Chapter 129

Ryder was taken aback a bit by Arden’s question.

“Just a little,” he said quietly.

Arden frowned immediately. He folded his arms across his chest and looked Ryder up and down.

“This… this is not a little,” Arden said. “It’s obvious you smoked too much today. The smell is all over you.”

Ryder opened his mouth to speak, but Arden continued.

“Is there something that made you smoke this much?” Arden asked, his gaze filled with worry.

Ryder smiled faintly and raised his hand to touch Arden’s face, but Arden shifted back at once, pouting.

“Go freshen up first,” Arden said firmly. “I don’t like the smell.”

Ryder exhaled slowly, then nodded. “Alright.”

He turned and walked toward the bathroom.

Arden blinked in surprise. He had expected Ryder to argue. Or laugh it off. Or ignore him completely. But Ryder had obeyed without a word.

Arden smiled to himself as Ryder disappeared into the bathroom.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kyle kept staring at the hallway that led to Kellan’s room a