Chapter Thirty - Scarlett
Caleb waves and struts over to my car. He’s dressed like he’s just jumped out of bed in a loose pair of grey sweats. They leave nothing to the imagination. He leans forward opening the door for me with a grin that is too warm, this whole run in feels very calculated.
“Fancy seeing you here.” he says with a chirp in his voice.
“It’s late, isn’t it? Are you okay?” I say, stepping outside the car and flicking the central locking. What other reason could he have to just rock up here at this time than something important.
“Yeah, I couldn’t sleep, and after our chat today I thought maybe you’d be in the same boat so stopped by to check on you, but your car wasn’t here.”
It hits me like a slap. It’s a coincidence I tell myself. Who doesn’t text ahead these days? This is all very odd. My spidey senses tell me he is up to something.
“I’m sorry, Caleb. I’m really tired I struggle to sleep sometimes.” I’m probing and I wonder if he notices. But he was the one who mentioned lack of sleep.
He nods, expression hard to read. “I know the feeling well, I’m practically insomniac at this point.”
He’s playing into my hand, he doesn’t know what I know, clearly. But Asher said no one else knew about the toxicology report but a handful of people close to him—so why would Caleb suspect my conversation was anything but casual.
His voice cracks slightly, and I reach out instinctively, placing a hand on his.
Big mistake.
He turns that touch into something else. Shifts closer. Looks at me with a softness I don’t trust. Ah, this is why he’s here late, wearing a slutty outfit combination by men’s standards.
“I’m sorry you had to find out about Asher’s lies the way you did,” he says, eyes locking onto mine. “I saw him take something. I was at the party. He was all over the place—took a drink, stumbled out.”
I freeze. Something does not add up. Although, I’m slowly putting two and two together.
“You saw him take something?” I ask carefully.
He nods. “I even offered him a lemonade to sober him up a bit, he was supposed to be our next big thing, and he was making a fool of himself. He must’ve felt the embarrassment because that’s why he left early I reckon.”
My skin crawls. One of the only things Asher remembers from that night before it all went blurred lines and blackouts was someone handing him a lemonade.
“I really should get to bed, I’ve got a big day tomorrow.” I walk forward through the gate.
He grabs my wrist, “Are you sure you don’t want some company?” his eyes are pleading for an invitation inside, is this man for real.
I yank my hand away, but remember I need him on my side if I’m going to get the truth out of him. “No, I’ve had a huge day, and I’m just so torn up about Asher, but I’m so glad I have you Caleb. Someone I can really trust.” idiot.
“Don’t let it get to you Scar; he’s an idiot for what he’s lied about and lost. Any man would be lucky as hell to have you.” his eyes drink me in and suddenly my choice of skirt and top are making me feel completely exposed.
I offer a wry smile and turn to walk into the pool house. I feel dirty, Caleb isn’t the Caleb I know at all. Maybe he never was. People change, trauma changes them, life changes them, growing up. Who is my friend? Who is Caleb Farah?