by EJ Logan
I nodded “Yeah you’re probably right, he said something last night about trying to clear his head, I don’t know how getting drunk clears your head, usually it fogs mine up,” I said laughing.
Aiden laughed too nodding at what I said. "Well, see ya," He said walking out the door. I stood at the door and watched him leave, giving him a little wave as he pulled away.
I do like him he's a sweet guy, and I think we could be really good friends. In my head, I knew he wanted more than friendship, but I'm glad he accepted it couldn't be more than that, not anytime soon at least.
CHAPTERthirteen
Caleb
When I woke up, I had a horrible headache. I noticed a bottle of Advil and water sitting on my bedside table. Thank god I could kiss whoever left this for me. Why did I think getting trashed was a good idea? Oh yeah, I wanted to clear my head. Good job with that, I thought of Ari even more when I was drunk. I was so drunk; some of the guys had to help me out to the cab, I have never let myself get that way before.
I slowly made my way to the bathroom, where I jumped in my shower and let the hot water run over me. Ah. This feels good; I will never let myself get so drunk again, definitely not worth it.
Once I was dressed I went out to the living room to find Ari lying on the couch watching T.V. She looked over at me with a smirk when she saw me. "Hey, sweetheart how are you feeling?" she asked. Man she is too cute.
“Uh, I’m doing okay did you leave the Advil and water?” I asked
She nodded “Yeah when I saw how drunk you were last night, I knew you were going to feel like shit this morning,”
Shit she saw me last night did I talk to her? I can’t even remember coming home.
She stood and slowly walked towards me. What is she doing? She placed her hand on my chest and smiled up at me. “Do you even remember talking to me last night?”
I swallowed loudly and just shook my head. “No uh what did I say?”
She laughed, “Don’t worry you didn’t do anything half as bad as we all know I've done when drunk. That made me laugh a little. So she does remember that night.
“Did I try to make a move on you?” I asked hesitantly. I hope I didn’t do or say anything too messed up.
"No, not, all you did was rub up on me a little in the kitchen and tell me how bad you wanted me,” She told me while laughing; I can't believe she's making fun of me.
I grabbed her and gave her a big loud kiss on her head while holding her in a headlock. She squirmed in my arm and then smacked my bare chest while pushing me away. "Hey ass, be nice,” She got out between laughs.
I quickly picked her up throwing her over my shoulder. She was yelling at me to put her down, but I ignored her requests. "Hey Babe, where's your phone?" I asked.
She stopped smacking my back and tried to turn towards me. “Why?” she asked.
"Because I'm about to throw your ass in the pool, and I don't want to ruin your phone. Though I'm not sure where it could be with what you’re wearing,” I said lightly smacking her ass.
She was only wearing a little white tank top and a pair of short, short black running shorts. If you could even call something that small shorts.
"My phones inside, but please don't do this,” She cried when I was right next to the pool.
I slowly let her down. But before she could take off I grabbed her around the waist and threw us both into the pool. When we came up, I couldn't stop laughing at the scowl on her face.
All of a sudden she jumped on me knocking me down, then pushing me under the water. I came up pulling her with me, and we were both laughing now.
Man did she look good wet. We stood staring into each other’s eyes, without even realizing it I started moving my face towards her face. I wanted to kiss her so bad. She closed her eyes as I got closer, but I couldn’t do it.
We were just messing with each other’s heads, and I didn't want to do that to her. So I decided to lighten the mood and instead of kissing her I licked up her cheek. Her eyes flew open as she rubbed my saliva off her face. I started cracking up. She was so cute when she scowled at me.
“Ew! Caleb that's disgusting,” She went to smack my arm, but I moved out of the way and took off out of the pool. She was right on my heels, and I couldn’t stop laughing. She caught me and started tickling me from behind.
I turned to grab her arms and saw her wet white t-shirt. "Damn baby" I could see everything since she wasn't even wearing a bra. She noticed my eyes and quickly covered herself with her arms only removing one to smack me again. "I'm sorry, don't be mad at me,” I said using a baby voice and giving her the pouty lip.
