A/N: Like I said I might, I made a sequel to my other oneshot Two Days Ago. This one's in Gabe's point of view, though. Thought you lovelies would find it interesting to see Cade through his eyes. Hope you enjoy it!

One Week Ago

When I woke up, I was draped over Cade's chest, like I normally am when I spend the night with him. And like usual, I had to pretend to still be asleep if I wanted him to keep playing with my hair and holding me. I knew the moment he realized I was 'waking up', he'd stop and let go, because apparently, big, bad Arcadian Tomlinson isn't supposed to like snuggling.

Well, tough shit. I do.

He started tracing shapes on my back, and I had to fight not to smile. But even though I managed that, I couldn't stop myself from yawning. And just like I knew he would, Cade stopped what he was doing and removed his arms from me altogether. I rolled my eyes. Honestly, if he thought I hadn't realized by now that he's not as badass as he seems—especially when he's with me—then he's stupid.

Whatever, though. He's hot, so he can have his delusions.

Since there was no more reasons for me to pretend I was asleep, I lifted myself up so I was hovering over him. He looked back at me with a blank expression, but that didn't stop me from smirking. A sleep-ruffled Cade is sexier than Ian Somerhalder was on Lost. He could make a straight man want to be fucked by him, I swear. Too bad for them, though; I was the only one he'd be fucking for a while.

Cade raised his eyebrows at me. "What?"

"Nothing," I said, shaking my head a bit as I laid back down next to him.

"Yeah, right," he snorted. "Whatever you say, Gabriel."

I narrowed my eyes at him. Snarky son of a bitch. I'd show him not to give me attitude this early in the morning.

Tossing the blankets back so they were only covering me from the waist down, I put my arms above my head and stretched, making sure to arch my back. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Cade staring at me, his gaze locked on my bare chest, like I knew it would be. No doubt he was thinking about all the other times I've arched my back like that. Horny bastard.

And like I had any room to talk.

I stopped stretching and looked over at him. He was still staring at me, now with a lecherous glint in his eyes. I checked a smirk and turned to him with a faux curious expression.

"What?" I asked innocently.

"You know exactly what," Cade told me.

"No. I'm not sure I do," I said, and that time, I was unable to help the smirk that formed on my lips. I trailed a hand down my chest, watching him watch me as I traced the outline of my abs, feeling smug about the way he was staring at me like he wanted to devour me.

Deciding to take my game a little further, I slipped my hand under the blankets, then bit my lip and closed my eyes, pretending like I was touching myself. Cade growled, and a second later he was on top of me, grabbing my wrists and pinning them beside my head on the pillow. I laughed as he began attacking my neck with his mouth.

And that's why I don't sleep in anything except boxers when I'm with him. Not only does it make it easier to seduce him, but more often than not, we're usually going to end up naked anyway. Might as well have as little clothing on as possible. Of course, I'd much rather prefer to sleep naked, but I'd feel a bit odd doing that if he wasn't as well. And Cade only sleeps naked after we've had sex; all other times—like at the moment—he wears a hoodie and sweats. So, boxers it was for me.

"You're a cock-tease," he hissed in my ear before nibbling on it. I hummed contentedly.

"I know," I told him. "But only for a little while. Then you can fuck me into this mattress as hard as you like, I promise."

Cade grunted, and then went to kiss me, but at the last moment I turned my head away from him so he only got my cheek. I opened my eyes and wrinkled my nose at him.

"But before we do any of that, you need to brush your teeth," I said. "Your breath reeks, man."

He gave me a scowl then climbed off of me and the bed. "Bastard," I heard him mutter as he stood up.

Glaring at him, I sat up and smacked his ass as hard as I could, making him yelp. He looked back at me with an indignant look, which I promptly ignored as I stood up and stalked passed him.

"Just for that comment, you can wait until after I've had my coffee," I informed him haughtily. Then, I paused in the doorway of his bedroom, glancing over my shoulder just in time to see him hastily put his hands down—I knew he'd been flipping me off behind my back. He gave me a big fake sweet smile. Bastard. Rolling my eyes at him, I shook my head and continued walking out of his bedroom, but I smiled to myself when I heard him laugh.

Five minutes later, I was sitting at the kitchen table with one of my psych books, waiting for the coffeemaker to finish percolating. Oh. And for Cade to get out of the shower. Why the idiot had decided to take one, I had no idea. I mean, hadn't I told him he just needed to brush his teeth? Not take a freaking shower. That was completely pointless. He'd just need another one after I was through with him.

The coffeemaker stopped, and I set down my book as I stood up to make myself a cup—3/4 coffee, ¼ milk; no sugar—nearly moaning in satisfaction at the first sip. This stuff is seriously the only reason I can make it through a day without going psycho on someone's ass. I go through at least four cups in the morning, if not more. The result—caffeine no longer has any effect on me, and I get killer headaches if I don't have a certain amount of it. Yeah, I know. I'm an addict.

