40 - Daddy Issues

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Kaiden

Being with Nathan is a different kind of rush. The best to exist. It's pure magic, to love and be loved in return. I don't feel like being away from him for even a single second.

We went on several dates after the beautiful first one. Some I planned and some he did. Coffee, paintballing, gaming arcade, bowling alley, amusement park and even a karaoke night. We also visited a museum and imitated the artworks.

Half of November has already gone by in a happy bliss. Time flies when you're having fun.

Dating Nathan is amazing. This is what a healthy relationship feels like. It's a first for both of us and we're learning from our past trauma and we communicate well now. There are no more secrets between us.

However, it is getting impossible to keep us a secret now.

It is harder to not make anyone suspicious, given the fact that we can't seem to keep our hands off each other. I'm not complaining at all. Even though the bleachers, woods, janitor's closet, and the bathroom are not places I'd choose to get handsy normally, Nathan makes them feel bearable.

I'm over the fucking moon that we're together. Raven is being our alibi and it's a great arrangement.

"You two owe me a lot of treats by the way, for saving your ass all of the time. Your Mum is getting suspicious Kaiden!"

She chucks a tissue paper at me, making me look away from Nathan's electrifying gaze. He's sitting across from the cafeteria with the soccer team. Daniel and Ryan chose to sit with them today so it's just me, Raven and Bella on a separate table.

"I know," I sigh, running my fingers through my hair. Bella takes her earphones off.

"Can you blame me though?"

"Blame you for what?" Bella asks.

"Nothing, just being flaky."

She frowns and points to her forehead.

"Does it have idiot written on it?"

"Of course not but then again your forehead is so big it might have gotten lost," I chuckle.

Raven laughs and Bella glares at us.

"What are you two hiding? Why can't I know about it?"

Bella's gossip kink is showing.

"It's because..." I trail off. Raven rolls her eyes.

"He's dating Nathan," she says. I smack her arm.

"WHAT?!" Bella yells.

"Shh, Bells!"

The whole cafeteria has turned to us. Most of the junior year and sophomore year know Bella due to the student council and they're wondering how their normally cool prez screamed like that.

"She's just overreacting guys, chill out! Nothing to worry about!" Raven hastily waves her hands, smiling awkwardly.

Everyone buys that and the chatter resumes. Nathan meets my gaze. I nod, letting him know that Bella knows. He bites his lower lip, going to his phone.

"Since when?! I thought... I thought you got railed by Sam. Wasn't that just two weeks ago?! And now you're with... HOW?!" she whisper-yells.

Bella's blue eyes are wide. I narrate the story, her eyes getting bigger with every word.

"So... you've been going out for two weeks now? And Sam's fling ended at the beach trip? Y'all didn't even bone? And you liked Nathan since the summer break? I'm confused!"

"Don't be. What matters is that... well, he loves me."

"LOVE?!" She yells again.

"That's it. I'm not saying anything else. You're being too damn loud! Why the fuck do you think I hadn't told you yet! This is exactly why!" I grumble, putting my head down on the table, hiding my face.

"Sorry, I'm sorry! This is just - bro, you realize that you haven't told us anything about your life ever since the summer?! We haven't had a bloody clue! I consider myself the gossip monger and I haven't had one single whiff of the fact that you were crushing on Nathan?!"

"Well, maybe if you paid more attention to me than everyone else's gossip... Never mind Bells. Just, don't tell anyone else okay?" I whisper.

"You weren't even intending to tell me were you, Kai?" Bella looks hurt.

Raven and me exchange looks.

"Us three are supposed to be the closest among everyone else! Did I do something wrong? Have I made you feel like you couldn't share such important things with me?!"

Her eyes are filled with tears and she grabs my hands.

"I'm sorry if I have! I'm so sorry Kai, I have been a bad friend to you!"

"Bells! No, that's not why... Shit, I didn't mean to make you cry!" I stand up and hug her quickly.

"Shh, Bells, I promise it's not your fault. It's just that, once people know, it will get around very fast. Then my parents will know and you've seen how Dad reacted last time..."

I comfort her, patting her hair.

She nods, sniffling. Nathan walks over to us. Daniel, Ryan and Max are looking over concerned. I wave my hand, telling them it's fine. I don't miss the quick glare Max sends me.

"All okay?" Nathan asks softly.

"Yeah... she's just emotional because we told her you guys are together," Raven says sheepishly.

Nathan blushes.

"Oh oh... okay. Just don't tell anyone else please," he says.

Bella nods immediately, wiping her eyes.

"Of course, my lips are sealed. You look great together by the way!"

"Thanks!" I beam.

