Where The Pieces Fall : Lost Hearts (Lost Hearts Series Book 1)

by Blue Saffire

  Caleb can be extremely jealous, I am learning. Just last week he actually got in a guy’s face for offering to pay for my coffee, at the coffee shop. Caleb had been talking to a teammate that stopped him when we walked in. I’d gone ahead to place my order. So, in all fairness the guy didn’t know we were together.

  It used to be amusing, how protective and sometimes jealous Caleb would get. Now it is becoming a little issue. One I want to nip in the bud. He has nothing to be jealous about. I don’t even notice other guys.

  “Nicole,” Caleb growls.

  “You know what, fine,” I snap. If he wants to have this out, he’ll soon learn that I will always win.

  I drive back to my dorm alone, to change, to go out to dinner. Dakota texted us to say she was bored. Cameron texted Kay and now we’re all going to meet at the restaurant.

  I’m happy to see Taylor is home. I’m going to need help with my plan. Taylor is just the one to help me.

  My oldest sister, Stevie, is always telling me I would have a more interesting life if I dressed to show off my assets. Last time I was home, Stevie insisted on a shopping spree to buy me a bunch of outfits that I would never wear. Tonight, however, Caleb is going to learn a little lesson.

  There was nothing wrong with my outfit earlier. This isn’t the first time that Caleb has gotten in his feelings over my choice of clothing. I want to show him the difference between what I wear and what he should be giving a fuss about.

  I rummage around my closet until I get my hands on the emerald green corset with black lace overlay on the torso. A wicked smile stretches across my face as the perfect skirt comes to mind. After some digging, I found a cutoff denim mini skirt.

  “Hey Taylor, will you be around for a bit? I’ll need a little help getting ready,” I ask on my way into the bathroom.

  “Sure, Doll, I’ll be here,” Taylor looks up from her laptop and says. “You’re the one with the life and the hot boyfriend, not me.”

  “Whatever,” I laugh, as I dash into the bathroom. After a quick shower, I put on my favorite lotion and slip on a lace thong. I quickly throw some curls in my hair with the wand and then brush it out into waves.

  I brush on some mascara and lip gloss. It’s the most makeup I ever wear, and I don’t do it often at all. Stepping out into the room, I pull on my skirt then hold up the corset so Taylor can fasten me in.

  “Thanks,” I murmur.

  “Wow, Caleb is going to go insane,” Taylor fans her face, as I bend to slip my feet in my ankle boots and zip them up. She whistles, when I stand to look in the mirror turning to inspect my efforts. “You have amazing legs. You should definitely wear more skirts.”

  I tug at my skirt, second guessing myself for a minute. I want to show Caleb that he’s being silly, but this is so out of my comfort zone. I wrinkle my nose and bite my lip.

  “Thanks, I guess running track in high school paid off,” I wince at my reflection. This would never be my first choice, but for tonight it’s perfect. “Now to see how Caleb feels.”

  “Have you seen the way he looks at you, Nicole? It’s like none of the rest of us exist. I would love to have someone’s singular focus like that. Scratch that, someone hot as hell, like Caleb, to make me the center of their world like that,” Taylor says dreamily.

  “Yeah, I love him too,” I say and freeze. I turn to Taylor with my mouth flapping like a fish. I hadn’t meant to say it, but it’s the truth. I’ve fallen in love with Caleb. He’s amazing, not just as a boyfriend, but as a human being. I’m amazed by him daily. “Taylor, I haven’t told him yet. Please don’t say anything,” I beg.

  “My lips are sealed, but you do know he loves you too,” Taylor asks. I bite back a smile and nod. Caleb hasn’t said it, but I’m pretty sure it’s true. “I won’t be waiting up for you,” Taylor winks.

  “Oh no,” I shake my finger at her, as I grab my purse and keys and start for the door. “There will be none of that.”

  “Whatever,” Taylor calls after me.

  I’ve been at Caleb’s a lot lately, which is why I have papers piling up. I promised myself I would spend the weekend in my dorm. Besides, sleeping in Caleb’s bed is becoming more and more tempting.

  Since his birthday, I’ve gone down on him a few times and he returns the favor eagerly. I just still don’t think we should move to the next step yet. I don’t know why, it’s just something I’ve been telling myself.

