Page 30 of Never Let Go (Forbidden #1)

Chapter Thirty

CALEB

C hristmas is coming up in a few days and I haven’t seen much of Lauren. We've called and texted as much as we could, already breaking one of the rules about keeping them to a minimum but between her work, studying, and my work, there hasn’t been much time for us.

Us .

That’s such a weird concept to think of, seeing as I’ve been on my own for a while now and even when I was with Samantha, I never thought of us as an… us. She was just always… there.

I’m sitting in my office wondering what to get Lauren for Christmas after deciding to spend it together. She normally goes to Sydney’s parents but she made the excuse to stay on campus. I’m not exactly sure what she said but, apparently, Sydney brought it.

I’ve been staring at my computer screen for the last ten minutes trying to think of something when an idea hits me. I quickly type into Google what I’m looking for and it comes up. I make my purchase and lean back in my chair, a self-satisfied grin on my face.

Let’s hope she likes it.

The guys and I are meeting at Strokes tonight. I know, I know but I couldn’t exactly say, Hey boys, sorry, I can’t go to the strip club, my girlfriend works there , that’d go down like a lead balloon.

After a quick shower, I change into jeans, a white shirt, and my black sneakers. I mess around with my hair hoping it gives me the ‘I just rolled out of bed’ look, grab my jacket and head out the door. I get in my car and turn the engine on, Mod Sun’s Karma blasting out the speakers.

Damn, this is a good song.

Once I get to Strokes, I park up and head in, finding the guys in their usual spot—for a bunch of old guys, they cause quite the stir.

I slap James on the back as I walk past him and wave down a waitress.

“Dude! Where the fuck have you been? I feel like we haven’t seen your ass in weeks,” James pipes up.

“I’ve been busy.” I grin.

Theo fake pouts. “Too busy for us, fuckface? I see how it is, he gets some pussy and we’re pushed to the side.”

I flip him the bird. “A gentleman never tells.”

“Fuck off are you a gentleman,” Noah snorts.

I place my hands on my chest in fake shock. “Fuck me sideways, he speaks! Quick, someone call the doctor, something’s wrong with Noah,” I exclaim while laughing.

“Ha ha. This is why I don’t say shit. You fuckers run your mouths plenty enough,” Noah says as he takes a sip of his beer.

I sprawl back in my chair, marveling at how I got so lucky to have friends like these guys.

“Well, well, well. Who do we have here?” James says as he starts eyeing up someone behind me.

I roll my eyes. “Fuck sake, James. Keep it in your pants for once, yeah?”

“Not gonna lie… wow,” Theo chimes in, eyes comically wide.

Both of them continue staring and I laugh as I turn around, needing to see what or who’s got them so bent out of shape. As soon as I do, my laughter dies and my mouth goes dry.

Mine .

Those assholes are staring at Lauren.

To be fair, I’d probably be doing the same thing if I was in their shoes because tonight she looks absolutely fucking gorgeous.

Don’t get me wrong, she always looks gorgeous but tonight…

I can’t even put it into words. Lauren’s wearing an emerald green two piece that barely covers anything.

Her beautiful pale skin is a stark contrast to the dark green.

Her hair’s in messy waves that fall down past her shoulders, stopping just shy of her elbows and she’s wearing skyscraper heels that are begging to be left on while I fuck her.

Annnd that’s my dick hard as a rock. Fuck my life.

“I need a taste of that,” Theo bursts out and I turn round and glare at him.

“Leave her alone, Theo. She doesn’t need creeps going after her, I’m sure she gets that enough,” I snap, my fists clenched at my sides, anger radiating off me. Lauren seems to bring the caveman out in me.

“She’s a stripper, Caleb. She gets paid to have creeps after her,” James points out with a raised brow.

Cool it, Anderson. People are gonna start asking questions if you keep this up.

“She’s still a human being,” I grumble.

“Yeah, and one I’d like to get my hands on,” Theo quips and I see red.

“One more fucking word about my woman and we’re gonna have a fucking problem,” I bark.

You could hear a pin drop with how quiet it just got. Noah’s head snaps up to look at me and I avert my eyes, looking over to Theo and James.

Fuck.

“I didn’t mean my woman. I just meant woman in general,” I utter, hoping they don’t pick up on the lie.

“Uh huh.” Theo squints at me like he’s got no clue what’s going on. For a lawyer he can be pretty dense at times.

James stands up, giving me a wicked grin, his eyes dancing with mirth as he says, “Well, seeing as she’s not your woman… you won’t mind me having a chat.”

“Dude, she’s like half your age. She won’t touch you,” I laugh, trying to make it look like I’m not dying inside.

“Never stopped me before.” He winks as he walks off in Lauren’s direction.

Coming here was a bad idea. I guzzle down my beer and stride towards the bar to get another one. I can’t sit there and watch while James flirts with Lauren. I almost gave the game away as it is.

Someone comes and sits on the bar stool next to me, I glance over and see it’s Noah. He gives me a knowing look and I just nod.

“Fuck. I thought we agreed you’d stay away, Caleb? You’re playing a dangerous game here, man,” he whisper yells.

“I’m well aware,” I drawl, as I take a swig of my beer. “We’ve been… hanging out. Spending time together. I like her, man.” I give him a pleading look, hoping he’ll understand how hard this is for me .

Noah sighs. “I can’t tell you what to do here, Caleb. I gave you my advice before and you clearly didn’t listen. I just hope this doesn’t come crashing down on you.”

I run a hand through my hair and then down my face.

“Yeah, man. I know. She’s just… different.

I don’t know.” I shrug, not sure how to explain it or if I even want to explain it.

Noah’s already made up his mind about the situation and I can’t be mad at him for it.

If it was the other way round I’d be the same.

He nods but doesn’t say anything else. We grab our beers and head back to the table.

“You missed it. James here got the boot by another woman,” Theo cackles, clutching his sides. “I swear this is becoming my new favorite place. That and the coffee shop. What was the name of the girl over there who kept turning you down? Rhiannon? Rhonda? Row?—”

“Raven,” James cuts in, giving Theo a glare that would have withered most men, but Theo just laughs harder.

“Funny you remember her name and not anyone else’s. Something you wanna tell us, James?” Theo wiggles his eyebrows and James resorts to physical violence by punching him on the shoulder.

“She didn’t keep turning me down, she’s Andrew’s daughter,” he growls. “Act your fucking age. What are you? Twelve?”

I laugh because he’s not wrong. We joke around but Theo will forever be known as the ‘kid’ of the group.

We should really nickname him Peter, cause he’ll never grow up.

The guys continue ribbing each other and I glance around, catching Lauren’s gaze.

She smiles at me and I nod my head, her lust filled gaze causing my cock to harden again.

It’s been too long since I’ve physically been with her.

I pull out my phone and text her:

I miss you. When can I see you again?

Knowing that she’s working, I put my phone away and go back to what the guys are doing and try to keep my thoughts off a certain curvy blonde.