Underneath the Sycamore Tree(33)

When we get there, I’m surprised when he pulls out a thick blanket from the back. He gives me a small shrug before guiding us to the spot and resting the blanket on the cold grass.

The sun is setting, the crickets are singing, and everything around us is tranquil. It helps me ease into the blanket and close my eyes, not caring what Cam or Dad are doing, or what’s going through Kaiden’s mind beside me.

“Do you miss her?”

One of my lids pops open. “Who?”

“Your sister.”

“Every single day.”

He’s quiet for a moment. “Does it get any easier?”

I could lie to him. “No,” I answer honestly. “No matter what, she’s still gone. That part doesn’t really get any better. It’s just about figuring out how to move on from it.”

My attention turns to his fidgeting, like he wants to ask how but refuses to. I sigh, knowing he’s too stubborn for his own good.

Drawing my knees up, I tug on the oversized sweatshirt I put on. “You need to find something to take your mind off it. I like to read. I’m sure sports will help.”

“He loved lacrosse.”

“Your dad?”

A head nod.

Surprise flickers across my features, but I try masking it. “Did you guys practice together?”

I swear his lips tilt upward, but when I blink there’s no evidence of a smile. “Yeah. He used to play when he was my age, so that’s how I got into it. Sometimes he would take me to the batting cages too because he was a big baseball person.”

“Are you?”

“Nah.” He clears his throat. “I just went because it made him happy.”

We fall to silence.

The wind picks up and shuffles my hair in my face. It’s easier to do now that it’s shorter. It hasn’t grown any, but also hasn’t fallen out since taking extra vitamins and using the fancy shampoo Cam got me. It’s a win, I guess.

“I wish I could visit Lo.” It’s probably random, but I can tell he isn’t interested in offering up any more information about his dad.

“You could.”

“It’s a long drive.”

“I could…” He trails off.

I stare at him.

He grumbles. “I could take you.”

A smile cracks across my lips. “I appreciate that, but it’s okay. Maybe I’ll see if Dad could drop me off during school break. I think it’ll be good if I see Mama and Grandma.”

He stretches his long legs out. “Don’t you regret coming here? Your family is hours away from here, you don’t have any friends, and you don’t really do anything but read when you’re at home.”

I consider my answer. “No, I don’t regret it. You wouldn’t understand, Kaiden. Mama was really struggling to cope and me being there wasn’t what was best. I don’t fault her for it…” Anymore. “Because I know that it must be hard.”

“It’d be hard for anyone.”

“Like Cam?”

He sighs. “Yeah, like my mom.”

At least he accepts that.

“Break is coming up,” he notes.

“Yep.”

“So…are you going to leave?”

I laugh. “You sound sad.”

“You sound surprised,” he counters.

“You don’t exactly like me, Kaiden.”

His eyes pierce mine. “I don’t dislike you either, Mouse.”

The nickname has become oddly endearing, and I’m not sure what that means. It’s a sign though—a good one. Like maybe Dad could be right about Kaiden and me being there for one another.

“Are you saying I’m tolerable?”

He grunts. “Not if you keep fishing for compliments. You sound like Rachel.”

I fake gasp. Rachel hasn’t bothered me in a while, and I wonder if it’s because Kaiden has ignored me. Sometimes she’ll glance at me in English or if we pass by each other in the hall.

“I think you like me Kaiden Monroe.”

He doesn’t say anything.

He doesn’t deny it either.

“You know it’s your fault,” I say.

His eyebrow quirks.

I run my hands across the rough material of the blanket. “People are probably scared to talk to me because they think King Kaiden will do something to them.”

“It’s for—”

“You don’t want me being bullied,” I cut him off. “Fine, I appreciate the concern you won’t admit to having for me. But you can’t keep reminding me that I have nobody here because you’re the reason for it.”

Crickets chirp in the distance.

“You have someone,” he murmurs.

My brows pinch.

He glances at my face. “You have me.”



When we get home later that night to find our parents already in bed. Kaiden and I go to our rooms, but before I can even change into my pajamas, Kaiden is at my door.

He looks around the room, his hands tucked away in the pockets of his jeans.

“What’s up?”

I want to ask him why he gave me his room, but I don’t. It seems like there are limits as to how much he’s willing to reveal. Baby steps.