“You’re probably the most popular guy, period.”
Caleb laughs. “Thanks for the compliment but I’m for sure the nerdiest. The coolest guy award goes to Dylan. He’s done with treatment, which is basically a badge of honor around these parts of the hospital.”
“And how is your recent round going?”
“Burns like a bitch.”
My heart dips at the thought of Caleb in pain. I’ve grown fond of the kid. He texts me memes every day after I gave him permission to contact me whenever he wanted.
“You’re taking care of yourself?”
“Reckon so. As much as I can, at least. But I’m dying of boredom here. They blocked access to HBO so I’m fresh out of luck.”
I let out a roar of laughter. “Why don’t you go sneak off somewhere and make out with Francesca?”
“Do you know that you act like a weird older brother?”
Well, crap, I guess I kind of am acting that way with him. “You’d be lucky to have me as a sibling.”
“No shit. That would get me so much street cred around here. My visit with you already won me over with Francesca and her friends. Getting my first tattoo with Jax Kingston dimmed Dylan’s spotlight for a solid week.”
Who knew hospitals have a social hierarchy like high school? I sure as shit didn’t.
“How’s my Mexican princess?” Caleb purrs.
“She’s good.”
“Just good? You must be a terrible boyfriend then.”
I release a deep laugh. “Why’s that?”
“Because she said the same thing about you when I called her last week.”
“You talk to Elena?”
“Duh. Someone has to make sure you’re kept in line.”
“And she said things are good?” Curiosity makes me sound like a damn wanker.
“Good God, you’d think the two of you don’t speak to one another. She said things are good and that she’s happy. Is that good enough for you?”
That’s better than good. For some reason, hearing it from Elena is one thing, but hearing it from Caleb is a whole other situation. A bigger thing because she wants to share part of our relationship with others.
Yup. I’m turning into a bloody wanker. “Yeah, that’s good news, mate.”
“Please don’t break her heart. At least not until I turn eighteen and can be there to pick up all her broken pieces and put her back together.”
I laugh at his joke, hoping I don’t break her heart. Not because I don?
??t want Caleb to have her. But rather, I want to keep her longer than originally anticipated.
Hate to break it to Caleb, but there’s nothing longer than forever.
“I’m calling in on my favor.” I lean against the doorway, breaking Elena’s attention away from packing her luggage.
She pushes her glasses up the bridge of her nose. I’m a bloody wanker who loves how she gives off sexy disheveled vibes. I like Elena in dresses and heels, but I like her just as much in sweats and a hoodie she stole from my bag. My fingers twitch, craving to rip it off her.
“Aren’t we past favors?” She tilts her head.