30. Tom
THIRTY
Tom
I pace the confines of my cell, cold metal bars nothing compared to the cage I feel inside of my heart, now that I know Zoe is going through with this marriage.
The events of the day replay in my mind — the sight of Caleb, Zoe's fucking fiancé, talking to her intimately yet so condescendingly, the surge of jealousy that consumed me when he almost kissed her, and the reckless decision to confront him.
That I do not regret.
Her chasing down my cage, then defending Caleb to her brother. For the right reasons, I believe. I agreed with what she said, and admired her for sticking to her promise. She’s got a strong moral compass — just one of the things I admire about Zoe Cocker.
It’s not like he tried to hide his past from her. Had he done that, it’d be a different story. But she wasn’t shocked or embarrassed by Wyatt informing her about Caleb’s broken history. She didn’t flinch about it having gone public, his reputation dragged down by the media. Nope. She even stood straighter as she defended Caleb. I could see her intention to stand by his side grow stronger, not weaker.
It wasn’t hard, after that, for Wyatt to talk his cop friends into letting her leave and continue delivering her flowers, free and clear, no ticket. I saw it in their eyes — she charmed them.
They witnessed our connection, too. Even told me in confidence on the way here, they wished they could’ve freed me, too. Then Peters said if I used their confession, of wanting to let me go, against them in court, they’d deny having said it. I don’t blame them for protecting their careers. They’re just doing their jobs. I did appreciate their honesty though.
Zoe.
Why didn’t I take a chance and ask her out months ago? I’m kicking myself, and my sister said the same thing when I called and told her where I am. Elena laughed and said I’m a criminal for love. She stopped laughing when I told her that because it’s Friday, I have to wait here until court opens on Monday. Then a judge sets a trial date and decides what to do with me until then.
So now, here I am, trapped behind these bars, my future uncertain.
The sound of footsteps echoes down the corridor, and I turn to see Caleb himself approaching my cell. I tense, bracing myself for another confrontation, but the expression on his face is not one of anger, but of concern.
"Tom," he says, voice low. "I need to talk to you."
“How’d you get in here?” I swallow hard, my heart pounding. "What do you want, Caleb?"
He hesitates, and meets my gaze. "I want to understand. I want to know how you feel about Zoe."
The mention of her name from his lips sends a jolt of anger through me, and I find myself unable to speak for a moment. How can I possibly put into words the depth of my feelings for her? The way everything about Zoe sets my soul on fire?
"I care for her. More than you can possibly know."
Caleb nods slowly, expression unreadable. Cold. “I thought as much. I've seen the way you look at her, the way you are with her. I..." He pauses, takes a deep breath. "I need to know, Tom. Do you love her?"
The question hangs in the air.
Do I love her?
Of course I do, with every cell of my being. But how can I admit that to the man she's chosen to spend the rest of her life with?
I start, my voice shaking, “Yes. I love her.”
Caleb's eyes widen and, for a moment, I think he might lash out at me. I’m ready for it. If these bars weren’t here, I’d happily fight him. Not that it would do much against the situation, but at least I’d get some of this anger out.
But instead, he nods, expression pensive.
"I see," he says quietly. "And...does she know? Does Zoe know how you feel about her?"
“She knows.” I shake my head, angry gaze falling to the scratched-up floor. “I haven’t told her the true depth of my feelings, but she knows. She's chosen you. After she chased down the police car that brought me here, she told her brother she was going to stand by you, and I respect that."
Caleb is silent for a long moment, and the weight of his gaze on me. Finally, he speaks. “She chased down the police car?”
“Yeah.”
“What about her brother? I don’t get it. Were they here, Zoe and her brother?”
“He’s a cop. He chased her when she chased us.”
A frown flickers on Caleb. “Wish I could’ve seen that. She’s full of surprises, isn’t she?” When I say nothing, he asks for clarification, “She said she was standing by me?”
“He told her all about your bad news coverage.”
Caleb blinks, then drags tense fingers through his hair. “And she…?”
“She defended you.”
"Tom, I..." He paces. "I'm going to get you out of here.”
My jaw drops. "What?"
"I'm going to get you out of here," he repeats, voice firm. "The charges against you are going to be dropped.”
I stare at him, stunned. "But...why? I attacked you, Caleb. You don’t want to punish me for that? I saw it in your eyes — you have feelings for Zoe. This is your chance to keep me away from her.”
Caleb shakes his head. “Yes, and she stood by me. I don’t see why you should have to stay the weekend in this pit. You were acting out of love, out of a desire to protect the woman you care for. I understand that."
I open my mouth to protest, “If you free me, I’ll be helping her at your father’s event tomorrow.”
But Caleb raises a hand to silence me. "Listen to me, Tom. I know how you feel about Zoe. I've known as soon as I met you, even if she wasn’t aware of your feelings. And I..." He pauses, expression pained. "I want her to be happy, Tom. She won’t be happy tomorrow night if you’re locked up in here.”
I can hardly believe what I'm hearing. Caleb, the man who has won Zoe's loyalty, is willing to free me, the competition, to make her happy? It's almost too much to comprehend.
"Caleb, I..." I start, but he cuts me off.
"No, Tom. Don't say anything. I’m not doing this for you. I’m doing it for her.”
I nod, my throat tight. “Fine.”
Caleb nods, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Good." He turns to leave, then pauses. "Oh, and Tom?"
"Yes?"
“She’s mine. Got it?”
We’ll see about that. “Understood."
Caleb nods, turns and walks away, leaving me alone in my cell, mind reeling. I can hardly believe what just happened.
As the minutes tick by, I hear nothing at first. Finally, the sound of voices, the clang of the corridor door opening again, and then Caleb is back, a triumphant smile in his eyes, lips a thin line.
"It's done," he says. "The charges have been dropped. You're free to go."
“How did they even let you back here without a police officer?”
“My father knows the captain.”
My cell door unlocks, triggered by a switch pressed elsewhere. I step out of the cage with disbelief. “Must be nice.”
“To tell you the truth, my father calling the police today after you punched me, is the first time he’s defended me in any way.”
Caleb walks ahead of me without another word.
As we step out into the cool night air, he heads right and I turn left, my steps quickening.
I'm coming, Zoe.
And this time, nothing will stand in my way.