Page 35 of Theirs


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My heart skipped a beat as my eyes met the familiar warm brown ones that had haunted my dreams for years. The chiseled jaw, faint stubble on his cheeks. His hair fell into a quiff above his thick eyebrows, his frame still broad. My eyes flickered over him, blinking as though to check he was really there and not a vision.

“Wow, you’ve grown,” he murmured, stuffing his hands into his pockets as he gazed at me.

“So have you. How the hell are you, man?” Dad said, glancing at me as though to say,pick your fucking jaw up off the floor.

I couldn’t move. Something rooted my feet to the ground.

“Christian,” I finally breathed, as a smile played on his lips.

“In the flesh,” he quipped as I nodded stupidly. “Have you missed me?”

He walked over to me slowly, grinning over at my Mom and Dad, who stared at me before exchanging a wary glance.

“Why are you back?” I demanded, taking a step backward as Christian frowned, reaching for my hand as it hung simply at my side.

“Well, believe it or not, I came back for one reason.”

My heart hammered in my chest as I shot a desperate glance at my Dad, who shrugged helplessly.

Caleb stood there, looking like someone had slapped him with a wet fish. He clearly couldn’t understand why Christian wasn’t receiving a hero’s greeting.

A pang of guilt swept through me, remembering how I’d spent the night in his best friend’s arms.

“Oh?” I asked stupidly, knowing the answer before he said it. Christian brought my hand to his lips, kissing it lightly.

“For you.”

CHAPTER 18

CALEB

What the fuck had I missed?

I reunited Summer with her long-lost love, yet she was staring at him like he had crawled out from under a rock. I frowned as Dad’s eyes met mine, and he shrugged.

“Will you come out with me?” Christian was saying as Summer chewed on the inside of her mouth. “Tonight?” He pressed, not giving up.

“Um, it’s not a date or anything, right?” Summer asked, and Christian raised an eyebrow quizzically.

“Are you with someone? Caleb told me you were single,” he mumbled, glancing over at me with confusion.

I turned back to Summer, who smiled half-heartedly.

“No, I just,uh, don’t want to commit to anything.”

I eyed Summer suspiciously, knowing damn well she wasn’t seeing anyone.

So what is she playing at?

“Okay,” Christian said, nodding. “I get that. Shall I pick you up at eight?”

“Sure,” Summer agreed, avoiding my eyes.

“Catch you later, Caleb.” Christian clasped his hand in mine before he walked away. “Bye, guys,” he said to my parents as they waved.

“See ya, man,” I muttered, waiting until he had left before I rounded on Summer.

“What thefuckwas that?!” I demanded, slumping down opposite Mom and Dad. Mom grabbed my Dad as she pulled him towards the door.