Page 3 of Shameless With Him
“Good. I’m glad you guys are all here. I know you haven’t been able to do this every year with the rest of the neighborhood.”
I warmed all over, my mouth ready to say something, anything. Only as soon as I parted my lips, another voice filled the air.
“Caleb.” A giggle. Then an arm slid around Caleb’s trim waist, and a slender hand slipped into his front pocket. He looked down. Amber, the gorgeous honor roll student in our class with the perfect body, the sweet attitude, and now…the ideal guy.
Myguy. At least in my imagination.
I could feel myself deflate like a balloon, even as Caleb wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close, his hand resting on her hip as if they’d done this a thousand times before. And maybe they had.
“Hey, babe. You know Zoey, right?”
Amber’s eyes brightened. “Mrs. Tanner’s chemistry class, right? You sat near the front, I think.”
I swallowed hard, my fingers playing with the edge of my shorts. “That’s me. Hi, Amber.”
“It’s great to see you, Zoey. We’re headed to our spot on the shore to watch the show. Want to join us?”
I really wanted to hate her. Really wanted to hate myself for continually having this crush on a guy who had a different girl every time I saw him. In every place I saw him, even if we weren’t anywhere near school. I couldn’t do any of that. So, instead, I shook my head, only looking at Amber and keeping my gaze off Caleb. I didn’t want him to see. I never wanted him to see.
“I have to get back to my parents, but I just wanted to say hi.” Another pause. “So, hi.”
Though I didn’t see pity on Amber’s face—she knew. She knew about my crush. It had to be written all over my face. Only she didn’t lay her claim on Caleb. Didn’t act as if she were catty and mean and wanted me away. She just held him like she always could. And, maybe, for however long she had Caleb, she could.
She didn’t make me feel small. Unseen.
That was all on me.
And Caleb Carr.
Because even at eight and fifteen, I couldn’t get out of the way of my crush. And every time I saw him, he was with another girl.
I really needed to get over my feelings for Caleb.
No matter what my gooey heart said.
Zoey & Caleb – Age 19
My fake ID had worked, and as my head swam and my friends giggled into their drinks, I knew I wasn’t going to use it ever again.
Ever. Again.
My fingers were numb, and my ankles hurt from my high heels.
I didn’t like being drunk, and I didn’t know why I’d let myself get this way at all. It was Kyla’s birthday, and we were celebrating. Only now, Kyla and Kayti were off with two guys they’d met, and I was standing by the bar, my shoes too tight, and the third guy of that trio with his hands on my butt.
“I should go home,” I tried to say, only it sounded garbled like I couldn’t speak as I should. How many shots had the guys bought us? Damn it. This was stupid. I knew this was stupid, but my head hurt, and I just wanted to go to bed.
“I’ll get you home, baby,” the guy whispered, his breath on my neck. Bile slid up my throat, and I pushed the guy off. Matt? Yes, Matt was his name.
“I’m okay. I’m going to get a cab.” I got my purse and tried to walk to my friends, who were currently in the booth making out with their guys.
“They’re busy, baby. I’ll get you home.”
I ignored him. “Kyla?”
“Hey, girl,” Kyla said, giggling. “Happy birthday to me! Are you going home with Matt?” She wasn’t whispering, though everyone in the bar was dancing and drunk, so no one cared what she said.
“No, I’m going home. Are you okay?”