Teaching Cayden (The Sutter Family Book 4) Read online

  Teaching Cayden

  By H. D’Agostino

  Teaching Cayden

  H. D’Agostino

  Copyright © February 2019 by Heather D’Agostino

  All Rights Reserved. This book may not be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed of electronic form without permission from the author. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted material in violation of the author’s rights. All characters and storylines are the property of the author and your support and respect is appreciated. The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarities to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental an intended by the author. The following story contains mature themes, profanity, and sexual situations. It is intended for adult readers.

  Cover Design by Pink Ink Designs

  Editing by Kellie Montgomery

  Formatting by Brenda Wright, Formatting Done Wright

  Table of Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Epilogue

  Teaching Cayden Playlist

  Other Works by H. D’Agostino

  Acknowledgements

  About the Author

  Prologue

  Cayden- age 17

  Growing up as the youngest in the Sutter family has been both a blessing and a curse. Most of the time, things come easy to me because of who my family is. My dad works with my Uncle Nick as the assistant coach for the UNCW Seahawks. Uncle Nick has always been all about football, and my dad was more ‘all about the ladies’. My brother Aaron followed in their footsteps of being a player until he met his ‘now girlfriend’, Melinda. They’ve been together for a while, and I’m sure he’ll marry her someday. My cousins, Emma and Ryan, have all met their better halves, but me… not so much. I’ve tried, god I’ve tried so hard, but I’m not them. I don’t want a girl who sees me as a ticket into my family. I want a girl who sees me, Cayden, and appreciates what I can bring to the relationship.

  I guess part of my problem is, I’m smart. I don’t mean I get good grades, I mean, I’m considered gifted. I graduated high school a year early, and I’m taking summer classes at Wilmington to earn credit toward my degree. My brother thinks I’m crazy, but I’ve always pushed myself to excel. My lack of a social life helps, I guess. Guys my age aren’t interested in what I’m interested in, so I never had many friends. I spent my weekends studying. I’m planning to major in physics, and we’ll see where it goes. Science has always been my thing, but now I think I’ve met my match. I’m taking a calculus class this summer that has been kicking my butt since I started, and midterms are around the corner. If I don’t get at least a B, I’ll be taking it over in the fall, and studying hasn’t been going well.

  “I’m heading to the library to study,” I called over my shoulder as I grabbed my backpack and headed out the front door.

  “Do you want me to save you some dinner?” my mom, Avery, called from down the hall. She’s been able to cut back on her hours at her flower shop lately and spend more time at home. It hasn’t really benefited me though because I’m at school all the time.

  “Nah!” I called back. “I’ll just grab something on campus.” Before she could suggest that I call my dad while I’m up there to eat with him, I rushed outside. The summer air was hot and sticky, one of the downfalls of living on the beach, but it’s nice having the ocean as your backyard. I slipped my sunglasses on before tossing my backpack in the passenger side of my car, and sliding in. It was a hot day, and I rolled down the windows to keep from suffocating from the heat until the AC kicked in.

  When I reached campus, I parked in a visitor lot, and made my way to the physics library. It was quieter than the main library, and I figured once fall rolled around I’d be spending most of my time there. It made sense that I learned my way around.

  I haven’t made many friends here yet which I think might be the reason I haven’t been doing well. I don’t have anyone to study with and tell me when I’m wrong. I’ve been hoping to connect with some of the kids in my class, but I don’t think they’re interested. I’m the youngest in there by far, and I stick out like a sore thumb. Not only am I younger, but I look like it too. Unfortunately, I was a late bloomer growing up. My brother, Aaron, teased me relentlessly about it. I can barely grow facial hair now, and I have a baby face. My mom tells me when I’m old like her I’ll appreciate it. I don’t know about that. I feel like Doogie Houser here some days.

  I weaved through the tables and chairs on the fourth floor of Byrd Library to the small section in the back corner. I found this spot by accident one day and know for a fact that I won’t be bothered. Very few students come up here, and most don’t venture to this hidden area.

  After commandeering a table near the window, I pulled my calculus book along with my notes out. I sat down and prepared for what felt like the thousandth time of looking over these same equations. The numbers and symbols began to blur together as the day turned from afternoon to evening, and I began to wonder if something was wrong with me. Why wasn’t I getting this? My mom texted a few times asking me how it was going, and Aaron asked if I wanted to hang out with him and Mel tonight. I all but hurled my phone across the quiet room in frustration. Why couldn’t they just understand that I was trying not to lose my mind over derivatives and integrals?

  “Excuse me,” a soft voice sounded beside me, causing me to stop and look up. A set of bright green eyes stared back at me framed by dark lashes. Her hair was pulled up under a Wilmington baseball cap with a few strands escaping around her face. She was holding a stack of books and shifted them in her arms, causing the loose t-shirt she was wearing to slip down her shoulder.

  “Yes,” my voice cracked as I stared at her. Embarrassment flooded me as I thought about how I was showing my inexperience and age like a lit up sign at the moment.

  “You’re in my spot.” She eyed the table I was using and annoyance washed over her face. “This is where I work every night.”

