Page 29

CALEB

The van approaches the entrance of Eclipse. Pulling to a stop in front of the Valet parking area, a young man with a red vest approached our driver to take over, while another opened our side door.

Bright lights easily flood my vision as the cameras flash all around, surrounding us like a veil. Our names were being called from left to right. I turn, reaching for Amelia’s hand as she steps out of the van onto the smooth red carpet beneath us.

“Amelia! Caleb! Over here!”

“Can we get a photo of the lovely couple!?”

“She must be a good shag in bed if you’re with her now and not Vanessa Noles, huh?” A reporter sneers, holding up his camera. “Or is she just an easy lay?”

Anger fills me as I charge forward like a goddamn bull. “What the fuck did you say?”

The reporter's face falls as he lifts his camera higher, aiming it right at me. “It’s a simple question?—”

I cut him off, clamping my hand around the camera lens, forcefully shoving it down as he lets out a grunt. “You disrespect my girlfriend like that again and watch what happens. I dare you.”

“Hey,” Amelia tightens her hand around mine, tugging me toward the entrance. “Let’s just go inside.”

I glance down at her, my chest tightening with anger, but then I see the discomfort grow in her eyes as they lock onto mine. Shit.

A cameraman in the back had the balls to pipe up and ask it again, “Well, is she?”

Fuck it.

“Delete the footage.”

“We, uh, we get paid for this. We can’t do that,” a journalist to my right says sheepish.

I ignore him and pull out my phone, opening the payment app. “Whatever you’re getting paid, I’ll double it.”

A sharp inhale leaves Amelia, she yanks my arm damn near out of socket, forcing me to bend down, my face inches from hers as she glares at me. “Are you insane?” she hisses, her grip tightening. “You’re not doing that.”

A reporter speaks up from my left, aiming her phone in my direction. “I’ll delete mine for $2,000.”

I tap my phone against hers, the app instantly airdropping the money.

$10,000 later and all the footage has been wiped from every single camera.

Worth every damn penny.

I shove my phone back, and Amelia shakes her head beside me, mumbling something under her breath. I don’t bother asking what.

I rest my hand on the small of her back, leading her toward the entrance, as we walk past the velvet ropes and through the heavy black doors of Eclipse.

The scent of expensive liquor floats in the air and I won’t lie…this place is practically the definition of sin.

My phone buzzes, and I pull it out to see a text from my soon to be brother-in-law.

Amir

We’re not gonna make it tonight. Tia’s not feeling well so I’m gonna take care of her.

What’s wrong?

Amir

Mostly likely dehydration. She doesn’t want to stay home though lol

Caleb added Tia to the conversation.

Stay your ass at home.

Tia

Boo. You whore.

Tia has left the conversation.

Shaking my head, I murmur in Amelia’s ear, “Tia and Amir aren’t coming.”

She pulls her phone from her small bag, and I catch a glimpse of her Kindle snugly tucked inside. Leave it to Amelia to bring a book to the club.

“Tia already texted Maya and I,” she says, flashing her phone in my face.

So my own flesh and blood couldn’t text me, but she could manage to send a group text. Typical.

And she called me a whore.

Best sister ever.

“Let’s go hit the bar.” Marcus nods toward the counter, where rows and rows of liquor glint under the lights.

He doesn’t hesitate before draping his arm around my shoulders, dragging me along. My eyes meet Amelia’s as she laughs and loops her arm with Maya’s, the two of them following behind us.

We all gather by the bar, calling the bartender over, and no fucking way. You’ve got to be shitting me.

“Amelia?” The fucking bartender, the one who was flirting with her months ago is here.

“Yeah, Matteo right?” she says, smiling as her and Maya lean against the counter. “Surprised you remembered my name.”

How could he? She’s not forgettable.

I can’t control what she does but in public she’s my girlfriend and I’m not letting some douche who happens to have a damn British accent try to swoop in.

“How could I forget a stunning woman like you.” Matteo says, reaching for her hand, parting his lips.

Oh for fucks sake, yeah, that’s not happening.

Before he can so much as breathe on her, I step closer to the bar beside her and take her hand in mine.

I bring her knuckles to my lips as my eyes stay locked on his. “My girlfriend would like to order drinks. That’s what the bar is for, right?”

Matteo blinks, retreating his hand. “Oh, my apologies. What would you like to order?”

“Uh, a tequila sunrise please.” Amelia orders then glances at me with an expression I can’t read.

“I’ll have a shot of vodka, thanks,” I say, a slight bitterness in my tone. I didn’t mean to sound like an asshole, but I couldn’t help it.

Matteo hesitantly nods and turns around to fix our drinks.

“You okay?” Amelia furrows her brows, looking up at me with those deep brown eyes I love so much. Why is she so beautiful?

Fuck, would there ever be a right time to tell her the truth?

And the real question is, what scrap of our friendship would be left to salvage if she doesn’t feel the same?