had stopped, but a cold wind blew into the car, making me shiver.
“I’ll be there.” We got out of the car, and Caiden came around to my side, pressing me into the door and kissing me. “Stay out of trouble. I mean it.”
“I will.”
It felt so strange to be back at university, getting back into the swing of lectures and taking notes. So much had happened since the previous semester, that I could barely get my head around it all. The morning dragged as I sat through a business seminar, taking notes on autopilot. I couldn’t even say what it was about afterwards. My brain was at least aware enough to get the notes down, but I’d have to make an effort to read through the materials properly later.
“Did you understand any of Professor Mulligan’s lecture back there? I found it a real struggle to concentrate.” I sighed, turning to look at Cassius as we pushed through the doors that led outside, carried along by the crush of students.
“I’ve got you covered.” His voice reassured me. It may have seemed like he didn’t take life seriously, but he took his studies seriously and was one of the top students in the whole university. “You’ve had a lot on your mind, babe,” he continued. “It’s no surprise you’re struggling to concentrate.”
“Yeah, I guess,” I sighed.
“I’m always happy to give you extra tutoring, if you know what I mean? A helping hand? Or two?” He nudged me, grinning down at me.
“Cass, please,” I groaned. “I’m not sure Cade would be down for that.”
“He could join us.”
“You ask him, see what he says. I bet you a tenner he gives you a black eye.”
“Not the face!” He clasped his hands to his cheeks dramatically, before he laughed. “I’d like to see him take me on.” His brows creased. “On second thoughts, maybe not. I reckon I could take him, but he’d fuck me up badly enough in the process.”
“Maybe keep your thoughts to yourself, then, huh?”
We walked across the quad towards the library building and he left me at the doors. “Meet you here at four? If you still want a lift home?”
“Please. See you later.” I waved him off. Caiden and Weston were meeting Arlo after university for some male bonding thing, so I couldn’t get a lift home with Cade. It had been the only time Arlo’s secretary could fit them in, and I was so glad that they were finally starting to build bridges. I hoped with everything in me that Arlo wasn’t involved in any of this shit with my mother.
On the top floor of the library, I found a quiet table towards the back corner, next to the windows. The sky outside had darkened again, black clouds rolling in, and the first drops of rain hit the windows. It turned into a downpour, and I watched as students ran between the buildings, trying to shelter from the sudden onslaught of rain.
“Hi.” I looked up to see Caiden, his hair all wet, water droplets still clinging to his lashes and running off his body.
“Hi.” I licked my lips, staring up at him. “Has anyone ever told you how good you look all wet from the rain?”
He smirked. “Once or twice. You know who else looks good all wet?” He dropped into the seat next to me and leaned close to my ear. “You.”
Fuck me. His husky tone, full of promise—
I was suddenly jolted out of my haze of lust by the pointedly loud thump of a leather messenger bag being thrown on the table.
My gaze flew up to meet James’ unimpressed face. He sat down opposite me and Caiden, pulling a sleek silver tablet out of his bag. No one said anything, the boys giving each other wary glances.
I rolled my eyes. This wasn’t at all awkward.
“Just so you know, I don’t like you.” Caiden narrowed his eyes at James.
“The feeling’s mutual, Cavendish.”
I huffed loudly. “Can we not, please?”
“Fine,” Caiden muttered, folding his arms and leaning back in his seat, stretching out his legs in front of him and splaying his palms over his thighs. Deceptively casual, but I could feel the tension from his body. I lowered my hand under the table, threading my fingers through his, and he squeezed my hand, some of the tension leaving him.
“Okay. What’s going on, James?” I turned back to him, desperate to find out the reason he’d called us here.
“I couldn’t get to see Joseph. He’s ‘gone away,’ whatever that means,