17. Caleb
Caleb
I ignore Avery’s stare, flipping her off when she continues to gawk at me.
I finish tucking the light pink button-up into my khakis, then run a hand through my hair.
I don’t normally dress up for anything. I am a jeans and t-shirt type of guy, but Hillary informed me that I could not go to a fancy party in Dallas without dressing up.
Real men wear pink. Those were her exact words.
We’ve talked a few times since I returned home. Our conversations like that of two friends. I even talked to her about Casey, and she actually encouraged me to try and talk to her. Easier said than done.
“Holy shit, bro. You look nice,” Avery comments, plopping down on my bed.
I still haven’t finished unpacking, but I’m officially moved in as of yesterday. I enlisted Brady and Logan’s help and even assured Brady I was no longer pissed with Lilly about the whole Casey thing. I suppose I’m not.
“Are you this dressed up because you know Casey will be there with Derek or because you’re hoping to get some strange?” Avery asks, breaking me from my thoughts.
“Strange?”.
“You know…strange.” She takes her hand and moves it over her crotch area. I nearly fucking choke.
“You did not just do that.” I shake my head and spray some cologne on.
“Have you tried talking to Casey?” she asks, changing the subject.
“I’m waiting on the right moment,” I answer, walking out of my room.
“And you think the right moment is just going to fucking announce itself or something?” I roll my eyes although she’s walking behind me and can’t see me.
“I saw that. Look, I’m flying out after this whole party business.
I’m only going because you fucking asked me to.
I have a boyfriend back in L.A. that’s giving me a shit fit because he’s ready for me to come home.
Once I leave, don’t forget what you accomplished being away from this fucking town. ”
I turn and face my sister, a serious look on my face. “I promise you I won’t. Thank you for helping me.”
She seems surprised by my graciousness, but I know that I have her and Brady to thank for getting me out of Hollis and out of my own head.
I was self-destructing here. I thought losing Casey and our unborn baby was the end of everything.
I was fucking losing it. I would probably be six feet under by now had I not left.
“Let’s go to this fancy-ass party now. I need to see how the other half live,” Avery grins.
The drive to Dallas is uneventful. We sing along to the radio, and when nothing good is on, we talk about some good times we shared in L.A. She reminds me that I still owe her twenty bucks for the time she ate the habanero pepper.
“Looks like we’re here,” I announce, pulling into the driveway of a massive estate.
Apparently, the Steeles went all out for this.
They even have valet parking. Brady told me they’re protecting their reputation.
Madden and Jade got engaged without announcing it to anyone in his family, aside from his siblings.
Needless to say, his parents were pissed.
They have a reputation to uphold, and having their youngest get married without them being a part of it wasn’t happening.
I’m personally impressed that Madden was willing to walk away from all of this.
“I haven’t told you yet, but you look really nice tonight,” I say to Avery as we get out of my truck.
We’re a lot alike. We don’t like dressing up and putting on a facade that we’re someone we aren’t. I know the dress she’s wearing is only so she’ll fit in with the crowd. Same for me. And maybe because Casey always begged me to wear a pink shirt, and I refused.
We walk into the house and see dozens of people mingling.
I don’t recognize a single person. Avery grips my arm tightly, and I know she’s uncomfortable here.
These aren’t her friends. She came here for me.
Hell, she came back home for me. Hollis is a damn nightmare for her.
I can see why she’s anxious to get back to L.A.
“We won’t stay long,” I promise, patting her hand.
And I mean it. Mainly because I know she’s ready to get back to her life, but also because I finally see someone I know. She’s smiling, laughing even. Her lips moving against the ear of her boyfriend.
I did a lot of changing while I was away from Hollis. I stopped drinking. I stopped being angry. And there’s only one person who can’t see how much I’ve changed.
And she’s the only one who really matters.