  It’s not like Caleb doesn’t want to. I can see it in his eyes that he does. Even after I have drained him with a blow job, he looks like a starved man ready to pounce.

  I also get the feeling that he doesn’t push for more because something is holding him back as well. I haven’t asked him about it because of Caleb’s unfiltered honesty. I’m not sure I want to know what’s going on in his head concerning our sex life.

  I swear, one blow in the right direction, he’ll have me on my back, screaming for more. The chemistry between us is undeniable, when we are close. If I knew what Caleb was thinking it would probably match my own thoughts and I would throw caution to the wind in a heartbeat.

  Honestly, I, for one, just happen to be scared out of my mind. Not just of sex, but also sex with Caleb. My first experience was so terrible; I couldn’t let him finish. I, literally, politely asked him to get off of me, collected my things and left.

  It was an awkward situation to begin with. Larry had been my neighbor for as long as I could remember. We were both awkward in school and happened to become friends. It was my hair brain idea to try things together.

  Don’t get me wrong. I had a small crush on Larry. He was only one year older than me. He was just as willing as I was. We just didn’t know what we were doing, causing an epic fail.

  When it was all said and done, Larry never brought it up after and neither did I. He actually left for college and found a girlfriend there. From what mom says, his mom sings about how happy he is, all the time.

  What if Caleb and I are no good at it? What if it wasn’t Larry, but me. I’m terrified of disappointing Caleb. I’m terrified of Caleb being Caleb and coming out with the honest truth, that I suck.

  I know Caleb is no virgin, not after the way he has handled my body. Then there are the insane jokes Cameron makes in reference to Caleb’s skill. Although, I can’t be certain how much of Cameron’s joking should be taken with a grain of salt. He’s always teasing.

  If the way Caleb touches me when we’re fooling around is an indication of what sex will be like with him…phew. Once again, I think it’s all be me just making up excuses in my head for not having sex at all. I have to fan my face just at the thought of what a single kiss from Caleb can do.

  My phone chimes, causing me to move faster to my car. I check to see it’s a text from Dakota and send her a quick reply, before pulling out of the parking lot, and heading for the restaurant. The restaurant isn’t far from campus and I get there in less than twenty minutes.

  When I walk in, I figure I’m right on time. Everyone is standing at the hostess station. Well, all except Caleb. I don’t see him right away. I walk up to Dakota, and tap her on the shoulder. She turns around and her eyes bug out of her head, as she takes me in from head to toes.

  “You look hot,” Dakota squeals.

  Cameron turns around and does a double take. “Oh, fuck,” Cameron groans. “He is going to lose it. Nicole, what the hell, seriously?”

  “What, he has to learn somehow. I’m not going to change my clothes every time he has a tantrum,” I put my hands on my hips and glare back at Cameron.

  “Come on, Nicole, I get it, but that,” he points at me and circles his finger, as if trying to fit my entire outfit into his point. “He’s not going to hold it together with you looking like that. You have to be kidding me. I’d fucking lose my shit if you were my girl.”

  I look at Kay in her tight tank top, tight jeans, and heels. I look back at Cameron and give him a pointed glare. He looks back at Kay and rolls his eyes.

  “Trust me, we had w
ords,” Cameron presses his lips. He shakes his head and sighs before muttering. “You just love pushing him.”

  “No, Cameron, it’s the other way around,” I shoot back.

  “Nicole?”

  I spin on my heels and I’m struck speechless. I have never seen Caleb like this. I feel my belly drop and butterflies take flight at the sight of him. I guess I wasn’t the only one that decided to change.

  He isn’t wearing his baseball cap, as he does a lot when we go out. His hair is falling into his forehead and eyes, making him look hot as sin. Caleb has on a blue button down dress shirt with the top three buttons open and a blazer. His thigh hugging jeans are belted with a huge Texas style belt buckle.

  While my eyes are eating him up, he moves closer to me, placing a hand on my waist. He tugs me forward, eyes searching my face. I can’t get my brain to catch up. I’m supposed to have a point to prove here, right?

  “We need to go home,” Caleb says, his jaw clenched.

