Page 4 of Shameless With Him

She nodded. “We’re fine. You should go home with Matt.”

I held back a shudder. I didn’t like being drunk, and I wasn’t sure I liked drunk Kyla either. Maybe it was just the booze in my system.

“I’m going home.”

“Okay, doll. See you Monday!” Then she went back to kissing Chad, and I shook my head, turning on my too-high heels to head out to get a cab. Matt’s hands were on my hips as soon as I turned, and I pulled away.

“Thanks for the drinks, but I need to go home.”

“I’ll get you outside, baby,” he said. I never hated being called baby before. And yet, with him, I really didn’t want to hear it again. Every time he said the word, it sounded sickly sweet and made me want to take a shower.

I just needed to get away from him and this night.

“I’m okay. Thanks, though.” I made my way through the bar, trying to stay on my heels as people bumped into me. Tonight was so stupid. I shouldn’t have used my fake ID. I shouldn’t have had a drink—or four.

It was going to be okay. I would get home.

I made my way to the curb where the cabs usually came since this was the strip of my college town where all the bars were, when Matt grabbed my hips again.

“Let me get you home, baby. We can finish our night.”

I pushed at him, fear gnawing at my belly. I had my phone in my hand, only I wasn’t thinking clearly, and couldn’t move out of his grasp.

“No. I want to go home. Alone.”

“Baby.”

“She said no,” a deep voice said from our side, and Matt’s grip tightened painfully on my hips.

“Get the fuck out of here, bro. No one asked you.”

I raised my knee hard, and Matt grunted, pushing me back so I stumbled into the thick pole behind me.

“Bitch.”

“Get your hands off her.”

I tripped over my heels, and then soft hands were on me. I flinched and looked into green eyes that were unfamiliar but kind.

“Sorry, sorry. Are you okay? I’m Heather. Caleb is taking care of that guy. Are you all right? Should we call someone?”

I blinked, suddenly far too sober. I tore my gaze away from Heather and looked at the man I knew. The one who had always been part of my dreams.

Caleb.

Of course, it was Caleb Carr. Here. Miles from home. Still here when I needed him—and when I didn’t want to see him. It only made sense. This was the way of things with us.

Caleb punched Matt in the face, and people started to gather around, talking to each other and shouting. It was too much, and I knew I was going to throw up. I shouldn’t be here. Caleb shouldn’t be here.

“I’m…I’m fine. I just want to go home.”

Caleb turned at the sound of my voice, his eyes dark even under the streetlights. “Zoey-girl. You okay?”

“I’m fine. I…I’m getting a cab. Don’t hurt him.”

His brows rose as he looked down at Matt on the ground, who currently clutched his head and groaned.

“I just want to go home.”