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The ball is just over a week away, and time is running out. For all that Joel is searching for other options, Caden thinks the choice is clear. It was easy to make peace with his decision. Caden has already loved and lost, and his heart is damaged. It could never belong to another anyway, mangled as it is. A quiet marriage out of convenience is really the best he could hope for, and maybe he'll even find a lovely companion. A friend.
It's not what Caden would have chosen for himself, but as he told his brother, what he would have chosen is impossible. So he can do this, as long as it ensures Joel's happiness. When he thinks of it that way, it's the easiest choice in the world.
Caden has spent time with Joel and Spencer, and he's enjoyed it, even if seeing them interact leaves a hollow ache just behind his breastbone. He and April used to look at each other like that. Or maybe it was just him looking at her, and the rest is a misremembered dream. Sometimes he wonders if she ever loved him at all, or if he's just a fool for clinging to her memory all this time.
Now it's time for Caden to seek Spencer out on his own. He has some questions to ask, and he knows Spencer will be able to answer them without words. He just needs this final thing to cement his decision, and he heads for the beach after a member of the staff tells him that she saw Spencer heading that way. He takes a basket of freshly made cookies and makes his way down towards the sand. Spencer is sitting at the water's edge with the waves washing over his bare feet, and Caden heads for him with an easy smile on on his face.
"Spencer, hello. I was wondering if I could speak with you?" He wrinkles his nose and laughs softly, reaching up to scratch the back of his neck. "Or speak at you, as the case may be."
It's not what Caden would have chosen for himself, but as he told his brother, what he would have chosen is impossible. So he can do this, as long as it ensures Joel's happiness. When he thinks of it that way, it's the easiest choice in the world.
Caden has spent time with Joel and Spencer, and he's enjoyed it, even if seeing them interact leaves a hollow ache just behind his breastbone. He and April used to look at each other like that. Or maybe it was just him looking at her, and the rest is a misremembered dream. Sometimes he wonders if she ever loved him at all, or if he's just a fool for clinging to her memory all this time.
Now it's time for Caden to seek Spencer out on his own. He has some questions to ask, and he knows Spencer will be able to answer them without words. He just needs this final thing to cement his decision, and he heads for the beach after a member of the staff tells him that she saw Spencer heading that way. He takes a basket of freshly made cookies and makes his way down towards the sand. Spencer is sitting at the water's edge with the waves washing over his bare feet, and Caden heads for him with an easy smile on on his face.
"Spencer, hello. I was wondering if I could speak with you?" He wrinkles his nose and laughs softly, reaching up to scratch the back of his neck. "Or speak at you, as the case may be."
