“I’m never getting married,” I grumbled. “Guys are jerks, and all they want is to get in your pants.”
Dad stumbled as we walked outside. “Not all guys are bad, pumpkin.” He swung his arm around my shoulder.
“Well, when you find a good one, can you put in a good word for me?” I peered up at him, and he seemed like the hero I’d idolized for most of my childhood.
“No.” He chuckled. “I don’t like the idea of any guy getting friendly with you. I’m the only man who needs to be in your life.”
“Dad.” I groaned. “You’ll always be my hero. You know that, right?” I leaned into his side and hugged him around the middle. “No matter how old I get, I’ll always come to you.”
“I hope so, pumpkin.” He opened my door when we reached the truck, and all thoughts of Caleb and his weird behavior disappeared as we headed to the Shake Shack.
Chapter 6Riley
It’s been a few days since I saw Caleb last. I’ve been helping Dad out at the gym, and avoiding pretty much everything else. Dean has managed to convince most of our friends that I was the reason we broke up. He never mentions the fact that he was pressuring me and I stood up to him. Aside from Claire, I’ve pretty much cut ties with most of my high school friends. I figure in a few months I’ll be at BC, and will make new friends. College guys are more mature, right?
“You again.” Speak of the devil. “Figured you’d been hanging out on the beach or something.” I sighed before raising my eyes to meet Caleb’s.
“Did you need something?” I smiled sweetly. I was hanging out at the front desk, hoping to meet a cute guy or something.
“Yeah, I need you to find somewhere else to hang out while you post TikTok videos or whatever you girls do.” Caleb seemed bored. “I actually have to work.” He pointed to the ‘McKay’s Gym’ emblem on his shirt.
“I’m not on TikTok,” I sneered. I was being childish, but Caleb always seemed to bring out the worst in me. He knew exactly what to do to get under my skin.
“Do you not have friends or something? Who spends their last summer of freedom hanging out at their dad’s gym?” He leaned against the counter as his lips pulled into a grin.
“I have friends. I just don’t feel like being around fake people right now.” I shrugged. “Don’t you have friends? You’re here all the time,” I fired back.
“It’s called saving for college. It’s expensive, and my dad feels like I should work for it.” His eyes held fire when he mentioned his dad. I knew it was touchy subject, and unlike him, I didn’t pester him about it.
“That sucks.” I tried to sound sympathetic, but deep down I kinda just wanted him to ask me to spar again. My body was beginning to betray me around Caleb. I couldn’t like him, at least like my hormones wanted me to, but the idea of him touching me made me all kinds of giddy.
“It does.” He stepped around the counter, and right up beside me. “Why are you here, really?” His voice lowered. “I’ve known you most of your life, Riley.” He called me Riley and not ‘Princess’. “You only hang out here when you’re avoiding something, so spill.” His eyes softened and searched my face. Were we having a moment? Was he trying to be nice?
“I’m not avoiding anyone. I just feel safer here,” I murmured.
“Safer from what?” He turned me to face him. “Are in you in trouble or something? Did you tell your dad?
“Safer from life.” I rolled my eyes. “You mean, you haven’t heard that I’m a prude?” I flung my arms in the air. “I thought that asshole had told the whole town. I mean the entire beach knows now.”
Caleb’s head snapped back. “What?”
“My asshole ex-boyfriend broke up with me on prom night because I wouldn’t have sex with him. Don’t pretend that you don’t know this. My mom told your mom. I know she told you.” Embarrassment was flooding me faster than I could stop it.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Caleb held his hands up in defense. “The first I knew about anything was the day you came in here.” He turned and waved another employee over. After whispering something in his ear, he nodded and thanked the guy. “Come with me.” He grabbed my hand, and any other time I would be disgusted by it, but not today. Today, it made my heart race.
“Where are we going?” I squeaked as he dragged us out the door.
“Not far.” He smiled and then opened the door to his F150. “Just get in.”
“My dad doesn’t know I left,” I protested.
“Yes, he does. Get in.” He motioned to the seat once again. After rounding the truck, he climbed in, cranked it, and pulled out into traffic. ooooooooo
“What are we doing here?” I glanced around. We were about fifteen minutes outside the city, near an abandoned warehouse.
“I come here sometimes to blow off steam,” Caleb called over his shoulder. “This way.” He was walking briskly as he led us around the corner, and smiled when I skidded to a stop.
“What is this?” I glanced around. There were several baseballs on the ground, a few beer bottles, and some bricks.
“Put these on.” He handed me a pair of leather gloves that I didn’t even see him grab. “Here.” He handed me a bottle. “Fling it at that brick wall over there.” He pointed,
