"Of course he does," Caleb mutters. He takes the paper back, fingers brushing mine briefly. "Thanks."
I should leave. Task completed, problem solved.Something keeps me rooted in place, watching as he types in the correct password. Maybe it's curiosity about what he's doing at this hour, or perhaps it's the dark circles under his eyes that hint at a sleeplessness I recognize all too well.
"What are you working on so urgently at 3 AM?"
He glances up, seeming surprised by my continued presence. "Design project. Due tomorrow."
"Procrastination or perfectionism?"
A faint smile tugs at his lips. "Both. Started it weeks ago, but nothing felt right." He points at his screen, where a sleek website mock-up is displayed. "Could be better."
Moving in for a closer look, my work curiosity briefly wins out over my usual desire to keep to myself. The design is excellent, simple, easy to use, and eye-catching without being too busy.
"It's good. Better than what most of the CS department produces." Might as well be honest about it.
He looks genuinely startled by the compliment. "Thanks. I?—"
The harsh ring of his phone cuts him off. He checks the screen and his expression sours instantly.
"I need to take this," he says, tension radiating from his shoulders. "Sorry."
Nodding, I step back, aware that I've already stayed longer than necessary. As I turn to leave, I hear him answer.
"Yes, Father. I know what time it is." His voice is formal and strained. "No, I haven't forgotten about Saturday. I'll be there."
Something about that tone, the careful control, the barely suppressed frustration, feels uncomfortably familiar. How many times did I use that exact voice with foster parents who suddenly remembered I existed when they needed something?
But Caleb's family drama isn't my problem. I've spent years building walls around myself, and I'm not about to tear them down for some rich kid with daddy issues.
Retreating to my room, I close the door firmly behind me. Within minutes, I'm back in the familiar comfort of my code and Coronation Street, the brief connection with Caleb already fading.
Chapter 3
Handcuffed
JAMES
By Friday evening, the frat house is buzzing with the brand of chaotic energy that only comes from twenty university guys cramming for midterms while simultaneously planning their next weekend adventures.
The Delta Psi Omega house has this lived-in feel tonight, pizza boxes stacked on the kitchen counter, someone's textbooks scattered across the dining room table, and the faint sound of a video game battle echoing from the basement.
Things have finally settled into what passes for normal around here since the whole Tyler-Ethan breakup drama.
The awkward tension that had everyone walking on eggshells has evaporated, replaced by the usual comfortable chaos of fraternity life.
Tyler and Ethan are disgustingly, tooth-rottingly in love. The kind of couple that makes single guys want to find someone and also throw things at them.
Right, because what I need is someone to witness my sparkling personality up close and personal. 'Hello, fancy spending your evenings with a guy who'd rather rewrite code than have a conversation?' Brilliant dating profile.
They've reached that stage where they can't seem to exist in the same room without some form of physical contact. They’re always holding hands, Tyler's arm slung over Ethan's shoulders, or Ethan absently playing with Tyler's fingers while they talk to other people. It's nauseating in the most endearing way possible.
Drew, Marcos, and, surprisingly, Emily, Drew's ex-now-new-again girlfriend, are planning the winter fundraiser, and I'm left to my usual task of keeping our digital presence from imploding. Someone's already managed to post a TikTok with our address visible in the background, and the donation page keeps timing out because nobody remembers their login credentials. Plus, Rex accidentally tagged our Instagram in three different porn bot accounts this week,
"James!" Gavin's voice booms down the hallway. "There you are!"
Bracing myself as he bursts into the common room, his golden retriever energy in full force. "What's the emergency this time?"
"No emergency," he chirps. "Just wanted to remind you that the house meeting is in ten minutes."
