Collided Souls

I M O G E N

Watching Cane leave with the rose in his hand broke me even more than before. I knew coming in today was a bad idea. First, it was the gnawing feeling about Christian this morning. Then it was seeing Cane. What's next? Running into Noah around campus?

I hope not.

I wiped my eyes and pasted on the best fake smile I could muster.

"Where were we?" I asked, stepping into the classroom. None of my students questioned what happened outside between me and Cane. Thank goodness.

One of them reminded me where we left off, and I nodded gratefully. Class didn't last long after that. I cupped my face with both hands, trying not to cry again before my next group walked in wondering why their professor was falling apart.

Five days. And I've cried through all of them.

I had to move in with Leona just to keep Christian from showing up at my apartment—to keep him from hurting me. Or worse. Everything happened so fast, I can't believe it's almost Christmas.

Some days, I wish I could go back in time. Warn younger me. Keep her far away from the man who taught me what a villain looks like dressed in love.

"They're my parents," I sobbed, curling into myself. "Why would they do that to me?"

Christian rubbed my back as we sat on his couch. He wore only black shorts and a white tank, tattoos on full display. His cologne filled the air as he pulled me onto his lap.

"Hey." He tilted my chin up. "Maybe they saw you as a disappointment."

"How? I never did anything wrong." I whimpered.

"Maybe. But don't let it get in your pretty little head," he said, stroking my back. "In my eyes, you're perfect."

I wiped my tears. "You're only saying that to make me feel better."

"Is it working?" He smiled.

"Yes." I giggled, weakly.

"There's my girl's smile."

Pathetic.

That's what it was.

He manipulated me, twisted my pain, and made me hate my family. He poisoned everything. It took years to find them again. Months to rebuild what he tore apart.

I can't believe I used to be that girl—so trusting. So... broken.

"Hey, why—" I squeaked, spinning around, ready to slap whoever touched me—until I saw it was Cane.

"Just keep walking," he whispered, his breath brushing my ear.

I nodded and played along. "Well, hello to you, Mr. Nixon."

"Hello to you too, Miss Stokes," he said, clearing his throat.

We walked straight ahead, keeping our heads forward. I held a smile in, butterflies flapping wildly in my chest. When we reached the patio doors, I started to speak—but he leaned in first.

"Meet me in the janitor's closet at five," Cane murmured, his lips brushing against my ear before pulling away and walking in the opposite direction.

I exhaled shakily.

In love.

That's what I was. Am.

But love doesn't make this easy. I hate how Cane thinks he can go up against Christian and win. Like it's some noble battle he has to fight alone. Like we're characters in a story that will end in happily ever after if we just believe hard enough.

Sighing, I buried the thought. I had a full class to teach—and more students who'd question poetry harder than the last. And Seth? Hopefully he never shows up again. He flirts more than he studies, and his girlfriend argues with him more than any couple on this campus.

Someday...

"Stop," I whispered to myself, clenching my fists.

◊◊◊◊

I tossed my bag in the passenger seat when I heard laughter.

I turned my head before I could stop myself—and immediately regretted it. There was Cane. Laughing. With Lauren. My stomach twisted.

He leaned in close, whispering something that made her giggle. My grip on the car door tightened. What could he possibly be saying?

And then, his eyes met mine.

The world around us shifted, blurred, faded. His eyes lit up when he saw me. For a moment, the pain of what I said earlier twisted deeper. Maybe I was too harsh. Maybe I wasn't harsh enough.

I looked away, biting down hard on my lip as Lauren's hand brushed his bicep. I ducked to place my phone in the cupholder—anything to distract me—when something caught my eye.

Wait.

He didn't...

I slammed the door shut and rushed around to the other side.

There it was. The rose. The one he gave me earlier, sitting perfectly on the seat. Waiting to be taken home. I froze. Then I saw him walk past my car, Lauren still clinging to his side. I didn't move. Just stood there as the scent of the rose reached me.

My fingers brushed the soft petals. A note peeked out from beneath the bloom. His handwriting. Elegant. Sharp. Familiar.

And even if I lose you, I still won. I'm winning the game between Christian and I. Please keep the rose, baby.

Breathless, I stood admiring not only the note–but the rose too.

How can someone even do that?

Oh, Cane...

A/N

Y'all love how Cane is so far?? 💌