There's Only You ✔

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Today felt like a lounging around kind of day so after my morning routine was completed and my french toast was cooked, I settled in on the couch with a plush blanket wrapped around me.

The Los Angeles skyline was typically partly cloudy this time of year, but the warmth of the sun was still blanketing the city. Envy permeated my body while other cities got to experience the gloomy skies, the rain and the smell that comes before with a steaming cup of hot chocolate.

With the idea of a hot beverage warming up my hands in my head, I kept the blanket wrapped around me and prepared a mug of hot chocolate with a high mountain of marshmallows.

The cold air that was assaulting my body was replaced with warmth the second the hot chocolate touched my tongue. I stopped surfing through the channels when I spotted the familiar characters of Halloweentown on Disney Channel.

The movie was playing in the background while I scrolled through Pinterest on my phone. My focus was so intense, I flinched when the doorbell rang throughout the house.

It took me by surprise because I wasn't expecting company today. Olive had cheerleading practice and Zach said he was going to take his little twin brothers out for brunch and a movie afterward. I dragged myself to answer the door, but what met me on the other side made my jaw slightly drop.

What the hell is Kayden doing here?

"Kayden? What are you doing here?"

His hair was sticking up all over the place and dark circles exposed his exhaustion. He was clad in a tank top, blessing my eyes with the muscular biceps that were out in the open and a pair of khaki shorts where his hands were hidden in the pockets.

Forget the envy. Thank the Lord that we had warmer weather. The feeling of water slipping out from the corner of my mouth brought me back to reality.

Get it together, Bella!

"I wanted to check in on you after what happened at game night the other night."

I waved him off. "That was just... nothing. It was nothing. Zach and I already talked it out and I feel better now."

For a second, a somber glint danced across his eyes, but it went away just as quickly as it appeared. Could it be that he was upset I talked to Zach about it and not him?

Girl, you're overthinking this.

He couldn't care less that you talked to Zach. In fact, he understands because you two are a lot closer than you are to him.

Quit giving yourself hope, you big, dumb idiot!

"Oh." His cheeks burned with a bright blush. He reached his hand to rub the back of his neck. "Is it because I invited Angela over to the game night?"

I sighed. I could've said yes. It was partly true, but not for the reason he thought. Hesitantly, I weakly nodded my head. "I mean, Olive had been in our group longer, right? So... I don't know. It was just... uncomfortable seeing..." I couldn't even bring myself to say her name. It tasted like poison every time my mouth tried to speak the syllables. "Angela there. I'm sorry."

"No, no, no. Don't be. If anything, it should be me that's sorry. I shouldn't have invited her. I only just started dating her so she shouldn't be a part of the group yet."

"Yeah." An awkward chuckle managed to escape my lips. "Exactly." A little bit of guilt flared in my chest. He just wanted to spend some time with his girlfriend and his friends. Sure, she wasn't an official part of the group, but perhaps he wanted her to get to know us. I screwed that up for him just because I was secretly, madly in love with him.