"I'm still very surprised though. Who confessed first? Was it Kai?"

"I said the same!" Raven laughed.

"Actually, it was me," Nathan said quietly. "He... hasn't said it yet."

Both of the girls turn to me, mouths open. The bell rings and I escape, feeling cornered, ignoring Raven calling after me.

I want to say it to him. I know I love him.

It's just... I've never said those words before, not even to my friends. Maybe my mom. I don't even remember telling Benji.

We're only five months from graduation. If we're separated, it'd break my heart and his too. Maybe not saying the three words would make it less painful.

I know I told him I would never leave. I promised him I wasn't going anywhere but if college is gonna separate us anyway, I'm just... cushioning the blow.

For both of us.

*****

Nathan left without waiting for me. Now that he has his bike, I don't have to drop him everywhere. I drive home, the music not doing enough to fill up the silence.

I walk in my house to find it decorated. Mum is running around in a frenzy, telling the caterers how to arrange the buffet tables and making last minute changes.

Right, Mum has dinner for her colleagues.

"Oh Kai, you're back! Thank God. Please tell me this doesn't look over the top?"

"It's actually pretty chic Mum don't worry. Er, so what's the occasion?"

"We have a new addition to our hospital team, Dr. Dylan. And you know the pharma company owned by Sam's dad yeah, so they're sponsoring a research department lead by him."

Mum is beaming. This new guy seems talented and she is determined to impress. No wonder she's gone all out. I need to be on my best behaviour today.

"It's a celebration and a welcome party. I wanted to host because I'm head of pediatrics and Dr. Dylan used to be my old friend from med school back in NYC. He was on a sabbatical and now he's going to be affiliated to our hospital. He's a big name."

"That's why you're so excited, meeting an old friend!"

Mum nods happily.

"So yeah, I'm gonna go get ready. You should too, wear something semi formal if possible. Sam's parents are gonna be here too and so is Sam, so you'll have some company."

I freeze.

Oh damn, this is gonna be an interesting night.

*****

Interesting is an understatement.

The glass of champagne nearly falls from my hands as I see Nathan coming in the door. He looks like he wants to be anywhere but here.

Mum walks towards the man beside him with the biggest smile on her face, my father in tow.

"Welcome, Dr. Dylan!" Mum smiles, shaking his hand. "And oh - Nathan?"

She blinks in confusion.

I almost laugh, realising the situation. Everything clicks. That's Nathan's dad - Dylan Summers. Behind him, to my rising horror, are none other than Vanessa and her mother.

What the actual fuck?!

"Madison, how have you been? Meet my son Nathaniel. He says he knows you already."

Nathan politely smiles, looking thoroughly embarrassed.

"And this is Erika and her daughter, Vanessa."

Mum looks between them, lost.

My dad steps in, diffusing the awkwardness immediately with small talk. He ushers them in, with the other guests approaching Nathan's dad.

I wonder why Nathan didn't even once mention his father was a renowned surgeon. He said they didn't even speak. So why is he here with him? Why is Vanessa with them?!

What is going on?!

Nathan spots me and excuses himself from the conversation, walking to me. He looks gorgeous in a black button down and fitted jeans with boots, a black unbuttoned blazer making his shoulders look sharper.

"Surprise?" He grins sheepishly. I'm relieved he isn't mad at me from earlier.

"You look great," I smile despite my confusion. "Absolutely handsome."

It is really hard to not kiss him right now, my whole body is on fire and throat dry. I take two glasses from the passing waiter, handing one to him and gulp down the other.

"Easy there baby," He says softly, making my hair stand on end. It takes everything in me to not pull him upstairs and ravage him in my bed.

"What the fuck is Vanessa doing here? How... does she know your dad?"

Nathan grimaces.

"Kai...are you really that dense? She's my soon to be step sister."

The room feels like it shrunk on me.

"Are you kidding?" I whisper, stomach doing flips and not the good kind. I hit his arm.

"Are you fucking kidding me! This is why you fucking communicate things, you dipshit!" I whisper-yell, eyes wide as the glass platters the waiter is carrying. "I can't believe I slept with your almost sister!"

"You thought it would affect me and you were right. It did but I guessed it would just embarrass you more if I told you the truth," Nathan says lowly, rubbing the back of his neck.

My whole face is red right now. I watch Vanessa smile and laugh with my parents and a new fear settles in my gut.

"Nathan, do you think she will bring it up? In front of my parents? That would be seriously too damn awkward. Is she petty enough for that? I ruined her relationship with Adrian, what if she wants revenge?!"

I would leave the planet if she so much as breathes anything about us.

Nathan's hand slips in mine, making me focus on his beautiful hazel irises.