I was halfway through my second cup and making Cade one—though, I don't think his can be considered coffee, with all the sugar he drinks in it—when there was a knock on Cade's apartment door. Frowning, I set my cup down on the counter and went to go answer it. Who would be coming here ate 8 in the morning? Vince? No. That man didn't get up much before noon. Another one of Cade's friends? Oh, wait. Nope. He was too much of an antisocial jerk to have anymore friends. At least, not any that were stupid enough to come and bother him this early in the morning.

Then…who the fuck was it?

Still trying to figure it out, I unlocked the door and opened it. A scowl immediately appeared on my face when I saw who was standing there in all his twinkish glory. Of course, it was him.

"What are you doing here?" Zeke hissed at me.

"Excuse me?" I scoffed. "Shouldn't I be the one asking you that question?"

"I'm here to talk to Cade," he said pompously, standing up straighter. He leaned to the side to try to look around me into the apartment, but I blocked his view. Scowling, Zeke looked back at me, then his eyes flickered over my body, apparently just finally noticing that I was standing there in only my boxers. I smirked at him, and he glared, his face becoming blotchy with anger.

"Go get him," Zeke ordered through clenched teeth. I scoffed again.

"Ha! Yeah, that's not gonna happen," I told him. Then I gave him a sarcastically sweet smile. "Goodbye."

I slammed the door in his face, locking it back up. Not even a second later, he started knocking on the door again. Rolling my eyes, I ignored him and walked away. Eventually, he stopped with a final slam of his palm against the door, then stomped down the hallway. I snickered when one of Cade's neighbor's came out and started bitching at him.

But really—what the hell had he been thinking, showing up here? Stupid twat. He just didn't get it, even after Cade—and I—had told him multiple times to fuck off. I swear, Zeke was freaking stalking him. It was ridiculous and really starting to piss me off.

Snatching my coffee up from the counter, I roughly sat myself down at the table again, seething. Yeah, if you haven't noticed; I am a bit bipolar, not that I've actually been tested for it or anything. And yeah, it was jealousy making me so angry at Zeke because, at the moment—I'm not naïve enough to say that Cade and I will be together forever, or even a year, only after being with him for two months—Cade was with me. Zeke knew that, and yet he still decided to act like I didn't fucking exist and continuously try to get into Cade's pants. I swear, if he didn't fucking stop, I was going to hurt that prissy, effeminate, idiotic twi—

"What set you off?" Cade's voice asked from behind me. Huffing, I turned around to face him.

"Your fucking st—"

The words died in my mouth when I saw him standing there in the doorway. His hair was still wet, hanging into his eyes, a darker blonde than it normally was because of the water. He didn't have a shirt on, either; he was only in a pair of jeans. And his abs looked absolutely lick-able. If a bedraggled Cade could make a straight man change his sexuality, then the Cade that was standing in front of me at the moment could make a lesbian wish she was a gay man. Because—man, he was that fucking hot.

"Um…your…I—um," I stuttered, then licked my lips. My mouth was suddenly very dry. What had I been thinking about or doing before he'd showed up?

Cade raised an eyebrow at me, smirking a little. "Gabe? You okay, man?"

"I'm fine," I told him a bit breathlessly. Then, without really realizing what I was doing, I stood up. As I walked over to him, my gaze roamed his chest, unable to help myself. God, he was fucking delectable. I stopped right in front of him and licked my lips again.

"You sure?" he asked, and it was barely there, but there was a husky tone to it that made me want to tilt my head back and moan. I managed to control myself, though. Barely.

"Yeah," I said, my voice cracking. I cleared my throat before I continued, "I'm just a little…hot."

"Oh?"

I nodded, my gaze still locked on the bare expanse of his chest, lingering for a moment on his nipples. Lord, I wanted a taste.

Cade chuckled, and then I felt more than saw him lift one of his hands—you know; the displacement of air and all that. He threaded his fingers through my hair, making me look at him by pulling my head back, while he placed his other hand on my hip. My breath caught when my eyes met his golden one. Ever since I'd met him, I'd been fascinated with his eyes. There were gorgeous, with flecks of green in them that you wouldn't be able to see unless you were standing really close to him. I was definitely close enough to see them, too. Hell, I was close enough to see his pupils dilate and feel his breath on my lips.

And it was driving me insane.

"You're getting back at me for earlier, aren't you?" I asked, almost whimpering when I felt his flingers slide along my lower back.

"Yup," Cade said, and even though I couldn't see him, I just knew he was smirking. It's what he did. Fucking bastard. I told him that, too, but all he did was laugh then start nibbling and kissing my jaw.

His hand slid up my back, pulling me closer to him. Gladly, I pressed myself against him, wrapping my arms around his neck as he continued assaulting mine with his mouth. Aw, fucking hell—it was so fucking great.

