Caleb
I arrived to work a little later than usual, since my cab driver didn’t know the route as well as Adriel did, but thankfully my boss wasn’t around to notice.
“Caleb!” Jess cried when she saw me, then threw herself at me in a bear hug when I snuck behind the counter.
“Ow. Geez, you’re way too strong.”
“Sorry.” Jess let go, then looked around curiously. “Hey, where’s your sexy bodyguard guy? Adriel, right?”
“At home,” I replied. “There was, um… A death in the family.”
Jess gasped. “Oh, Caleb, I’m so sorry. Is your brother okay?”
“Yeah, he’s fine,” I said quickly. “He actually had his baby today.”
She gasped again. “What! Oh my god, congrats!”
I felt bad for throwing so much wild information at her, but I continued, since I knew she would pester me for it anyway. “Yeah, it happened almost at the same time. Adriel’s mother passed after Benji gave birth.”
Jess’s face glowed with sympathy and she touched my shoulder. “I’m so sorry to hear that. Were you two close?”
“No,” I admitted. I decided to leave out the part about her wanting to murder me. “But I could tell it hurt Adriel a lot. And Benji’s mate, too.”
“Oh, I forgot. Benji’s mate is a Tenebrae too, right? Pierce?”
“That’s right,” I said with a shy laugh. “I know it’s confusing.”
“Oh my god, it’d be super funny ifyouand Adriel were dating, too. Then you’d have two pairs of brother dating the other guy’s brother.” She criss-crossed her fingers as she spoke. “Totally like a soap opera or something.”
“Uh, about that,” I said awkwardly. “Adriel and I… wearedating now.”
“Shut up,” Jess cried with a gasp. “You’re dating your bodyguard?Andhe’s the finest man I’ve ever seen? Boy, you have got to invite me over sometime. I need to see this.”
I laughed and secretly wished Icouldinvite her over without revealing the whole vampire family secret.
“Seriously, though, I’m happy for you, Caleb,” Jess said with shining eyes. “You’ve been through a lot, and you deserve this.”
Her words warmed my heart. “Thanks, Jess.”
She groaned dramatically and flopped against the counter. “When am I gonna getmysexy man or woman to sweep my off my feet?”
“You’ll get one soon,” I said, patting her on the back. “Hell, I feel like if I can find someone, anyone can. Besides, you’re like the nicest person I know.”
“Thanks, Caleb,” she said, smiling. A mischievous glint appeared in her face. “So. If you two are an item now, does that mean you’ve… you know…”
I blushed. “Jess! This is totally not an appropriate workplace conversation.”
She gestured to the lack of customers in the store. “No one’s here! Come on.”
“Fine.” I rolled my eyes. “Yes, we’vedoneit.”
She squealed. “Was it good?”
“Uh, obviously. Have you seen the guy?”
Jess laughed. “I know he’s hot, but that doesn’t mean he’s a good lay.”
“Well, he’s hotandgood at fucking,” I said with a grin. “Does that answer your question?”
