Page 101 of Wreck Me

“Yeah?” Caleb asked, and I knew he wasn’t just asking if it was true, he wanted to make sure I felt ready to re-enter that type of situation and atmosphere.

I nodded. “I’m ready.” Well, I needed to test that I was. Until I did, I’d never know for sure.

“All right.” He turned his attention back to Damien. “You’re done here then. You’ve sorted the fight. Get going or you’ll be late for Econ.”

“So will you.”

“I’ll follow.”

Damien resisted for a moment, then rose from the chair and walked to him.

He leaned in and brushed his lips over Caleb’s throat, telling him in a husky voice, “Missed you too, baby.”

Caleb shot out his hand and fisted it in Damien’s hoodie.

But then his eyes darted around at the packed café and some looks coming his way, some people stopping in their tracks and reading the aggression, likely thinking it was going to turn into a fight.

Working his jaw, he released Damien who laughed. “I’ll save you a seat.”

With that, he walked off, leaving Caleb seething after him for a few moments, before he managed to suck in a breath, then turn to me with a genuine smile. “You all right?”

“I should be asking you that.”

“I’m fine. He’s just incredibly antagonistic. I shouldn’t let it get under my skin.”

It seemed a whole lot more than just merely antagonistic, but I didn’t speak to it, seeing the state of him.

In fact, before I could say anything else, he told me, “I need to get to a meeting, otherwise I’d stay. But you’re really okay?”

“I’m fine, I promise.”

“You held yourself in check well. It’s promising. I think you are really read to test it with this upcoming fight.”

I smiled. “Yeah. Yeah, I am. Thanks to you.”

He waved his hand dismissively. “It was you who did the work.” His phone beeped and he pulled it out, then told me. “I need to head out. See you at the mansion soon?”

“Yeah.”

With that, he took off.

To a meeting, rather than the class he was supposed to be headed to.

I wondered what was going on there.

These last few minutes had been a hell of a mind-fuck, really.

My phone buzzed on the table and I swiped it open.

Bastian: Wtf?

I looked out to see him now at that busy table, interacting with his group, while staring at his phone at the same time. Some impressive multitasking, because he somehow looked engaged in both activities at the same time.

Skylar: I’ll tell you later.

Bastian: Stairwell. One hour.

Skylar: I’ll be there.

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