Undercover: Book 3 — Chapter 46

"How have you been Claire? I've barely seen you since that day. Does Caiden know yet about you being a guy?" Looks were casted our way when he said the last part obnoxiously.

"Yes, he found out and he isn't going to blackmail me."

"Hey, I did to you a favor. You could at least thank me. I mean look at Nick now. He's back to his old ways. Did you really think the player would change for someone like you? I'll admit it sweetheart you definitely have the body and looks but you wouldn't be good for anything besides sex,” he said, his face centimeters from mine.

"You're a fucking asshole."

"No sweetheart that's Nick and Caiden. I'm not an ass if I'm only being honest."

"Stop calling me sweetheart,” I hissed. “I don't know what you want from me, but whatever it is you're not getting it from me. Now you have only been here for ten minutes and you've already managed to irritate he fuck out of me. Go somewhere or leave,” I snarled and he only smirked.

"How cute. You think you're actually intimidating.” He chuckled. I ignored him and let my eyes skim the packed living room. I watched my brother talked to a group of girls, all of them giggling.

He just has that Martez charm.

Or nah.

"Claire,” Nick greeted, nodding his head at Jax and me.

"Nick, how have you been?" I asked with a tight fake smile. Talk about awkward. Caiden where the hell did you go?

"I've been good. How about you?" he asked me rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly also.

"Surprisingly everything's been okay since Caiden found out about me."

"Caiden knows?"

"Yea, since he found out we've been able to tolerate each other somewhat,” I said, noticing the jealousy and anger that flashed through his eyes for a quick second.

"Don't look so jealous Nick. I don't think they've had sex just yet. Or wait maybe they have. She's probably his new toy." That's it! I slammed my fist into his right eye and grabbed someone's drink and poured it all of his head. To top it all off I then kicked him where it hurts.

“Claire?" Nick asked, making me look at him. Okay so maybe that didn't actually happen. I only considered it. "Are you actually sleeping with Caiden?"

"What? No! Of course not! Where did you get that idea?"

"You didn't deny what Jax said."

"Jax is a fucking idiot. I'm not sleeping with the slut.” Caiden joined us making me let out a sigh of relief, but then narrow my eyes. So we're back to that name again. Of course, he's with his friends.

"I need to get fucking laid. I'll be back at twelve to get you Claire,” Caiden told me before leaving out the front door. My jaw dropped at this.

"Why is he picking you up?" Nick had an accusing look on his face making me want to scream.

"We're just going to hang out at his apartment."

"What?" This time that was both Jax and Nick. I raised an eyebrow in questioning.

"Caiden doesn't bring anyone to his apartment. And I've known that guy forever, yet I still haven't seen that place,” I didn't know what to say and only kept silent. I need an excuse to leave. I could go with:

A. I need to make sure my brother isn't getting any girl knocked up.

B. I need a drink.

C. I don't want to be near them anymore.

D. Jax is a douche and I need to get away from him.

"Listen I'd love to stay and talk about Caiden's mysteriousness, but I need to get away from the douche.” I went into the kitchen to get myself a drink. Yea that was a good excuse. Not even a minute after I poured my drink Nick was standing next to me.

"Claire. Now that Caiden knows Jax can't blackmail us,” Nick said to me, looking straight into my blue eyes and setting the palm of his hand on my cheek.

"Nick, the only thing you've done since we broke up was sleep with other girls. Those feelings that were once there have disappeared. I'm sorry,” I told him.

"I understand. But can you tell me one thing. Is it because of Caiden?" I snorted.

"Definitely not,” I said. “I just came to my senses that's all." A hurt look flashed across his face. “No! Wait! I didn't mean it like that. I just meant that I decided to not let my heart get broken. If I continued to wait till we can be together then I would only be hurt when you're with your new toy of the day.” Someone bumped into me and almost spilled their drink. They stumbled over to the bar which one of Jeff’s friends was in charge of.

"Just remember Claire. Caiden is worse than me. He treats girls like they are horrid creatures." Only because he was kidnapped and abused by one, I almost said. “I may not know why, but please before you do fall for him just keep your distance.” I only nodded not promising anything. I wouldn't fall for Caiden.