  “Really, Caleb, you’re being ridiculous. I’m not going home because you have this insane idea about what I have on. Nope, not happening, you will get over this jealousy thing, tonight,” I growl at him.

  He tugs me closer and bends to my ear. “This has nothing to do with me being jealous,” he breathes, holding me close so that I feel his ejection digging into my belly.

  I look up at him through my lashes and my mouth forms an O, but no words come out. Caleb’s eyes fall to my lips, then down to my cleavage. I watch as he sucks his lip into his mouth. I lick my own lips in response and he groans.

  “You have no idea how beautiful you are, do you,” he asks as he squints and presses his lips. I want to kick myself, Cameron was right this wasn’t the best idea.

  I lift on my toes and kiss him softly on the lips. “Are you okay?” I whisper.

  “I am now,” he nuzzles into my neck.

  Taking a step back and releasing me, he shrugs out of his jacket and motions for me to turn around. I frown at him and lift my brow. “I won’t be able to concentrate on anything else if you are sitting next to me like that. Please,” Caleb asks sincerely.

  “Okay, since you asked nicely,” I oblige him, turning so he can put the jacket over my shoulders.

  Caleb slips the jacket on me then wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me into him. Brushing my bob from my neck, he places a trail of soft kisses down my neck. I squirm in his hold and cover his hands with mine.

  “We’re going to have a conversation about this,” he murmurs in my ear. I should’ve known this wasn’t over. “You’re just too beautiful to fight with right now.”

  I snort, but don’t get to respond as we’re led to our table. We’re seated and everyone falls into conversation. Our waiter comes soon after.

  I’m surprised when Caleb orders for us both. He’s a creature of habit, despite Dakota and Cameron trying to prevent him from getting into rituals. So, I’m not surprised that he has picked up on my habit of ordering the same three things, no matter where we go.

  Once our food arrives, Dakota goes into a story about her mom and dad, that’s hilarious. I love spending time with these guys. It’s as if they complete my relationship with Caleb, in some strange way. I feel Caleb’s eyes on me and I turn to look up at him.

  “What?” I smile up at him.

  “You’re beautiful and you’re mine,” he says, always speaking his thoughts out loud. Never a filter. I blush and smile wider at him.

  “You know, I could say the same thing,” I tease.

  He shakes his head. Under the table, he reaches for my knee and squeezes it. His hand slowly makes its way up to my thigh and he keeps it there as he goes back to eating.

  Needless to say, I can’t focus on anything being said at the table, or the plate of food in front of me. I, somehow, manage to get through my fries and wash them down with some raspberry lemonade. Caleb is staring at me again, but I’m trying to concentrate on Kay, as she shares about her crazy coworkers.

  “Hey guys, Thomas just text me,” Cameron says. “He’s at a bar not far from here. You guys want to go?” We all look at Caleb to see if he is up for it. “He said it’s not loud, an old jukebox and a few pool tables.”

  Caleb shrugs, “Sure.”

  I’m in such awe of Caleb. It’s clear that he’s never very comfortable when we go out to bars and parties, but he does it for his family and friends. He puts in such an effort to make everyone else happy.

  This time he catches me watching him. “What,” he asks.

  “I love you,” I blurt out, without thinking.

  He doesn’t say anything and the table has gone completely silent. I drop my eyes to my lap. That was so stupid of me. Why would I say something like that now, not giving him time to process his feelings or mine? I wish I could crawl under the table and disappear.

  I can feel my cheeks warm. Caleb places his fingers under my chin and lifts my head until my eyes are level with his. There’s a huge smile on his lips.

  “I love you like crazy, Nicole. You have no idea how much I love you. I didn’t know I could feel this way, but I do,” he swallows hard. “I’ve known how I felt for a long time, but it has been hard not knowing if you feel the same way. Darlin’, you just put my mind and heart at ease.”

  Caleb’s other hand moves from my thigh to the back of my neck, as he kisses me like his life depends on it. Cameron clears his throat, causing Caleb to release me. Dakota and Kay are giggling, with tears in their eyes. Cameron has a huge grin on his face.

  “I’ve been telling you man,” Cameron says, reaching across the table to slap Caleb on his back. “She’s been in love with you for a while now.”