  “I’m sorry.” I started to gather my things, but then changed my mind. “We can share.” I slid my papers over, giving her half the table. “I’m Cayden.”

  “Great.” She sighed.

  “And you are?” I turned in my chair to watch her unceremoniously plop down in the chair beside me.

  “Busy,” she muttered as she flipped open a book that was filled with equations. I peeked over her shoulder to see if I could figure out what she was working on, but even I didn’t understand what I was looking at. She had to be taking a higher-level math or science course, and I sighed when I thought about what was coming my way in the future. Maybe physics wasn’t what I was meant to do.

  “Sorry,” I mumbled as I went back to staring at the practice problem I’d been trying to crack for the last half hour. I didn’t even realize I was talking to myself until she elbowed me.

  “Do you need help?” She turned and tossed her pen down on her notebook. “You’ve been talking to yourself since I sat down, and it doesn’t seem like you’re getting anywhere.”

  “I’m sorry. I’m just not getting this, and I don’t know why. Math’s never been hard for me.” I raked my hands through my hair in frustration. />
  “Freshman?” She chuckled. “You freshman always think college will be easy because high school was.”

  “I’m not a freshman,” I mumbled as I closed my eyes. I debated whether I should tell her that I’d be a freshman in the fall, or let her believe I was older, but she didn’t give me the time to decide.

  “Let me see the problem.” She reached for my notebook and slid it closer in front of her, brushing against my arm in the process. “You’re thinking too hard.” She laughed lightly. “You just need to group these variables over here, and then multiply this exponent with this coefficient, and then solve by isolating this part.” Her hand moved effortlessly across my paper as she drew lines and circled letters that I’d erased multiple times. Her brow scrunched together as she explained problem after problem, making me seem like a fool for not understanding. I didn’t get it. Why was it so much easier to understand her, than my professor and how did she do this?

  “Wow.” I sat back and looked at the last problem she’d gone through. “I feel terrible. I took all your time, and you didn’t get any work done.”

  “It’s ok.” She blew out a breath. “Teaching seems to be my thing. I’m good at explaining things.”

  “Do you tutor?” I rummaged through my backpack for my phone. I’d put it away when Aaron wouldn’t stop messaging me. If I could get this girl’s name and number, then maybe she could help me pass this class.

  “No,” she murmured as she began packing up her things. She stacked her books and lifted them into her arms as she stood to leave.

  “Wait!” My arm shot out to stop her. “Let me at least buy you a coffee or something to say thanks.” I was grasping at straws at this point, but something inside me told me this girl was important.

  “Can’t. I’ve got to go. See ya around, Freshman.” She smiled as she rushed off, leaving me half sitting half standing, and completely stunned.

  I didn’t know it at the time, but this mystery girl was going to haunt me for two years. Everywhere I’d go on campus, I’d look for her. Every class I took, I checked to see if she was there. Every time I ate in the student union, I looked to see if I could find her at a table, and I still sit at the table in the back corner of the fourth floor of Byrd Library every day to study, hoping that she’ll come tell me to move out of her spot.

  Chapter 1

  2 years later…

  Cayden- age 19

  It’s funny how things change when you go away to school. I never planned on living on campus, but after a semester of traveling back and forth, I changed my mind. With Dad being an employee of the university, I get a free ride, so why not take advantage of everything that comes with that?

  Things have gotten easier for me since I first set foot up here. I’ve managed to submerse myself in the college life, and I quickly found out that age doesn’t matter in college like it does in high school. Once I started fulltime, I found that I had a wide range of students in my classes. They’re predominantly students in their late teens and early 20s, but there are also older students and a few younger ones like I was. Math is still hard, but I’ve made friends who help me.

  I also did something else I swore I’d never do. I joined a fraternity. It hasn’t been that bad with the exception of hell week, but I’m not supposed to talk about that. You know, “what happens in fight club, stays in fight club?” My roommate joined with me, and I think our joint suffering is what helped me get through it.

  All in all, things are great, except I still haven’t found her. I’ve looked everywhere, but the girl who helped me pass my first calculus class all but disappeared after that first meeting. I’ve often wondered if she graduated and I’m wasting my time looking for someone who doesn’t go to school here anymore. I don’t try as hard, but I must admit that I look everywhere I go for a Seahawk’s baseball cap, and then the green eyes peaking from under it.

  “So what do think?” My best friend and roommate, Noah, elbowed me.

  “Huh?” My head snapped in his direction. We were sitting in the student union having lunch between classes.

  “You’re doing it again,” he grumbled as he shook his head.

  “Am not.” I scoffed as I glanced down at the taco sitting in front of me. He was right. I was looking for her again. I couldn’t help it. It had become a habit, but I thought I was being slyer about it.

  “Dude.” He sighed. “You were too.”

  “Sorry.” I closed my eyes and sighed. “I can’t help it.”

  “Why are you so obsessed with this chick? You guys screw or something? I mean, no one deserves this much of your time. Look at all the ladies here. I’m sure one of them thinks you and your nerdy self is hot.”