"Kai... calm down, you're close to hyperventilating. Deep breaths remember?"

I try to divert my attention to his warm hand in mine and his chiseled face, as he glances at Vanessa.

"Nathan... I don't trust her. Not even a little."

"I know but she wouldn't do anything like that okay? She knows when to keep her trap shut. Otherwise she'll be dealing with me."

His jaw ticks and it's so fucking sexy, I nearly sigh out loud. He looks at me again, smiling.

"I would introduce you but I don't really want to be around them right now. What a small world, hm? I can't believe our parents are childhood friends."

I nod.

"Dad asked me to come. I wasn't going to when I found out the two females were coming too. He wants us to parade around like a happy family."

He sips the drink, rolling his eyes. I watch his Adams apple bob.

"I only agreed because I get to see you," He smiles and it melts me completely. "I didn't tell you how fucking hot you look right now, did I? All I'm thinking of is dragging you upstairs."

He smirks and heat pools in my gut. I can't believe we're having this conversation with my father in ten feet of us. It thrills me no end.

The door opens and... oh hell no. I need another drink. How did I forget about the Everton family?

Nathan's smile disappears.

Mum welcomes the sharp imposing trio, the youngest of which looks as stunning as ever. His cold blue eyes scan the room and find mine. Sam nods in acknowledgement but the stony expressionless mask stays.

"Wait... Charles Everton is the one funding dad's osteo department?!" Nathan asks.

"That's what my mom said."

Worry fills me. My poor Mum has no idea of the ticking time bomb in the room.

Nathan sighs, looking at his dad. He's a spitting image of him, same hair, same smile and dimples. The only difference is the eye colour. Nathan's got warm hazel eyes and Dr. Dylan has piercing blue eyes.

"This is not going to be pretty. Especially since Charles got you expelled."

"Charles threatened to revoke my dad's medical license, Kai! I wonder how he still accepted the sponsorship. Maybe there's other stakeholders too. Let's hope they don't meddle with something the hospital actually needs because of personal differences."

I really want to hug him. He runs his fingers through his hair, finishing the drink. I hesitantly reach out and squeeze his hand.

The elders are civilized and I watch the interaction with hawk eyes. Neither Charles nor Dylan show signs of hostility or even that they've known each other before. They deserve an Oscar for that. The tension is so obvious though.

Much to my displeasure, Vanessa makes her way to us. Both of us tense and I quickly put some space in between us.

"Nice party," She says airily. She broke up with Adrian for good last week and since then she's been very quiet in school too.

"Thank you, it's all credit to my mother though," I nod at her.

"Mm, she has good taste. Tell me, would it be a complete waste of time if I try to hit on Sam?"

I almost choke on my drink and laugh. That would be like barking up the wrong tree.

"Yes. It would," I nod. "He doesn't do relationships. Besides, his dad is too strict. Poor guy doesn't let him breathe."

Well, that's the half truth.

"Hm, figured as such. I need a rebound. Are you interested?" She blatantly asks me, twirling her dark hair in her finger.

"I'm currently seeing someone," I admit. "So no, I'm off limits. Besides, I already told you we were a one time thing."

Vanessa laughs, nodding.

"It was enough that I'll remember it for the rest of my life. You got beaten up so bad, damn."

"Can't you find someone else to annoy?" Nathan snaps, reaching his patience.

"Chill dear brother, I was about to leave anyway. You guys are no fun, seriously."

She begins walking away.

"Vanessa?" I call. Nathan raises a brow at me. She stops and turns around.

"I'm sorry. For telling Adrian about you like that. I know you liked him."

She smiles, nodding briefly. For a second she doesn't seem so bad.

"I'm sorry too, sorry to both of you. For telling Daniel about Nathan's past and for dumping water on you at the concert."

Nathan rolls his eyes. I blink, surprised.

"I knew it was you. You petty bitch, I could out so many of your secrets you know?" He snaps.

"Yeah but you're so moral and chivalrous, you wouldn't want to tarnish a girl's reputation. That's where we're different. I simply don't give a fuck," she smirks.

"Alright, that's all I had to say to you. You can continue on your way. Enjoy the dinner by the way," I wave at her dismissively.

She struts way and Nathan huffs in frustration.

"God, how am I supposed to stand her being my step sister?!" he groans. "I already want to rip her hair from her scalp."

I laugh and pat his back soothingly.

"Chill, you'll be off to college soon and you'll barely see her anyway."

"Oh shit, act cool okay?" He whispers suddenly, straightening his shoulders.

"Wha-?"

Dr. Dylan Summers is making his way to where we're standing.

This had better be good.


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