Eventually, though, I got annoyed that was all he was doing when there were plenty of other things he could be doing with that godly mouth of his. I threaded my fingers though his hair until I had a decent handful and then yanked his head back. He glared at me, but I didn't care. I pressed my mouth against his before he could say anything and then proceeded to kiss the hell out of him. Within seconds, I got him to groan. I smirked against his lips. Yeah, I am that good of a kisser.

Then, Cade's hand were suddenly everywhere on me—in my hair, on my back, chest, ass, legs, and crotch. How he managed to touch me all over like that, whilst kissing me as thoroughly as he was, is beyond my knowledge. And it's like this every time. He made me feel completely debauched, and it was great.

I gasped as he pushed me into the counter, detaching his mouth from mine only to start working his way down my chest. His tongue circled one of my nipples then he spent a moment sucking on it before he continued his way downward. A sound somewhere between a laugh and a moan escaped my throat when he dipped his tongue inside my bellybutton. All the while, his hands were kneading me through my boxers—one on my ass; the other on my cock—and he kept his eyes locked on mine. If I had less control and didn't have the resolve to make this last as long as possible, I swear just the sight of him kneeling in front of me like that would make me come. It was seriously that fucking hot.

"Cadian!" I hissed when he started mouthing me through my underwear. He chuckled, and the vibrations that caused made me groan and tilt my head back. I felt him squeeze my ass, his tongue running up my length through my boxers, and then—

Nothing.

Absolutely nothing.

He completely stopped everything he'd been doing.

I opened my eyes to see that he was no longer on his knees in front of me. Instead, he was standing on the other side of the kitchen, by the table, smirking at me from over the coffee I'd made him. I glared at him as I tried to get my breathing back to normal. And to be honest, that was rather hard—no pun intended—with the raging erection I had.

"Fucking bitch!" I growled. "Get your ass back over here and take care of this!" I gestured to my crotch, and if I had been the least bit modest—which I wasn't—I'd be embarrassed about the way my boxers were so obviously tented by my arousal.

Cade laughed and shook his head. "Can't. I gotta get to class."

"I don't fucking care!" I told him, but Cade just laughed and shook his head again. Still smirking, he took a sip of his disgustingly sweet coffee. I gave a frustrated noise before I stalked out of the kitchen, extremely pissed off. "I hate you!"

Seconds later, just as I reached the living room, an arm wrapped around my waist from behind, pulling me back against his chest. Scowling at the wall, I crossed my arms over my chest and stood there stiffly. His hold on me was strong, but I could've pulled away. I just didn't because…well, just because, okay. Shut up.

"Liar," Cade said in a whisper, his lips brushing across my ear. Uncontrollably, I shivered at the touch, and I felt him smirk before he kissed me on my cheek. "You don't hate me."

"I do," I protested, but even I could hear how unconvincing I sounded. I couldn't help the slight smile that spread across my lips, either, when he kissed my cheek again.

"See? You don't," he laughed. He turned to my face to the side so he could kiss me on my lips, then he let go of me. As he was walking down the hall, towards his bedroom, he called out, "I'll make it up to you later."

"You better," I grumbled, plopping myself down on the couch.

A few moments later, Cade came back out into the living room with a shirt on. Shame. He always looks better without one—not that he isn't gorgeous with one; I just prefer him naked or partially naked. Though, I suppose if he went around either way, I'd have a harder time fighting off Super Rainbow Stalkers—coughZekecough—and other gay men who would want a piece of him more than they already do. And believe me, I probably couldn't handle anymore of those. There were already too many.

I watched Cade shoulder his bag and then head towards the door. He was just about to open it when he noticed a piece of paper on the ground right in front of it. Cade looked back at me and raised an eyebrow, but I shook my head and shrugged. I didn't know what it was; it hadn't been there earlier. With a puzzled frown, Cade picked it up and unfolded it.

As he read it, his face darkened. By the time he was done, he was full out scowling. Worried and confused, I began to ask him what it said, but his eyes met mine and I froze at the steely look in them. He'd never look at me like that before. I didn't like it.

"Zeke was here this morning?" he asked, his voice low and his words sharp. It was clear that he was angry, but I couldn't tell why.

"Yeah," I told him, a bit meekly. "But I told him to leave and slammed the door in his face…" Cade's eyes flashed and I blinked in surprise. Was he angry at me? I licked my lips nervously, and motioned towards the note. "Is that from him? What does it say?"

"Nothing," Cade said gruffly, turning away from me and stuffing the paper into his pocket. He opened the door then left, letting it slam shut behind him without saying goodbye to me. I stared at it, shocked, confused, and slightly hurt, then fell back onto the couch to stare at the ceiling.

What had the note said to make his so pissed off? At me, nonetheless; I hadn't done anything to upset him.

Or, anything I knew of, at least.

