Chapter 9: FriendZone

Cayden nudged his brother. “Ask her to go. It’s the last day of the fair. You’ve never been. Take her!” Looking over at Essence helping Anastasia with wedding plans, Kano held the fair flier in his hands tightly. He wanted to ask her, but after a month of never kissing again—or even addressing it—he decided it was best just to leave well enough alone.

Sensing his brother’s thoughts, Cayden rolled his eyes. “Make.a.move. You two have been hanging out almost every day minus wedding planning, and you literally only stay in the castle or the courtyard. This would be nice for not only her, but for you too, Caysen.”

Usually Cayden’s pushing irritated him, but he knew he was right. Though she never pressured him about leaving out, he knew deep inside she wanted him to. Even Rafael had mentioned it on his visits to the castle for his haircuts and maintenance. He’d often give ideas and suggestions of places Alpha Caysen should venture to grasp an understanding of Blood Moon. Kano fumbled with his fingers, then crumpled the carnival flier, much to his brother’s dismay.

“You realize you’re friend-zoning yourself, right?” Cayden said, and Kano looked at him in confusion. “Friend zone, when you love or like someone, so you grow close to them, but only on a friendship level because you don’t make a move. I’m telling you, once you get there, it’s super hard to get out, and if you ever plan on getting some trim—” Kano growled, making his brother laugh. “It’s so funny seeing how uncomfortable you get from that word. What is it about it that bothers you so much?” Rubbing the back of his neck, Kano avoided his brother’s face.

“She looked that good, huh?” Cayden asked, smirking. Kano huffed, and Cayden somehow knew that meant ‘yes the fuck she did’. He clapped his hands. “Here, let me help you.” He snatched the crumpled paper from Kano’s hand. Before Kano could stop him, he threw the ball at Essence, hitting her on the back of the head.

Essence turned and glared at an owl-eyed Kano. “I know damn well you didn’t just hit me with a paper ball,” she raged.

He clenched his fist at Cayden, who shrugged his shoulders and whispered, “You’re welcome.”

Picking it up, she launched it, hitting Kano smack in the face. He seethed, and she laughed. “Wrestling in high school, softball in college. Throw something else at me, and I’ll fold your ass up and launch you to the moon.” Standing, Kano extended his hand and motioned for her to bring it. She stood, and Anastasia smirked as she watched Essence playfully charge at him. He picked her up in his massive arm, tickling her side. “Stooppp!” she shouted, laughing so hard she snorted. Hearing it, he laughed just as hard, causing him to do the same.

Cayden cocked his head back. “You’re both weird as hell,” he said. Turning to him, they sucked their teeth at the same time, making them laugh once more.

Anastasia cleared her throat. “Uhm, Cayden, I could really use some help over here,” she said.

“With what?” She glared at him hard, and he realized he’d missed the clear signal. “Coming!” he shouted, and his face reddened when she rolled her eyes.

“Smooth… reallll smooth,” she said.

Essence bent down and picked up the crumpled paper. Kano snatched it, and she snatched it back, balling her body up so he couldn’t get it. Not wanting to hurt her, he gave up and nervously watched her open it. She tilted her head. “A fair?” His pale eyes darted away in nervousness. “Are you asking me to go to the fair, Kano?” He thought about his brother’s words. Exhaling, he nodded slowly. Relief washed over his face when she danced from side to side. “Can I get a funnel cake?” she asked, and he nodded. “Yay! I’m spoiled, and I got my way!” she said, grinning. Looking down at her, Kano couldn’t help but think he’d buy her all the funnel cakes in the world if it meant she’d continue to look at him with the bright smile she currently wore.

“Are you afraid of heights, Kano?” Essence asked, and he shook his head feverishly. She scrunched her face. “Then why are you so jittery? We’re on the Ferris wheel, and they’re going really slow.” He watched the couple in front of them as the man placed his arm around a woman who was clearly his mate. She laid under his arm and gave him a small peck on the lips. Kano gave Essence an apologetic look and swallowed his nerves.