  “Really, Babe, you were stressing over this,” I ask in shock. “You should have talked to me.”

  “And say what?” Caleb murmurs.

  I wrap my arms around his neck and lean into him. “You could’ve told me that you loved me and wanted to know if I felt the same way,” I kiss him on his scruffy cheek. “Promise, we’ll talk next time, okay?”

  “Yeah, I promise,” Caleb agrees and kisses my forehead.

  We settle the bill for dinner and start out for the bar. I shrug off Caleb’s jacket, when we get outside. He glares at me, but I don’t back down. He takes the jacket, tossing it over his arm and wraps his other arm around me, tucking me into his side. I look up at him and smile. Caleb bends to kiss the top of my head.

  We walk into the bar and I notice a few familiar faces. Some of them are Cameron and Caleb’s teammates and girls from campus that have been glaring daggers at me for the last three months.

  I’m used to it now. We see Thomas and Hamilton sitting at a table together, Hamilton with a girl sitting in his lap. There’s nothing new there.

  Caleb and I are bringing up the rear as Caleb keeps a tight hold on me. It has been so long since Dakota or Cameron have had to run interference, they don’t notice the blonde that heads straight for Caleb. She places her hand on his arm and he flinches away, side stepping her.

  It happens so fast Caleb knocks into me, sending me stumbling a bit. The girl totally ignores the move and goes to put her hand on his chest. I can feel my face heat with anger.

  “Hasn’t anyone ever told you not to touch things that don’t belong to you,” I growl, as I swat her hand away and step in front of Caleb, crossing my arms over my chest.

  “Oh, please, Caleb could do so much better. When you’re ready to stop slumming, I’ll be more than ready to help you upgrade,” she purrs toward Caleb.

  “You must have already had way too much to drink. That’s the only way you can possibly think, by looking in any mirror, that you are an upgrade from me,” I snap back.

  “Whatever,” the slut snarls. “I’ll just catch you on the road as usual.” With a nasty grin on her overly glossed, red lips, she turns to go back the way she came.

  I spin on Caleb and glare at him. “What’s that supposed to mean,” I ask him, keeping my eyes on his face.

  He doesn’t
say a word, as he reaches for the back of his neck and starts to rub it. He won’t look me in the eyes and now my heart is pounding. Caleb looks over my head at Cameron.

  “Oh, no, he’s not going to answer this one for you. I asked you. What the hell, Caleb,” I hiss at him.

  Cameron steps to my side and wraps an arm around my shoulders. “It’s not what you think and you are making a scene. Just calm down,” Cameron says in my ear. I look up and glare at him before shrugging his arm off me.

  “Keep him away from me,” I hiss and walking over to the table to sit between Thomas and Hamilton.

  I give a hug to Thomas and then act as if no one else exists. I’m beyond pissed off, right now. I’ve heard so many stories about the baseball team when they’re on the road. I never thought I had to worry about that with Caleb.

  How could I be so stupid? He’s a man and he’s not getting it from me. The fact that he didn’t just deny any of what that slut said, has me burning with embarrassment and hurt.

  Everyone else takes a seat at the table, but I refuse to look at Caleb. He doesn’t lie, so the fact that he chooses to say nothing says a million words. I can feel my heart crumbling in my chest.

  The next half hour passes with me avoiding and ignoring Caleb. Thomas and Cameron make sure that my cup is never free of beer; which I figure they’re doing to get me to relax. I know eventually someone’s going to try to get me to talk to Caleb.

  Good luck with that.

  Too much beer has me needing a trip to the little girl’s room. I ask Dakota to come with me. Kay has disappeared to talk to some of her friends that came in a while ago. Cameron and Hamilton have just set up a pool table. Caleb is still at the table, brooding, while his eyes remained on me.

  I go into the bathroom, finish my business, and wash my hands, before Dakota finishes up. I’m finger combing my hair, when the blonde from earlier pushes her way into the bathroom with two friends. A redhead and a short bleach blonde. They stop in front of me, scowling at me.

  “Hey, you know Caleb is just going to stew until you talk to him,” Dakota says, as she pushes out of the bathroom. When she sees the girls, she frowns and moves to the sink to wash her hands.