21. Caleb
Caleb
I wait a few minutes, giving her time to get downstairs and myself time to cool off before rejoining our friends. Casey didn’t waste any time running to Derek. She clutches his arm, pressing her body against his side. It was only moments ago she was against me.
It was like old times. Like we never skipped a damn beat. Our bodies knew exactly what to do. What we both liked. Her fingers had gripped my hair as she nipped my bottom lip. Just like I always loved for her to do.
I tasted her neck as my cock rubbed against her center.
Just like she always loved for me to do.
Casey loves sex. That’s all there is to it.
Together we were fucking explosive. If only the chemistry we had with our bodies would spill over everywhere else.
If only she would believe we could be good together.
“Oh goodness, Casey, your lipstick is smeared,” Jade laughs, completely oblivious as to what just happened upstairs. “You’ve eaten too many hors d'oeuvres!”
Casey lets out a nervous laugh, her green eyes flickering over to me. I bring my hand to my mouth and wipe it over my lips. The remnants of her lipstick leave a mark on my skin. Fuck.
She’s standing here pretending to be in love with this asshole while I’m wiping her lipstick off my mouth. Go fucking figure.
I tear my gaze away from the two of them and walk away. It’s the only thing I know to do. As I’m fleeing, I grab a champagne flute off the tray of a passing waiter and exit out the front door. I’m still holding the glass when Brady finds me. I haven’t had a single sip.
“You alright, man?” he questions, arching an eyebrow at me and pointing to my lipstick-stained hand. “I don’t know if red is your color, but hey, give it a shot.”
“Fuck you, Brady,” I deadpan, and toss the glass over onto the immaculately cut bushes. The gardener will love that, I’m sure.
“I get it,” Brady remarks. “Pink is more your style, but red is more Casey.”
Of course, Brady picked up on what happened. No one else at that party has a clue, but Brady knows. Doesn’t surprise me in the slightest.
“Did you see how she just cozied right up to him? She came down and went straight to him like we hadn’t just crossed paths. Like the fucking kiss didn’t mean anything.”
“People do stupid shit.”
“Don’t you get it though, man? I’m trying so hard, so fucking hard to make her realize I’ve changed.”
Brady nods. “I do see that. The Caleb I know would’ve picked a fight with that asshole and carried Casey out over his shoulder. The next time we’d see you two, you would’ve been in love all over again.”
“I’m done. She wants me to let her go, I’ll let her go.”
As I say these words, I feel sick. I want to do what Brady said the old me would have done. I want to be that man again.
“Okay. Tell you what, I’ll help you find Avery, and then we’ll all get the hell out of here.”
“Fine.”
“You good?”
“Yep. I’m good, man.”
I don’t have any choice but to be. I’ll let her go. Even if it’s the second hardest thing I’ve ever done. The first was losing her to begin with.