Page 2 of Never Let Go (Forbidden #1)
Chapter Two
CALEB
“ T hanks, everyone. Put your assignments on my desk on your way out. Anyone that needs any extra help knows to contact me during work hours,” I call out over the noise of the eager young adults racing toward the door.
God, I need a vacation , I think as I swipe my hand through my dark brown hair. Definitely need a trim, too. It’s grown out longer than my usual short on the sides and a mess of hair on top, meaning that I now look like a darker version of Kurt Cobain.
I’ve been a professor at Abingdon University for the last year, having moved here for a fresh start. My ex, Samantha, didn’t take the breakup so well. Clingy, overbearing, and a Daddy’s girl tends to wear thin after a while.
When I took the job, I didn’t know how long I’d be here for, but so far, it’s not too bad. The pay’s good, and the hours go quickly. I begin stuffing my belongings into my satchel when Vince Williams, the Dean of Admissions, walks in .
Stopping to perch on the edge of my desk, he says, “Caleb, glad I caught you.” I give him a disapproving look, but the asshole just sits there.
The guy’s always given me the creeps with his fake ass smiles and too long, lingering glances toward female students.
It gives him that lecherous feel. I mean, the guy isn’t even that good looking—his blond hair is slicked back giving off bad Draco Malfoy vibes and his clothes are too nicely pressed.
His British accent adds to the lack of charm he thinks he possesses.
Raising an eyebrow, I drawl, “Dean Williams, to what do I owe this pleasure?” If he notices my sarcasm he doesn’t respond— shame .
“I wanted to let you know that you have a new student joining your class as of next week. I haven’t had the chance to bring her in yet, but she needs this class in order to pass.
She has excellent grades but still needs an undergrad minor,” he states as he folds his arms across his chest. I love the way he’s trying to intimidate me but unfortunately for him, his short, tubby stature is nothing compared to my muscled 6’2” frame, so it doesn’t work.
Turning my back, I continue packing my shit so I can get the hell out of here. “No problem. My TA, Brad, can handle her assignments and catch her up.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I see the dean tense at the clear dismissal— like I give a fuck —and a smirk pulls at my lips.
“Thank you,” he all but sneers as he stands up and straightens his jacket. “I’ll let you get back to your day.” With that, he marches toward the door and back to god knows where.
Blowing out a breath at the always awkward impromptu meeting with the dean, I pick my satchel up off the desk and sling it across my body before locking the door and heading out to my black Mustang Shelby GT350.
I saved up every single cent I earned as a sixteen-year-old kid—washing cars, mowing lawns, washing dishes in the back of diners, you name it—to be able to afford her.
I throw my satchel in the back seat and turn the ignition on, my baby purring to life.
I’m meeting the guys at Bucky’s, the bar just off campus, for a beer. It's close enough for us to meet—the only downside being college kids frequent here, as well. If I had a dollar for every time I was hit on by a college student, I’d be a rich fucking man.
The décor leaves much to be desired, though. It’s your typical dive bar that you really should stay away from but love all the same.
Parking in the lot, I make my way in, spotting the guys at a table in the corner with a round in front of them.
“Here comes trouble!” James shouts as he reclines back, putting an arm across Theo’s chair.
“I haven’t been ‘trouble’ since I was eighteen, asshat,” I joke as I stride closer to the table. Noah moves over so I can sit next to him, waving at a barmaid so I can order.
We catch up, ribbing each other as friends do. I mean, I’ve known these guys for most of my life, there isn’t anything they don’t know about me. How our friendship has lasted this long, I’ll never know, but I’m grateful for their crazy asses all the same.
Taking a sip of my lukewarm beer, I grimace, nodding at Noah as I ask, “How’s high school life?”
A strange look passes across his face, there one minute and gone the next—interesting.
“Same old shit. Kids think they know everything.” He shrugs, not saying anything else.
I chuckle at the typical Noah response. Noah’s the quiet one of the group; he’s the type who sits back and watches everything around him, silently taking notes. He’s tall and lean with a mop of dark hair. Think gothic, moody, and grumpy, and you have Noah.
Next there’s Theo—the jokester. The one who’s the most likely to get picked up by the cops for some prank he’s pulled. His long, blond hair is swept up in a man bun, the sides looking freshly shaved. Theo’s got this scary looking Viking thing going for him but he’s just one big cuddly teddy bear.
Then there’s James—the playboy of the group.
Where I’m all nerd, he’s all sophistication and suaveness.
I mean, the guy can talk his way out of everything and into anything.
He’s the ‘love em and leave em’ type. His dark hair and shocking blue eyes give him an edge, that so far, no girl has been able to resist.
Insert eye roll here.
After a few hours of shooting the shit, James stands up, his chair scraping against the tiles on the floor, before slapping me on the shoulder as he passes by.
“Well guys, it’s been fun, but I gotta bounce.
I gotta check on Andrew’s daughter. Said I would swing by on my way home and make sure she’s okay.
” He throws some money down on the table as he walks off.
“Tell her I said hi,” Theo calls after him. Without turning around, James flips him the bird.
“I’m off, as well. Got an early start tomorrow. We still on for Saturday night?” I ask Theo as I drain the last of my beer and put my jacket on.
“Yeah, Strokes at 8 p.m. I can’t believe my soon-to-be brother-in-law let me talk him into having his bachelor party there.
Christie’s gonna go nuts,” Theo laughs. “It’s gonna be epic .
” He rubs his hands together in glee, and I bark out a laugh.
The image of Christie’s reaction plays in my mind, and I can’t help but feel sorry for Dan and the loss of his balls when she gets hold of him .
“Dude, you’re gonna be just as fucked when she gets hold of you .
” I grin as his face falls, the realization finally kicking in at the horrors of what his sister’s going to do to him.
Christie once put laxatives in his drink after Theo slept with her best friend and never called her back.
Needless to say, Theo never went after any of Christie’s friends again. I cringe remembering the aftermath.
“Fuck.”
I laugh and say my goodbyes before heading to my car.
Opening the driver’s door, I get in, the leather creaking under me as I settle myself in. The engine purrs as I start her up, sending goosebumps down my arms. Damn, that never gets old.
Driving down the neighboring streets, their freshly mowed lawns and white picket fences all blend into one.
My windows are down, the wind blowing softly through my hair as The Downfall Of Us All by A Day To Remember blasts through my speakers.
I may be turning thirty-seven this year, but it was never a phase, Mom.
I pull up to my modest two-bedroom house, which is conveniently near campus, and park in the garage. Walking in through the side door, I throw my keys down and take my shoes off, heading into the kitchen and swiping a beer from the fridge.
I take a swig and look around, appreciating how far I’ve come from growing up in a trailer park.
Spoiler alert—I’m a poor boy from the wrong side of the tracks who managed to claw his way out and become an English professor at one of the most prestigious universities in the country. Hard work does pay off.
Finishing my beer and putting the bottle in the recycling bin, I head up and take a quick shower before removing a pair of sweats from the drawer and getting into bed. Alarm set, I’m ready to crash and start it all again tomorrow.