Page 12 of A Pretty Fixation

It gives Caleb a jolt, and he stares at mewide-eyed. “What the fuck? What happened? Why do you get upset when I call youthat?”

“Because I’m not her,” I argue while internallybattling the odd chaos of emotions. “I’m frustrated you won’t get it in yourthick skull.” I start to walk past him. He clutches my arm and pulls me intohis side.

The heat of his body and his intoxicating scentstimulate my senses. I almost want to stay there.

“I think it’s something else,” Caleb growls at theside of my head. “It’s why you refuse to remember me.”

His hot breath tickles my skin, prompting pulsesbetween my thighs.

Fighting the emotions, I grind out harshly, “Idon’t know you. There’s nothing to remember.” I push from him and march backacross the yard, glimpsing Scarlett sitting in Logan’s lap on a lounge chair. Iguess they grew tired of dancing.

They’re both giggling and talking in hushed tones.

I walk over and harrumph to draw Scarlett’sattention, then fold my arms.

“JD, hey. What happened with—”

“Nothing. He’s…a weirdo.” Yet I can’t stop thisbuzz in my body that Caleb caused by touching me.

“Did he do something?” Logan checks, expressionserious.

“No, it’s just….” I shake my head. “Scar, can wego?”

She scrunches up her face and looks at Logan. Heraises his thick brows, hunger evident in his features.

“Um, I wanted to hang out for a while. You want toleave right this second?”

“Scar—”

“I’ll walk you back to the dorm,” Caleb says,coming beside me.

I suck my teeth. “Actually—”

“Yeah, that works,” Scarlett cuts me off, givingme an innocent look. “It’s cool, right? I mean, maybe you should reconnect.”She’s a bit too happy about that.

I huff and rest my hands on my hips. “There’s noreconnecting to be had because we’ve never met.”

“I’m tired,” Logan says as if bored with ourdrama. “Going up to my room.”

Scarlett straightens from his lap so he can stand.

He waves to me before moseying off.

“I won’t be out too late,” she says, cheeks a rosyflushed tone. She pats my arm and whispers, “College is supposed to be fun,JD.” Then she points her index at Caleb and warns, “Hurt her, and I’ll murderyou.”

“I’ll never hurt her,” he swears. “She’s the mostimportant person in my world, next to my family.”

His passionate words give us both a pause.

“Shit,” Scarlett gasps. “Well, that’s good for me.See you later, JD.”

I shake my head when she hurries after Logan.

“Come on, Dove,” Caleb says.

“Will you please stop calling me that?” I plodpast him, waving to Nichole and other familiar faces as I move through thehouse towards the exit.

Caleb follows me out, staying at my pace while Iwalk in the direction of my dorm.

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