MADISON

Great things could be interrupted, but the good news is that they can also resume. And so our flirting adventure continued when I guided us both to Caden's car in the police department's parking lot, where we took it to another level.

Intentionally left the air conditioning on for an excuse to cozy up and kiss throughout our ride back home.

Therefore, scratch the last time I claimed was the best moment in my life because, damn well, right now in this vehicle, nestled in my stepbrother's arms, I've renewed my choice. I think here is the best moment of my life, unless this keeps getting better, which I cannot imagine given this cozy moment has ruined every possible expectation of greater romance for me.

Caden's arm was wrapped around my shoulders while I was sitting by the center console and leaning on his shoulder. With my hand circling around his lower stomach, I could smell him, and it was everything I'd ever wanted. Caden and me and peace.

And somehow the universe has managed to bring back the greatest gift that it deprived me of.

"We will go to the clinic now?" I asked when my gaze fell on the slight scratch on his temple.

"It's probably not necessary. It's been days anyway," he answered with his eyes focused on the road.

"Please! It shouldn't get infected."

He glances at me from above and softly asks, "Does it matter to you this much?" His compassionate voice melded with the concern in his soft eyes.

"Yes," I nodded.

"Okay!" He said.

Is he really considering it?

I watch his bulging Adam's apple shifting up and down his throat, before he adds, "When we get home, shower and eat. I promise to see a physician."

Okay, I wasn't expecting that.

"Seriously?" I excitedly asked.

With a benevolent smile, he elucidates, "That's the major purpose of a promise, Maddie."

His smile was infectious, and I couldn't help smiling at him while he focused on the road. "Maddie, huh?" I quipped.

He flashes an adorable lopsided smile and remains attentive to the road.

I had to bring my lately touchy fingers to his chin, and they lingered there, teasingly caressing his skin.

"I like it when you call me that, and I hate it when you call me Mad," I admit, biting my bottom lip.

He cocked his head in that similar irresistible and endearing way. "Is that so?" He smirked, and I nodded, cuddling further into his strong arm. "But it's more delightful to pronounce." He chuckled.

"Caden!" I pout and withdraw my finger from his chin.

"Okay, I won't call you that again." He chuckled charmingly and guided back my hand to his sharp jaw. He was also enjoying the little gesture.

"Never?" I beamed.

"Never!" He promised. His voice was soft and promising, and instinct for giving rise to word vomit, and I blurted the biggest truth yet the biggest mistake. "I love you," I uttered.

Panicked, my eyes widened, and I instantly looked up at him.

Exactly, he had stiffened in his position.

From his shoulders, I could feel the sudden thumping of his heartbeat, the increased volume of his breathing, and his visible firm holds on the wheels.

I mean he actually froze, just like a nervous middle school kid on a stage at a talent show.

Caden wouldn't move, his eyes wouldn't even blink.

"Caden?" I called quietly, a little intimidated by the thick tension in the close space.

"We've approached the neighborhood, maybe you should sit properly."

What?

"Caden?" I called again, this time surprised at his utterance.

"You can use the bathroom first when we get home, I will go for a run for a while." His voice was robotic, his eyes drilling on the road.

No!

I shifted to the passenger seat, for clearly, he didn't want me cuddling close to him.

"Caden?" I called once again, confused at the sudden change of atmosphere.

"Maybe I will stop by the grocery store and grab some foodstuffs." He continued, his chest rising and falling rapidly.

I don't care about the grocery stores.

"CADEN!" I exclaimed, and he tilted forthwith.

"What?" He murmured.

"What do you mean what? I said I love you? You didn't say anything."

He exhaled a small laugh and swallowed, pushing his fingers through the depth of his healthy hair. It was the response I got from him.

Growing impatient, I blurt: "What is wrong with you?"

"I am driving, please." His jaws clenched more than usual.

"Bullshit," I yelled. "You didn't care about that yesterday."

"That's because I didn't have you telling me you're in love with me." He retorted equally boisterous, his fierce stare poring on me.

I shook my head, not able to believe him. "What does that mean?" My hands fly around us while I wait for an explanation.

"It means you don't just tell a person you love them like that, Mad." He countered with some ridiculous assertions that got me gaping at him.

"In case you don't know how it works. It works that way for normal couples, Caden." I scoffed.

We were approaching our building.

"Did you hear yourself? Couples; you said, which you and I are not. We are stepsiblings. Fucking take the reality of that and wake up." He threw in my face and parked his vehicle by the side of the street.

His words were like an outbreak of wildfire, it contained fog and heat, and it was eating me up inside.

"Why do you always let anger consume you? You always do this to us. You deliberately destroy what we have and for what? So you stay furious for no reason? And refuse to acknowledge those willing to love you?"

His nose flared, his hands gripping on the wheels, he coldly commands: "Get out of my car."

Why does he always have to be this way?

"Caden, please. Don't do this." I pleaded on the verge of tears.

"GET OUT OF MY CAR!" He screamed, refusing to look at me.

Startled, I grabbed the door and sniffed, letting the tears fall down my face.

"You are going to come back to me." I know that because I know he felt the same way I do too.

"No, you're wrong." He had a chilling smile on his face when he finally faced me. "You're going to throw yourself back to me because I am your first and that's what your species tends to do, they always expect a fairytale with their first even when men don't care. Who knows, maybe you're just like every other girl I had?"

I stared at him through blurry eyes, having nothing else to say but what I truly hoped for him: "I wish for you to let yourself feel something that isn't hatred someday."