"Well I don't feel like listening anymore. You think just because we made out once, that I'm going to hook up with every guy who looks at me?" she yells, fighting Caleb's grasp around her waist.
I have no idea what has come over me. I know nothing has happened between these two. Jess isn't that type of girl, even if Caleb is that type of guy. Still, I somehow can't keep myself from being a prick.
"Oh we did far more than ‘make out’. I have the claw marks on my back to prove it." She immediately goes quiet and I know I've said too much. She's such a private person, and here I am airing her bedroom behaviors in front of other people.
"Claw marks? Really?" Caleb raises an eyebrow with a smirk lifting the corner of his mouth.
"Shit, I'm sorry. I have no idea why I said that. I'm just pissed...I-"
She finally breaks free from Caleb and crosses the room stopping inches in front from me. Standing on her toes to make herself as tall as possible, she screams into my face, "What the hell, Brett? I'm the one that's supposed to be mad. You didn't just walk in on me hugging and defending my husband. Oh wait, that's because I don't have one!" Shit, I'm doing a really bad job at apologizing right now. None of this is going to win me any points. This is precisely why I should have had a plan when I got here. This is the shit that happens to me when I try to wing it.
"You're right, you're right. I'm sorry."
"Damn right you're sorry," Caleb pipes in from behind her, still smirking. I can't take this back and forth anymore. It's ridiculous, and I'm exhausted from all of the drama over the last few days.
"Stop. Just...stop!" I let out a loud breath. "I can't take this. I know ninety-percent of this has been brought on myself, but I need it to stop. Damn it Jess, I'm sorry! Please, don't make me let you go. This has been chaos from the first day, just give me a chance to show you it won't always be that way. I'm a good guy, at least I think I am. I'm trying, and failing, but mainly I'm trying to make something work between us. It just seems every step of the way something or someone keeps tripping me up. I feel like I'm losing my mind.
"Caleb...I wish I had something positive to say to you, but I really want to beat your ass right now. So please, just go, and let me handle this. I'll buy you a beer or something when I'm in a better mood.”
"You okay with that, baby girl?" I swear as soon as I get Caleb alone, he and I are going to have a serious conversation about boundaries. It sets my blood on fire to hear him call her baby girl. Jess nods with her eyes glued to mine. She's mad and she has every right to be. Time to pull out some charm and see if I can get back in her good graces.
Jesse
"YOU WANT something to drink?" I ask Brett as Caleb collects his coat and shoes preparing to leave.
"No thanks." He flashes me one of his beautiful smiles.
"You hungry? I was just about to make lunch." I try to be polite, but the last thing I want to do right now is eat.
"Don't you dare make him my Panini!" Caleb says as he finishes putting on his shoes.
"For the love of God, get out!" Brett shouts at Caleb.
"Fine, but you owe me, Jess. I was really looking forward to that bacon avocado thingy you mentioned." I giggle because I know he's lying. He almost threw up when I mentioned avocado earlier. Caleb apparently is not a fan of the green super food. He walks over, pulling me in for a quick hug, then kisses me on the forehead. This would have been weird yesterday, but Caleb and I have bonded over the last few hours. Now, it just feels nice. He leans over and whispers, "Remember that you promised to call me if you see Sarah? I mean it. I put my number in your phone. Day or night, you call me if you need anything."
"Thank you," I respond as my heart warms at how gentle and caring he can be. He really is a good guy. I look up to see Brett watching us with an infuriated look on his face. Call me mean, but I decide to give him a little dose of his own medicine. I reach out giving Caleb a tight lingering squeeze of my own. He begins to chuckle, seemingly on to my game.
"I may have underestimated you, little Miss Addison," Caleb says before lowering his voice to a whisper again. "I like it. Give him hell." He releases me turning to face Brett. "Alright I'm out. Brett, I'll expect that beer soon. Be good, ladies and gentlemen," he says, strutting out the door.
"He is such an ass," Brett releases a breath running his hands through his hair.
"Oh yes, Caleb is the jerk. Not the crazy man who just showed up beating down my door, and accusing me of sucking off his best friend." I throw my hand up covering my mouth. I can't believe I just said that. I really have to stop hanging out with these foul mouth guys.
"I've done a crap job of handling things with you recently. Can we just sit down and talk for a minute. I have a lot of explaining to do. Why don't you let me order in some food? I don't want you to have to cook right now."