Blindsided

HAZEL

The entire walk back to the mansion feels heavy after I've mentioned Striker's warning.

Cade barely speaks.

At first, I tried to pretend that nothing had changed. I keep rambling nervously about random things, about Tess, about rehearsals, and about how ridiculously expensive his ice cream tasted for no reason.

But little by little, the warmth drains out of him.

By the time we walk in