Page 104 of Trick or Treat Nurse at My Feet
The thought stops me cold. Love. It's not a word I've said out loud about Ethan, not even to myself. But there it is, clear and undeniable in the ache I feel at his absence, in my need to clear his pain away even before my own.
I love him. And I'm going to prove it.
Chapter 26
The League of Extraordinary Exes
TYLER
Getting Caleb to cooperate is easier than I expected. After his initial panic subsides, resigned acceptance takes its place. He follows me, Drew, and James into the small office we use for fraternity business, slumping into a chair when Drew gestures for him to sit.
"Alright," Drew says, closing the door behind us. "Let's start from the beginning. Your real name is Caleb?"
"Yeah," he mumbles. "Caleb Huntington."
"Huntington?" I repeat, recognizing the name. "As in the Huntington Law Group?"
He shifts uncomfortably. "My father's firm. I'm the third, Caleb Huntington the Third, technically."
Drew raises an eyebrow. "So why is the heir to a Law empire doing shady Photoshop work for cash?"
"I'm not the heir to anything," Caleb says sharply. "I'm the family disappointment. The gay son who refuses to study what they want me to or join the family businesses." His tone is bitter. "I do design work to pay for things my father won't. He covers tuition and housing, nothing else."
The revelation that Caleb is gay surprises me, though itprobably shouldn't. It also makes Cher and Ryan's manipulation of him even more calculating; they knew exactly who to target for this kind of work.
"Look," Caleb continues, more composed now, "I'll help you prove the photos are fake. I still have all the source files on my laptop. But then I'm done. I don't need this kind of drama in my life."
"That's fair," The words come out even while Drew's expression suggests he has other ideas.
"How often do you work alone in the design lab?" Drew asks, changing directions.
Caleb shrugs. "Most of the time. I prefer it that way."
"And do you have many friends on campus? People who have your back?"
"What does that have to do with anything?" Caleb asks defensively.
Drew leans forward, elbows on his knees. "I don't like the idea of anyone being isolated on campus, especially after being involved in something like this. Ryan and Cher sought you out specifically because you were alone and vulnerable."
"I'm not alone, and I wasn't vulnerable," Caleb protests weakly. "I just needed the money."
"And now you're going to help us file a formal complaint with the dean's office," Drew continues as if Caleb hadn't spoken. "You'll have to identify Ryan and Cher as the people who hired you."
"Wait, what?" Caleb straightens in his chair. "I never agreed to that. I'll give you the files, but I'm not getting involved in some administrative hearing."
Drew's expression remains calm but determined. "What they did violated several university ethics policies. As the wronged parties,we're filing a complaint."
Caleb starts to bluster, his earlier composure cracking. "I can't be involved in that. My father would?—"
"We won't pursue anything against you," Drew interrupts. "We believe you didn't know their real plan. But you were taken advantage of because you were alone, and that's going to change right now."
I catch Drew's eye, suddenly understanding where this is going. He gives me a questioning look, and I offer a slight nod of approval.
Drew turns back to Caleb with a friendly, unmovable smile. "Caleb Huntington the Third, I'd like to officially welcome you as the newest pledge of Delta Psi Omega."
Caleb blinks, completely blindsided. "What? No. I'm not joining a fraternity. Especially not yours."
"You have two options," Drew says pleasantly. "Your name can be included with Ryan and Cher's in the complaint to the dean... or you can accept our invitation and have the full backing of Delta Psi Omega when we go to the administration."