PRESENT

That was one week ago, and since then Cade's been acting strange. I still don't know what that note said. When I saw him later that day, I asked him again, but the same thing happened. He got that hard look in his eye and wouldn't tell me, then basically ignored me for the rest of the day. Or, when he did acknowledge me, he was snappish. Eventually, I just got sick of it and left. I could understand him being pissy at something, but I wasn't going to deal with him when he was being pissy with me, especially when I had no idea what the hell I had done to set him off.

But, I'm still curious and slightly worried about the way he's been acting. That was just the start of it. Ever since then, he's been behaving abnormally. I mean, usually he tells me when he has a seminar to go to beforehand so I don't waste my time in coming over, but he didn't tonight. I literately got here right as he was leaving. He said he'd be back in two hours and I could wait for him if I wanted to, which is why I'm here.

All by myself.

With a sigh, I roll off Cade's sofa and head into the kitchen. Something's definitely going on. He's not himself lately, and I have no idea why. I know it started one week ago, though. All with that stupid note.

I grab a glass out of the cupboard and go to fill it with water, but stop halfway to the sink when the kitchen table catches my eye.

Cade's bag is hanging off one of the chairs, and his laptop is sitting on it, open, but off. As I stare at them, a frown slowly works its way onto my face.

Doesn't he kind of need those things for a seminar?

THURSDAY – FIVE DAYS AGO

I hesitated outside of Cade's apartment door, not sure if I wanted to knock or not. We hadn't spoken since I'd left on Tuesday, the day he'd gotten the note, and yesterday I'd been too pissed off at him to want to see or talk to him. At the moment, though, I was bored. All my friends were busy, and I'd rather not hang out in my dorm, with a roommate that I can't stand. So, the only other option was to hang out with Cade.

…

Ugh. Okay, fine.

I wanted to see him because I missed him, too, okay? Are you happy now?

Finally getting fed up with myself, I knocked and then waited. When he didn't answer, even after two minutes had passed, I knocked again. Still, there was nothing; no shouting that he was in the shower or something like that, not even the shuffling sound of footsteps. Frowning, I stared at the door for a moment, wondering where the hell he could be at 7:30 on a Thursday night. He didn't work an evening shift at the restaurant, and he certainly didn't have any classes this late. I was sure he would have told me if he was hanging out with Vince, too.

So, where was he?

Sighing, I sat down in the hall, leaning my back against the door, deciding to wait for him to get back. It was either that or go back to my dorm and deal with my whore of a roommate, and that wasn't happening. I'd been scarred enough times by walking in on him fucking some random chick, thank you very much. And I've waited for Cade like this before, so it was no big deal. Though…those other times I'd known where he was and that he was on his way back. But, it wasn't like I was going to sit here all night or anything, waiting for him to get back, like some lovesick puppy. I'd give him a half-hour, an hour at the most, and if he wasn't back by then I'd leave. Not exactly sure where I would go, but that was irrelevant. Still, I kind of wished that I had a key so I didn't have to get the weird looks from the people walking down the hall.

I pulled out one of my psychology books and started reading. Immediately, I was absorbed in the inner-workings and functions of the human brain, and what certain human behavior revealed about a person. The subject has always fascinated me, which is why I choose it as my major, but I'm not really sure if I want to be a psychologist. Listening to people complain just makes me want to tell them to shut the fuck up, especially when more than half the time, what they're complaining about is just ridiculously stupid and not really a problem at all.

Twenty minutes later, I was so wrapped up in reading about psychoanalysis that it took me a moment to realize there was someone standing in front of me. When I finally did, I looked up at him, blinking, to see Cade smirking down at me with his bag hanging off his shoulder.

"Does your roommate even remember who you are?" he asked teasingly. I scowled at him.

"I doubt Drew even notices I'm not there," I said. "He's probably too busy smothering himself with some girl's tits." I smiled sarcastically at the disgusted look on Cade's face, knowing that he was imagining it now. "And if you think the mental picture's bad, try walking in on it."

Cade balked. "I think I'd actually puke."

"I almost did," I told him.

He shook his head, disbelief written all over his face. I smiled at little at that, knowing that it wasn't because of me, but because of my roommate. Like some straight people didn't understand how someone could be gay, Cade could even fathom why a guy would want to screw a woman, besides to procreate, and even then he didn't get it. He thought hetero-sex was the most repulsive thing ever.

In fact, I'm pretty sure women, with their jiggly breasts and vaginas, scared the shit out him.

Which I completely understood, being 100% pro-penis myself.

Chuckling silently, I closed my book and stood up. My movement seemed to cause Cade to pull himself out of whatever horrifying fantasy he was having, and he took out his keys from his pocket then unlocked his door.

"How long have you been waiting?" he asked as he walked into his apartment, absentmindedly holding the door for me. I smiled to myself. He did sweet things like that without realizing it a lot around me. I knew that if he ever did, he'd be extremely bitter about it. Cade liked to pretend he was badass all the time. Ergo, why he only played with my hair and held me when I was 'asleep'.

"Not long," I said. "So, where were you anyway?"

