Page 5 of Catch Me If You Can

I narrowed my eyes. There went my out. I sighed deeply. “Well, when the birthday boy asks me so nicely...”

His shoulders dropped in relief. “Okay, good,” he said, throwing his arm around my shoulders. “And just be chill, okay? You sometimes get all quiet around them. I don’t want you getting in your head and want to leave.”

“Why does it matter?”

“Because I like having you around.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re fun to be around—why else?” Caleb said, pinching my side.

“Ow! I think you just like pissing me off, honestly,” I said, pinching him back.

“Oh, you fucker. You’re done.” He laughed, climbing on top of me.

He didn’t get very far before I was clawing right back at him. His fingers dug into my sides, making me wince as I tried to find the best angle to get him back. He had me beat as his thighs kept me pinned underneath him. I could barely breathe from laughing so hard.

“Okay, okay. Uncle,” I panted, pushing at his chest.

His hands pushed back, his fingers slipping into mine. I tried to think nothing of it but my stomach twisted seeing our hands interlocked.

Was I the only one feeling this?

He looked down at me with such ease and confidence. So simple. So easy. As though it was just all in my head.

Dammit. It probably was.

I swallowed hard as silence settled between us. He stared at me like he was soaking me in, examining every inch.

I didn’t know what he saw in me—I really didn’t. But I was glad he did.

“Please don’t go,” he finally said.

“I won’t,” I breathed.

I glanced down and noticed our fingers were still interlocked. His hand was warm and just as big as mine. It was strange to admit, but it felt... really fucking good.

Suddenly, we heard the front door unlock, followed by a flood of voices and footsteps echoing through the foyer.

“Shit…” he muttered, still not looking away from me.

“You should…” I started.

“Yeah…” he agreed, letting go to run a hand through his hair.

He shifted off me, and we both took a moment to straighten our clothes.

“You okay with this?” he asked as we headed for the stairs.

I shrugged. “Yeah. It’s cool.” What else was I supposed to say?

The truth? That I would’ve preferred being alone with him tonight? No way.

***

Holy shit. A group of them, maybe ten altogether, filed through the door. I watched awkwardly at the side as they crowded around to shower him with compliments. They had brought a bundle of happy birthday balloons and one of them even carried a vanilla flat sheet cake with sprinkles.

“Caleb, my dude!” Tony yelled, arms spread wide. Caleb’s band buddies came over and patted him on the back.

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