Page 56 of Playing Pretend

“What?” I snapped, louder than expected.

“Kadence. Let me explain.”

I was caught off guard by the ruefulness in Caleb’s voice.

I rose to my feet, and wrapped my free arm around my waist. “Explain what, Caleb?”

“The photographs. I know you’ve seen them.”

The laugh that flew from my mouth was dry, and empty. “Is that all you’re calling to explain? Some meaningless photographs of you and a nameless brunette? How thoughtful of you.”

“It’s not what it looks like, so just listen-”

“I don’t care, Caleb. You can be photographed with whoever the fuck you want, but remember that you’re the one who looks like the asshole here, not me.”

“Look, Kadence, I’m sorry, okay? I have been feeling like crap all day, and then I got angry because you were wandering around the city without any regard for your own safety…”

I gasped when Caleb trailed off and realized his mistake.

“How did you know what I was doing today?”

Silence.

“Caleb,” I hedged. “Tell me how you knew.”

He sighed. “I told you Alfie would be around if you needed anything, but then he called to let me know you’d left, and I told him to follow you.”

I turned around, and found Alfie standing between the atrium and the living room, his hands folded in front of his parted legs. Where the hell had he come from? I’d completely forgotten about him.

“Do you know how ridiculous you sound? Having me followed is an invasion of my privacy, and my whereabouts are none of your concern.”

“Your safety is my concern, and wandering around without Alfie is reckless, Kadence.”

I couldn’t…

“How dare you.” My voice cracked, just a little. “You have no right to have me followed.”

“I know you’re upset about this morning,” started Caleb, but I cut him off.

“Upset? You mean before or after you fucked me and then left?”

“Will you just give me chance to explain?” Caleb sounded exasperated.

“No. You don’t deserve it. We’re done. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.”

I ended the call, and returned the phone to Aaliyah.

“That was badass,” she said, lifting an unopened bottle of wine. “We should celebrate your induction into the Bad Ass Hall of Fame.”

Her words registered, and I knew that all she wanted was to make me feel better, but right then I wanted nothing more than to leave.

“I have a better idea,” I told her. It was only 9:30 p.m. and the night was still far too young for it to be over. “Let’s go out.”

Aaliyah’s face lit up. “Impromptu Girls Night Out?”

I nodded. “Think Annabelle would be game?”

“Oh hell yes. I’ll call her while you get ready.”