Morgan Blood Runs Deep

Leah

I smiled sadly at Caleb as I watched Maddie's and Joey’s antics over breakfast. They moved together like the waves in the ocean, flowing around and over each other in perfect rhythm. It made me miss Brennan even more. And now that I knew there was definitely something deeper between Leisha and Kaden, I really felt alone. Madison’s giggles were cut off as the kitchen door opened to allow Kaden to enter. He hesitated before coming deeper into the room to kiss my cheek.

“Good morning, Phoenix.”

“Good morning, Armadillo. How did you sleep?” I asked.

“I slept well. And you?”

“Alright. I haven’t been sleeping well since I left Eden. I’ve been so tired, but I struggle to sleep,” I told him.

“One, that’s a lie, Leah. You sleep hard and long. And two,” Madison said, opening a drawer to pull out a large, sharp knife and set it on the counter in front of her, “did you fuck Leisha in my house last night?”

Kaden swallowed hard as he shook his head. “No! I didn’t. She was with you guys last night.”

I eyed him curiously. All of the adults in the room knew that wasn’t true, so why was he lying? Madison put her hand on the knife’s handle.

“Try again! She left the living room at 11:36 PM and didn’t return until 7:42 AM. That was almost 8 hours. So, I am going to give you one more chance to come clean. Did you fuck Leisha in my house?!”

“NO! She probably slept in another room,” Kaden told her.

“LIAR!” Madison yelled. “I SAW HER ON THE CAMERA GOING TO YOUR ROOM! SHE EVEN TOOK HER SON IN THERE WITH THE BOTH OF YOU WHEN HE WOKE UP! STOP LYING TO ME! DID YOU FUCK HER?! ARE YOU GOING TO TRY TO FUCK LEAH NEXT?!” She lifted the knife up to brandish it at him. “ANSWER ME, DAMMIT!”

“I didn’t touch her. I swear. All she did was sleep next to me. Like she used to do when we were younger.”

“Armadillo? Was she your high school sweetheart?” I asked softly.

“No. She should have been, but she wasn’t. She was my sister’s best friend. When life got too tough, she would sneak into my bed. I would hold her and she would sleep. When my sister died, she disappeared. I never saw her again until yesterday!”

“And now that you have seen her, what are your intentions?!” Madison snarled, waving the blade around again.

“ENOUGH!” Caleb hollered as he slammed his hand down on the table. “Put the knife down, Madison! Stop threatening the boy. If both Leisha and Leah trust him, then we should trust their judgment.”

“But—”

“No, Madison! You weren’t privy to all of the conversations between Leisha and me. Without divulging the details of those conversations, I will tell you that we spoke about Kaden. Many times. I do not think we have to worry about his intentions. Obviously, if she chose to spend the night in his bed, she still trusts him. It is her decision. We cannot make it for her. We can only be here to support her with whatever happens,” Caleb told her, making her huff in agitation.

“Caleb—”

“I know you’re protective over the group members, Maddie. I am too, but I don’t think Leisha needs to be protected from Armadillo.”

Madison jerked the drawer open to put the knife away before crossing her arms angrily over her chest. “Fine! But I swear to God, if you hurt her, either of them, I will make your life hell. Do you understand me?”

“Yes.” He replied before turning to look at me, the apology in his eyes unmistakable. “I’m sorry, Phoenix. I should have told you. I didn’t know she was here. I—”

I smiled at him as I placed my finger over his lips. “Do you love her, Kaden?”

He looked away from me. “I don’t know how to feel. I was surprised to see her last night. I was even more surprised when she came to my room last night. But I swear to you, I didn’t touch her last night. Well, not sexually. All I did was hold her.”

I moved to his cheek. “I’m happy for you, Kaden. I think that if you have any type of feelings for her, you should pursue them. I like Leisha, and I’ve always told you that one day you would find a woman who would love you just as deeply as you love. I think Leisha is that woman. You want to protect someone and help them. She needs to be protected and loved. She wants someone who is going to be in her corner. She needs someone who is going to be patient and show her that the world is not as bad as it seems.” I patted his cheek before lowering my hand from his face. “And you need someone who is going to love you. Truly love you. I can see it in her face when she looks at you. She already loves you. And if there’s a chance that she can be the one, you should take it.”

“And what about you, Phoenix? I left Eden to make sure you were okay.”

I gave him a sad smile. “I’ll figure it out for myself, Armadillo. You have been so selfless this entire time. And I think now, you should take this chance to be selfish. You should explore this with Leisha. Don’t use me as an excuse not to pursue whatever is between you and her.”

He sighed as he took my hand. “Phoenix—”

“Leah,” I instantly corrected him.

“Leah, I can’t honestly say that I want to pursue a different type of relationship with her.” He let my hand go. “And at this point, I am not sure I want to pursue a relationship with you either. I am not going to lie; I am so confused. I have feelings for you, but seeing her again reawakened all of the feelings I have for her. I don’t know what to do. The best I can do right now is support both of you while I work through how I feel. I don’t want to hurt either of you. Nor do I want to get hurt,” he confided honestly.

“Let me make it easier for you, Kaden. I do not want to be with you in that capacity. I am still holding out hope that R. H. M. will wake up and we can work out our issues. You and I will never be more than friends. And friends support each other. So far, it has only been you supporting me. Now, it’s my turn to support you. I’d like for you to spend some time with her. Get to know who she is now. And as much as it may hurt, get to know her son. I saw how you looked at him. She might be your soulmate, but you will never know if you do not try,” I told him.

“I do not even know where to find her—”

“She works at the tax place on the corner of Severance and 17th. Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 6 PM. She takes her lunch at 1:30,” Caleb said, making Madison throw an English muffin at him.

“If she wanted him to know where she worked, she would have told him. Or at least given him her number. Are you going to give him her home address next?” She snapped.

I leaned across the bar to take her hand. “Maddie, he is not going to hurt her. Trust me. He really is a good guy.”

“He better be, or I will have the bikers bury you alive!” She threatened him.

When Kaden paled, I gently pushed him toward the door as I glanced at the door. “If you hurry, you can catch her as she leaves for lunch. I hope she agrees to go to lunch with you.”

He stopped at the door to smile at me. “Me too.”

When I heard the front door close, I pinned Maddie with an angry glare. “What in the heck was that? Why did you threaten him with a knife?”

She shrugged. “I do not like him!”

“Why not? He has not done anything wrong!” I spat.

“He has done plenty!” She argued. “He came all the way to Apple Grove for you! When I first met him, he attacked my brother. And now he wants to be with one of my friends who also has a traumatic past. How could I not be suspicious?!”

I sighed as I shook my head. “You are reading too much into this. What he feels for me is based on his need to protect me, and right now, the biggest thing he is trying to protect me from is *your brother.* What he feels for Leisha is obviously stronger. So do not get angry at him because he cares about her. Believe me when I say there are worse men—”

My stomach rolled, making me leap to my feet and rush to the sink to vomit. As I threw up, my knees wobbled. Oh, God. I needed to lie down before I collapsed. I bent further over the sink as more vomit spewed from my mouth. But first things were first…