She turned from me and started towards her room. "Not working sweetheart" She called out before disappearing behind her bedroom door. I have never had so much fun with a chick before, well not like this anyways. See we could do this whole friend thing, Sure there's a bit of sexual tension, but I'm sure we'll get over it eventually. Yep, everything, is going to be okay. We'll be good friends and nothing more.
Ari
I can't believe Caleb threw me in the pool. He is so going to get it. Not to mention I was wearing a flipping white shirt, and he saw everything when it got wet. Uh and the almost kiss. Okay well, maybe it was only an almost kiss to me. Seriously I closed my eyes expecting to feel his lips on mine, but instead he licks my cheek. Really? I have got to get over the lust I feel for him. We get along great; he makes me laugh, and I think we could be great friends.
I stripped out of my wet clothes and jumped in the shower. When I was done, I threw on a pair of yoga pants and off the shoulder tee. Making my way to the living room, I heard Caleb playing his guitar. He is so good and has a great voice. I love to listen to him. I quietly made my way in and sat on the couch with him. He looked up, but continued to play, so I just sat there quietly listening to his beautiful voice as he sang Fix You by Coldplay. This song means so much to me that I wasn't sure I could handle listening to it. Every time I hear it I think of Kyle, but as Caleb continued to look into my eyes as he sang, I knew I could do it. With Caleb around, I felt like I could handle just about anything.
He continued looking at me the whole time he sang, I swear every time he sings, I feel like he’s singing to me and me alone. I know it’s not that, but the way his eyes meet mine, it just brings me right into the lyrics with him. Does that even make sense? I don’t know, but I do know he would be an amazing live performer. He would have every woman eating out of his hand.
“Soo, how was it? You haven’t said anything. Was it that bad? I just learned this song so it might not be great, but I’ll get better..,”
I quickly put my hand over his mouth to stop his nervous rambling. "Caleb hush, you were amazing. I love that song Coldplay is awesome, but I think I like your version better,” I told him, giving him a big smile.
He rolled his eyes "Whatever, suck up. It's nowhere close to as good as Coldplay, and you know it,” He said shaking his head.
“Caleb I thought you did an amazing job,” I told him sincerely.
"Thanks, Babe" He mumbled. He is usually so confident and sure of himself, so it always catches me off guard when he gets shy like this but it's also sexy as hell. "Oh, by the way, I ordered pizza for dinner, so you don't have to cook tonight, you cool with that?
I nodded “Uh, hell ya, I feel like being lazy tonight anyways,” We both laughed, and then he went back to strumming on his guitar.
“So are you staying home tonight?” I asked. He usually goes out almost every night, even on weeknights.
He shook his head and smiled at me. “Yeah, I’m staying home tonight; I usually don’t go out as much as I have recently. I was on Vacation, ya know?”
I laughed, “Okay, whatever Mr. Playboy,”
“I can’t help it that all the ladies love me. It’s all this badassery I have going on,” There's the Caleb I have come to know.
He's freaking crazy "Yeah; badassery is not the word that comes to mind when I think of you,”
He arc
hed an eyebrow “Oh yeah, what do you think then? Hotness? Sexiness? Excellent set of abs and an amazing ass?”
I was laughing my ass off, shaking my head back and forth. "No, no, and in your dreams,”
He grabbed me and started to tickle me “Yeah right babe, more like in your dreams,” He said while continuing to tickle me.
I was laughing and trying to squirm away from him, but to no prevail. Luckily for me the doorbell rang, saving me from peeing my pants. I mumbled “ass” as he walked away, but he heard and just started laughing.
“I knew you were thinking of my amazing ass,”
"Uh, no you dick," I said giving him a scowl
"Oh, wow Ari, you're thinking of that now?" He asked with a smirk
I groaned and rolled my eyes “Just go get the door. I’m hungry” I told him, completely dismissing his last joke.
We talked and joked while we ate our pizza. Looking at the time, I saw it was already ten thirty. "Hey, Caleb I'm going to head to bed. Are we going to ride together in the morning?"
