Craving My Brother's Best Friend (Bailey and Kaleb) novel Chapter 50

Chapter 50

Bailey’s POV

Kaleb came back just when we were already done eating. David was finishing the last sip of his drink when he walked in looking perfectly stoic.

His dark eyes moved over the table quickly, then landed on me for a brief second before he looked away.

“Where have you been, Kaleb? Come on, finish your food,” my mom said warmly, pushing a plate toward him.

Kaleb shook his head. “I’m done eating.”

My mom looked a little disappointed, but she didn’t press. Dad paid the bills and we left the restaurant.

The night air outside was cooler than I expected, brushing against my arms as we stepped out.

The cars were lined at the curb. Lights from the restaurant spilled onto the pavement. We stood there for a second waiting for the valet to bring the cars around.

That was when Ethan turned to me.

“I’ll drive you home,” he whispered to me, stepping closer. His voice was soft and he fixed his eyes on me.

Before I could even answer, Kaleb’s voice cut in.

“I’m driving her home.”

Kaleb sounded angry, almost cutting, like he dared Ethan to challenge him and refuse.

Ethan frowned. “That wasn’t the question, Kaleb. I asked Bailey.”

“Doesn’t matter,” Kaleb replied coldly. “She’s with me.”

The tension was rising and they both towered above me staring down at each other.

My Dad stepped in and spoke calmly, “Bailey goes with Kaleb since it’s the same place.”

Ethan’s jaw tightened but didn’t argue again, but I saw the way his hand curled into a fist before he forced it loose.

Kaleb shot him a deadly look and I didn’t miss it. Ethan didn’t either.

David, oblivious, quickly said, “I’ll ride with Mom and Dad.” He moved away, leaving me standing in the middle, my pulse beating a little too fast.

Ethan finally left and I slid into Kaleb’s car, my bag resting on my lap. He didn’t say anything when he started the engine.

11:38 Fri, Nov 28

Chapter 50

He didn’t even glance at me and I shifted uncomfortably. I finally turned towards the window as the car pulled away from the curb.

I watched the buildings, people walking along the sidewalks. I leaned against the window, letting the glass cool my skin.

“Are you with Ethan now?”

It came so suddenly I almost jumped. My head snapped toward him, but his eyes were fixed on the road, his hands gripping the steering wheel.

I scoffed, turning back to the window quickly.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“Are you dating Ethan?”

“He’s a good friend,” I said casually watching the buildings whip past, glowing signs reflecting against the window.

I tried hard not to flare up or get irritated at his question. Why does he care?

Kaleb was quiet for a while

“I can’t pick and choose your friends Bailey.” He hesitated, almost like he wanted to stop there.

“But… just be careful. Ethan isn’t who he seems to be.”

I turned to look at him, my brows pulling together. “What does that mean?”

He didn’t look at me but I noticed his jaw tighten, his eyes fixed straight ahead.

“It just means you should be careful.”

For a second, I wanted to snap at him. I wanted to tell him to mind his business.

After all, he just said he couldn’t pick and choose who I was friends with. So why was he trying to warn me? Why was he sounding so… possessive?

Maybe it was because my dad approved of Ethan. Maybe Kaleb hated that and just wanted to control who I hang around.

I kept it in, though and swallowed the words and stayed quiet, even though my chest was tight.

I remembered those burly men around Ethan. The ones I saw that day.

The memory flickered in my mind, but I shook it off quickly. It had to be nothing serious.

“What about you?” I asked quietly. “You’ve got someone now?”

His grip on the wheel tightened. His jaw clenched. He gave a little shrug.

11:38 Fri, Nov 28

Chapter 50

“It’s not important, Bailey. What I do is of no importance.”

I opened my mouth, then stopped halfway. “You…” I shook my head, leaning back against the seat.

“Yeah. It’s not.”

The rest of the drive was silent.

6223

When we pulled up at the apartment building, the car rolled to a stop. The engine hummed low, but neither of us moved at first.

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