Royally Falling

~ 32 ~

"But if I just showed up at your party
Would you have me?
Would you want me?
Would you tell me to go fuck myself
Or lead me to the garden?"
betty - Taylor Swift

oOoOo

The next day, we go to Kaden and Chase's to hang out.

My palms start sweating as Blair, Marc, and I walk up the path to the Theta Alpha house.

I stop on the porch as Blair and Marc open the door and walk inside.

What if Kaden rejects me? That will be so embarrassing. Is this even a good idea?

"You coming?" Blair turns around to ask.

I take a deep breath. "Yeah."

We walk in. I see Grace and Chase in the living room.

"Hey!" Grace gets up to greet us with hugs.

"Hey," I say as I return her hug.

"Come on, let's go into the kitchen. Kaden, Liv, Chad, and Derek are already in there."

We follow her into the kitchen and greet everyone else. My eyes are instantly drawn to where Kaden is standing by the door. He's talking to the redhead who must be Liv. Just seeing him makes my heart ache. He looks so attractive in his grey sweats and Patriots jersey.

Again, the grey sweats. What is it about them that makes guys so attractive? I guess I'll never know.

I stop my staring before I get caught. Turning to the counter, I grab a bag of Doritos and a slice of pizza from one of the open pizza boxes.

"Want anything to drink, babe?" Marc asks. "What about you, prin-, I mean Kate," he quickly corrects.

Kaden's head turns around after hearing my name. We make awkward eye contact and exchange a smile before he turns back to his conversation.

"I'll have whatever you're having," Blair replies.

"Me too."

Marc grabs us beers.

"The game is starting!" Chase hollers from the living room.

Kaden and I make eye contact once more before I follow everyone else into the living room.

I forget my plate and turn back to the kitchen to get it. When I return to the living room, all of the spots on the couch are occupied.

"We can make some space for you," Grace says. She seamlessly moves into Chase's lap.

"I can sit on one of the beanbags," I respond. I don't need to sit next to Grace and Chase and witness their lovefest all night.

I drag one of the beanbags from the corner. I plop it down next to the couch, where Liv is sitting in a red beanbag.

"Hey, I'm Kate," I say to her.

"Kaden's ex, right?" She asks.

"Yeah," I respond, bracing myself for a bitchy comment.

She looks past me at something.

I follow her line of sight and see Kaden looking at us. He quickly turns away and resumes talking to Chase and Grace.

"I can tell he misses you," she whispers. Well, that's a pleasant surprise. I thought she was going to say something rude.

My face heats up. It must be as red as Liv's beanbag right now.