No friend zone, no friend zone! He thought over and over. Waiting until she leaned forward to look outward, he lifted his arm and tried to place it over her shoulder. She leaned back too fast, causing him to panic, and he accidentally hit her hard in the head, making her funnel cake fall onto the floor of their cage.

“What the fuck?!” she shouted, glaring, and he waved his hands in apology.

That had been the ongoing of the day. Every time he tried to show any affection, it backfired horribly. This was her fourth funnel cake—he’d made her drop three prior—and her fume at him was getting more intense.

She sighed. “What’s going on with you? Do you regret coming because you don’t have to assault my head, toes or my damn funnel cake. We can leave.” Kano shook his head and gave her a look of apology, causing her to sigh again.

Getting off the ride, Essence walked away to get another funnel cake. Kano, in tow behind her, couldn’t help but notice the stares. As they stood in line, a woman brushed against him and gave him a big smile. He scratched his head, and tapped Essence, and she laughed. “I take it you haven’t noticed that they’ve been staring at you all day.” She nudged him. “Somebody’s gonna get some trim.”

His face reddened, and he scowled at the women staring at him. Essence chuckled. “Stop being frowny, we won’t find my replacement for you—” Kano froze, and she saw the storm in his eyes. She tilted her head. “W-why are you looking at me like that?” He blew steam from his nose as a response. Shaking his head, he turned her back to the funnel cake booth, showing her it was her turn. He paid for her treat, and for the first time in the day, Kano regretted coming. Noticing his obvious change in mood, Essence bit the inside of her cheek. “Can we take pictures before we leave?” she asked, and he closed his eyes and nodded.

Entering the photo booth, Essence crawled under his arm, and the smell of vanilla made his eyes tinge. He backed away and noticed her rub the back of her neck. “Sorry,” she said, looking down at her shoes, and the two saw the flash of the camera. Feeling awkward, but really wanting a decent picture, she poked him. “Come on! Smile, pleaseeeee!” she said, pouting. Though he was upset, he couldn’t help but smile. His grin increased when she did what had grown to be his favorite dance. He silently mocked her as she said, “Yay, I’m spoiled, and I got my way!”

Placing money back in the booth, they took better pictures. They placed their heads together and smiled brightly, laughing shortly after. Puckering their lips and making silly faces, each picture came out better than the last. Quickly exiting, she grabbed the two picture sheets, handing them to him to see. He felt his mouth dry at the second reel, seeing how happy he looked with her.

After a few more minutes at the fair, the two returned to the castle. Essence swayed back and forth as Kano and she stood in the den. “Thank you for taking me today. I know it was a lot for you being around all those people, but I really appreciate it. I had a great time.” Folding his arms to his chest, Kano nodded before looking from her to the door. She rubbed the back of her neck. “Ah, you’re probably tired… I should go,” she said. Turning to leave, she stilled, and balled her fists to her sides.

Turning around, she glowered at him. “That was rude as hell, and you know it!” He scoffed and rolled his eyes, pissing her off further. “What is your problem?!” she shouted. “You throw a flier at me, ask me to the fair, make me drop four funnel cakes because you keep accidentally hitting me, then when I try to help you find my replacement, you clam up! There were plenty of pretty women there. If you didn’t see someone you like, that’s fine, but you don’t have to be a dick towards me for just trying to help!”

Blood boiling, Kano closed his eyes and tried to calm himself. She sighed. “I’m just trying to help, okay? I don’t want you to be alone… you’re funny and smart and kind, and…” He opened his eyes and saw her lip quiver. “You should have someone special. I want you to have someone special because, out of everyone I know you deserve—” He stopped her words. Opening her hand, he reached into his back pocket and placed the picture of them inside it. He pointed at one picture of her on the reel, and she looked up at the ceiling, knowing she was about to cry.

“We talked about this, Kano. I can’t stay,” she murmured. She needed him to understand. “Y-you wouldn’t be happy with someone like me. I understand I’m your mate, but there’s so much about me… you just don’t… if you knew…” Her words caught in her throat as his pale eyes softened, and a tear fell from her own. She whispered, “Trust me, okay? I know you wouldn’t be happy with someone like me.”

Kano shook his head, disappointed in her words. Gently kissing her, he sighed and walked out of the room.