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Despite the complexity of our connection, even when we were fighting, there was passion behind it. There were times I’d catch him staring at me, and he’d always play it off in one way or another. Caleb didn’t do relationships. I’d never known him to be in one, and he reminded me often he wasn’t made like that.
His push and pull were a drug to me.
A magnetic force I couldn’t resist.
One minute I hated him, and the next I was in his bed.
“Happy birthday to you!” the singing brought my attention back to the present.
After I blew out my candles, I unexpectedly found myself wishing for Caleb to show up for me. Once and for all, I needed to know where we stood and if there was a future between us.
Trust me, I wanted there to be one.
It was as if I felt him from across the room. His powerful stare was like a blaze tearing through my chest and into my heart. As soon as I looked up, we locked eyes.
It was immediate.
Our connection.
Usually, Caleb didn’t hold my gaze for longer than a few seconds, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel his smoldering glare on every inch of my body. It was the effect he’d always had on me—from the first time I woke up in his bed.
Nobody knew about our hookups. Especially my brother. He wouldn’t approve, and neither one of us wanted to disappoint Jax. It wasn’t until my heart skipped a beat and I sucked in a visible breath that I realized Caleb wasn’t alone.
My eyes shifted toward the woman holding his hand. Before I could give it too much thought, they were standing in front of Jax and me.
She was glowing.
Beautiful.
Happy.
“Happy birthday, Evie!” She pulled me into a tight hug, though my stare was still on Caleb.
I couldn’t read his expression, and I never wanted to know what he was thinking or feeling more than I did in that moment.
When she added, “I’m sorry we’re so late!” I cocked my head to the side, repeating, “We’re?”
Jax arched an eyebrow, silently asking the same question I was. I’d never seen them together. I had no idea they were friends. Yet there they were, holding fucking hands.
At. My. Birthday. Party.
From that point forward, everything stopped.
Everything.
From my heart, to my breathing, to the reckless thoughts creating havoc in my mind, holding me captive where nothing made sense. Suddenly, a surge of panic flooded through my core. I just knew whatever she’d reply would hurt.
Badly.
To the point of no return.
Caleb looked over at her, eyes laced with an emotion I couldn’t place.
“Tessa,” he warned in a familiar tone.
He’d use it on me often, and I hated that he was now using it on her.
It was mine.
