Chapter 2
627 Words
Camille Hayes
"Kane." I snap in annoyance. He’s been bugging me since he let himself in about an hour ago. The correction comes instantly. Like it's rehearsed. I don't even look up from my coffee when I say it, flipping a page in my notebook instead. "No." A pause. Then, amused—"It's Rhett."
I finally glance at him over the rim of my cup.
He's leaning against Cass's kitchen counter like he belongs there more than the apartment does. Hoodie sleeves pushed up. Dark hair slightly damp like he just came from a run. In the dim light, he looks older now. Wider in the shoulders than I remember. Different in all the ways that should matter. Except they don't.
"You can get taller," I say flatly. "Cut your hair. Change your name if you want."
His mouth twitches.
"But you'll always be Kane."
Cass snorts from behind him. "Oh my god."
Kane doesn't laugh. He just watches me for a second too long. Like he's deciding whether to argue. Then, softer—almost like he's trying to rewrite history, "I don't go by that anymore."
I shrug. "Doesn't change anything."
His eyes narrow slightly. "You're impossible."
"Consistent," I correct.
Cass shakes his head, walking past us. "You two need therapy."
"Agreed," I don’t miss a beat when the words flew right out of my mouth.
Kane's gaze doesn't leave me. And for a moment, something unreadable passes through it. Then he smirks again—because of course he does. "Still hate me, Angel?"
I don't hesitate. "Immensely." That finally earns a low laugh from him. Like I said something familiar. Like nothing ever changed. But it did. Even if he refuses to accept it.
༒ ⋆ ✦ ⋆ ༒
Tara is already halfway through my fries by the time I get back to campus.
"You said one drink," she reminds me.
"I did not say fries."
"You were emotionally vulnerable."
"I was not."
"You agreed to go out on a Friday night with Cass and Kane Mercer involved. That's vulnerability."
I glare at her. "Stop saying his full name like that."
"Why?" She stops walking to stare at me in confusion.
"It sounds worse." I whisper, because it’s almost like if you say his name loud enough, he’ll appear in thin air and annoy the hell out of me.
Tara grins. "It sounds powerful."
I ignore her. Mostly because I don't want to admit she's right. It’s also because he’s something you should avoid. Like the plague. Or something that used to leave bruises on Cass's knuckles and laughter in the hallway at 2 a.m. The version of him I remember isn't the one leaning casually on kitchen counters now. It's the one running through our house barefoot, yelling at Cass over something stupid, dirt everywhere, grin too wide, eyes too bright. Chaos in human form. Back when he was just— Kane, my brother’s bestfriend. Not my enemy.
My phone buzzes again.
Cass: don't ditch us tonight
I stare at it for a second before replying.
Me: I said one drink
Tara leans over my shoulder. "You're going to regret this."
"I regret everything." I mumble, shoving my phone in my back pocket.
"Especially him?" She’s referring to Kane, and I pause. Too long, or just long enough for Tara to notice. Why the hell is everyone watching me lately? "You're annoying." I look away from her in an attempt to ignore the obvious. I, Camille Hayes, agreed to attend a party, willingly knowing Kane will be present.
She smiles sweetly. "And you're going to see Rhett tonight."
I hate that my stomach tightens at his name. Not Rhett, Kane. Because that version of him? That's the one I can't pretend I don't remember.
- Writer
