Chapter 325
I don't even know what I stand for right now, but I think I'm standing for something. Maybe I'm stupid for doing all of this, for putting Zenon through this, but my conscience is at ease. At least that part of me can sleep easy tonight. And hopefully that part of him, too.
"Candace," Kaden's voice on loudspeaker filled up the car, "I can't say I expected to receive a call from you. Especially since you've gotten your hotshot boyfriend to do everything for you these days."
The sound of Kaden's voice was like nails on a chalkboard. I cringed.
Zenon closed his eyes, forcing himself to stay calm. I'm sure his instinct was to strangle the guy.
"Listen nerd," Zenon interrupted, "You're a piece of sht and you know it. Morally weak too."
What kind of apology is this?
I stared at Zenon like he was jumping off a cliff. He gave me a look back - and I had no idea what to make of it.
"But here's an apology for getting your ass whooped," Zenon said and stared me directly in the eyes, forcing me to hear the painful words, "I'm sorry for making you cry."
Remind me to never ask Zenon to apologize again. The guy is not subtle at all. For making you cry? There was a sharp inhale of breath on the other end of the line.
"Can you say it again in a way that doesn't embarrass me?" Kaden asked.
"You want to record it? It's embarrassing for you no matter how I say it," Zenon replied, knowing that Kaden would jump on the opportunity to turn this around and humiliate Zenon. I hadn't really thought about that before.
"You're calling me from Candace's phone, so I know what's happening here," Kaden chatted freely, "She can't live with this on her conscience so you're trying to win her back. I won't accept the apology unless I win a little something too."
And there's the Kaden I know and despise. Always looking out for himself.
Zenon pressed mute, "Can I hang up on him now?"
I shook my head, "You effed up by effing him up, so now you face the consequences."
Zenon gritted his teeth. "Swear, Candace. Just say fck."
I unpressed the mute button. Zenon rolled his eyes, looking extremely uncomfortable by the situation.
I didn't care about being humiliated right now. I've been embarrassed so many times I can't even count. I just want to know, when I'm as old as Winnifred's old lady, that I didn't dish out what I'd been served.
"How about I hang out with you and your friends in public?" Kaden offered, "Maybe take a couple pictures-"
"No."
"Fine. One picture in private?" Kaden bargained, trying to get some clout.
"No."
"Then I don't know what to say to you, Zenon. You assaulted me and I have every right to press charges. The school suspended all of us after you made the entire basketball team lie for you. How does that-"
"Here's some advice, Kaden. Your problem is your big mouth. That, along with your greed and lack of friends, is going to keep getting you in trouble. I'm being forced to apologize, but you better change behavior. Even though I won't come for you again, there are others who will."
"Are you threatening me?" Kaden retaliated.
"I'm warning you. It's called advice."
There was a shuffling on the other end of the line and when Kaden spoke, he sounded closer to the phone, like he'd gone somewhere super private to speak, "I know I messed up."
Wow.
I didn't know I would feel something, but I did. It was the first time Kaden has ever recognized what he's done. It's the first time he's ever shown some kind of remorse. And I hated that he was doing it because of Zenon. Why couldn't he say that to me or Kelly or any of the girls he's cheated on?
It's bullsht.
Kaden doesn't respect women, and this was the bitter realization. He'll own up to a guy but not apologize to a girl? I really hope he'll grow up.
Trust Zenon to call someone up to apologize and then get an apology back.
I didn't even hear what Zenon said but they hung up a few seconds later. Zenon had done what I asked him to do, and I really appreciated that. It hadn't gone as smoothly as I expected, but it's not like you can force a happy ending.
This had taken a lot for Zenon to own up to, especially since he's a proud guy. And it left a bittersweet taste in my mouth. I wasn't sure I had been right to demand this of him. But it made me comfortable knowing that my boyfriend showed remorse for his violence.
I leaned over and gave him a kiss.
"All that for a peck," Zenon mumbled.
"After what you did? Be happy you get a peck," I replied, keeping my tone light even though my head was turning.
Zenon raised an eyebrow, "I held up my end of the bargain..."
"And I'm coming with you!" I exclaimed, "Just give me ten minutes to pack a proper bag."
I opened the car door and felt a whoosh of rain on my extended arm. "There better be no bears in that forest."
He smiled, remembering our camping trip last summer. "Why not? We can say hi to an old friend."
My smile matched his and I slammed the car door shut. I ran home in the rain and packed a light bag for our trip to the jake house.
I mean lake house. Drat.