Page 72 of Worth the Scandal
He swallows and with one sentence I’ve peaked his attention again. Now how do I get into his ensuite medicine cabinet “where’s the bedroom?”
“Geez Scarlett, so forward. I know it’s been a long time coming, but I didn’t expect this.” The hide of him, along time coming. Maybe in your dreams boy, but this is my nightmares. Fuck, is he suspicious?
I walk around the kitchen bench to face him and against all the instincts of my very being I run my hand down his bare chest. I block out the little voice in my head that’s telling me this is a bad idea and I’ve bit off way more than I can chew here. I take his hand and move toward the hall. “If you don’t want me now, I understand. I’ve got some work I can go finish to distract myself instead.”
“No, don’t be stupid I’ve wanted this longer than I can remember. I just didn’t think it’d be this easy.”
Great choice of words,idiot. He has no game at all.
He takes the lead, walking down the hall to the furthest room. It’s tidy, freakishly neat. His bed is huge, the room is cool with carefully selected décor that gives it that stage home vibe.There are small mementos placed around of photos, trinkets and watches that tell me this is in fact his room, but it wasn’t what I expected. The Caleb I know was warm, and cosy. This room was anything but. I didn’t really know this Caleb though, did I.
“You’re so perfect.” He says pulling his arm around my waist and leading me to the bed, his eyes lingering on my lips. My heart hammers in my chest—not from nerves, but from purpose. I know what I’m looking for. I know what I hope I won’t find, but I need to get into that bathroom.
“Can I use the bathroom real quick, I’ve drank so much water today.” Smooth Scarlett, smooth.
“Yeah of course, whatever you need. I know you’re nervous, I am too.” of course he thinks it’s about him.
The five steps to the ensuite are the longest steps I’ve ever taken. I slowly breathe once I’m inside the bathroom, door locked behind me. It’s go time. I run the water and start splashing my face. My cue to search is now.
There’s nothing in the vanity cupboard just spare toothbrushes, toiletries, the usual.
I make my way to the tiny drawers. Nothing in drawers one or two.
But when I open the third drawer, it’s there.
Zolpidem, stilnox.
Exact prescription name. Same as the toxicology report.
Holy fuck. I was expecting this but I wasn’t expectingthis.
My fingers tremble as I pick up the bottle. This isn’t paranoia. It’s confirmation.
The voice in my head whispers you were right—but it doesn’t feel like relief. It feels like betrayal burning in my throat.
“You all good in there Scar, we don’t have to do this you know?” Caleb calls.
I shove the bottle back in place and flush the toilet to keep the noise up, then splash cold water on my face again and compose myself in the mirror.
I snap a quick picture to Shell and tell her to call me now. Phase two of the plan: easy escape.
Time to get the hell out of here.
I walk back into the bedroom, trying to keep my expression smooth. My phone rings, my phone that is never on loud that happens to be on loud for this exact reason. Saved by the Shell—as planned.
“Sorry I’ve really got to take this.” I pick up the phone call and wait a few beats for Shell’s story to spin.
“Oh no way, tell Justin I’ll be back in the office in 5 and can call the team right away. Don’t panic we will fix this.” I hang up the call and before I can verbally bail Caleb beats me to the punch.
Caleb looks disappointed but not surprised. “Ah PR stuff?”
“Yeah I’m so sorry, can we take a rain check? What are you doing for dinner?”
“I can do dinner, I’ll pick you up at 7:00?” He says eagerly, and I almost feel bad until I remember the pills and my poor sweet man, Asher.
“Of course, I’ll see you then” I offer a half-hearted smile and get out before the bile I have been swallowing down for the last 5 minutes rises all the way up my throat.
Later—Training Field. Same Day
