Casual Sabotage

Chapter Fourteen

"I'll miss you." I pouted my lower lip, watching Caleb gather all of his suitcases and baggage together at the front door. "Call me as soon as you land!"

"Relax, Babe." Caleb chuckled softly, pulling me into a tight-knit hug. "I will call you every chance that I get, okay?"

"Okay." I nodded my head.

"Are you going to be okay being alone while I'm gone?" He questioned fragilely. "I mean...I know what you're like, Sal."

"I'll be fine." I lied. "It's only two weeks, right?"

"Right." Caleb reassured. "I'll be back before you know it."

"I hope so." I sighed, hugging him harder. "I'm going to miss waking up beside you every morning."

"Think of the things that you won't miss about me." Caleb suggested. "That may help you deal with the distance between us."

"I won't miss when you shave and leave hair all over the sink." I listed aloud. "Or when you crack your knuckles constantly...or when you—"

"Okay, Sal, I said think, not list." Caleb laughed. He kissed me on the head and broke away from the embrace. "I should get going before I miss my flight."

"If you must." I accepted. "Remember what I said."

"Relax." Caleb rolled his eyes. "I will call you as soon as those plane wheels touch the ground in Idaho, okay?"

"And not a moment later!" I emphasised. "I love you, Cal."

"I love you too, Babe." He gushed.

Caleb gave me one last hug and kiss before he gathered his belongings and walked out of the front door. I watched him walk down the corridor before finally closing the door behind me. I sighed despondently to myself. Two whole weeks alone. What the hell was I going to do with myself? Being in my own company has been nothing but a bad experience in the past.

**

Two whole days had gone by since Caleb had left for his trip, and it was safe to say that I was getting bored. Bored of having no one to talk to. Bored of having no physical touch. Bored of these same four walls enclosed all around me. I collapsed down onto the couch after what felt like my tenth nap of the day. I pulled my phone out of my front pocket and unlocked the device. Caleb was busy having fun and I think the twenty messages that I had already left for him were enough.

I scrolled through my texts, finding the last exchange between myself and Brian, which brought a defeated sigh out of me. I did miss him and his company. I could feel myself caving to the bad idea breeding inside of my head. Should I invite him over? Should I learn how to control myself? My thumb hovered over his name, before I gave in and started typing out a message.

Hey, how are you? I sent, leaving my phone unlocked. Five minutes went by before he opened my message and I saw those unnerving three dots move. He was typing back to me...and taking a while at that. Either Brian was writing a whole essay or he was hesitating at what to respond with. Every second that he spent typing felt like forever.

Still breathing. Brian replied. What did he mean by that?

What's wrong? I'd asked back.

Long story. Brian replied bluntly. Before I had time to respond he had sent another message. You must be bored if you're talking to me.

Long story. I joked back to try and lighten the dull mood that seemed to overcast our conversation. I contemplated for a moment. Fancy coming over?

Was that really a good idea? No. But do I ever make good decisions? Obviously not.

You're definitely bored. Brian answered. Is Caleb there? Shit. Brian was onto me.