Page 127 of Always Red (Chasing Red 2)

If I let my temper control me, I had a feeling I’d start screaming like an animal and we wouldn’t be able to discuss anything.

That, or I might just kill him.

I crossed my arms in front of me, leaned against the wall opposite him, and raised an eyebrow. I wouldn’t talk until he put those damned pants on.

He smiled knowingly, never breaking our gaze as he discarded the pants, grabbed his boxers instead, and put those on. When he was done, he just leaned back against the wall again, staring at me.

I stared back. I wasn’t going to be the first one to speak.

Damned maturity.

I knew the moment it stopped being a staring game. His eyes lost their spark, replaced by hurt and the unmistakable love he felt for me. I watched him push away from the wall and stalk toward me with purpose.

He stood close, lifting his hand slowly, carefully, as if to caress my face. Suddenly, his green eyes filled with uncertainty, as if he was scared I would reject him, and then his hand dropped to his side.

“I saw my dad at the party,” he whispered.

His eyes lowered, and his long lashes cast shadows on his cheeks.

“I didn’t know my mom invited him. Why would she? She hates his guts. He had his mistress with him. I think she’s younger than I am.” Disgust and shame colored his tone.

“He brought her to this house where he raised his kids, where he built a life with my mom. What kind of person would do that?”

His voice was hard, but it broke as he said, “What kind of father would do that?”

I knew his pain, the torture he was feeling inside for a thoughtless, selfish parent he loved. If he hadn’t turned away at that moment to lean against the wall beside me, I would have reached out to hug him.

“I was furious,” Caleb continued. “He makes me really angry, and my mind gets clouded with hate. I looked for you,” he continued, his voice so quiet that I could barely hear him.

We were silent for a moment. A thousand thoughts and emotions flooded through me, and I didn’t know how to articulate them all to him. So I just stayed quiet and waited for him to speak again.

“I knew you’d make it better, Red. You always make things better. But when I found you…I saw you there with him. With Damon. I heard what you were telling him, and it finally made sense why you were acting different tonight.”

My eyes lowered, and I saw his hands ball into fists.

“It didn’t help that he talks to you like he knows you really well. That he touches you with familiarity. That you allow him to be that close to you, to stand that close to you.

“I know for a fact that I’m the only guy you allow to be that near to you. So please forgive me if I lose my mind when I see you giving him the same liberty. You’re mine. I don’t want anyone standing close to you that way.

“My mind was already clouded with anger and hate for my dad, and seeing you with Damon, hearing you tell him what was bothering you tonight…I just lost it. He didn’t even ask you, Red. You just…told him willingly what I’ve been begging you to tell me…”

My heart hurt.

“I didn’t want to ruin your special day, Caleb,” I murmured quietly when he didn’t continue. “That’s why I didn’t tell you.”

“I know that, but if you have any problems, I want to be the one you tell them to first. I want to be the one to fix them.”

His hand slowly moved beside mine, our pinkie fingers touching. And then he looped his around mine. I turned my head to look up at him.

My heart squeezed as I looked into Caleb’s green eyes. He was staring at me like I was the only girl in the world.

“I crave you, and I can’t help it. I’m a terrible work in progress. I ask too much from you. I know this. But, Red, please don’t give up on me yet.”

I felt my throat close up, and at last, he reached out and held my face in his hands.

“I’m sorry, baby. Please…forgive me?”

“Okay, Caleb,” I choked out. “I’m sorry. I should have told you.”

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