Page 81 of Fall From Grace

“We did, man, and it was just like old times,” Grant called out behind me. I hated him. “You always remember your first.”

“Did you sleep with him?” Caleb demanded as he repeated his question, trying to ignore the asshole.

I nodded, a lump forming in the back of my throat. I figured I should take a minute before I ruined my future with this beautiful man in front of me.

“Yes. I slept with him.” I choked back the lie, but it came out along with smooth, hot tears streaming down my face. I longed for Caleb to see through my deception. For him to not believe me. I wouldn’t do that to us. But hethoughtI would.

And that was too much for me to bear. Caleb was like everybody else. He couldn’t seeme.

“Wow,” Caleb breathed out, blinking back tears of his own as he dropped my hand from his grasp. Letting me go. Letting go of us.

“Caleb—” I called as he turned to the elevator.What the fuck am I doing?

Grant stalked beside me, slinging an arm around my shoulders. I pushed him away, so overwhelmed and disgusted, mainly with myself.

“What do you expect, man? She’s a slut. Might call Cordelia over later to only add to the party,” Grant yelled across the hall, so fucking smug.

Caleb spun around and pinned Grant against the wall. Grant might have been in good shape, but he was no match for muscular Caleb, who had at least three inches on him.

“Don’t fucking talk about her like that,” Caleb spat through gritted teeth, veins bulging from his neck. “Do it one more time. I fucking dare you.”

Grant had the audacity to laugh and say, “Do you know who my father is?”

“I don’t give a shit.” Caleb punched Grant in the jaw, knocking his head into the wall along with it.

“Do we have a problem here?” A security guard walked around me, removing Caleb from Grant. The guard helped Grant right himself before giving Caleb a dirty look.

“God, her pussy isn’t that good, cowboy,” Grant said, rubbing his jaw and cringing.

“I’m done.” Caleb threw his hands up and proceeded to press the elevator button, not even looking in my direction. I was too stunned by the turn of events to say anything. Nothing could help at this point.

Caleb shook his head and repeated, “I’m done,” as the doors to the elevator closed.

CHAPTER 36

Caleb

I sat on the couch,elbows on my knees, staring at nothing. The house felt too quiet. Too empty.

Noelle stood in front of me, her little face twisted in confusion. “Where’s Grace?”

She had become used to seeing Grace almost daily. Noelle called me earlier to say the school was making things more awkward. They pulled her out of class to speak with the guidance counselor. I had to call them and clarify the plan because as of right now they were making things worse.

I squeezed my eyes shut for a second before forcing myself to face her. “She’s … not here. Grace moved back to the city.”

Noelle searched my face and must have seen my sadness because her frown deepened. “But she promised.”

My chest tightened. “I know.”

She wasn’t here for so many reasons. Because her mother came and tried to pay me off. Because fucking Max had to google her. Because I saw her with him, in a robe in her hotel room. Because I asked her if she slept with him, and she said yes.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Sometimes, people don’t keep their promises.”

Noelle’s chin wobbled. “Butwhy?”

I didn’t have a good enough answer for her. Didn’t have anything that would make this easier for her. Or for me.

“Grace—” My voice caught, and I had to clear my throat. “She made a choice.”