Page 31 of Always Red (Chasing Red 2)

What was Caleb doing now?

I was smiling as I searched my bag for my phone, wondering if he had texted me. I couldn’t wait to see him again.

I was about to check my messages when I heard a commotion near the multipurpose room. When I heard someone shout Caleb

’s name, adrenaline and fear flooded my veins and I ran.

I watched in horror as Caleb wrapped a hand around Justin’s throat and shoved him against the wall. The loud bang echoed in the hallway.

Caleb’s face was livid, his green eyes dark with anger. He lifted Justin a few inches off the floor. I could see Justin’s face turning blue as he tried to gasp for air but couldn’t. And then Caleb spoke quietly, dangerously.

“If I even hear you say her name, you’re dead, motherfucker.”

Chapter Eleven

Caleb

“Make me forget, Caleb.” Red closed her eyes, her seductive lips slightly parted. “I want you to rip my—”

The shrieking ring of the alarm snapped my eyes open. Disoriented, I instinctively slapped it off.

A dream, I realized, as I fell back on the bed and covered my eyes with my arm. A very, very good dream.

A wide grin stretched across my face. It didn’t have to be a dream. I could find Red and…kiss her right now.

Where was she? I remembered she told me she was going to have a shower.

Wait. How long was I out?

I sat up, looking around her small tidy room and spotting piles of books neatly stacked on her table, on the floor, and even on the windowsill. I knew it wouldn’t be her room without books. When I built our house, I’d make sure there was a library for her and a big kitchen with all the state-of-the-art appliances, since she loved to cook and bake.

I glanced up at the quick, sharp knock on the door.

“Red?”

“Keep dreaming, big boy. It’s Kara.”

“Oh, hey, Kar.”

The door opened a fraction. “You naked?”

I laughed. “Only in my dreams,” I muttered under my breath.

“Huh?”

“Nope. Got all my clothes on. You’re safe to come in.”

“Well.” She pushed the door wide open. “So I guess that means no makeup sex for you.”

I shook my head.

She gave me a pitying look. “Really? And here I thought you were a master.”

I laughed again. “Where is she?”

“School. Guess you conked out. She texted me and said to feed you. Come on.” She walked off.

Rising, I spotted a note from Red beside the alarm clock and smiled goofily as I read it. Folding it neatly, I tucked it in my wallet for safekeeping and followed Kara to the kitchen.

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