Page 243 of The Perfect Spiral
“There’s plenty of time. I have all the time in the world for Caleb,” I tease, causing Caleb to suppress a grin behind his beer.
“Great! Good to know I’m top priority!” He winks at me playfully, knowing exactly where this is heading.
“There’s no time to—” he begins again, trying to assert that I won’t be showing Caleb around. But it’s none of his business.
“Perfect! Here, give me your phone so I can give you my number and we can text to make plans.” I cut him off, extending my hand for Caleb to hand me his phone.
Caleb fumbles in his pocket, retrieves his phone, and hands it to me. As I begin to enter my number, I feel a hot breath on my shoulder and see his reflection on the phone screen.
Once I’ve finished entering my number, I give myself a name: Alex?.
That should piss him off. I feel a huff of air on the back of my neck and just as I’m about to hand the phone back to Caleb, a hand snatches it away. He deletes my number and tosses the phone back to Caleb.
Caleb checks the screen and his brows furrow. “Did you just delete her number?” He asks Knox, irritation creeping into his tone.
“I did,” he replies, amusement lacing his voice. “I can see why you think he’s a dick... I’ll give you mine later and then you can text me yours?”
His brow remains furrowed, clearly irritated by the situation. Knox just loves to ruin everything.
“No, you won’t,” he tells Caleb, who is growing increasinglyfrustrated with Knox.
“What is your deal, bro? You’re with Lauren! Why can’t I have her number?” Caleb steps closer to Knox, and I place my hand on his arm, trying to calm him down.
“Caleb, I’ll get your number later. It’s fine, it’s none of his business. Just ignore him. I do,” I soothe, stroking his arm to distract him from Knox and refocus his attention.
The sound of the sliding door interrupts us, and I see Kyle making his way outside. He stands tall, immediately noticing the tension between the two guys.
Breaking eye contact with them, he looks at me, his expression softening.
“Can I talk with you for a minute?” He asks so gently that it catches me off guard. I nod, releasing my grip on Caleb’s arm, and follow him inside.
We both walk up to my room and Kyle closes the door while I wrap myself up in the towel I had left on the deck. The silence between us isn’t awkward. It’s comforting.
“Sis, I’m sorry I snapped at you. I shouldn’t have said what I said. You’re not one of those girls, you never were and never will be. I— I just... don’t want any guys to treat you like that.
When you didn’t come home, I panicked and then Andy told me you went home with some guy, I freaked out a little. You’re my baby sister. I want to protect you.
I know you’re pissed at me, but please just understand where I’m coming from. I trust you, I just don’t trust guys. I’m one, I know how they think....”
I rush towards my brother and hug his waist, and he wraps his arms around me in return. I’m still wrapped up in the towel. Ican’t stay mad at him, he’s one of my best friends and my closest brother.
“I know you’re sorry, Kyle. I’m sorry for snapping too. I’m just finding things hard right now. I just wanted to forget about it all for one night. Just one night. Matt is a really good guy.
We just cuddled and made out a little, but we didn’t have sex. He dropped me home because he didn’t want me getting a cab home alone. I get that you freaked when I didn’t come home.
But I don’t need you watching my every move. I can’t live like that. It’s too much. I’ll end up like him. Paranoid, and that’s not what I want,” I mumble into his shirt, breathing in his familiar cologne.
He begins to stroke my head, soothing me. I close my eyes. He always knows how to comfort me.
“I love you, Alex,” he murmurs, swaying gently from side to side, cradling me in his arms. We could never stay mad at each other for more than a day. One of us always caved. Usually, it was Kyle.
“I love you too, Kyle,” I whisper into his shirt, letting him rock me. This is the one thing I’ve missed. Being held by someone.
When Drew held me in his arms, I forgot where I was. I stayed in the present, savoring the memory of him holding me in his loving arms.
Now, I don’t get to feel that anymore. It’s a different kind of love when it’s your boyfriend, fiancé, or husband holding you. But I’ll settle for this.
“I’m going to presume you two are lying dead on the floor in there? Because I’m not cleaning that up!” Andy’s voice echoes from outside the door.
