Page 9

CALEB

You want to know the worst part about tonight?

It’s that every damn feeling I have for her is still there, lingering like a goddamn pest. It’s even stronger now. And I didn’t even think that was possible.

Ever since she came back, it’s like every feeling I thought I’d buried deep in my gut rose to the surface and now I can’t stop it.

Dancing with the redhead earlier was supposed to help. A distraction at best. Something to drown out my feelings for Amelia, even for a few minutes.

Newsflash. It fucking didn’t.

And what’s with the bartender? Calling her love like that? Psh. I hate how much it gets to me. Makes me feel like the same pathetic teenager I used to be.

I lead Amelia out of the club, keeping her close, probably closer than I should as a light wind brushes past us.

Flash

Flash

Flash

No no damn it. Not right now.

I quickly shift her to my other side, instinct taking over as I shield her from view.

Flash

Flash

Paparazzi swarm the sidewalk like bees, cameras all pointed directly at us, voices overlapping each other. Hammering me with questions and comments.

“Who’s this?”

“Is she taken too?”

I grit my teeth, arm tightening around her as I move us faster. No way in hell I’m letting them snap photos of her like this. This is so fucking stupid. For the millionth time, Vanessa was a single woman and I want to shout it from the rooftops but it’s useless.

Ignoring every question hurled our way, her fingers clench tighter at my waist as she clings to me, burying her face in my neck. Her lips graze my skin, and the sudden contact sends a jolt straight to my groin.

“Keys. Now,” I bark, slip a hundred into the valet’s hand, and follow it with a quick thank you.

A few minutes later, the car rolls forward. I rush to the passenger side, yank the door open, and help her inside. Then I lean over, reaching across her to buckle her seatbelt.

Her breath, warm and laced with alcohol ghosts my skin. I shut the door, circling the car as camera shutters still go off behind me.

Once I’m settled in the driver seat, I shoot off a quick text.

We’re leaving. You guys ok?

Tia

Yeah. Maya’s dropping us off. Love you.

Love you too.

“Euugh…” Amelia groans, leaning against the window and clutching her stomach.

I side glance at her, keeping my eyes on the road as I hear her shift. “How much did you drink tonight?”

She lazily turns her head toward me. “Five.”

I sigh, grip tightening on the wheel. “Amelia…” No wonder she’s about to throw up. “You need to eat."

She pouts, crossing her arms. “Noooo…I want to lay down.”

Stubborn as always.

By the time she finishes gagging into an empty bag I left in my backseat, I finally turn onto my street, headlights casting shadows along the apartment gate. I pull into my spot, killing the engine.

I’m out of the car in a second, opening her door as she gags and stumbles forward. I catch her, steadying her with my arm around her waist.

“I’m so tired,” she murmurs, her head tipping forward, body slack in my arms. “I don’t feel like walking.”

I can’t help but chuckle.

“Come on, princess.”

She loops her arms around my neck as I scoop her up, sliding one hand under her thighs. Snatching her purse from the seat, I nudge the door shut with my elbow.

Walking into my apartment, I lay her down on the bed, smoothing her curls over the pillows.

As I try to pull the covers over her, she shoots upright, clapping a hand over her mouth as a gag tore through her. She rushes to the bathroom, flipping up the toilet lid as she collapses to her knees.

Following her inside, I dig into my pocket and pull out a pink satin scrunchie. I’m not sure when it started, maybe junior year of high school when she left one behind on my dresser, and I don’t know, I kept it.

Since then, I’ve always kept one handy, just in case. Now that she’s back, the habit came back too.

I gather her curls into a loose bun, kneeling beside her and rub slow steady circles along her back. “Let it all out.”

She finishes and slumps against the side of the tub, flushing the toilet with a weak hand.

“I’m so sorry. Ugh,” she groans. “I can take a car home. This is gross.”

“Hey, don’t apologize. Just stay here tonight, okay? I’m gonna run to the store real quick.”

She sighs, curling her knees to her chest. “Thank you.”

I make a quick run to the gas station down the street, snatching up anything I can find at this hour.

Gatorade. Crackers. Bananas. Yogurt. Ginger Ale. Ibuprofen. Toothbrush.

When I get back, I unpack and peek into the bedroom. She’s curled under the covers, knocked out already.

Letting out a small breath, I step inside. On the nightstand, I grab a notepad, scribble a simple note and slide it beneath the edge of my ceramic bowl.

Then I shut the door behind me and sink into the couch. I lie there, staring at the ceiling, thinking about last week when we ran into Jared.

Seeing him talk to her, trying to reach out, something snapped inside me. She looked so defeated, and I never want to see her like that again.

God. She has no idea how much power she holds over me.