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Caleb

I t kills me I can’t play for now, but when I peer over at my little sister who’s buried under a mess of blankets, I know I made the right decision.

I wish she’d sleep on her bed instead of on the couch, but she insisted on keeping me company while I did my assignments. Penny’s still running a low fever, and her medicines are making her loopy and making her lose her appetite. I made her oatmeal earlier, and she took three spoonfuls before telling me to get lost.

Pleasant kid, really. She’s just like me.

We’ve been trying to find someone new to look after Penny while Mom’s at work, but it’s difficult to find someone within our budget. Our old neighbor had only agreed because she said she needed something to do.

I’m absently clicking around on my laptop when the doorbell rings. Thankfully, Penny doesn’t stir from her sleep. I put my laptop on the coffee table and make my way to the door, wondering if we were expecting anyone today.

A woman with her hair in a bun greets me. “Good morning. Is this where Penelope Jennings lives?”

“Yeah…?”

“My name’s Charlotte, from Diamond Healthcare. I’m her new day nurse.”

“Huh?” I stare at her dumbly, taking this in. She sounds expensive as fuck, and I’m sure Mom didn’t hire her. “I think there’s been some mistake.”

“No mistake.” She smiles and hands me a document. It’s got Penny’s name on it, as well as details from her company. The document also shows her salary was paid three months in advance. “Mr. Sandoval asked me to let you know that he’ll be renewing the contract as long as you need my services.”

What the fuck?

“Sandoval?” I squeak. “Nick?”

“Daniel Sandoval.”

Nick’s dad? What the hell is going on? How did he even know where I lived?

“May I come in? I’d love to meet Penelope.”

“Oh, uh. Penny’s asleep… but yeah, come in.”

I’m in a trance as I lead her in, and she asks all these questions about Penny’s condition. She’s writing in a notebook and jots down her medicines and her routine, and everything else about her condition. Charlotte even asks me about Penny’s school and says she will make sure Penny’s on top of her study materials while she’s here.

I call Mom to let her know what’s happening, and she’s so enthusiastic that she sniffles. And when Penny wakes up, she’s groggy and stares at Charlotte as if she’s a hallucination, and I watch as Charlotte introduces herself. Penny seems wary but instantly warms up to Charlotte, and I breathe a sigh of relief.

Ducking into the kitchen, I bring my phone out and my finger hovers over Nick’s number. I can’t believe he asked his dad to arrange this. It must cost them a fortune, and in any other circumstance, I’d feel bad about imposing—but this is for Penny. Neither Mom nor I are equipped to give her the care she really needs.

And… this means I can go back to the campus.

I end up not texting Nick because I don’t even know what to tell him.

The things I said to him… god. What’s wrong with me? I kept my distance because of what he said on New Year’s, and then I lashed out at him when I wasn’t only frustrated at him but also at everything else.

And he just stood there and took it.

And… despite that all, he’s done this for me.

Fuck. I scrub a hand over my face, and my heart thrums in my chest.

I don’t deserve him.

And in a moment of clarity, I realize that I will do everything to change that.

***

As soon as Mom gets home and I’m sure that Charlotte’s settled in, I get in my car and drive back to campus. After some thought, I brilliantly decided I’m going to drag Nick back to my house to spend the night with us.

I debate calling him first, or at least texting him, but then again, I’m not about to give him a choice. He’s coming with me, whether he likes it or not.

The sun’s setting when I finally make it back to campus. When I get to our room, Nick has his feet up on the wall and is hanging his head off the edge of the bed as he doomscrolls. He stares at me upside-down and sits up so quickly that he winces from the head rush.

“What are you doing here?” he asks. “How’s Penny?”

I had a whole speech all thought out. On my entire drive here, I knew what I was going to say. There was an apology in there, a lot of thank yous, and even a part where I tell him that he’s the best thing ever to happen to me.

But then now that he’s actually in front of me, I don’t have any words. My throat constricts and my chest is tight, and all I can do is fist my hands to my side. Nick’s eyebrows furrow in concern.

I let my actions speak for me instead. It only takes a few quick strides to reach him, and when I cup his jaw and lean down, Nick immediately tilts his chin up and meets me halfway. He opens for me without any hesitation. Without any questions asked. The moment our lips touch, it’s as if a dam’s been broken in me. I don’t even have a way to put into words the way my emotions surge out.

