Undercover: Book 3 — Chapter 50

I lay on my bed patiently waiting for Caiden while watching a rerun episode of The Walking Dead. I'd been waiting for him for hours now. I jumped up, surprised when I heard the door slam shut.

"Caiden we need to talk,” I said, only to realize he brought company. He seemed to be too occupied with the brunette to respond and only pushed her body on his bed. Lovely. It was nice to see that the kiss we shared meant absolutely nothing to him.

"Caiden,” I said louder not even taking time to try to hide my girl voice. I sighed, frustrated when he continued to ignore me. Standing up from my own bed, I walked over and tapped him on the shoulder.

He pulled back and looked at me while the girl continued to kiss his neck and attack the side of his face.

"What?" he snapped.

"I need to speak with Samantha,” I told him and he pushed the brunette away from him and stood up.

"Why?" he asked me and I took a deep breath.

"I've overstayed my welcome here. It's time I find out if my dad's cheating and then leave. Too many people are finding out my secret. Nick, Kyle, Tom, Jax, all of them know,” I said determined to speak with the blonde woman.

"Caiden." The girl moaned, standing up and wrapping her arms around his torso and he looked at her with disgust and pushed her off.

"Fine be that way! I have more respect for myself and I won't allow you to treat me like this,” she said standing up and fixing her shirt before leaving the room, making sure to slam the door behind her.

"We'll go right now then,” Caiden said and I nodded.

"Then I'll just change and we'll be on our way.” I opened my suitcase and pulled out a girl's outfit which consisted of dark skinny jeans and a shirt. I pulled off my wig and brushed my blonde hair and pulled some of it back so I looked like I at least tried.

"I'm ready,” I told him and he nodded grabbing his keys. I poked my head outside the door to make sure no one was in sight before quickly rushing toward the elevator. Caiden purposely took his time getting over here which made me scowl.

"You know we never talked about that kiss Caiden,” I said looking at him when the elevator doors closed as we made our way down.

"What's there to talk about?" he asked, keeping his cold facade up.

"You kissed me! Don't you dare tell me you didn't feel anything because no one can kiss someone like that and not feel a thing,” I hissed, just before the door opened. Hiding my face, we quickly left the building and made our way to his car.

"You're right. I did feel something,” he said not looking at me.

"Mr. Anderson you better be taking that girl off campus,” a teacher yelled and he simply ignored him. We got in his car and he started the car up and pulled out of the parking lot.

"I don't do relationships Claire. So if that's what you want then I guess I'll just be disappointing you too,” he said and I didn't respond. I didn't know what to say. He suddenly grabbed my hand and squeezed it, which surprised me.

"I just ask one thing if it's not a relationship you want,” I said after a moment. I knew he was only afraid of commitment. He didn't trust any female. Which makes sense, I mean he has only faced the worst in his life.

"What?" he asked, glancing at me. The look he gave me made me hesitate. I couldn't ask him to stop bringing different girls to the room if he doesn't have feelings for me. I mean who cares if we both felt something during one small kiss. We were just caught in the moment at the time.

"Never mind,” I said, before turning up the music. It took about twenty minutes to arrive at an office. I raised an eyebrow in questioning.

"She's working,” he said, taking kid keys out and getting out of the car. I followed his lead and also got out, looking at the sign, I read it out loud.

"Sam's weddings."

"She's a wedding planner,” Caiden said before walking in. My eyes widened at this. So that day with Nick when we stole those wedding papers they were for her job. I quickly followed after him and went inside.

It was a large place with decorations, dresses and cakes.

"Hello! Welcome to Sam's Weddings! Are you two here to book a wedding with us?" the lady at the front desk asked and Caiden snorted.

"No, I'm here to speak with Samantha,” he said, just at a familiar blonde walked out with a tape measure around her neck and a dress in one hand. The other hand was occupied with a little ball with needles in it.

"Caiden?" she said, sounding surprised. This was the lady who simply sat by and watched as Caiden was beat and tortured. This was the lady who was possibly with my dad.

“I'm so happy to see you!" She dropped all of her stuff on the desk and pulled him into a hug. He simply stiffened and left his arms by his side. Sensing that he wasn't going to hug her back she stepped away from him, a smile still plastered on her face.

"Who's this?" she asked, looking at me.

"Claire meet Samantha,” he said, keeping his voice void of emotion.

"Hello,” I said, shaking her hand.

"It's nice to meet you. I didn't know Caiden had a girlfriend,” she said seeming genuinely surprised to meet me.

"I'm not-" I tried to say but I was cut off by Caiden.

"This whore is not my girlfriend. You already know any chance of me ever letting a girl in my life is slim,” he hissed and her smile disappeared.

"Caiden you know we never really have had a chance to talk about what happened,” she said glancing at me, before looking back at him.

"There's nothing to talk about. You simply left me to be tortured,” he said, his hands clenching at his sides.

"You know I couldn't help you,” she said, looking pained. "You shouldn't let your past stop you from having a future. Please let your father and I get you help."

