Page 65 of Hate Me

The rest… that would come with time.

There was a lot to work through.

Judging by the agitation and disapproval in Caspian’s tone, he was struggling with that.

I made it to the living room and peered around the corner, taking in Caleb lounging back in one of the armchairs in a pair of gray sweats and a white tee, while Cas stood a few feet away leaning against the wall and sipping at his espresso clad in one of his Hugo Boss suits.

“Why are you reading that?” he grunted at Caleb.

I peered closer to see the title of the book in Caleb’s hands. Great Expectations.

Yeah, that was weird for him.

“I can’t read from your collection now?”

“You’re not known for it.”

“I started another copy a few days ago and I didn’t get to finish it.”

“Don’t bother. You won’t like it.”

“Why not?”

“You only like happy endings. Pure, unambiguous happy endings.”

“And this doesn’t have one? After everything Pip has been through?”

I smiled as I saw Caspian’s lips twitch as the sweet and innocent side of Cal came to the surface with his whole happy endings thing.

He cleared his throat and responded stoically, though, “This is the version with the original ending, so no.”

“Oh.” He tossed the book down on the coffee table. “Well, shit.”

Cas rolled his eyes, then put the espresso cup down beside it and took a seat on the edge, looking Cal over.

“How are you feeling?”

“I slept in, hydrated, and took those painkillers you left for me, so I’m all good.”

“I’m glad to hear it. But I’m not just talking about in the physical sense.”

Caleb stared at him for a moment, a haunted look in his eyes.

But then he blinked it away and said in a forced upbeat tone, “One night back and you’re already saving my ass, huh?”

“Less than one night if we’re getting technical.”

“Yeah, well.”

“You fucking went to him, Caleb! As if it wasn’t bad enough that you fucked around with that twisted shit, Asher Monroe.”

“Damn, you’re jealous.”

“What?”

“You’re insanely jealous. You even called Ash your replacement.”

“Don’t use his name around me.”

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