Page 30 of Changing Caleb
The brunette launches herself into his arms, her legs wrapping around his waist. She plants a kiss on his lips. Jealousy boils inside me at his smile. At the way he holds her against him. It takes every part of me to resist snatching her out of his arms by her fucking hair.
He slowly lowers her down to her feet, his arm still draped around her. She beams over at him, looking like she’s totally lovesick.
“Guys, this is Hillary. A friend of mine from L.A.”
Friend my ass. Fuck buddies, maybe, but definitely not just friends.
Caleb grabs a chair from the empty table beside theirs and squeezes it in between him and Brady. Jade makes her way back over and takes her order before joining me at the bar.
“If you want me to stay, I can skip my class,” she offers.
“Why? Because some slut showed up and threw herself at Caleb?” I ask bitterly. “I’m used to that by now.”
And seeing them together reminds me that I was right for pushing him away. For keeping him away. My heart has been broken enough.
35
Caleb
Ihad no idea Hillary was coming to Hollis, so it’s difficult to be happy that she’s here, especially with Casey glaring at us from the bar. I can’t help but wonder what she’s thinking right now, although by her furious gaze I can pretty much guess.
I’ve avoided her the past few days, using the fact that we’re working in Redbud as a reason not to come to Jack’s. Truth is, I feel like shit for going off on Tate and even worse for fucking things up with Casey yet again. I can’t do anything right when it comes to her, no matter how hard I try.
“You didn’t let me know you were coming,” I say after Jade takes her order.
She uses her thumb to wipe the lipstick from my mouth and smiles over at me. “Figured I would see where you grew up and what’s so great about Hollis.”
“I wish you would’ve let me know.”
Considering we haven’t spoken much since I left, it would’ve been nice to get a heads up.
“Sorry. Thought you’d be happy to see me.”
“I am,” I reply truthfully. Hillary was a good friend to me, but her timing sucks. “It’s just that I’m working. Won’t have much time to show you around. Not that there’s much to see.”
“I’m sure I can find something to do.”
“Don’t let Caleb lie to you,” Brady says. “There’s always something to do around here.”
“Who knows? You may fall in love with the place like I did and decide to stay,” Madden adds.
She almost looks appalled. “Please don’t tell me that! I thought for sure Caleb would be back in L.A. by now since he said he hated this Podunk town.”
I shift uncomfortably, running a hand through my hair. “I didn’t exactly say Ihatedit.”
“No one hates Hollis,” Brady argues.
“I could,” she replies with a laugh.
I notice the looks both Brady and Madden give Hillary at her slightly haughty remark. She can come across a little abrasive, but at the time, she was what I needed. She listened and didn’t judge. She and Avery kept me accountable, making sure I didn’t have a single drink. Making sure I attended AA meetings. In fact, I’ve been to a few meetings over at the church since I got back home.
I’ve been determined to stay sober, show Casey I really am a changed man. I haven’t proven anything to her yet. Part of me wants to give up. But we’ve been back and forth for so long that I don’t know how not to love her.
“Here’s your usuals, guys,” Casey says, delivering our food since Jade had to go to class. “And a house salad for the lady.”
“Thanks, hon,” Hillary says. “But can I get the dressing on the side?”
Casey glances down at the salad, already made with the dressing on it. She purses her lips but takes it back.
