Page 27 of Caleb

But I'm not such an asshole that I just leave her statement hanging there. "Well, I hope you find what you're looking for."

"Thanks," she says. "You're too sweet."

* * *

ALEX

The sun is starting to set so we pack up what remains of the picnic and the few unused condoms. I don't think I've ever seen anything as funny as when those packets went flying as Caleb shook out the blanket.

It's been a perfect afternoon and I hate for it to end. I find my clothes and redress myself as best I can. I hated giving Caleb's shirt back to him. For one thing, I liked wearing it. It smelled like him and made me feel special. For another, I enjoyed being able to gaze at his bare chest all afternoon.

We get into the truck and it's a little bit awkward. What are we supposed to talk about? I want desperately to ask when I can see him again, but I don't want to sound needy.

Even if that's exactly what I am. Needy. Being with him gives me a sense of peace that I've never had before. Ever. Not even in the before times, when I was just a kid, not an international superstar.

Caleb turns the radio back on in the truck and I gasp when I hear the last few seconds of one of my hits playing. I quickly pretend it's a yawn and cover my mouth with my hand, but it's hard for me to breathe. The song ends and the announcer says, "That'sNobody Knowssung by Xandra. Word has been circulating that the chart-topping singer who famously wonThe Next Big Starwhen she was only fifteen, has gone missing. About a week ago, she seemed to have blacked out on stage and was rushed to a private hospital by ambulance, but she's not been seen or heard from since then. Photos smuggled out of the private hospital indicate that she's no longer there and may have never arrived. Rumors of the reasons and her whereabouts have been burning up social media. In fact, one tabloid has promised a one hundred thousand dollar reward for anyone who locates the missing songstress."

The words hang there in the air and I cover my mouth with both hands. Holy shit.

I slant my eyes over to Caleb to see his reaction, but of course he has no idea who I am. Or that anyone is looking for me.

Tell him. Tell him. This is a sign from the universe that you need to tell him.

I swallow around the lump in my throat and try to form the right words when he reaches over and clicks off the radio. "Spoiled brat, that's what it is, if you ask me. Probably just doing this for the attention. Or to sell more records. You just wait. She'll be back on tour soon and ticket prices will be double."

Well, so much for telling him that the publicity seeking spoiled brat is me.

CHAPTER9

CALEB

My foot on the accelerator seems to be easing back as though it's got a mind of its own. I'm in no hurry for this day to end. It's been perfect. The picnic, the sex, the closeness. The time to get to know Alex.

Seeing her naked. Feeling her body next to mine. Filling her with my cock.

Except for that incredibly embarrassing moment when the condoms went flying as I opened the blanket, I couldn't have asked for anything better.

I am going to have a serious talk with Midge the next time I see her.

I suppose that's going to be soon. I'll drop Alex off and then I'll be on my way.

Somehow that feels wrong.

Leaving her. I don't want to do it.

I mean, it's not like I won't be able to see her tomorrow. Right?

We pull in the driveway and there's a long pause. Alex turns to me. Licks her lips. Her gaze rests on my mouth and then she turns and fumbles with the door handle. I reach over and cover her hand with mine to still it. "Stay where you are," I say, then jump out and go around to open the passenger side door and help her out.

She hesitates for a moment and then puts her hand in mine and I assist her. I stand close so our bodies are mere inches apart and the tension between us snaps in the air.

"Um, well," she says, glancing toward the door of the cabin. "I guess I ought to be going. Thank you for a really wonderful day."

"Let me walk you to the door," I say, striving for any reason to prolong our time together. I hold her hand and we walk up to the porch, careful to miss that loose board that caused me to trip the first time I visited. I know that was just a few days ago but it seems like so much has happened since that time.

Like finding out she's not a reclusive senior citizen.

No, she's far from that.

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