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Chapter 33 - Under A Microscope
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Cailen want some peace and quiet.
Not that he didn't like hanging out with the boys but lately, he just felt off.
He felt like he was being watched, his every move being analyzed, his every word trying to be deciphered like it had some hidden meaning even he wasn't aware of.
He honestly just felt trapped, like there was nowhere he could go where there wasn't someone watching him or asking him questions.
He wasn't sure if he was just paranoid or not but he felt like maybe, someone suspected something.
What exactly that was, he wasn't so sure.
It was just that William was coming into his room at night a lot, asking him if there was anything he wanted to tell him or talk about.
Cailen would always say no, of course, and when that happened, William would either assure him that he could tell him anything or he would open up about something that was apparently bothering him.
Cailen&nbs
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"No,"Cailenanswered, looking into his lap where his fingers began fiddling with each other."Okay,"Ashersaid simply, crawling over the bed to sit by him. "You don't have to talk, but can I?" He asked."Something bothering you?" Cailenasked, feeling a little guilty.Everyone's been so concerned with him, himself included, that he never bothered to check in on Asheronce in a while."No, not- Well, sort of... I guess,"Asheranswered, leaning back against the headboard of the bed.The thing with Asheris that Cailenconstantly haveto remind himself how to act around him. Right now,he wanted to hugAsher, maybe kiss him until the frown on his face disappeared and assure him that whatever it was, was going to be okay.But that's not what friend's do, not really."What is it?" Cailenencouraged, squelching the urge to reach out tohim."W
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He almost broke down and told them because the looks they were giving him were so hopeful and sincere and he knew they thought they meant it.He knew they thought they were telling the truth but they had no idea what they were promising to do.They had no idea what secret Cailenwas keeping. They had no idea what part of himself he was hiding from them and when they found out, he knew they wouldn't be able to fulfill their promises and he wouldn't blame them.He also could tell they suspected something.He wasn't that thick and neither were they. They've all been acting odd this summer, Cailenincluded, and maybe it was only because he was acting odd but it didn't matter.They knew there was something going with him; they probably just didn't realize how big it was and how much it could change their lives."Anything you want to tell us?" Matthewasked,and there it was.The same question they've been
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As Cailensat on his bed,he couldn't help but wonder if Asherwas okay.He seemed pretty upset when he left and it wasn't like him to make excuses to not hang out with them. He didn't know what was going on between him and William.Maybe Williamknew something Cailendidn't or maybe Williamthought there was something to know,just like he thought there was with him, but he really had no idea.Cailendidn't understand why Williamwas trying to interfere the way he was. He didn't understand why Matthewand Noahwere trying to help him either.There was a lot he didn't understand right now but he really only had one concern at the moment.Digging into his pocket, Cailenpulled out his phone and opened the messenger app, scrolling to Asher's name and typing out a quick message to see if he was okay.He only hesitated for a second when he thought that maybe Asherwas u
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"Is this...""I could only find two people with the same name that lived here the year you were born. They've both moved, though I'm not sure if those are current addresses or not,"Edenexplained, taking a seat beside Cailen."If you know how old she is, then we'll be able to tell which is her,"she went on,but he was still stuck on the fact that he had her information in front of him.One of these people was his biological mother.He could possibly go talk to his biological mother."She was fifteen when she had me,"Cailenmumbled, still a little shocked.Edenthought for a moment as he stared down at the paper.ArabellaRavenCosswas born May 23rd, 1971 and now lived in Doughnel, or at least that was her last known address. ArabellaFreya Cosswas born February 16th, 1976 and her last known address was in Hamdover.There wasn't any other information
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"...Clingy, you know?" Cailenheard Asher's voice come into earshot as he descended the staircase.Noahmust have called him over when he was in the shower. He wasn't planning on eavesdropping, he was planning on going right in but then he heard his name and he just kind of stopped outside the kitchen."Caiwon't- I mean, like- I don't know,"Ashersighed and even though he couldn't see him or who he was talking to, he could imagine Ashershaking his head in frustration. "No one likes clingy, Wil,"Ashercontinued.He wasn't sure what was worse.The fact that Asherwas talking about him behind his back or that he was talking to Williamabout him behind his back."True... Maybe just distance yourself?" Williamsuggested.Cailencould feel something bubbling inside him, though he couldn't put a name onit.Betrayal, maybe. Hurt could definitelybe used t
