Underneath the Sycamore Tree(57)

The light downstairs flicks on and both Dad and Cam appear at the end of the staircase. They both stare up at us in confusion, Dad’s arm around Cam’s shoulder as his brows pinch.

He asks, “What is going on?”

Kaiden ignores them and narrows his eyes into slits at me. “You could have offered up the information. It isn’t like you haven’t had ample opportunity since you moved here.”

I throw my hands up. “You. Didn’t. Ask!”

Cam steps up. “Kaiden, honey—”

He whirls around. “Did you know she was sick? Was this all a big fuck you to me while being left in the dark? I bet she was at the hospital for other reasons and you’re all lying to me about it.”

Cam reaches out. “Kaid—”

He stays out of reach. “This is no different than what you did with Dad. Guess what, Cam? I’m eighteen. I can handle the shit life throws at me.”

“Really?” I doubt from behind him, practically scoffing like he did. “From where I’m standing, I don’t think that’s accurate. You’re so consumed by your anger that you’re not even considering anybody else in the matter. Least of all me, who was trying to be honest with you.”

He spins so quickly I nearly fall over but catch myself on the wall. “After you lived here for months. Don’t spin this around on me like you’re innocent.”

My teeth grind to the point they hurt.

Dad’s voice cuts in. “We all need to take a step back and try calming down.”

Kaiden laughs, but it’s maniacal. “I suppose you’re going to tell me that you’re any better? How long have you known you had a sick daughter? One who has the same disease that took your other daughter’s life? This is why you took her in, right? You pity her.”

That’s a blow to the gut I feel personally, flinching over what part of me has suspected for a while. Whether it’s true or not doesn’t matter, the thought lingers. And regardless of that being the reason, I think it is at least a driving force in why I’m here.

Cam shakes her head at him. “I’ve let you talk down to him for long enough. This matter doesn’t concern you. It wasn’t information you needed to know.”

I swear he growls as he barrels down the stairs, shouldering past both our parents. He grabs his jacket and I hear the faint rattle of keys before he storms toward the door.

“Kaiden!” Cam calls out, following him.

Dad looks at me.

I don’t know what to say.

He doesn’t deny what Kaiden accuses him of, and I don’t question it. Does it really matter at this point? Words hurt. It’s a good thing I have a high pain tolerance.

Something crashes in the foyer before the door slams shut.

Dad and I make our way downstairs to see a vase shattered on the floor, with Cam staring at all the little pieces. He squeezes her arm and says he’ll grab the broom. I don’t know what to tell her, so I count all the shards—eight bigger pieces and twenty-six little ones. I remember her mentioning it was her great grandma’s.

Priceless.

The pain medicine from earlier has long worn off, and a headache teases the confines of my temples. I blink away the tears of frustration as the back of my eyes pulse in sharp irritation. I know the likely culprit is stress, something I’ve become accustomed to here when things don’t go King Kaiden’s way.

I don’t regret telling him.

I regret believing he could handle it.

People like him will never be as strong as people like us. They get a choice in how to feel, live, and think.

We never will.

We’re forced to fight.

And sometimes…we don’t want to.





Chapter Twenty-Nine





Strength doesn’t come without a price. If there’s anything I’ve learned over the past few years, it’s that you’re forced to fight when you don’t have the energy, and have no chance at surrendering even at your worst. Strength doesn’t have a definition.

We all have it. We just might not all think we do because it’s buried under layers of pain and depression and anxiety. The truth is, you never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.

So, I lock my door after going back upstairs and settle under the warm blankets. Only a faint lingering scent of pine and cedar remain on the empty side of the bed, so I turn my back on it and close my eyes.

I rarely lock my door.

I could fall and nobody could get in.

I could struggle getting out of bed.

That’s not the real truth though.

I didn’t want to stop Kaiden, and knowing how he acted makes me hate myself for getting attached to any form of possibility with him. Friend or not, stepbrother or not, I was starting to like him—trust him.

Go figure it was a waste of time.

The tears dry before they fall, giving me one more ounce of strength I didn’t know I could conjure with my chest hurting the same way my head does.

When I wake up in the morning, a familiar scent is kissing my skin from close behind. A nose presses against the back of my neck, with a warm breath tickling my skin and making me hyperaware of who’s spooning me right now like last night was a dream.

I squirm out of his hold, but he tightens his arm around me and drags me back against his chest. “I want you to meet my father.”