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Handing him a cup of tea, I smile. “You going to tell me who did this? Your brothers are pissed you’re not telling them anything.”
“Not that. Told you, angel, it’s nothing.”
“Not nothing.”
He swallows a mouthful of tea and hands it back to me to place on the nightstand. “I grew up always feeling like I was living in the shadows of Cathal and Ciarán. They were always so strong, so assertive, whereas I was always the fun one.” His voice cracks, and he takes a shaky breath before continuing. “I tried my best to fit in, to be what everyone expected of me. But at the end of the day, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I would never measure up to my brothers. They don’t take me seriously, but it’s fine. I can handle this. Just needed somewhere to lay low. They get that.”
“Hey,” I say softly, moving closer to him and being unable to resist placing a hand on his cheek briefly. “You are more than enough, Caden. You don’t have to be anyone but yourself.”
He smiles, his eyes sad, which rips right through me.”Thanks, angel. That means more to me than you know.”
“Have you ever talked to your brothers about how you feel?” I ask tentatively, not wanting to get in the middle of this, but at the same time, feeling sorry for Caden.
Caden shakes his head. “I’ve always been afraid that they would see it as a weakness, especially in our world, where strength is everything.”
“Maybe they’ll surprise you,” I suggest gently. “Sometimes, sharing our vulnerabilities can bring us closer together.”
He considers this for a moment before nodding slowly. “Maybe you’re right. It’s just hard, y’know?”
“I understand,” I whisper, giving his hand another reassuring squeeze. “But try. They might surprise you.”
Feeling like we’ve crossed some invisible threshold, deepening the connection between us and despite the darkness that surrounds us, it feels like we’ve found something real and worth holding onto.
Somehow, despite his own demons, Caden retains a sense of humor and a zest for life that is both refreshing and intoxicating, and I question my feelings for him. Are they real, or does my heart just long for him because he’s a carbon copy of Ciarán and Cathal?
“Summer?” Caden’s voice breaks through my thoughts. “You okay? You seem lost in thought.”
“Uh, yeah,” I say, shaking my head slightly, trying to dispel my doubts. “I’m fine.” I’ve never experienced such conflicting emotions before—the desire to be close to someone, yet the fear that my feelings might be clouding my judgment.
“Summer,” Caden says softly, noticing the way my smile fades. “You can talk to me about anything. I’m here for you.”
“Thanks,” I murmur, touched by his concern. “But I’m okay.”
He nods slowly, accepting it. “I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done for me. You’ve been by my side since I stumbled into this place, sliced open and bleeding. I didn’t expect you, and it’s been a far more pleasant experience than being manhandled by those two thugs out there.”
Giggling, I shrug. “You’re welcome.”
My heart leaps when he reaches for my hand, his fingers intertwining with mine.
A warmth spreads through my body, and I smile. Despite the darkness that surrounds us, I find solace in this quiet moment with Caden. It’s like an oasis of light where laughter and trust thrive. But I feel as if my loyalty to Ciarán and Cathal is being tested.
Pulling my hand away gently, I know I have to leave this room and go to find Ciarán and Cathal.
Closing the door softly behind me, I run into Ciarán in the hallway.
“Is he settled?”
“Yeah.”
“Did he tell you anything?”
“Nope.” Part of me wants to betray Caden’s confidence and tell Ciarán how his brother feels, but part of me thinks he already knows, anyway.
“Little shit,” he mutters and storms off back to the living room.
Marching after him, I snap, “Hey! It’s comments like that which make him feel inferior.”
He turns to me slowly, disbelief on his face. “Oh really,” he drawls sarcastically. “And you know how deeply he feels all of a sudden.”
