I came to as Caleb reprimanded, “What the fuck, man?” Yanking me back to the present.
How much time had gone by?
“Can you stand?”
“Yeah, just help me.”
He laid my arm over his shoulders while Belle did the same with the other.
After we were in his truck and out of the rain, Caleb scolded again, “What the fuck were you thinking? You could’ve been killed!”
“Stop yelling. My head is pounding.”
He glanced back, took one look at Belle, and roared, “Are you fucking crazy? If her parents find out she’s with you, do you have any idea what they’ll do?”
She answered for me, “They won’t find out. I promise I won’t say a word.”
“What are you guys doing together anyway?”
“Just drive.”
“Where?”
“Ummm…” she breathed out. “Just drive to my house. My parents are out of town, and the only person who’s awake and still waiting for me is the housekeeper, though she used to be my nanny. I’ll run inside and distract her. You can help him up to my room. The elevator is by the front door. Go up to the third floor, take a left, and it’s the last room at the end of hallway.”
“I don’t think—”
“Caleb, it’s fine. I’ve been in there before.”
His gaze went from me to her. “What’s going on? Are you two together? Dating?”
“No.” She shook her head. “We’re just friends.”
“Friends?” He jerked back. “Tristian, if Grandfather finds out your friends with a Montgomery, he’ll—”
“Just drive and let me worry about him, okay?”
“Fuck, man! Why are you even driving a street bike to begin with? Especially with what happened to your par—”
“Caleb!” I yelled, annoyed with all his questions. “Stop riding my ass and just drive. I’ll explain later.”
He reluctantly sighed, doing as he was told.
Lucky for us, Belle’s plan worked.
From the second he helped me onto her bed, he warned, “You know what Grandfather will do if he finds out about you two.”
I nodded.
“What are you doing? Why are you even friends with her?”
“The less you know the better.”
“Don’t do that. Don’t push me away like you do everyone else, Tristian. I’m not the enemy. I’m just worried that you’re in way over your head.”
“I have it under control.”
“Have what under control?” The realization hit him fast and hard. “Holy shit. Please don’t tell me you’re in love with her?”