Page 111 of The Fallen Ones

“Hey, Caleb,” I greeted him. “Sorry to wake you. You were the first person I thought of this morning when I woke.”

“Really?” He perked up, making my heart hurt a little bit at that.

“Yeah. Can we talk later? If you’re not working or busy?”

“Of course, Lil bit. When do you want to meet?”

“Um, like five?”

“OK. I’ll see you at five. Is everything OK?”

I didn’t say anything for a moment before I answered. “I think so.”

“OK,” he said gently. “I’ll see you tonight. Call me if you need me.”

“I will. Thanks, Caleb.”

“Anytime, Lil bit.”

The line disconnected and I exhaled again, trying to calm myself.

This was going to work. It had to.

Caleb arrivedat my place right on time and sat on my couch while I twisted my hands nervously. I’d spent the day rolling everything over in my head and decided I was going to really gofor it. As long as Caleb thought it was OK. It mattered to me what he thought. He never steered me wrong.

“Talk to me, Lil. What’s going on?” A look of concern washed over his face.

I cleared my throat. “The Fallen Ones were here last night. They came into my apartment.” I paused and looked at him. He didn’t move an inch as he stared back at me.

I licked my lips and continued. “I had sex with the three of them.”

I glanced at him again to see he hadn’t had a reaction yet. I breathed out and continued.

“They want me, Caleb. They said they’ll unmask and claim me if I break things off with Brandon. I mean, we’re not official or anything. We’re just dating.”

Caleb nodded. “OK. What are you going to do?”

I bit my bottom lip. “I’m going to break things off with Brandon. He’s a bit of an ass anyway.” I let out a soft laugh. “I can’t keep making excuses for his behavior. So that’s not the hard part.”

“What is?”

I shrugged. “I guess I’m scared. What if this is a bad idea?”

“What if it’s the best idea you’ve ever had?” He countered.

I stilled, contemplating his answer.

“Would you do it? Would you say yes?” I looked at him for an answer.

“It would depend on how they made me feel. If I knew I couldn’t live without them, yeah. In a heartbeat I’d say yes. But I’d have to know for certain it’s what I wanted. More than two hearts would be on the line. It’s you and three guys. If you’re going to do it, you go all in and don’t get scared and run. If you think you can do that, then I say do it. You deserve to be happy, Lil.”

“Really?”

“Yes.” He gave me a gentle smile. “Do what your heart tells you to do. Nothing less.”

I nodded. “OK. I-I’m going to do it. I want them. Am I crazy?”

He chuckled. “No. You’re perfect, Lily.”

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