“So, this is it then?” I ask, no hesitation in my voice. We were it long before we ever admitted it to each other or ourselves.
All those nights spent together watching TV, sharing a bed, waiting up for him to get home from work, it wasn’t just to be nice, it was because we have something, something so strong it pulled us to each other.
“Yep, this is it, Ruby. No getting rid of me now.” There’s a tone to his voice that pokes at the seriousness of what we’re doing here, but there’s also a playfulness that has been our staple.
“So how do you want to handle this with Reid and Sienna? You know she’s not going to let us live this down,” I say, mock annoyance filtering through my tone. She has the best of intentions and just wants Caleb to feel like himself again. But I also know, she has longed for this since the day we met.
Sienna and I are like sisters, like family and growing up without that, she’s clung to me ever since. The thought of being forever connected to her through Caleb makes my heart feel like it might burst inside my chest. I’m getting way too fucking ahead of myself though and I practically laugh out loud at how ridiculous I’m being.
I’ve never been that kind of girl. I’ve always been able to flit between guys, never really caring if it led to anything more, but with Caleb I want more. I want it all.
Caleb now laughs, my question dancing between us, the hilarity of how this all played out in Sienna’s favor.
“How about we fuck with them for a little bit?” He squints at me, wondering my thoughts on the whole thing as he smirks in a way that is far too playful. I love his relationship with Sienna and the closeness they have. It’s different than what I have with my sister; a deeper connection that people say only comes from being twins.
“Okay, what are you thinking?” I ask back, already wrapped up in his plan and smirking right along with him.
“We make them think they’ve caught us together,” he says, grinning from ear to ear. “We can be making out in the kitchen or whatever and they walk in.”
“I love it. Let’s do it.” I throw my arms around his neck, pulling him closer, our bodies completely flush against each other.
Caleb buries his face in the curve of my neck, laughing wickedly, his hot breath warming my skin as he says, “You’re evil, but I love it.”
I don’t hear anything after ‘I love’, my mind instantly making more out of his words than what’s there. I’m not in love with Caleb and he’s not in love with me. What we’re experiencing now is lust and I know that, but like hell if I’m not wrapped up in it.
I push it to the side, knowing if or when I do fall in love with Caleb it won’t be after having sex or kissing him, but it will be when something life-changing happens. It’ll be a moment when something that should normally push two people apart, brings them together. That will be our defining moment and maybe it will never happen, but until then, I hold out hope that we’ll get there together. That together we’ll weather the storm and each day as we grow closer, Caleb will find himself at peace.
We sleep in the next day, not waking until well after noon, but that’s how it’s supposed to be when you turn twenty-two and get laid all in the same night. I snuggle into the warmth of Caleb’s body, my hands running up and down the length of his torso as we both come out of the deep sleep that took over.
“What do you want to do today?” I ask, knowing we still have a day and a half before Sie and Reid get back from San Diego. I want to make the most of it before their prying eyes return and analyze everything that happened between Caleb and me while they were gone.
Not that I think they’ll be judgmental or anything, but they will definitely ask questions and what was once our quiet little secret will now be out in the open. It’s nice the way it is now, no expectations, no one wondering where things will lead. It’s just the two of us and sometimes you just need that over everything else.
“Oh, I have some ideas, my sweet Ruby,” Caleb says, seduction already lacing his words as his hands trail over my naked body. “I’ve been thinking about it since we fell asleep last night.”
“You’re insatiable,” I whisper, letting my lips brush gently against his, eliciting a growl of possession as he reaches into the nightstand for another condom.
We finally emerge from the bedroom several hours later, going out for a run and then a shower together. The day is floating by way too quickly and we both know our lives will be back to normal before we can blink.
Caleb has to work on Monday and I have classes, and we’ll go back to seeing each other in the evenings and for runs during the week. We need to make the most of the time we have right now.
“How about we go out to dinner? How about I take you out to dinner?” he says, clarifying his words. “Yesterday was all about me and tonight I’m going to repay you.”
“You don’t need to repay me. I wanted to do that for you. It was your birthday and that’s how things are done when it is. No repaying,” I insist, but Caleb shakes his head, pulling me into his arms and biting at my ear.
“Go change your clothes because we are going on a real date. One where I pay and you’re the girl on my arm.” I look down at what I’m wearing, a t-shirt and some panties, holding my arms out to ask why I need to change.
“You can wear that if you want, but I’m not going to be able to keep my hands off you and this is a proper date,” Caleb teases. “I’m going to be a gentleman.”
“You’re ridiculous, but fine.”
I quickly slip on a pair of jeans and a tank, grabbing a jacket in case it gets cold. I swipe some makeup on my face and whip my hair into a messy bun. It’s not perfect, but I’m guessing wherever we’re going isn’t going to be fancy.
“How do I look?” I ask, turning around in a small circle.
“You look perfect, Ruby. You always look perfect, but the bigger question is, how do I look?” Now it’s him mocking me and turning in the same small circle.
“You look like you always do.”
“And how’s that?” he asks, playing back.
“Like you were meant to find me,” I reply, testing the waters and hoping I didn’t push it too far.
Caleb stops now, beckoning me over to where he’s standing with a tilt of his head and the murmured words of, “Come here.”
I do, walking slowly to where he’s standing, his hand reaching out and cupping the back of my neck so he can pull me closer.
“We were meant to find each other. You were meant for me,” he whispers, breathy and deep, and each word is said with so much promise, so much truth. With his forehead resting mine, he now asks, “So where do you want to go for dinner?”
“Hmmm, let’s see. You’ve been here for a while and we haven’t even ventured out to my favorite restaurant.”
“Well, then we’re doing that tonight.”
We walk into the downtown area of Hawthorn, the streets bustling, but this time with families and couples, away from the craziness and chaos of the college strip of bars and restaurants.
“This is it,” I announce, flinging an arm out as if to present the restaurant to him. It’s nothing spectacular, a small restaurant and bar tucked back in an alleyway, but it has the most amazing outdoor seating and even better food.”