"The library," Cade replied, dropping his bag by the coach and then collapsing on. Groaning, he pressed the heels of his palms into his eyes, and by now, I knew that meant he had a headache coming on. "Since four, trying to get my stupid report done, which I haven't. I fucking hate the Russian Revolution."

"Aw," I cooed mockingly at him, "you poor thing."

Cade glanced over at me with a scowl, then turned back to stare at the ceiling, mumbling something that sounded a lot like 'sarcastic fuck' under his breath. I smirked and went over to him, sitting down next to his legs. He ignored me, but that was fine. I reached up his shirt and twisted one of his nipples hard enough to make him cry out in pain and bolt upright. Laughing hysterically at the face he'd made, I slid to the floor, clutching my stomach.

"Bastard!" he growled, wincing as he rubbed his chest through his shirt. I grinned at him, still chuckling. Cade scowled, and then suddenly, he was on me, effectively pinning me to the floor by straddling me, holding my arms to my sides and keeping them there with his knees. He grinned viciously at me, and said, "You know how I'm going to get you back, right?"

My eyes widened and I shook my head furiously. "Don't do it."

"Oh," he said with delight, already turning around, "I'm going to."

"Cade, no!" I yelled, and began wriggling, trying to get out from underneath him, when I felt him grab my ankles. It didn't work, though, since he was heavier and slightly bigger than me. I still thrashed wildly, hoping that he wouldn't be able to keep my legs still long enough. But somehow, he did, fucking bastard. I whined and clenched my eyes closed as Cade held my left ankle captive, my foot free of both shoe and sock. He chuckled darkly.

"Apologize and I won't," he told me, his smirk evident in his voice.

"No!" I shouted. "Let go!"

He clucked his tongue. "I can't do that, Gabe," he said gravely. "You see, since you won't apologize, I have to take revenge. It's only fair."

"I hate you!" I told him, completely serious, but Cade just laughed.

"No you don't," he said.

And then he began to torture me.

Biting my tongue to keep myself from screaming, I started squirming and twisting again, desperately trying to get away from him. Like earlier though, it didn't fucking work, and Cade continued to laugh as he ran his finger up and down the underside of my foot. It wasn't that it tickled—oh, no; it was very far from tickling.

I have a thing about my feet being touched; it grosses me out to no end. I can't explain why it makes me feel that way, it just does. It's not even that my feet are gross—my feet are very nice and well cared for, thank you—just whenever someone else touches them, they might as well be covering me with centipedes or something equally disgusting. Cade knows that, too, but only because one time when we'd been about to have sex, he'd gone to take my socks off and I'd freaked out. Killed the mood instantly, but it'd given him something to use against me.

Like he was now.

I whined as he took my big toe between his index finger and thumb and bent it back and forth. He laughed then moved onto my next toe to do the same thing. God, it was so fucking disgusting. I was still trying to get away from him, by shoving at his back with my hands and writhing, but it wasn't freaking working. He was normally stronger than me, but this was so sickening that it made me weak. I fisted the back of Cade's shirt, digging my nails into his back, clenching my eyes shut and forcing myself to breath through my nose.

"You're making me nauseous!" I shouted. "Stop!"

"Say you're sorry and I will," he said, placing a finger on the top of each of my toes and wiggling them. I tasted bile in my mouth and whimpered, opening my eyes to glare at him. He looked back at me from over his shoulder with an evil, evil smirk. I barred my teeth at him. His smirked turned into a grin and he looked back at my foot. "Okay, then. Onto stage two."

"Stage two?" I asked through clenched teeth. I didn't dare open my mouth; I was sure I would probably puke if I did.

Cade laughed. "Licking and sucking on your toes."

Just the thought of it made me gag, and I shoved and twisted harder than before. "No, no, no! Cade, don't! Please!" I pleaded, whimpering, whining, gagging, and almost sobbing when I felt his breath on my foot. "Cade! No!"

"Apologize, then," he said. His lips touched the top of my foot and that was all it took to break me.

"Sorry! Sorry! Cade, stop! I'm sorry!"

Cade immediately let go of my foot and climbed off of me. I laid there on the floor with my eyes shut, panting and trying to calm myself down. It didn't really work. I could still feel his touching my foot, even though he wasn't anymore. Throwing an arm over my eyes, aware that he was watching me, I tried to concentrate on making the nausea—and the tears that were welling up in my eyes—go away.

"Gabe?" Cade asked after a while, when I'd been like that for over a minute, sounding hesitant. "You okay?" He touched my arm, and I jerked away from him.

"Don't fucking touch me!" I snapped at him. "And no! I'm not okay!" I pushed myself up off the floor, refusing to look to look at him as I stood up. "What I did to you was nothing compared to that. Fucking… you know I hate that!" Shaking my head in disbelief, I grabbed my bag and book then made my way over to the door.

"Gabe, wait!" he said, and I heard him scrambling off the floor.

