JAKE'S UNDOING (18+) ✔ (LOVE AND OBSESSION SERIES) BOOK 2

Part 13

I had been trying to get in touch with Sasha, Carl, and Caleb, for hours now. None of them were responding to my calls or messages. I walked into the coffee shop where we usually meet on Mondays. I saw Caleb sitting at our usual table, lost in thought.

Taking a seat across from him, I waved my hand across his face, "Caleb? Hey, are you okay?" he snapped out of his thoughts and looked at me.

"Oh, hey," he greeted me with a half-smile. "Sorry. What's up?"

"I've been trying to reach Sasha and Carl, but they won't pick up. Have you seen or heard from them?"

Caleb's expression turned serious as he leaned back in his chair. "I haven't seen them since last night. I tried calling them too, but they didn't answer."

Did I sense jealousy in his tone?

My heart went out to him. Did Sasha and Carl finally hit it off? How far did I miss? It was unlike Sasha not to share with me.

"It's almost their last subject," I said, looking outside.

"Yeah," Caleb replied with a shrug. "I guess they'll come when they're ready." He looked at me deeply before he cast his eyes outside and sipped his coffee.

I furrowed my brow, sensing an undercurrent of tension in his demeanor. "Caleb, are you okay? You seem a bit... off."

He hesitated before responding, his eyes narrowing at me. "How long have you known that man that stole you that night we went on a movie, Cass?"

"Jake? I've known him...like forever."

"It's him, isn't it? The guy you are head over heels for?" he said, and I expected him to tease, but he wasn't, he was serious.

"Yes. It's Jake," I bit my lower lip, worried at the look on his face. "Look, if something's bothering you, you can tell me."

His eyes met mine, and for a moment, I caught a glimpse of anger, but it was gone in a flash. "Yeah, it's just that..." he trailed off as if wrestling with his thoughts.

"Just what?" I pressed gently.

Caleb sighed, his shoulders slumping. "Why don't you find another man, Cassie?"

My concern deepened but I let out a soft chuckle, trying to make the situation light. He couldn't possibly have feelings for me, could he? "That's nonsense, Cal. I like him very much."

"I just don't want to see you get hurt. You've known the man for years now, but maybe he doesn't always have your best interests at heart. You know that, right? Maybe there are things about him, his lifestyle, that you might not be fully aware of."

I felt a knot forming in my stomach. Did he know about Jake? "What do you mean, Caleb? Enlighten me." I inhaled, acting like normal.

He toyed with his inner cheek, something he does when deep in consideration, his expression serious. "I'm not accusing, Cassie. I'm just saying, sometimes people have secrets. Secrets that can hurt you if you're not careful. I just realized that I did not forget my phone in the bathroom cubicle that night. It was stolen from me. It was him for sure. I thought I'd seen him somewhere. I couldn't be wrong. And I was right."

"I'm sorry, Caleb. Jake could be very impulsive."

"Listen Cassie. I care for you. This isn't just about that night he stole my phone. The man's not right for you. He's more than what you see."

"Caleb," a deep voice called him, and Caleb's brows immediately deepened in irritation.

Looking behind him, I saw a man—oh, not just a man, but a very attractive man. He was probably around Jake's age. He was drawing the attention of some girls in the cafe. His dark, tousled hair framed a chiseled jawline, and a faint stubble added a rugged charm to his handsome features. His piercing green eyes, the color of stormy grass, held an intensity that hinted at a depth beyond the surface.