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"Caileeenn!" Ashersaid, dragging out his name and ending it in a chuckle.The girlhuffed and snatched her hand away, spinning around and stumbling over to another bloke leaning against the wall. At least he didn't have to feel too bad about shooting her down.Asheradjusted himself on the couch, flipping so he was on his back with his head in Cailen'slap.There was something off about him.There was a flush in his cheeks and his pupils were blown out. He had a dopey grin on his face and his movements were sloppy.If he didn't know any better,he'd say Asherwas drunk but he did know better so he was slightly confused."Caileeenn," Ashersaid again. Only this time,it was more of a whine."Yes?" he asked, smiling fondly down at the boywhose head ison his lap.He wasn't able to help himself. Asherwas adorable like this-all giddy and cuddly. It's not
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"Yeah, yeah, I know. But you gotta let me go so I can get in,"Cailenexplainedand pacified Asher, pulling himself awayand Asher's arms dropping to his side with a small pout.Asherpouted for as long as it took him to circle the truck and hop into the driver's seat. When he was buckled in,Asherrolled his head to the side, smiling at him who returned it because he couldn't not return it.Asher reached for his hand,flippedit andthread their fingers together whilejust continuouslysmilingat him.Cailenfelt the heat rushing to his cheeks and was a little confused as to what was going on. But then he realized Asherhimself probably didn't know what was going on so he just went with it, squeezing Asher's hand and sending him a smile before starting up the truck and pulling away from the curb.The drive wasn't long but Asherseemed to grow bored and started f
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For a moment,Cailenjust got caught up in the kiss, like he normally did around Asher.He just wasn't able to think clearly around the guy and really, that just wasn't fair. It wasn't fair because that made it harder for him to act the way he was supposed to act and it made people suspicious.He knew what he was doing was a bad idea. He knew the second he kissed Asherback,he had just blown his whole act to bits.He knew he could have just pushed Asheraway, pretend to be upset or even just laugh it off as a drunken mistake.But he didn't. He should have, but he didn't.He didn't because he wanted this. He wanted this more than he knew and now that he was getting it, he wasn't going to push it away.Of course he wasn't thinking with his brain. He was thinking on instinct and instinct was telling him to kiss Asherback,so he did.He did and he earned the most wonderful sound fro
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"Hey, hey, it's the superstar, finally making an appearance!" Matthewcalled out when they entered the kitchen.Cailengrinned at this while Williamlooked a bit sheepish. He knew he was never around much and constantly apologized for it, but they all understood and were all proud of their friend."Shut up, I've been busy!" Williamdefended just as the two girls at the counter turned in their stools and gasped.They each climbed their way down from the stools, Aariyahalmost taking a tumble but she caught herself and then they were each latched onto one of William's legs, the older man chuckling."Uncle William!" Maddisonsquealed, squeezing William's leg tight.Williamawkwardly bent down as far as he could without hurting or squishing the small girls, reaching out to rest a hand on each of them."How are two of my favorite girls?" he asked.It was truly adorable how much they each loved
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"Yeah, I love you too," Cailensaid with a small smile before hanging up his phone and slipping it into his pocket.He went to turn around but paused as a man in a suit rushed by him, obviously in a hurry.They were at the airport saying goodbye to Noahbefore he got on a flight to Scotlandand apparently,he was not the only one planning a trip that weekend.You could barely move without bumping into someone and Cailenhad to step away into a corner in order to answer his phone because it was so loud.Once the man had passed,Cailencontinued back towards the small group that was gathering outside the gate Noahwas to go through to get to his flight.They were all there, Matthew, Hazel, and of course Aariyah, William, Asherand Ezekiel, all hugging Noahgoodbye before his departure.He had been in the middle of saying goodbye when his phone rang and he excused himself to answer
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Cailen is startled from his sleep by a sudden weight crashing into him and then a wet nose sniffing at his face.He knows who it is instantly and groans, not caring if he wakes Asher up at this point.It's his dog, if Loki is waking Cailen up, then Asher can get woken up as well.Cailen brought his arms up, having to untangle himself from Asher's grasp in order to do so, and shielded his face from the intruding nose.It's not like this has never happened before, but it didn't happen often.Loki was usually pretty good at just sleeping at the foot of their bed, but recently, he's been cuddling up to Ezekiel in his so it was a bit strange.Either way, Loki was waking Cailen up so he started to sit up, just remembering to be gentle in case Asher's arm or leg was in the right position to get squished."Loki, down," Cailen mumbled, his tone firm.Cailen heard a groan come from behind him and knew Asher was now awake.