He nodded "yeah, I figured we might as well. Are you good with leaving about seven thirty? I have a meeting at nine, and I need to get a few things together beforehand,”
"Sure sounds good, I’ll be ready to go. Goodnight Caleb,”
"Goodnight babe,” He replied. I don't know why he insists on calling me that. He can be such a pain sometimes, but I can't lie every time he says it I feel a little flutter in my stomach. Sighing I climbed into bed, my eyes closing within minutes.
When I woke in the morning, I threw on my shoes and went for my morning run. Once home I went to my room, showered and got ready for the day. I was a little nervous, knowing Carla was gone, and this was my first day by myself. I shook the nerves away though, I know what I'm doing, nothing to worry about.
Walking into the kitchen, Caleb was leaning against the counter. He reached behind himself and handed me a cup of coffee, already made the way I like it with two sugars and a touch of cream. Then he handed me a plate with a cinnamon raisin bagel on it. How sweet. “Thanks, Caleb,” I said giving him a big smile.
He smiled back just as big. "Your very welcome babe,” I watched as his eyes took me in from head to toe. "Wow, you look amazing,”
I looked down at myself. I was wearing a tight white business style dress. It went to just above my knees, and only showed a minimal amount of cleavage. I was wearing a black belt and matching blazer and heels.
I have to admit I looked pretty cute in this outfit if I may say so myself. I looked up at Caleb to see he was still looking at me. "Thanks,” I said shrugging, again feeling the little flutters in my stomach, it was starting to seem like everything he did would cause me to feel this way.
On the way to work, I got a call from a number I didn’t recognize. I was hesitant to answer, but did anyways. “Hello?”
Caleb looked over then and mouthed “Who’s that?” I just shrugged my shoulders.
“Hey, beautiful it's Aiden, how are you this morning? He asked too cheery for this early in the morning.
“Well, aren't you cheery this morning? I'm good by the way. How were you, how was the condo last night?” I asked him, smiling at his cheerful voice.
He laughed “It was okay, but I was missing this beautiful brunette I recently had the pleasure of meeting. How was your night? Was Caleb a good boy?”
I laughed “You're so silly, my night was good. We just chilled and ate some pizza. Oh and Caleb has been a pretty good boy” I said smirking at Caleb
Caleb leaned in towards me. So he could be heard through the phone. “What Ari so now I’m a good boy? But last night when you were spanking me you said I was a bad boy,” He said using a sexy voice. Then he started to crack up when he saw the shocked expression on my face.
“Whatever Caleb,” I rolled my eyes at him. “Ugh he is such a pain in my ass sometimes. I told him to quit having those kinds of dreams about me, but I guess he just can't help himself,” I said to Aiden
Caleb laughed harder, and Aiden joined him through the phone. "You're hilarious Ari. So I was calling to see if you have any lunch plans, because if not I would love to take you out,”
He wants to take me to lunch. Like…like a date? Do I want to go on a date with him? With anyone? I turned to look at Caleb. Yeah, there is someone I would probably say yes to.
My thoughts were interrupted, when Aiden spoke again. “Ari, beautiful you still there?”
“Oh...Uh…Yeah, hold on just a minute,” I said before setting the phone down. "Hey, Caleb we don't have any lunch meetings today do we?"
He glanced over at me shaking his head. “No nothing scheduled for today, why what’s up?” he asked gesturing towards my phone.
“Oh… Ah… Aiden wants to ah take me out for lunch,” I said shrugging, trying not to show my nervousness.
"Well, if you want to go that's cool. See if he can do a twelve thirty, you should be good to go then,”
I relayed this info to Aiden. “That sounds good I’ll be there to pick you up then. I can’t wait beautiful,” I smiled he could be so damn sweet sometimes.
I was a little nervous about this whole thing, why I don't know; it's not like it's a real date. It's just lunch between two friends. Right? Its as if Caleb could read my mind or something. "So, a date with Aiden huh? How do you feel about that?" He asked. We had parked, so he turned to look at me.
