Chapter 40 Distractions and Revelations

Chapter 40 Distractions and Revelations
Tate

I sat down in the back row of the classroom, tossing my bag onto the empty seat next to me.

Professor Gregory hadn't arrived yet; the classroom was noisy. Students chatted in small groups, discussing weekend parties or the upcoming midterms.

I pulled out my notebook, trying to focus on previewing today's material. But the words blurred before my eyes, my thoughts constantly drifting back to this morning's scene.

Kade standing in the middle of the room, water droplets sliding down his body. The way he looked at me—that gaze mixing desire and restraint.

This can't happen again.

"Damn it," I muttered, pressing hard on my temples.

"You look like you need this."

A cup of coffee suddenly appeared before me. I looked up to see Mike standing there, a warm smile on his face.

"You're my savior," I said gratefully, accepting the coffee.

Mike sat down next to me, moving my bag to the floor.

"Didn't sleep well?" he asked, looking at me with concern.

"Something like that," I said vaguely, taking a large sip of coffee. The bitter liquid slid down my throat, clearing my head slightly.

Mike was silent for a moment, seeming to hesitate about whether to say something.

"You know," he finally spoke, "if you need someone to talk to, I'm always here."

I turned to look at him. His dark eyes were full of sincerity, without any ulterior motives.

"Thanks," I said softly, "Really. But I'm fine. Just... life's a bit complicated."

"Living at the Sinclair house must not be easy," Mike said, his tone careful.

I smiled bitterly. "You don't know how not easy."

"So..." Mike paused, clearly choosing his words carefully, "How does Kade Sinclair treat you? I mean, as an employer."

My fingers tightened on the coffee cup.

"He's... fine," I said, trying to keep my voice neutral, "We don't interact much. I mainly take care of his brother."

It was a lie. A complete and utter lie.

Because Kade was everywhere. In my thoughts, in my dreams, in every moment my heart raced.

"I heard he has a girlfriend," Mike said casually, "That Carter girl. Isabella something."

My stomach dropped.

"Yeah," I managed to say, "I've met her."

The reminder felt like a bucket of cold water. Right. Isabella. The girlfriend. The one from his world, the one who made sense.

Not me.

Never me.

Mike seemed to sense something because he immediately changed the subject.

"By the way, your sister came to the shop yesterday. She's very... spirited."

I couldn't help but laugh, grateful for the distraction. "Is that a polite way of saying she's difficult?"

"No, no, no," Mike quickly waved his hands, but there was amusement in his eyes, "She's direct. I like people like that. At least you know what they're thinking."

"She definitely doesn't hide her thoughts," I said, remembering Julie calling last night to complain about how boring her first day was.

"She had a conflict with Brayden," Mike said, his expression becoming serious, "I don't know what happened, but that guy looked really bad."

I frowned. "Brayden?"

"Yeah. He was sitting alone in the corner drinking coffee, looking like it was the end of the world. Then your sister just..." Mike made an explosion gesture with his hands.

I sighed. "I'll talk to her."

"No need," Mike shook his head, "Actually, I think she did the right thing. That guy was really rude to her. Told her to get out of his sight or something."

That didn't sound like the Brayden I'd met—the one who was always grinning, always making jokes. Something must have happened.

But that wasn't my problem to solve.

I had enough of my own problems.

The professor walked in then, and the classroom noise gradually subsided.

I opened my notebook, trying to focus on class. But my phone vibrated in my pocket.

I sneaked a glance.

It was a message from Taylor.

Taylor: EMERGENCY!!! There's a political science party tonight, you HAVE to come!!!

I frowned and typed back.

Me: You know I don't like parties.

Taylor: Please please please! I don't want to go alone. And you need to relax.

Taylor: You've been too stressed lately. One night won't kill you.

I hesitated. She was right—I did need to relax. And maybe getting away from the Sinclair mansion for one night would clear my head.

Give me some distance from Kade.

From the confusion.

From the wanting.

Me: Fine. But I'm not staying long.

Taylor: YES!!! I love you!!! Picking you up at 8!!!

I shoved my phone back in my pocket, trying to concentrate on the lecture.

Professor Gregory was talking about cognitive dissonance—the mental discomfort experienced when holding two contradictory beliefs.

How fitting.

Because right now, I was experiencing my own version of cognitive dissonance.

I knew getting involved with Kade was a terrible idea.

But I wanted him anyway.

I knew he was off-limits, unavailable, completely wrong for me.

But I couldn't stop thinking about him.

I knew that kiss should never have happened.

But I wanted it to happen again.

Contradictory beliefs indeed.

"Miss Calloway?"

I jerked my head up to find Professor Gregory looking at me expectantly.

"Yes?"

"I asked if you could provide an example of cognitive dissonance in everyday life."

Great. Of course he did.

"Um," I said, my mind racing, "Like when someone knows smoking is bad for their health but continues to smoke anyway?"

"Exactly," he said, seeming satisfied, "The discomfort between knowing something is harmful and continuing to do it anyway. How do we typically resolve this dissonance?"

"By either changing the behavior or changing the belief," I said automatically, "Or by adding new beliefs to justify the behavior."

"Very good," he nodded and moved on.

But his words stuck with me.

Change the behavior or change the belief.

What was I going to do about Kade?

Stop wanting him? That seemed impossible.

Change my belief that it was wrong? That seemed dangerous.

Or find a way to justify it?

That seemed like the path to disaster.

I spent the rest of the class lost in thought, barely hearing a word the professor said.

When it finally ended, I gathered my things slowly, in no hurry to leave.

"You sure you're okay?" Mike asked as we walked out together.

"Yeah," I said, forcing a smile, "Just tired. But I'm going to that party tonight, so maybe that'll help."

"Party?" Mike's eyebrows rose, "You? At a party?"

"I know, shocking," I said dryly, "But Taylor's very persuasive."

"Well, have fun," Mike said, "And hey, if you need a ride or anything—"

"I'll be fine," I interrupted gently, "But thanks."

We parted ways outside the building, and I headed back toward the Sinclair mansion.

My mind was already drifting to tonight.

A party. People. Noise. Distraction.

Maybe that was exactly what I needed.

A night away from Kade Sinclair and all the complicated feelings he stirred up.

A night to just be Tatum, not Leo's babysitter, not Kade's... whatever I was.

Just me.

Yeah.

That sounded good.