"I'm not here to discuss this. I'm only here for her.” He nodded his head toward me. “She wants to speak with you.” She focused her attention on me and tried to give me a smile.

"What can I do for you?" Samantha asked me.

"I was wondering what you are doing with my father, Daniel Martez,” I asked, not beating around the bush.

"Oh your father is a lovely man. He's one of my most recent clients. Didn't he tell you?" she asked, her eyebrows furrowing.

"No, I've only seen you two sneaking around and him coming home late from work and sneaking in early mornings,” I said almost accusingly. She gasped and shook her head.

"Oh Claire, sweetie it's not what you think. Your father was planning a special event for your parents’ wedding anniversary. He wanted to surprise her. I was helping him plan it.” I felt completely and utterly stupid.

"Was?" Caiden questioned.

"Yes, I haven't met with him in weeks now. Since their anniversary was in December,” she said and I stared at her. Could the floor please just open up and swallow me whole?

"I am so sorry!" I said embarrassed. “I just thought - I mean I didn't realize -" I stuttered.

"It's perfectly fine. I'm sure Caiden would wonder if I was cheating if he seen me sneaking around,” she said and he snorted.

"I wouldn't be surprised if I found out you were cheating.” I could see that hurt her and she didn't respond.

"Now that that's settled, we should be heading out. You have bags to pack,” he said, leaving out the door. I looked at the blonde woman and gave her an apologetic look.

"I'm sorry about this,” I said and she waved me off.

"You're fine. Please take care of Caiden. I can see he cares for you,” she said and I only nodded before leaving.

Once we were in the car again I finally spoke. "She's right you know.” He glanced at me for a quick second, his hands clenching the wheel.

"You really shouldn't let your past stop you from having a future,” I said and he didn't respond. We sat in silence, neither one of us in the mood for music. Once we arrived back at school I thanked him and decided to head to the Starbucks across the street. I had to call my mom.

Taking out my phone I dialed my mom's number after ordering a drink.

"Hello?" she said and I sighed.

"Hey Mom,” I responded. "I have good news,” I said and I could picture her raising an eyebrow.

"Oh?"

"You know how dad surprised you on your wedding anniversary?" I said.

"How'd you know about that?" she asked curiously.

"That's why dad was sneaking around he was working with a wedding planner,” I said and she squealed like a little girl.

"So this means your father isn't cheating on me?" she said almost questioningly.

"Yes, Dad is loyal. He isn't cheating on you, Mom."

"Hell yeah!" she yelled and I could imagine her fist pumping. “Thank you so much Claire! I appreciate that you did this for me. I will get you anything you want,” she said, sniffling. I smiled, obviously happy for her. Part of me was excited that my life would go back to normal but the other half of me was disappointed. I wasn't ready to lose everyone. I knew I probably would lose contact over time if they were to forgive me for hiding this from them.

"Claire?" I heard Eddie say and I looked up from my drink and smiled at him.

"Join me, take a seat,” I said looking at him. He nodded and sat down in the seat across from me.

"How have you been?" I asked him since we had to miss our weekly bowling outing and he gave me a small, fake smile.

"I've been better,” he responded honestly.

"Are your friends speaking to you again?" I questioned curiously, last time we were together he told me they were all getting to a good point again.  He laughed and plastered another smile on his face.

"Yeah it only took them about a week to look past our differences,” he said and I nodded.

"I'm happy for you, Eddie. You deserve to be happy! I hate how everyone in that damned school treats you like you have so disease,” I said disgusted. It was ridiculous.

"Thanks Claire! I'm so happy to have a friend like you,” he said and I put my hand on his and smiled.

"I'll always be here for you. Now what about your parents? How are things with them?" I asked, taking a sip of my drink.

"They still aren't speaking to me. But it's okay I know they will eventually open up to the fact that I am gay,” he said almost positively. Something about the way he was acting was off.

"Are you still seeing that therapist?" I asked him. I was seriously worried about him.

"Yes,” he was lying through his teeth. I could tell by the way he was speaking.

"Eddie I'm gonna come straight out with it. I'm worried about you. You're sickly pale and you have bags under your eyes,” he simply shrugged.

"I'm fine,” he responded standing up. "Listen I have to go.” He was about to leave I grabbed his hand.

"Eddie, you should know something,” I said and he shook his head.

"Claire I already know you've been going undercover in my school. I don't know your reasoning, but I know it was obviously important. Believe me when I tell you, I'm not mad." When he spoke those words I felt my heart calm. He wasn't mad. If there was one person in the world that I was afraid of losing it was Eddie.

"Thank you,” I whispered and he nodded, before leaving the cafe.

I only had one thing left to do since everyone close to me knew. Well besides West, but there was no reason for him to really know.

Last thing on my list was I had to pack my bags and move out.

When I reached the dorm room I opened it and quickly rushed in shutting the door behind me. I was getting good at making sure I'm not spotted when coming up here as a girl. I heard someone clear their throat and I turned around and gasped when I saw who was standing in Caiden and my dorm room.

"You have a lot of explaining to do young lady."