I shook my head again as I opened the door, still not looking at him. "Fuck you, douche bag," I said.

Then I slammed the door behind me and left the apartment building, pissed off and hurt.

But, to be honest, I waited in my car for about five minutes for him to come after me. He usually does that after I storm off. And even though a part of me was really angry with him, a bigger part of me wanted him to do it then.

He didn't.

PRESENT

I'm sitting at the kitchen table, across from Cade's laptop and bag, staring at them. He definitely wouldn't have forgotten them, especially for a lecture. And if he did, he would've come back and gotten them by now. So this didn't make any sense.

On a whim, I pull out my cell phone and call his. There's no answer. It's not even on. I frown at my cell for a bit before I call a different number. Thankfully, it rings only two times before he picks up.

"Hello?"

"Vince. It's Gabe," I tell him. "Hey…do you know if Cade had a seminar tonight?"

"Um…no, man. He didn't," he says.

"Oh." I frown again, my suspicion being confirmed. A weird feeling settles into my stomach, but I ignore it. "Well. Do you know where he is?"

"No," Vince answers. "Have you tried his phone?"

"Yeah," I say. "It's off. Besides, he told me he had a seminar."

"Oh…"

I nod, even though he can't see me. "Yeah," I repeat bitterly. "Thanks anyway."

"No problem, man," Vince tells me. Then there's a short pause. "Hey, Gabe?"

"What?"

"There's probably a good reason for him ly—"

Not wanting to hear it, I hang up on him.

I'll be the first to admit that mine and Cade's relationship isn't perfect, and that's fine with me. I don't expect it to be all sunshine and daisies because that just isn't possible with us. We're both snarky bastards, we fight, and we insult and pick on each other. But we also understand each other, enjoy the other's company—even if neither of us will outright admit it—and have amazing sex. He puts up with my mood swings—most of the time—and I let him have his delusions of being 100% badass. That's how it is with us; it's what we do.

But we don't lie to each other.

Or, that's what I thought until now, at least.

I go back to staring at Cade's laptop and bag, trying to figure out what has been going on with him and where he might be right now that he had to lie to me about it.

SATURDAY - THREE DAYS AGO

He still hadn't apologized for the foot thing. Whatever. It wasn't something I wasn't going to brood over anymore. He shouldn't have had done it, but I admitted my temper tantrum had been a bit uncalled for. Besides, I was more upset that he hadn't come after me and for not apologizing than anything else. But whatever. I was over it. Mostly.

At the moment, I was on my way up to his apartment to see if he wanted to go out. We didn't really do that often, but a movie sounded good. It would probably take some arguing to convince him since crowds pissed him off. I wasn't worried about it, though. I could be very…persuasive when I wanted to be.

It was on the third flight of stairs that I almost walked into him, nearly falling backwards and killing myself. Luckily, I grabbed onto the railing just in time, but that didn't stop me from getting a nose-full of cheap vanilla perfume. I nearly gagged at how strong it was. When I got my balance back, I sent a disgusted glare at Zeke, who was glaring right back at me.

"You smell like a cheap French whore," I told him.

"I'd rather smell like that than smell like you," he said with a self-satisfied smile, like that was the best insult ever. It wasn't, because I knew that I smelled positively edible. Why do you think Cade has such a hard time resisting me and keeping his hands off me? Besides, you know, how incredibly sexy I am.

Yeah, yeah. I know I'm a narcissist. Screw you.

Smirking, I raised my eyebrows at him. "Then have fun being alone the rest of you life," I said. "No guy's gonna wanna come within ten feet of you smelling like that."

"You did," Zeke pointed out, narrowing his eyes, probably attempting to look intimidating. I snorted at him. It just made him look stupid—oh, excuse me—stupider than he already was.

"Cuz you ran into me. It's not like I want to be near you, you idiotic twink," I said. I laughed at the way his face became all blotchy, but then stopped and frowned when a thought struck me. "Wait a minute…why are you here?"

Zeke blinked at me and then a smirk spread across his lips, his eyes glinting with something I couldn't name. I frowned harder at him.

"Wouldn't you like to know," he said gleefully. Then, he shoved passed me, continuing his way down the stairs.

I scowled after him until he turned the corner. Seriously, if he'd been stalking Cade again, I was going to kick his ass. The little fucker just didn't get it. Cade didn't want anything to do with him. Shaking my head and rolling my eyes, I started walking up the stairs again.

A minute later, I knocked on Cade's door. There was an irritated huff and the sound of heavy footsteps as he made his way to the door. I smirked when I could hear him grumbling under his breath. What a drama queen.

"Wha—oh." The scowl that had been on his face when he'd opened the door disappeared, and he gave me a small smile. "Hey, Gabe."

"Hey," I said, smiling back as I slipped inside. I waited until he closed the door before I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him, surprising him so much that it took a moment for him to kiss me back. Just as he was getting into it, though, I pulled away with a smirk and asked, "Wanna go see a movie?"

