He nods, and as we turn to leave, I take his hand without thinking. It's only when he glances down at our joined hands that I realize what I've done.
"For show."Smooth, James. Very convincing."In case they're watching."
"Right," he agrees. "Good thinking." His cheeks have this cute pink color right now.
Even after we're away from the market, walking back toward campus in the quiet of the December evening, neither of us lets go. His hand is smaller than mine, but strong, his fingers interlaced with mine like they belong.
We don't talk about it. We don't talk about much of anything on the walk back, but the silence isn't uncomfortable. The sound of his fist connecting with Brandon's jaw. The way he relaxed into me afterward, trusting. My brain keeps replaying it all over and over again.
It's nearly 10 PM when we reach the frat house. Most of the brothers chose to stay at the market or head elsewhere, so the house is unusually quiet for a Friday night.
"I should put some ice on this," Caleb says, finally releasing my hand to examine his knuckles, which are starting to bruise.
"I'll grab some from the kitchen, meet you in the common room?"
He nods, and we separate for the first time in hours. In the kitchen, I fill a plastic bag with ice and wrap it in a dish towel, trying not to overthink everything that happened tonight. According to our plan, we're right on schedule with our public escalation. This is all unfolding exactly as we designed it.
So why does it feel so different from what I expected?
As I head back toward the common room, I hear Caleb's voice coming from the hallway phone alcove. His tone is tense, defensive in a way I haven't heard before.
"No, Mother, I told you… I already have someone to bring."
My steps slow, knowing I shouldn't eavesdrop, but I'm not going to walk away.
"It's not a lie," he continues, frustration evident. "Yes, he's real. No, he's not like Michael or Christopher or any of the other 'nice young men' you've tried to set me up with."
There's a pause as he listens, his free hand clenching and unclenching at his side.
"Because those 'nice young men' are all sons of Dad's donors who have been instructed to keep me occupied and out of trouble during campaign events." Another pause. "Yes, I'm aware of how it works. That doesn't mean I have to like it."
I should leave. This is clearly private. But something keeps me rooted to the spot, the ice pack melting slowly in my hand.
"His name is James," Caleb says suddenly, making my heart skip. "James Hunter. Yes, from my fraternity."
He listens for a moment, then lets out a sharp laugh that contains no humour. "Of course, that's your first question. Computer science major. Graduating this year. Heading to graduate school for cybersecurity."
The fact that he knows my post-graduation plans is surprising. I don't remember mentioning them to him.
"Look, I have to go. We'll be there. Yes, appropriate attire. Goodbye, Mother."
He hangs up the phone with more force than necessary, then turns and freezes when he sees me standing there with the ice pack.
"How long have you been there?" he asks, his voice carefully neutral.
"Long enough." There’s no point in lying. "Sorry. I wasn't trying to eavesdrop."
He takes the ice pack from my hand, applying it to his bruised knuckles with a wince. "Well, now you know about my delightful family dynamics."
"Your mom is trying to set you up?" I follow him into the common room, where he drops onto the couch with more force than necessary.
"As always," he sighs. He drops onto the couch with more force than necessary, the ice pack pressed against his knuckles like a shield. His free hand drags through his hair, leaving it even messier than usual.
"There's a charity gala next weekend for my father's campaign. Black tie, extremely boring, full of people who donate obscene amounts of money to hear themselves talk."
"And you need a date."
"If I show up alone, it's proof I'm spiraling into some kind of gay crisis. Her words, not mine." He shifts the ice pack with unnecessary force. "She'd rather parade me around withwhatever donor's son is available and who won't say anything controversial."