It’s been a while since I’ve kissed him, and I remember what I’ve been missing out, and it’s a wonder I could hold out this long.

Nick clutches at the front of my shirt, and when I pull away to study his face, he says, “I missed you.”

“Hasn’t even been a few days since I’ve been away.”

“That’s not what I mean, and you know it.”

I close my eyes and lean my forehead against his. “I know.”

I’m sorry. I’m so fucking sorry I almost gave up on us.

“Pack your shit,” I suddenly say.

Nick huffs a laugh. “What, you’re kicking me out?”

“No, you’re spending the night at my place.”

Nick stares. “What…? Caleb, we’ve got a game this Sunday.”

“So? It’s only Friday, and we’ll be back by tomorrow. Move your ass.”

His face lights up, his smile spreading wide, and my heart clenches. Nick asks, “You’re playing?”

I can’t help but crack a smile. This guy, making me all gooey and shit. “I’m playing because some golden boy couldn’t mind his own business and got someone to look after my little sister.”

He laughs. Still, he doesn’t get up. I take it upon myself to grab the bag he keeps under his bed, and I zip it open, and Nick finally moves when I pinch his leg. He moves hesitantly as he grabs clothes for an overnight stay, and I watch him from the edge of his bed.

I rub my neck. “Thank you. I’ll pay your dad back, I promise.”

“You don’t have to.”

“I will, though. And I’ll take over the payments the moment that I can.” After a pause, I add in a low voice, “I can’t believe you did that for me.”

“It’s no big deal. My dad’s company runs many charities, and they sponsor these kinds of things a lot.”

“Yes, but… you rarely ask your dad for anything.”

Nick turns away, facing his closet. I’m wondering if this is another moment where he’s going to shut down, which would suck since we’re doing so fucking well.

Then he mumbles, way too softly, “I’d do anything for you.”

A knot lodges in my throat, and I sit there and simply say nothing in stunned silence.

He plops down on the floor and pulls his bag closer. Nick’s cheeks are red and his hands waiver as he packs, and he refuses to look at me even if I’m watching him. Hard.

Would he talk to his dad about going pro if I asked?

No… I shouldn’t bring that up.

Nick zips his bag shut. “Uh. I think that’s it.”

“All right, let’s go.”

He still seems taken aback by this whole thing, but in typical Nick fashion, he doesn’t complain—he simply relents. But before we can head out, I fist him by the front of his shirt. His eyes widen and I grin at him, yanking him close and kissing him again.

I pull away and hold him by the jaw, forcing him to look at me. “I’m sorry I’ve been a dick to you lately.”

“You weren’t.”

“I really, really was.”

He smiles. “Okay, but it’s not as if that’s anything new. Besides, apparently, I like dicks.”

Smirking, I smack him lightly. “Apparently. Seriously, though, Nick. I’m sorry. I couldn’t wrap my head around you refusing to talk to your dad, and I still can’t, but… that’s not really my decision, and I was wrong.”

His throat bobs and he nods, and I know he’s about to look away again, so I tighten my grip on his jaw.

“Thank you,” he murmurs. His expression flashes with hesitation once more, and I can’t hold back. I need to prod him to speak his mind. Again.

“What’s on your mind, Nicky?”

He bites on his lip. “I don’t know how to say this, but I feel as if I need to… I didn’t ask my dad for a favor to win you back. If you’re tired of me, you don’t need to feel obligated—”

“Tired of you?” A surprised laugh escapes me.

“Yes. That’s what was happening, right? All I’m saying is that if you want to end this” — he waves a hand between us—“then it’s okay. It changes nothing and Penny will still have someone to look after her, and I won’t hold it against you.”

“Baby,” I say, and he sucks in a breath. “You’re closed off, can’t speak up for yourself, and you put up this weird perfect image that annoys the hell out of me.”

“Please continue,” he says dryly, smiling.

“But I like you. A lot. I like how you work hard and you play hard, and how dopey you get when you’re genuinely happy.” I pause. “And I like how you fuck me real nice.”

He groans. “Caleb!”

I can’t help it—I kiss him again. He’s fucking intoxicating, and I want to drown in him. I’ve never felt about anyone like this before, and when Nick threads his fingers through my hair and tugs me close, there’s another surge of emotion that escape me. Seriously, what’s that about me?

I’m a smart guy, though. When I think about it for a while more, I’m able to put a name to that rush.

It’s me falling in love with him, full speed ahead and with no hesitation.