Page 25 of Drive Me Wild (Owl Creek #2)

Z oe heads home super late after we make a plan to talk with Renée and Cole. She texts me when she gets home, and we stay up another hour talking via text. There’s a warm feeling in my chest, like something gooey and comforting has taken up residence there.

I guess this is what it feels like to be falling in love.

In the morning, I grab some breakfast at The Daily Dose and wait for her to give me the go-ahead to come over.

I’m halfway through eating when I get the signal, so I finish the rest in three bites.

I’m not normally an animal when I eat, but I’m on the edge of my seat and can’t wait to get this over with.

Not because I’m dreading it. Because I want to start living completely free of the old me. I want to walk down the street with my head high, holding hands with my girl.

My Zoe.

She said they’re all hanging out in the living room of the house and to just come over, so I beeline to my truck and haul ass over there, my hands thrumming a beat on the steering wheel to release some of the tension I’m holding onto.

I pull up next to Zoe’s car and amble up the walkway, not sure what I’m going to be dealing with on the other side of the door. I rap my knuckles on the door, and Cole answers with no response but a dumb look on his face.

“Hey,” he finally mumbles.

“Hey.”

“Come in, we were just having coffee and trying to drag out of Zoe where she was last night.”

I shoot her a look and then swallow the lump in my throat. “Got any more coffee?”

“Help yourself.” He points to the pot on the counter next to some freshly baked scones.

“If I’d known you were baking scones, I would have skipped breakfast at The Dose.”

“Have some. We’re all stuffed.”

I realize I’m stalling.

“I’m good. Thanks.”

“So, Zoe,” I catch her eye again. “These two are acting like the old married couple and worried about where you were last night?”

She stifles a grin and nods.

I walk my mug of coffee over and sit in the chair next to hers.

“She was with me.”

Cole and Renée look at each other, and I see a whole unspoken conversation pass between them in the silence that follows. At that moment, I know more than any other. They are meant to be together. They’ve already formed their own silent language like Cody and I have.

Renée tucks her legs underneath her and then looks at Zoe. “Are you two seeing each other?”

“Yes. And I know you warned me against him, and Cole, you did the same to Caleb. But we—” she looks at me, and I know I need to step in.

“I’m not the man you think I am. I have been that man in the past, but not anymore. Not since I met her.”

“She’s only been here for a few weeks.” Cole is low-key simmering.

“No. When I met her last spring before the summer season kicked off. When you two were busy falling head over heels for each other, Zoe and I—”

“Bonded. We found common ground on something that is important to both of us. And ever since I’ve been back in town, we’ve been…bonding some more.”

Zoe grabs my free hand.

“Look, I know you two were only looking out for my best interest, but that was based on some old assumptions about Caleb. And I appreciate how much you care, but I am asking for both of us that, as my friend and his brother, you update your assumptions. Let him be the man he’s trying to be.

Let us find our way forward together without your concern.

If he breaks my heart,” she squeezes my hand playfully, “then I’ll take it on the chin like a grown-up.

But it’s time you let the old gossip die. ”

Cole and Renée exchange another look, then Renée jumps out of her chair and hugs Zoe.

“If you are happy, then I’m happy.” Then she turns to me. “Caleb, I’m sorry if we did anything shitty. We were only looking out for Zoe.”

I nod and look at my brother, who has a softened expression. He gestures toward the door, and I follow him outside.

We walk down to the dock that sits out over the water. It’s too cold to swim anymore, even though the sun is high in the sky, burning off the morning dew.

“Buzz says you’ve been spending a lot of time with Cody and at their house.”

This is not the conversation I thought we were going to have.

“Yeah, I’ve been up in the woods on the weekends.”

“Is there anything going on you want to talk about?”

I turn to face my big brother. The guy who always did everything perfectly. One of the two shadows I’ve been walking in my whole life.

“I’m different now, that’s all.”

“You said I don’t see you when you came to the party a few weeks ago. I haven’t really noticed any changes in you, so I guess you’re right.”

“It’s not just that.”

“What, then, Caleb? What don’t I see?”

“This is the whole problem, Cole. To the rest of the world, I’ve always been everything they expected and nothing more. Nothing more than anyone expected. But I’m not just cars and chicks.”

“I know that.”

“Do you? Do you see anything besides the fifteen-year-old who was already rebuilding engines and hooking up behind the bleachers? Did you ever stop and think that maybe there is more to me? That I might be just as smart as Cody? Or be just as kind and giving of a person as you?”

His eyes bore into me. Two dark orbs that mirror my own.

“I’m more than the town playboy. I volunteer at the high school. I’m teaching a kid how to work on cars so he can make something of himself. I’m a successful business owner who is earning the respect of everyone but his own brother!”

“I respect you.” He whispered.

“Then why do you treat me like someone you can’t trust?”

“Is that— fuck. Caleb. I’m sorry.” He gripped the back of my head and pulled me closer. “Buddy, I trust you.”

“Then treat me like someone you’re happy is dating your future wife’s best friend. Treat me like someone who can be just as responsible as you are.”

He pulled me in for a rare hug.

I don’t know the last time Cole and I hugged. With Buzz, it was probably the last time I saw him. But my relationship with Cole has been strained for a long time.

“I’m sorry. I’ll do better. I’ll be a better brother.”

He let me go with a pat on the back.

“I’m going to head inside. Is there anything else we need to talk about?”

“Just one thing.”

“What’s that?”

“You gonna put a ring on Renée’s finger soon?”

He threw his arm around my neck again, like he used to when we were kids, and he leaned into my ear. “I’ve got everything all planned out. Just waiting for time off from work so I can take her on a little romantic getaway.”

“Are you serious?”

“Yeah. Don’t tell Mom and Buzz. They can’t keep a secret to save their lives.”

“I’m happy for you.”

“Me too. And I’m happy for you, Caleb. Zoe is an amazing woman.”

“She is.”

He pulls his arm away, and I watch him walk into the house as I soak up the fall sun hitting my face.

Zoe IS amazing. I hope I don’t screw this up.