Craving My Brother's Best Friend (Bailey and Kaleb) novel Chapter 23

**The Night We Borrowed Fire from a Broken Star by Selvin Arlo Crest**

**Bailey’s POV**

As the first rays of dawn filtered through the curtains, I woke up gradually, my senses slowly coming to life.

For a fleeting moment, disorientation enveloped me, and I couldn’t quite grasp where I was. The blanket cocooning me carried a familiar scent… My eyes fluttered open, and I felt a jolt of surprise as I froze in place.

When I turned my head, I found Kaleb’s face alarmingly close to mine, his intense gaze locked onto me.

His dark brows were knitted together in a frown, and his lips were slightly parted, as if he had been caught mid-thought.

“Bailey…” he murmured, his voice thick with sleep.

“What are you doing in my room?” I shot back, my heart racing.

I scoffed and sat up abruptly, irritation bubbling to the surface. Was this really how he intended to address me after everything that had transpired last night?

“Are you serious right now? Why on earth would I want to be in your room? You wouldn’t let me leave last night,” I retorted, unable to mask my annoyance.

His expression morphed into one of genuine confusion, and he rubbed the back of his neck as he regarded me with a blank stare.

“What are you talking about?” he asked, his voice laced with bewilderment.

I glared at him, my heart pounding in my chest. He truly didn’t remember.

It was infuriating.

He wasn’t pretending; he honestly had no recollection of the way he had clung to me, pleading with me to stay by his side, to not abandon him.

I felt a surge of anger rise within me.

With a swift motion, I pushed the blanket aside and swung my legs over the edge of the bed, the cool air hitting my skin.

“Unbelievable,” I muttered under my breath, my frustration palpable.

Kaleb sat up straighter, concern etched on his face. “Wait, Bailey, what happened? Why are you here?”

I snapped my head around to face him, my jaw clenched tightly. “You don’t remember? Not even a little?”

He shook his head slowly, the confusion deepening in his eyes.

“Of course you don’t,” I scoffed again, rolling my eyes dramatically. “How convenient.”

Fury coursed through me, and I stood up, ready to storm out.

Last night, after I had chosen to ignore him and spent time with Ethan, I had actually enjoyed myself. Ethan was easy to talk to, effortlessly steering the conversation, and I appreciated that he knew how to keep things light.

“So tell me,” he had said with a grin, “if you had to choose between me and…”

“Bailey.”

Selena had leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper.

“What?” I had whispered back, puzzled.

A knowing smile had graced her lips. “Kaleb’s outside. He’s… drunk, really drunk, and about to start a fight.”

I blinked at her, irritation flaring. “Okay? And what does that have to do with me?”

Selena shot me a look that screamed, don’t be heartless.

With a heavy sigh, I relented.

“Fine. I’ll be back,” I muttered to Ethan, standing up abruptly.

“Where are you going?” he asked, but I didn’t bother to respond.

As I stepped outside, I spotted Kaleb, still drinking from a bottle, a group of girls nearby casting wary glances in his direction.

“Kaleb,” I called sharply, striding closer.

His head snapped up, and when our eyes met, a goofy, lopsided smile broke across his face.

“Bailey,” he slurred, his voice soft and slightly unsteady. “I really like you, you know.”

My breath hitched in my throat, caught off guard by his unexpected admission.

He leaned back against the wall, his eyes glassy, words tumbling out in a jumble. “I’m sorry.”

I frowned, crossing my arms defiantly. “Sorry for what?”

But he didn’t respond; he simply kept murmuring, “I’m sorry,” over and over like a mantra.

I couldn’t just leave him there, so I called for a ride and helped him to his feet.

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