Page 66 of The Fallen Ones

“Don’t bow out just yet. Think it through. We’ll see you this weekend….brother,” I said in a low, fierce growl.

Caleb stared me down for a moment, not taking the beanie back.

“If you want her, fucking take her,” I continued, staring into his eyes. “This is your chance, Caleb. Don’t let it go. Me and Jace fucking her while you sit alone wishing you were there with us….Regrets are for pussies. Are you a pussy?”

That muscle popped along his jaw again before he snatched the beanie away from me and stormed out of the house with it.

“He’s losing it,” Jace said as the front door slammed closed.

I grabbed the bottle of whisky and took a deep drink before wiping my mouth.

“Good. He’ll finally fit in with us.”

Jace smirked at me and settled back in his seat.

“You staying?” I asked, raising my brows at him in surprise. We’d not hung out just the two of us since we were teens.

“Looks like it…brother.” He grinned and held his hand out for the booze.

I chuckled, shaking my head, and handed it to him.

“I still fucking hate you,” I said, our eyes locked.

“Feeling is mutual.”

I watched him drink from the bottle before he smacked his lips.

“So what are we doing?” I asked.

“Winging it,” he answered. “So shut the fuck up and drink.”

I took the bottle from him, smiling.

I could drink to that.

Chapter 25

Lily

Caleb wasn’t returning my calls or texts. He avoided me. I was desperate to get him to respond, but there was just nothing. I was nearly ready to go to his house and demand we talk, but I also knew Caleb was the sort of guy who needed time when he was upset.

I’d said some really dumb stuff to him. Hell, I’d done some really dumb stuff that night. Kissing him. Saying he was gross and like a sibling.

I groaned as I stood waiting for a barista to finish making my latte at the little cafe near campus. My thoughts were all over. I’d never meant he was gross. I meant the situation was. And it wasn’t even that.

I thought he hadn’t kissed me back because he thought it was gross or that I was. To soften the blow, I’d voiced it from my perspective and apparently it had hit a nerve.

“Penny for your thoughts, baby sister,” Damien’s voice tickled my ears.

I turned to him, surprised to find his darkness lurking in a small cafe.

“Go away,” I muttered, turning forward again.

“Can’t. I’m here to get caffeinated,” he replied.

I glanced at him, taking in how he looked. All black. His messy hair falling across his forehead, his dark eyes filled with secrets I knew he’d never tell. Long, sooty lashes. Flawless skin.

“Lily?” The barista called out my name, snapping me away from Damien. I stepped forward and took my drink from her and turned to go. Damien’s hand shot out and gripped my bicep to stop me.

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