Cade stared at me for a moment then sighed and shook his head dejectedly. "Can't. I've got three papers to work on, two of which I've barely done anything with."

"Can't you work on them later?" I asked.

"No," he told me, shaking his head again. "They're all due on Monday."

I stared at him incredulously for a moment. "Why did you wait so long?" It wasn't like him to procrastinate like that.

"I've been busy," he said.

It was the way he pulled away from me and didn't look me in the eye when he'd said that made me suspicious. I followed him into the kitchen where he had books strewn across the table and his laptop set up, and frowned when he sat down in front of it. For a moment, I just stared at him, but he refused to look at me.

"Busy with what?" I asked finally.

"Things," he answered vaguely. Then he picked up his glasses and began typing, seeming completely intent on ignoring me. Well, too bad for him. I wasn't going to stand for that.

"Right," I said slowly. "Like what?"

Cade stopped typing and glanced up at me with that steely look in his eyes. "Look, Gabe," he began, his voice clipped, "it's really none of your business. Sorry that I can't go to the movies with you, but I really need to get this done. And I can't do that if you keep bothering me. So you either need to shut up or leave. Pick one and do it."

I stared at him, completely shocked, but he either didn't notice or care because he just went back to his laptop and ignoring me. A minute passed before I got myself back together. I wanted to ask him why he was acting like that and what I'd done so I could apologize, but thought better of it. There wasn't any reason to make him even more irritated with me. I turned around and slowly began walking out of the kitchen, confused and feeling rejected. When something caught my attention, though, I paused in the doorway and inhaled deeply.

It smelled like vanilla.

PRESENT

As I remember that, everything clicks, and I shove myself roughly away from the kitchen table. I go into the living room to grab my stuff, extremely pissed off at Cade and myself.

Fucking bastard!

He's fucking cheating on me with Zeke!

Zeke—his fucking rainbow twink stalker that he hates!

What. The. Fuck!?

I slam the door behind me as I leave Cade's apartment.

*

He's called me twenty times since last night. I suppose he doesn't like the fact that I left without leaving any reason to why. Well, I'm sure if he actually thought about it, he'd realize that I figured it out. I mean, seriously. He should've known I would. I'm not stupid. I can't believe he actually thought he could get away with cheating on me and not expect me to find out about it.

Whatever.

I'm done. He'll realize that eventually.

My cell phone rings again and I glance up from my book to look at the ID. When I see his name, I snort then go back to reading. Honestly, doesn't he realize that if I haven't answered it by now, I'm not going to. Besides, why would I after what he's done? And I'm not going to ruin my time alone in my dorm—which rarely ever happens—by having an argument with Cade over the fucking ph—

"You know, I can hear you in there," Cade's voice says through the door. "So stop being a dickhead and tell me what you're so pissed off about."

Scowling, I glare at the door. "Like you don't already fucking know," I say loud enough so he can hear me. I'm not about to open the door and talk to him face-to-face. If I do, I'll probably punch him.

"I don't," he says. "But I would like to. C'mon. Let me in."

"Fuck off," I scoff, and Cade snorts.

"Now you're just being immature."

Fucking bastard! He knows I can't stand being told I'm immature. But if he thinks that's going to get me to open the door, he's wro—

"Gabriel," he calls, and because I can hear the smirk in his voice, I toss my book aside with an angry huff and go over to the door. When I open it, I see that he's standing there with a cheeky grin. It pisses me off even more and I go to slam the door in his face, but he catches it before I can.

"Oh, no you don't," Cade says, laughing a bit as he comes in uninvited. I glare at him, and of course he pretends like he doesn't even notice. He raises an eyebrow at me. "I'm not leaving until you tell me what you're so mad at me about and why you left last night before I got back."

"Did you think I wouldn't find out?" I snap, unable to keep it in because I'm so fed up with him acting like he doesn't know. "I'm not stupid, Arcadian!" I almost smirk when he narrows his eyes at me. He hates being called that.

"Well, apparently, I am," he says darkly, "because I still have no idea what the fuck you're talking about."

I roll my eyes then go back to glaring angrily at him. "I know you're cheating on me," I tell him. "With Zeke."

Cade stares at me blankly for a moment, looking completely stunned. Apparently he really did think that I wouldn't find out. I shake my head and am just about to demand that he leave when a large grin spreads across his face. Then, a second later, he starts laughing hysterically. Not understanding what's so fucking funny, I glare at him again, crossing my arms over my chest. He notices that and stops laughing, clearing his throat.

"Oh," he says. "You're serious, aren't you?"

I gape at him disbelievingly for a moment before I sarcastically snap, "No, I'm fucking joking." I sneer at him when he blinks. "Of course I'm serious, you idiot!"

"Gabe," he begins, confusion written all over his face, which confuses me. "Why would you think I'm cheating on you? Especially with Zeke?" He makes a disgusted face and shakes his head. "I hate that twink. I wouldn't touch him even if my life depended on it."

