ChapteR 18
Cal
After the game ended and the adrenaline finally started settling out of my system, I should’ve gone home.
That probably would’ve been the smartest thing to do.
Instead, while sitting in the backseat on the way from the arena, I found myself texting Veronica at the last minute, asking if she wanted to come out to Lynk. And of course, she said yes.
By the time I made it home, I’d already swapped out the navy suit and broadcast polish for something more comfortable. I settled for some dark jeans, a clean tee, and some sneakers. I threw on a nice watch, sprayed cologne across my neck, and headed back out before I could overthink anything.
Veronica looked incredible when I picked her up—the type of woman men stared at automatically when she entered a room. She smiled, sliding into my truck.
“So, Mr. TV personality,” she teased while buckling her seatbelt. “Big night, huh?”
I laughed softly while pulling away from the curb.
“Something like that.”
“And now we celebrate?”
“Exactly.”
I fully intended on relaxing tonight. But the second we walked into Lynk, all that went straight to hell.
Because the first thing I saw was Nia standing beside David.
Even from across the club, I could immediately tell she was tipsy.
Not sloppy—Nia never really got sloppy drunk—but relaxed enough that her laugh came easier and her body moved looser while she danced beside Mars.
Drunk Nia was dangerous. Funny. Flirty. Touchy.
Completely uninhibited. I almost felt bad for David because I already knew he probably had no idea what he was dealing with tonight.
The entire atmosphere felt alive and warm and celebratory, and somehow, despite the tension sitting underneath everything, I was actually having fun—especially every time Nia and I started arguing across the section.
Mars nudged my arm under the table.
“Stop flirting with her.”
I ignored her completely. I continued to watch Nia dance beside David, and then I realized that he didn’t fit into this world naturally.
Meanwhile, Nia practically glowed inside environments like this.
She floated through the room laughing, dancing, roasting people, arguing basketball, stealing drinks, and somehow making the entire section feel warmer around her.
What the hell was she doing with this guy?
Then, toward the end of the night, came the kiss.
The second she stood near the edge of the section with him and leaned up, kissing him softly goodbye, my fist clenched so hard underneath the table that my knuckles actually started hurting.
She did that on purpose. I knew she did—especially after I brought Veronica.
Thank God he was leaving, because the second David disappeared through the crowd, I finally exhaled fully for what felt like the first time all night.
Nia sat back beside Mars afterward, laughing at something Jalen said while absently fixing the strap of her dress.
Her curls framed her face wildly now from dancing and tequila, and every time she smiled, I felt myself getting irritated all over again because she looked entirely too beautiful tonight.
Eventually, I leaned closer while everybody else got distracted.
“Come on, Nia.”
“What?”
“This guy is not for you.”
Her expression shifted instantly.
“Oh, really?”
“Yes, really.”
“And what exactly do you know?” she asked calmly, tilting her head slightly.
I opened my mouth immediately before stopping myself, because what did I know? All I knew was watching another man touch her made me feel violent in ways I didn’t fully understand yet. All I knew was she looked too comfortable beside him. All I knew was I hated it.
Nia studied my face quietly for a second before taking another sip of tequila.
She sat there with that teasing look in her eyes, curls spilling over one shoulder while she held her drink loosely in her hand.
The crowd around us continued celebrating while bottles arrived at nearby tables and music vibrated through the floor beneath our feet.
Then I leaned slightly closer.
“What exactly are you doing with him?”
Her smile faded.
“What do you mean?”
“You know exactly what I mean.”
Nia set her glass down.
“Why do you care?”
I let out a slow breath.
“Because I don't think he's right for you.”
She stared at me.
“That's not your decision.”
“I know that.”
“Then why are we having this conversation?”
I rubbed my jaw.
“You don't seem like yourself around him.”
Nia laughed.
“Are you serious?”
“Yes.”
“Cal, he treats me wonderfully.”
I looked away briefly.
“That doesn't mean he's right for you.”
She shook her head.
“Do you hear yourself?”
I didn't answer, because part of me did hear it, and part of me knew I sounded ridiculous.
Nia folded her arms.
“For years you've told me we shouldn't be together.”
There it was—the conversation we'd both been avoiding.
“You said keeping things casual was smarter.”
I remained quiet.
“You said feelings complicated things.”
Still quiet.
“You don't get to suddenly decide somebody isn't good enough for me because another man is interested.”
My jaw tightened.
“That's not what this is.”
“Then what is it?”
I opened my mouth, but nothing came out, because I still didn't have a good answer. The silence stretched long enough that Nia's expression softened slightly. Not because she agreed with me, but because she could see I was struggling.
Before either of us could say another word, Mars suddenly appeared between us holding a drink. Both of us looked at her. Mars pointed between us and said, “Whatever this is that you guys are doing right now... stop it.”
And just like that, the club lights brightened slightly as people slowly started heading toward the exits.
Our group made its way outside where a crowd had already gathered near valet.
The Houston air felt warm against my skin after hours inside the club.
Mars stood beside Jalen scrolling through her phone, while Nia leaned against the curb waiting for her ride.
I stayed nearby, pretending to pay attention to the conversation around me, but mostly I watched her.
A black luxury sedan pulled up moments later. Nia glanced at her phone and smiled.
“That's me.”
Mars hugged her first.
“Call me tomorrow.”
“I will.”
Jalen hugged her next.
Then her eyes landed on me.
For a second, neither of us moved.
“Goodnight, Caleb.”
“Night, Nia.”
She gave me one last look before climbing into the backseat, and then the car pulled away. Just like that, she was gone. Completely out of sight. I stood there staring at the empty street for a second longer than necessary.
“Ready?” Veronica's voice snapped me back.
Shit. I had completely forgotten she was standing right beside me. The guilt hit immediately—not because I'd done anything inappropriate, but because I'd spent the entire night focused on somebody else.
“Yeah,” I said quietly.
The drive to her house felt longer than the drive there.
The streets had mostly emptied by then, leaving only scattered headlights moving through the city.
Veronica sat beside me scrolling through her phone while soft music drifted through the speakers.
Neither of us had much to say during the drive back.
I didn't think she was upset; if anything, I think she noticed where my mind had been all night.
Women usually did, especially women as smart as her.
When we finally pulled up outside her building, she gathered her purse and looked over at me.
“Congratulations again on tonight.”
I smiled. “Thank you. I appreciate you for coming out tonight.”
“Of course.”
She studied me for a second before nodding. Then she leaned over and kissed my cheek.
“Get some sleep, Caleb.”
“Goodnight.”
I watched her disappear inside her building before finally pulling away from the curb.
I sat in my truck at a red light a few blocks away, my hands resting against the steering wheel while the engine idled quietly beneath me.
The city had gone mostly silent at this hour.
For the first time all night, nothing was distracting me—just my thoughts, and that was proving to be a dangerous place lately.
I leaned back against the headrest and closed my eyes briefly, every single piece of the night replaying itself over and over again in the dark.