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It was a mind-blowing show, ending after four songs, although I could have stood there for another ten more.
“Ever seen anything like this?” I leaned in, whispering to Caleb over the cheer of the crowd.
His eyes were fixed on the stage, a look of sheer wonder on his face. “Never,” he said, turning to me with a smile that outshone the stage lights. “But then, I’ve never been anywhere like this. Not until you.”
The words hit me with the force of a tidal wave. In the midst of the magic, the glamour, and the pulse of the music, it was that simple truth that anchored me. This night, this moment—it was ours, a shared slice of time that nothing could diminish.
But even as the cheers filled the air, I felt Caleb’s grip on my hand tighten. Something in his touch, a subtle shift in the pressure, pulled me back to reality.
I turned to him, the question clear in my eyes. “What’s up?”
His gaze met mine, and in that instant, I saw it—the flicker of something beneath the surface, a storm brewing behind the calm. “Let’s step outside for a sec,” he said, his voice steady but insistent.
We made our way through the throng of partygoers, the laughter and chatter fading into a distant hum as we stepped into the quiet of the backyard. The lit-up pool cast a soft glow on Caleb’s face, revealing a tension I hadn’t seen before.
“Caleb, talk to me,” I urged, my concern mounting with every passing second. “You know you can tell me anything.”
I was still riding a high from that wild performance, so I was surprised to see his expression. He looked stressed. What the hell could have gotten him so worked up?
“What’s wrong?” I asked, immediately concerned. I looked over my shoulder. There were a few other people hanging out near the lit-up pool and some hanging out near the fire pit. Had Caleb seen someone? Could the Crimson Ring have somehow infiltrated the party, and I was too caught up in the show to notice?
“Nothing. I mean, well, everything.”
I cocked my head at that. “What’s that mean?”
Caleb scratched the back of his neck, dropping his gaze down to his shoes. I hated when he did that. I didn’t like thinking that he couldn’t even look me in the eye. I wanted to be Caleb’s comfort. I wanted to be his lighthouse in the middle of a hurricane. I never wanted him to feel like he couldn’t meet my gaze, no matter what he had to say.
“It’s okay,” I said, reaching for his hand. “Just talk to me. I’m here.”
He still didn’t look at me. He shook his head. When he lifted it again, I could see there were now tears pricking at the corners of his eyes. “Whoa, Caleb, seriously, what’s going on? I’ll fight someone. I swear. Did someone say anything stupid to you?” I was already puffing my chest, fists balling. If anyone messed with my Caleb, they were going to get a fistful of ice to the jaw.
“No, no,” he said quickly, sniffing and rubbing at his nose. “It’s got nothing to do with anyone else. This is just me… I need to tell you something, Madds. I haven’t been fully honest with you.”
Oh… oh, fuck. Now, I started getting nervous. “I’m sure that whatever you have to tell me isn’t that bad.” How could it be? Caleb was the one person who broke through all of my walls. He was the one person I felt I could trust unconditionally. I never let anyone in. No one.
Had he been lying to me this entire time? Was he already dating someone? Did he not have any real feelings for me? All these thoughts came crashing into my head like a fifteen-car pile-on in the middle of a foggy highway.
“It’s about the case.”
Okay… okay. So it didn’t have to do with him seeing anyone else. That was a relief.
“What about it?” I asked.
He started biting at his nails. We were toward the end of the yard, next to the fence that separated us from the rest of the Hollywood Hills. Homes twinkled all around us, the rest of the city spread out beneath. The view was dreamy, but this situation was quickly resembling anything but.
“I lied to you about my involvement with the Crimson Ring. I know I told you I was friends with someone who had been an initiate, but… that was me. I used to be in the Crimson Ring. I had been an initiate for months before I came to my senses and defected. I’m so sorry. I should have told you sooner. I’m sorry.” His bottom lip quivered, the tears spilling out and running down his cheeks.
I blinked. There was a whistle in my ears, like someone had just dropped a grenade nearby and the blast popped both my eardrums. Maybe it was the sudden spike in blood pressure.
