A thousand other options ran through my head as she shivered and ducked down deeper between the pillows.
Was my girl sicker than she admitted?
Chapter
Fourteen
DEMETRI
Iwatched our beta saunter through the front door. He was still in his daily uniform of crisp jeans and a t-shirt. I watched him rub the back of his neck as if deep in thought, from where I lounged on the couch.
I set my laptop to the side and rubbed my eyes.
Done. I was done with work for the entire long weekend. Or at least until Sunday. Tonight...
I knew I needed the break, but there was always something to be done- to be gotten ahead of.
Cal’s brow furrowed at the tile flooring.
I motioned to the side of my face the moment he noticed me, eyes widening as if he didn't realize anyone else was in the house.
“You have lipstick on your neck," I informed him.
Cal’s hand immediately reached up but didn’t rub the nonexistent mark away. If anything he flushed. Freckles on his cheeks were more pronounced when they were brightened with red, likely remembering how that kiss mark got there.
“I do not.”
I huffed a short laugh and shook my head.
I wasn’t going to lie, I was surprised that whoever he met the other week made it this long, let alone how much time he was spending with them. Usually when Cal had a fascination with someone, it lasted a few days like any other obsession.
My jealousy was purely from the fact I hadn’t seen him much, though he seemed to be getting work done from what he’d been emailing me of the local non-profits I asked him to look into.
Cal only shared his affections with Liam, though I’m sure would’ve with anyone in the pack. That was one thing about our beta. He always had enough love to go around.
Liam’s eyes widened at Cal as he came down the stairs wearing a loose pair of gray sweatpants. His hair stuck up in all directions and he wore his glasses. Being able to see just fine, however, didn’t stop him from catching Cal’s hand.
He bent the beta’s head to the side to get a look at the light pink shade for himself. “So you’re really taking this girl out now.”
“I think we already went over what I was doing last week. More than a week ago,” said Cal. “Did you forget? Is that why you had to come to track me down today to give her a once-over yourself.”
My eyes widened at Liam, though I wasn’t surprised.
He huffed.
“You didn’t say it was a woman,” snarked Liam, as if he could get out of this one.
“I didn’t realize I had to,” Cal muttered. “You really thought I needed another dick around here? Hell no. I get that enough from you assholes.”
Cal chuckled at his own joke before his face settled back into something more pensive, nearing a frown.
I wasn't sure when the last time I saw that kind of expression on his face. “You alright there, Cal?”
“Ella wasn’t feeling well this afternoon.”
“Is she sick?” I asked.
“She’s been working herself to the bone for some alumni project in the library,” Cal explained. “She must've caught some sort of cold that has been bugging her for the past few days. Not to mention, I finally went back to her place when I dropped her off tonight. I wanted to make sure she got back okay, not that I think it probably would've helped.”