"But—" I frown. "You've been…" I shake my head, bemused. "Then what's been going on? You've been acting weird since last week, ever since you got that note. And you lied to me last night. I know you weren't at a class—you forgot your stuff and I talked to Vince." I give him a look, raising my eyebrow. "So, where were you?"

Sighing, Cade runs a hand over his face. Then, he looks at me and a sweet half-smile finds its way onto his lips. That makes me even more suspicious of him than I already am. Taking a step back, I glare at him when he starts walking over to me, and he chuckles, but doesn't stop until he's standing right in front of me. Cade smirks, his eyes glinting in amusement. I try to look away, but I can't. His eyes are too pretty.

Fuck—no, I'm mad at him! I can't think that! I can't—

"Last night I was at the mall," he tells me, his breath ghosting over my lips, making me lose my train of thought, "trying to find you a birthday present, idiot. And no—I haven't found one yet."

"Oh," I say stupidly. I didn't think he'd actually do that; you know, with him being so 'badass' and all. That's why it never crossed my mind.

He smiles at me. "Yeah. Oh," he laughs, and then leans forward to kiss me. I almost let him, but right before his lips touch mine, I come back to my senses and turn my head to the side so he gets my cheek. Cade pulls back and frowns at me, but I just give him another questioning look.

"You still haven't told me what that note said," I remind him. "And why it made you pissed off at me."

"I wasn't pissed off at you," he tells me. "I was pissed off at Zeke for showing up at my apartment. The note was from my neighbor, complaining about the noise you and him caused that morning." Cade frowns thoughtfully. "Sorry if I took it out on you, though. I shouldn't've. I was just sick of Zeke doing that."

"Then why was he in your apartment Saturday?" I ask, narrowing my eyes at him. "You know—when you kicked me out because you decided you had to get the papers you'd procrastinated on done."

"Because I finally got fed up enough to tell him that if he didn't stop stalking me, I was going to kick his fucking ass then get a restraining order on him," he explains, rolling his eyes. Then he gives me a curious smile. "How d'you know he was there?"

"I ran into him on the stairs and…I smelled him in the kitchen," I admit a bit sheepishly. I feel really foolish all of a sudden.

Cade snorted. "He did smell pretty bad," he says, nodding. I smile and laugh a little. He grins back at me then asks, "So…are we good?"

"I suppose," I tell him, smirking.

"You suppose," he repeats with a flat look, and I laugh.

"Yeah," I say. "We're good."

"Good." Cade pulls me to him by one of my belt loops, wrapping arm around my lower back. I smirk back up at him as I drape my arms over his shoulders. Then, I lean up to kiss him, but he doesn't let me, and I glare at him. Chuckling, he smirks at me. "I think you need to apologize before you can do that."

I huff, rolling my eyes. "Fine. I'm sorry I accused you of cheating on me with a super rainbow twink stalker you hate." I glare at him. "Now kiss me, you fucking bastard."

"I plan on doing a lot more than that," Cade tells me right before he presses his mouth to mine. I laugh and kiss him back.

We fall back on my bed, already stripping each other of our clothes in record time. When his lips and tongue brush over one of my nipples, I moan and arch into him, laughing afterwards. He looks up at me with a satisfied grin. I grab a handful of his hair and yank his head up to me so I can kiss him. He lets me for a while, but then pulls back to start sucking on my neck. And it's fucking glorious.

"You should know," he says in-between sucks, kisses, nibbles, and licks, "that you're the reason I waited until the last minute to do those papers. I've been spending most of my free time with you. You're a distraction, you fucking cock-tease."

"You're the one being a cock-tease," I hiss at him, trying to grind myself against his leg. Cade laughs and moves out of the way so I can't. I groan in frustration.

"Also, I'm sorry for the whole foot thing the other day," he says, and I smack him on the back of his head. He looks up at me with an incredulous expression, but I just glare at him.

"Do you want to ruin the mood?" I demand. He shakes his head. "Then don't mention that."

Cade laughs again. "Okay," he says. He kisses me, and just when I think he's done talking, he pulls back and looks me in the eye. "But I just want you to know that I tried to go after you, but my neighbor caught me in the hall and yelled at me for being loud again. By the time I got away from her you were already gone."

"Apology accepted," I tell him, rolling my eyes in exasperation. "Now, shut up and fuck me. I don't know how long we've got until my roommate gets back."

"All the more reason to take our time," Cade says with an evil smirk. "Let him be the one traumatized for once."

I think about it for a moment then smirk back at him. "Good idea," I say.

And then I pull him down on me, kissing him so thoroughly that he finally understands that he needs to get on with it before I die of sexual frustration. The last time we had sex was over one week ago, and I'm not going to wait any longer. Apparently, Cade has other plans, though, since he decides to torture me by kissing and biting me on the inside of my thigh—where he knows it'll drive me fucking insane.

Fucking bastard.