I bit my lip nervously, looking down at my phone in my lap. But I heard Caleb groan, and when I looked up, I saw him staring at my bottom lip that I was still worrying between my teeth. I chuckled remembering his drunken comment the other night. "What's so funny babe?" He asked looking up to my eyes.
I shook my head, "Oh nothing I just remembered something you said when you were drunk the other night,” I gave him a smirk.
His eyes widened “Do I even want to know?” He groaned again.
I laughed again “Probably not, but let’s just say you told me how biting my lip effects you,” I told him while I bit my lip again batting my eyelashes at him.
"Erg, you’re bad babe, maybe you need that spanken,” The thought of him spanking me made me hot as hell, but I didn't let it show.
"I don't think so," I said as I jumped out of the car and ran to the elevators. He caught me right as the door opened and started tickling me as we went up to his office. I was still trying to wiggle out of his grasp and laughing my ass off when the doors opened to reveal Dan was sitting on the couch with a raised brow.
He stood still watching as Caleb finally let me go, and I was able to straighten my dress and try to fix the ponytail my hair was in. Dan cleared his throat "Am I interrupting something?" he asked us.
I glanced at Caleb then back at Dan “Only this dumbass tickling me,” I scoffed and rolled my eyes. Pretending to be annoyed.
“Whatever, you know you like my hands on you,” Caleb said jokingly while at the same time poking me in the rib.
I shook my head “Caleb when are you going to be able to distinguish between your dreams and reality. Me wanting to be touched by you is only in that pretty little head of yours, sweetheart,” I called out as I walked away. He threw his head back laughing. Dan was just smiling and shaking his head. I gave him a little wink as I shut Caleb’s door behind me.
The rest of the morning went by pretty smoothly. Caleb went to his meeting and returned saying that everything went great. He said that he might have to leave in a couple of weeks because one of the jobs he's looking to land is in Houston Texas. So I'll have to make arrangements for that when the time comes. Other than that I pretty much just went through his emails, separating junk from the important ones.
At twelve-fifteen, there was a knock on my door, and when I looked up, I saw Aiden smiling in at me. I gestured for him to come in. Then stood to give him a hug, he leaned in and gave me a small kiss on the check. "Hey beautiful, are you almost ready?" He asked
I nodded “Yeah, just let me finish typing the last few sentences of this document and then send it t
o Caleb, You’re welcome to take a seat while you wait,” I told him gesturing towards the couch.
"Not a problem, is Caleb in? I was going to say hey real quick,”
"Yeah, he should be. He hasn't said he was leaving, but I haven't seen him in a couple of hours either,” I shrugged.
When they walked out of Caleb's office, they were both laughing. "All right man, just have her back by two. I have a few projects I would like to go over with her and get her opinion on,” Caleb said giving me a smile.
I know I probably had the biggest smile on my Face. ", you want my opinion?" I was so happy this is why I took this job, to work with and learn from an amazing architect like Caleb. I assumed it would take some time to get to work on or give my opinion on a project. That's not something a newbie like me would usually get to do.
"Yeah, of course, you know your stuff. You went to school for this, and you won't learn more unless your given the chance,” He told me.
I launched myself at him, wrapping my arms around his waist. “Thank you Caleb, you are awesome,”
He hugged me back then leaned in and whispered in my ear. “Of course babe,”
We probably stayed hugging longer than we should have. I completely forgot about Aiden in the room. It just felt so good to be held in Caleb’s arms. Ugh why does he have to be the one to make me feel this way?
I finally pulled away when I heard Aiden clear his throat; well that was a little embarrassing. “Um…so are you ready?” Aiden asked
I looked at him and smiled while nodding my head. I waved bye to Caleb, while taking Aiden’s hand and leading him out my door. “See ya babe. Caleb called out,”
I shook my head “What is it with the nicknames, do you guys always do that?” He laughed. And just shook his head.
Caleb
Shit, I am starting to fall for this girl, well at least I think. Having feeling for a chick is all new to me. I keep trying to make myself think it's just brotherly feelings, or how you would feel for a good friend, but I know that's not true. Friends and brothers definitely wouldn't think or dream the things I do about Ari.