  “I’m not a nerd,” I grumbled as I lifted the taco to my mouth.

  “Sure.” He laughed. “A Captain America shirt and thick rimmed glasses are the new Tom Cruise.” He shook his head before balling up the food wrapper in front of him.

  “I’ve never had complaints before.” I shrugged as I finished off my taco. What he didn’t know was my dating didn’t get me very far either. Most of the girls I went out with liked me until they realized that I really was a nice guy. I don’t know why college girls think that a nice guy can’t be their boyfriend. It’s like lately every girl wants to date the asshole.

  “You’ve never had offers either.” He shoved me in the shoulder as he stood and turned toward the trashcan, tossing the balled-up wrapper like a basketball. As it fell through the hole in the top, he turned to me and grinned. “Nothing but net.”

  I shook my head as I balled up my wrapper, only I knew better. I walked to the can and stuffed it inside. The last time I tried to make a basket, I hit a teacher. My buddies still make fun of me for it, and I haven’t tried since.

  As we got up from the table to walk back to our dorm, Noah tried again. “You going tonight?”

  “I don’t think so. I just came back here yesterday. I was planning to veg before classes start back up tomorrow.” I stuffed my hands in my pockets to try and stay warm against the winter breeze. Winter break had just ended and spring semester was starting tomorrow. I’d come back to campus a day early to walk my schedule. I still got nervous whenever there was a change in my life, but I’ve been able to hide that fact pretty well. I used the excuse of needing to buy books as a reason to walk around with Noah today.

  “Ah, man. You mean I gotta go by myself?” He groaned as he threw his head back. “What am I supposed to tell the guys?”

  “Tell them I’m not coming back until the morning and I’ll see them this weekend.” I shrugged. “I don’t care, but do not bring them back to the room.” I glared at him.

  “Fine,” he muttered. “I might need to bring a girl back though. It’s fucking cold out.”

  “So buy an extra blanket. I don’t want to hear you and some random chick slapping skin on my first night back on campus.” I shoved him, causing him to trip over his own feet.

  “You are a real buzzkill, you know that, Sutter?” He shook his head at me.

  “Yeah. Whatever.” I shrugged again before scanning the quad as we passed through.

  “She’s not there,” Noah grumbled in aggravation beside me. “You’re never gonna stop, are you?”

  “Nope, because you never know.” I shook my head before shoving him again.

  Addison

  “Crap, crap, crap!” I muttered as I rushed around my apartment searching for my keys. It was the first day of the spring semester and I was running late. My head swung around as my eyes scanned every table top and shelf looking for the one thing I constantly misplaced. Dr. Haywood was going to kill me. Class was starting in thirty minutes, I still needed to grab my morning coffee, and now my keys had run away. “Finally!” I grumbled again as I saw them peeking out from where I tossed my mail the day before. I quickly swiped them up, and rushed out the door, almost tripping down the stairs on the way to my car.

  “Why am I doing this again? I shook my head as I tossed my messenger bag in
the passenger seat and maneuvered behind the wheel, attempting to not rumple my clothes. I’d had the bright idea to dress up for the first day, and now I was already wishing I hadn’t. I hated heels with a passion, and whoever decided that ladies’ suits should be paper thin needed to come wear one in the winter.

  When I reached campus, I pulled into the commuter lot, grabbed my things, and rushed toward the on-campus Starbuck’s. My foot tapped nervously as I kept checking my watch. Class was starting in minutes and I still needed to get to the other side of campus. If it wasn’t for my coffee addiction, I’d be there now, but I couldn’t function without my morning cup.

  “What can I get you?” The barista smiled as she brushed a stray hair out of her eyes.

  “Venti Americana, black,” I rambled off as I checked my watch again. “Please don’t fire me, Dr. Haywood,” I mumbled as I waited for my coffee.

  “Three twenty.” The barista placed the coffee on the counter and waited. After paying, I thanked her and rushed toward Emery Hall. If I didn’t fall in these heels or run into anyone, I may just make it in time.

  Cayden

  “Beep! Beep! Beep!” I slapped at my alarm clock, attempting to snooze it for the third time.

  “If you snooze that thing one more time, I’m gonna hurl something at you!” Noah barked at me from across the room.

  “You’re the one who woke me up in the middle of night when your drunk ass stumbled in here. I’ve got time, asshole,” I grumbled as I punched my pillow and rolled over. It wouldn’t take me long to get to my differential equations class, and I could just slip into the back somewhere. Since changing majors, I’ve been taking more math. I started this adventure as a physics major but switched to engineering last fall. It hasn’t been bad, but the math…sometimes I feel like I’m drowning.

  When my alarm went off again I rolled over and shut it off. Not that I couldn’t take him, but I didn’t want to know what Noah would really do if I woke him up again. He didn’t have class until later in the morning. That was the one way we differed. I liked to get my classes out of the way and have my afternoons free, whereas Noah liked to sleep in and take late classes. Sometimes he didn’t finish up until evening. I don’t know how he did it. I liked to have time to myself before duties at the house started up.