden is never serious.

"Where is this coming from?" I ask. I'm suddenly feeling defensive, the thought of Addie leaving unpleasant and unwelcome.

"It's coming from a friend. I'm speaking as a friend to a friend. And let's not forget that I'm dating her best friend. We talk about shit, you know?"

"Yeah, Cay. I figured as much." I tug at my hair, agitated.

"You need to be honest with her," he goes on. "Chicks dig that. They want to know everything about you and they don't like being lied to."

"What makes you think I'm not being honest with her?" I ask warily. It's true, I'm not. But he doesn't know that.

"You're never honest with women," he says simply. I neither confirm nor deny this observation. "Plus, she talks to Fey, who talks to me. Hell, I probably know more about your relationship than you do."

Oh...lovely.

"Haven't you two every heard of giving people privacy?" I ask angrily.

"Oh come on, Justin. Keep your hair on. It's healthy to share things with your significant other."

"Yes, but maybe you could exclude the things that are none of your business."

"Hey, I'm out here trying to help you. If you really like Addie, you'll listen to me."

"Well that's great, Cayden. Thank you," I say sarcastically. I'm still feeling rather annoyed for an unknown reason. I'm sure I'll be entering emotional overload soon.

Cayden doesn't understand everything—how could he? He doesn't even know the whole story.

But he's right. The only shot I have of surviving this is to tell Addie everything. Then maybe, by some kind of miracle from the heavens, I can convince her that I'm not the world's biggest asshole – that I really do like her and am sorry for ever getting her involved in one of Nolan' schemes to begin with. And maybe, just maybe, she'll forgive me.

But I don't count on it. Would I forgive me if I was her? I'm not so sure.

"Are we done?" I ask rather rudely, but Cayden is impervious to my harsh tone and casually shrugs.