"Nick trust me when I say nothing will happen between us,” I told him seriously. He just shook his head and walked out. Taking a small sip of my drink and letting the liquid burn my throat. I leaned against the counter. Whose idea was it to have a party again?

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"Let's go," a husky voice said from behind me. I turn around and raised an eyebrow at Caiden.

"Don't order me around. The party hasn't cleared out all the way,” I said, narrowing my eyes.

"I'm sure your brother can handle the rest."

“Thanks for leaving me with Jax and Nick,” I hissed, glaring at him as I suddenly remembered how awkward this whole party was.

"Whatever. Are you coming or not?" I hated this Caiden. The one who didn't care about anything. The one who was nothing more than a heartless beast.

"No,” I said stubbornly about to walk away. His hand latched onto my wrist. “You said you were going to stay over."

"I told the Caiden that showed me emotion that I would stay over not the heartless one.” He glanced around the almost empty living room and dragged me outside in my front yard.

"Listen Claire the guy you seen earlier isn't coming back. You shouldn't have seen me weak. I am not a weak man."

"Showing emotion doesn't make you weak. That only makes you stronger. You're afraid to feel anything,” Caiden stared me for a moment before stepping closer to me.

"I may not show my emotions but I do feel them every day. It's almost impossible to just block out everything without drugs and I don't do that shit."

"I promised myself I would help you get through what happened to you. It's been seven years Caiden. If you don't want professional help then that's fine but I will personally help you get through this myself.” I was determined to do this.

"Fine you can try,” he said reluctantly.

"Hey we're leaving. I'll see you guys after break,” Nick interrupted, I stepped away from Caiden in a hurry, surprised to see someone else outside. I glanced at him to see Jax hanging off of Nick's shoulder looking drunk.

"Everybody wanna steal Nick's girl. Everybody wanna take her heart away,” Jax sung obnoxiously, winking at me and Caiden took a step closer to me again, his hand twitching a little before clenching into a fist.

"It was nice seeing you Nick.” I sent him a polite smile and he nodded in agreement. Caiden didn't say anything to his friends and just waited for them to leave. As soon as they were gone he focused completely on me again.

"C'mon baby doll, just stay over. My apartment feels actually alive with someone else there.” He didn't beg he simply gave me one look and I caved in. He didn't need to beg. I could detect the hidden meaning behind his words. He hated being alone.

"Fine, let me go pack a bag,” I muttered and went back inside to the almost empty house.

"Seriously sis I owe you,” Jeffery said, putting his arm on my shoulder and I rolled my eyes and threw in pajamas and clothes for tomorrow in my bag.

“In the bathroom in the way back of the closet there is a box. That will have everything you need to clean up. Stuff for throw up and spilled drinks and all that fun stuff including garbage bags. You have about twenty four hours to clean up. Have fun.” I kissed his cheek and he groaned. I hurried up down the stairs, skipping every other step.

"Ready?" Caiden asked me and I nodded. He led the way to his car and I followed silently after him.

"How come you don't invite people over to your apartment?" I had to ask.

"What are you talking about? We're on our way there now.” He was silently glaring at the cars in front of him.

"Nick and Jax told me that even they haven't been to your apartment before. You've known Nick since he was sixteen!" I exclaimed and his fists clenched the wheel.

"Put on your seatbelt,” he said ignoring my last statement.

"Not until you answer my question." Yes, I could be stubborn sometimes. I was tired of playing this question and sometimes get an answer game. He let out a frustrated sigh.

"I just don't."

"That's not a real answer.” He pulled over to the side of the road and unlocked the door.

"Out,” he hissed and I frowned.

"You're not gonna actually make me walk right?" I stared at him and blinked a few times my jaw almost dropping when I got no response. "Caiden?"

"I thought you were different. You didn't push me for answers before. I was obviously wrong. You can walk home. We're only about two blocks.” I froze, he was right. This wasn't me. I didn’t force answers out of people. I respected the privacy of others.

"I'm sorry, you're right. I'm not that type of person. You don't have to answer the question.” I was about to get out of the car but his hand grabbed my wrist.

"You don't have to actually go," Caiden said, and I nodded, hesitantly sitting back as he started driving again. I turned up the radio and let the small murmur of music flowed into the air.