Chapter 8: The Date

Cole woke up the next morning and immediately felt guilty. It wasn’t like he cheated since he and Harper weren’t exclusive but it still felt wrong. He put on his clothes and went home. No one was up when he arrived so he simply went back to bed. Later that day, when Harper and her friend Paige and a couple other of his brothers’ friends from school came over, Harper completely ignored him. She even flirted with Caden. What the hell? He didn’t expect her to be super friendly with him but why the cold shoulder. When his patience with her ran out, he drug her to his room despite her protests. “What the hell is your problem?” she spat. “I was just about to ask you the same thing. Why are you pissed at me? What the hell did I do?” “What did you do?!” she all but screeched, “You tell me? Did all those kisses mean nothing to you?” “What are you talking about? Of course they did!” Her eyes glazed over with tears, “Who was a better lay? Me or the chick you fucked last night then?” Cole reared back. How had she found out? Harvey. Of course. He scrubbed a hand down his face. “That’s what I thought,” she said, shaking her head. Before he could say anything, she left. He slumped onto his bed. He had half a mind to go over to Harvey’s house and punch him for ratting him out. But he knew the real blame lay with him. He never should’ve slept with her in the first place. The evils of alcohol. He was never drinking again.
 
Harper stayed for a little while then went home to hang out with her brother. His stay this time was going to be a lot shorter than normal but so would his upcoming tour. Around 6, she got ready for her date. “Where are you going?” he asked. “On a date.” “A date? With who?” “Caden.” “The Martinson boy?” “Yeah.” Shockingly, Harvey nodded, “Okay.” “Really? You’re just going to let me go?” “The Martinson boys are decent.” Harper rolled her eyes; she could think of one who wasn’t. Harvey didn’t notice the eye roll or chose to ignore it because he walked out. At 7, Caden picked her up. From all her flirting to anger Cole earlier, he got the wrong sign because as soon as she got in, he leaned over and kissed her. She was about to draw away when she thought about what Cole had done. She kissed Caden back but couldn’t help but notice that she liked Cole’s kisses much better. Caden took her out to a nice restaurant on the coast. The food was amazing and being in Caden’s company was nice. Even though she was angry and hurt at Cole, she couldn’t help but think that a date like this with him would be lovely. After dinner, Caden took her to play, which is really loved. Finally, he took her for a walk on the beach. There was a slight breeze and the ocean’s lapping was calming. “Did you enjoy the date?” he asked. She smiled, “Yes! That was some of the best food I’ve had. And the play was wonderful; I’d like to go again.” He smiled, taking what she said the wrong way, “We can go anytime you’d like.” Deciding now was the time to clear it up, she stopped. “What’s wrong?” he asked. She sighed, “Caden, you’re a really lovely guy and I know that there is some girl out there who will return your feelings, but that girl isn’t me. I think we’re better off as friends.” He gave a humorless laugh, “Yeah, I figured you didn’t have feelings for me.” “I’m sorry.” He smiled, “That’s okay. Maybe you will in the future.” Harper didn’t think so but she wasn’t about to say that. “But being friends with you is better than nothing,” Caden continued. She nodded. “Thanks for coming on the date with me anyways.” “I loved it. Maybe we can go to another play, as friends.” He smiled, “I’d like that. Let me take you home.” “Thank you.” He nodded and they headed back to the car.