Page 31 of Never Let Go (Forbidden #1)

Chapter Thirty-One

LAUREN

“ W oman!” Sydney shouts from the living room, a mass of bangs and crashes following in her wake.

Wincing at the sound, I push myself up from my desk and go to see what she’s hollering about. Poking my head around the corner of the door, I tease, “Is it safe to come out or have you destroyed everything in our dorm?”

Sydney whirls around from the counter with a pair of tongs in her hand. “Ha ha, hilarious.” She rolls her eyes as she pinches the tongs together in an act of aggression towards me. “I’ve had it up to here with that fucking woman,” she screeches.

Striding into the kitchen, I cautiously remove the tongs from Sydney’s grasp before someone gets it. “Uh, Syd? What woman are we talking about here?” I enquire, earning me a death glare.

Hands on her hips, she retorts, “Hannah. The bane of my existence, the woman who loves to torture me on a daily basis. Shoving a dildo up my ass would be more fun than listening to her criticize me day in, day out.” Sydney stomps around the kitchen, hands gesturing wildly. “I fucking quit,” she huffs.

Wrapping my arms around her, I give her a tight squeeze. “No you’re not, Syd. And you know why?” I ask as I raise an eyebrow at her.

Sydney peers up at me from beneath her eyelashes, a pout on her lips. “Why?”

“Because you’re motherfucking Sydney Johnson, that’s why.

When have you ever let someone come in and tell you, you are anything other than the absolute fucking best?

” I take her face in my hands, my tone softening.

“Don’t listen to her, Syd. You are one of the most talented people I’ve met, anyone who doesn’t agree can kiss my hairy ass. ”

A burst of laughter comes from Sydney. “Too much info, babe.”

“Shut up,” I giggle as I shove her slightly. Sydney’s meltdown comes to an end as she gently shoves me back before going to put the coffee machine on.

“Right, so what’s the plan for Christmas? What time are we leaving?” she asks.

Panic surges through me and I lose my words for a moment, my mind going momentarily blank as I try to think of what to say to her.

Since the moment Caleb suggested spending Christmas break together, I’ve been excited yet terrified.

Excited because—even though we can’t go out anywhere together—we get to spend two uninterrupted weeks together.

Terrified because I spend all the holidays with Sydney, whether it’s with her family or not, so having to tell her that I’m sitting this one out is causing my chest to tighten with anxiety.

Wringing my hands together in front of me, and hoping she isn’t going to hate me, I mumble, “Erm, I’m not coming for Christmas this year. ”

Sydney pauses what she’s doing and turns to face me. “Beg pardon? Care to tell me why?” Those hands go back on her hips and I know she means business. “We always spend Christmas together.” She squints and points a finger in my direction. “What are you up to, missy?”

I put my hands up in surrender. “Nothing. I just have a ton of schoolwork to catch up on and one of the girls has gone sick at Strokes, so I’ve picked up some more shifts to help out.

” Throwing the final bone that I have to throw her off the scent, I say, “You know I’m trying to save for my house fund. ”

Sydney’s face is a mask of worry and concern. “Are you sure? I hate the thought of you being here all by yourself over Christmas.”

I scoff. “Wouldn’t be the first time.”

Sydney purses her lips, clearly upset by what I’ve just said but it’s the truth. She searches my eyes before nodding her head in acceptance. “I want to put this on record that I am not happy about this… at all.”

Beaming a smile at her, I give her a quick hug and rush to get ready for work.

My shift at Strokes started a couple hours ago. I’ve been on stage but with the lack of people in here tonight, I came off early and have been milling around the bar area catching up with the girls ever since. Even though we’re dancers, on the odd occasion, we’ll go out front and help serve drinks.

I’m wearing something a little more daring tonight.

When I saw the emerald two piece, while out shopping with Sydney, I had to have it.

The thought of Caleb’s reaction immediately entered my head and I knew it was the perfect choice.

My choice in shoes is to be desired, though.

They feel like hell but they were cute so I had to have them. Hashtag girl problems.

I’m talking to Izzy, one of the waitresses, when a guy approaches. He’s good looking in the older, pretty boy sense, but I’ve only got eyes for a certain silver fox. I smile as he stands there looking at me.

“What’s a pretty little thing like you doing in a place like this?” he asks.

I start laughing, before replying, “Does that line usually work for you?”

He grins. “Usually yeah.” He places his hand out. “I’m James.”

“Lauren,” I admit, as I place my hand in his.

“Well Lauren, you’re stunning and I’d love to take you out some time.”

“Thanks, but I’m not interested.” The poor man’s face falls, clearly not used to rejection. I pat him on his chest and lean into whisper, “You’re not my type.” I give him a wink and walk off.

Glancing around the bar, I notice a familiar pair of blue eyes and my heart flutters.

There’s my guy.

I should probably stop being so sappy but Caleb does things to me that no man ever has and if it wasn’t for the fact that he’s my professor and I’m his student, I’d be shouting it from the rooftops.

Caleb nods at me and I smile gently, not wanting to draw any attention to us so I keep walking to the bar to see if I’m needed.

I’m due a break so I go back to the lockers, grabbing my phone before sitting down on one of the benches, and slipping my heels from my feet with an audible groan. I rub the balls of my aching feet as I open the message from Caleb, a grin plastered to my face.

Caleb

I miss you. When can I see you again?

I type my reply quickly:

I get off in an hour. Take me back to yours?

His reply comes instantly:

Caleb

I’ll wait for you at the front door.

Caleb and I have barely had any time together since we decided to ‘date’ so I’m excited to see him. I message back to say, “Okay” then shove my phone in my locker and head back to the bar.

After my shift finishes, I quickly change into my comforts, grab my bag and race to the main entrance.

“Night Steve,” I holler as I push through the doors and into the fresh night air.

I look around and my eyes land on Caleb. He’s leaning against the wall, arms crossed and one leg bent back. He sees me and pushes away from the wall, smirking at me.

“Professor,” I purr quietly.

Caleb nods in greeting before saying, “My cars parked around the corner, I’ll follow behind you. It’s unlocked.”

Walking quickly to the car, I feel like someone’s watching me and I don’t mean Caleb.

I shiver and quicken my steps, almost jogging to get to the car.

I open the passenger side door and get in.

Luckily there’s not much lighting around here so we shouldn’t have been spotted, it’s just me and my overactive imagination… right?