MADISON

I woke up the next morning feeling dreadful.

For one, my entire body seemed uncooperative, and I couldn't even move my feet off the bed. Was every ounce of my misery concentrated on my body, or were my 206 bones refusing to support me?

As for two, despite my efforts to stay awake last night, concerned about what Caden might be up to at that late hour, I dozed off due to the prescribed painkillers I took.

It's just one more chaotic situation among the many predicaments I'm navigating. You see, I know Caden, and I know he despises me, but he also detests those who dislike me.

That's the perplexing part. He appears to scorn both my admirers and detractors. Where does he truly stand?

"Don't think for a second he's on your side, defending you. Girl, he might be chasing pleasure with perfectly figured women, silly," my subconscious delivered a harsh thought, and a frown crept over my face.

Yes, it was foolish of me. I'm sure he wanted to escape the house after everything with Dad. And we both know Caden's typical way of seeking comfort.

Not that he shouldn't, it's his way of life, and he has every right to it; no one owns him. But I can't shake this taste of bitterness in my throat, and my heart races as if it might explode.

Trying to regain control, I attempted to focus on the third thought. It reminded me I should be getting ready for school, but the first and second issues hindered my motivation.

And if there's anything that could truly crush me, it's missing a day of school. I pledged to study here, not lie in bed while classes went on. I'm a mess.

"First, help yourself before thinking about academic matters, girl," my inner voice advised with an edgy tone.

I think she's right. It's the same advice I'd give anyone in my situation. But I've worked diligently to get to this point, and I don't want lower grades haunting me in college.

*Door screeching*

"Good morning," a deep, luxurious voice greeted me, causing my body to react.

He's home? He wasn't out pursuing pleasure with perfectly figured women, as my subconscious had insinuated.

"You're home?" I muttered, thoroughly surprised.

Wide-eyed and with an open mouth, I watched the half-naked figure approach my bed, carrying a wooden tray laden with pancakes, fruit, and homemade creamy coffee. It was yet another unusual morning.

He settled shirtless across from me, one leg down and the other folded on the bed, placing the tray between us. I sternly told my eyes not to wander, but his gaze was enough to enthrall me.

He leaned on one hand, flexing certain muscles, and I mentally reminded myself not to look.

"Of course, where would I be?" He fakes a mystifying reaction, rising a single brow at me until his sensuous curvy lips began tugging by the end and spread into a charming smile.

"You..."  My heart was indeed beating abnormally, and my eyes wouldn't detach from his lips. Fuck me. I wish he would just snatch my lips in his and take me right here on my bed, and afterward, I can worry about the consequences.

"Hmm, you left last night," I finally managed to say.

"I went shopping for food ingredients, but most shops were closed. We'll have to get takeout for lunch," he explained, his tongue playing with his words just as it did with the fork the other day.

"Mad?" He called my attention, and I shifted my gaze to meet his. He had a mischievous smile, appearing slightly younger than his age.

"Uhm, I don't doubt it," I moaned as I took a sip of the warm coffee.

"Told you I'm good at anything I try," he chuckled from across the table.

He was undeniably gorgeous. I know I say it often, but I can't help it. Every day, his captivating features seem to improve further. Caden is that irresistible desire that makes you say 'screw the consequences' and go for it. He's that distant gaze you get lost in, forgetting your worries for a moment until someone snaps you out of it.

"Can I ask you something?" I blurted out suddenly.

Some emotion flickered in his expression, but he quickly regained his usual smirk and simply nodded.

"Why are you fighting Kaiser Chandler?"

"Kaiser?" His brows rose in surprise.

"You did it before, and now again. You haven't even healed from the first fight."

If he didn't have such a perfect face, he'd be hiding from the public, either at home or behind a face mask, with those bruises.

I know he shouldn't be lying. Caleb told me what happened the other day. I know.

"Caden, please..."

He interrupted me with his honesty. "It's Paxton."

I leaned forward, my eyes wide, cupping the warm coffee mug. "You fought Paxton? Isn't he the only person you get along with?"

He snickered, stole a raspberry from my pancake, and popped it into his mouth.

"You'd never believe why," he teased.

Okay, I'm intrigued. "Why?" I asked, captivated by the topic.

"I think he's getting committed to some girl," Caden reluctantly explained, snatching the coffee from me and downing the rest of my breakfast.

And I didn't care one bit. I mean, I thanked Adam for eating that apple.

"No way. That can't be true," I laughed.

"I know, right?" He handed me the half-filled mug and picked up another raspberry, popping it into his mouth.

"So you fought him because he's ruining your one-night stand games by getting serious with one girl?" I quipped, picking the last two raspberries.

Caden chuckled at my comment as he noticed there were none left, while I enjoyed the two berries.

An unexpected heat spread across my cheeks. The thing is, back in New York, I used to eat noisily to annoy Caden, and he'd always get mad at me. I never felt embarrassed about eating loudly around him. It was my way of getting back at him every day after school when Dad didn't cut him some slack and he'd end up leaving his food untouched, slamming his bedroom door.

But now, I felt oddly self-conscious, and surprisingly, Caden wasn't irritated. Instead, he was chuckling at my noisy eating.

"No, she claims to have your name. It's not right," he said, a slight frown crossing his face.

"What?" I asked, bewildered.

No, wait, I meant, "What?"

He pursed his lips and performed his signature hair move, rising from the bed and towering above me.

Oh boy, if he didn't smell so desirable.

'Do not look at his naked torso,' I mentally scolded myself. 'Do not.'

I rolled my eyes at my subconscious, which clearly didn't respect my resolution. But I didn't break my promise. Instead, I focused on his face, especially those lips.

My body and brain didn't seem to agree with my reality.
"The guy you idolize is the asshole who loathes you, who forgot about you on the hospital bed," I reminded myself mentally.

'Uhm! He made you breakfast.' My insidious voice took a mocking turn.

Oh please, not my subconscious too. I already have enough bullying in my life.

"Finish your breakfast. I can't wash away another effort. You don't know how many hours I spent on YouTube for this," he confessed openly.

"Your cooking guardian is doing a good job." I giggled as he started to step back.

"I'm going to get ready while you finish up. We're going out," he announced and turned toward the door.

Okay, I think it's permissible to stare at his incredible muscular back. Stay focused.

Oh yes, he just mentioned something. I should be concerned. "To where?" I called out after him.

"Out. Finish up quickly," he grinned, shutting the door behind him, leaving me blushing on my bed with a breakfast tray before me.

Maybe we're even. Maybe we're finally getting along.

Or perhaps this is another one of his messed-up patterns: waking me up with breakfast on my bed for the first time and then erasing all the memories in the blink of an eye.

But I can't blame him alone; I am equally responsible. We are step-siblings sharing the same last name, parents, and home. We both knew what was right and wrong, but we chose to defy our responsibilities.

I was fully aware of the outcome, and yet I still let myself get pulled by his enchanting attraction.

What's wrong with me?