Fifteen

Chapter 26: There's A Girl

"You did what?" Gracia exclaimed. Caleb led the way as they entered his dorm room in Ellenton. "We kissed." He sighed. "It was nothing major." He could dumb it down when telling Gracia, but internally he knew that kissing Aria was breath-taking and unforgettable. He could still feel how soft her plump lips felt against his and smiled at the thought of her soft skin against him.

"You two just met! Boy do you move fast!" Gracia smiled mischievously. "What's that smile for?" Caleb questioned cautiously. "As a coach I must say that I am pleased with the level of initiative you're taking." Caleb chuckled. "Coach? Since when do I need a coach?" Gracia's face grew serious. "Since the moment Stefan stepped on stage and became valid competition."

Gracia sat on Caleb's bed and admired his room. It was a spacious single unit that seemed a bit out of place to be on a college campus. It was sleek and modern, but the decor and designs of Texas U were proving to impact every part of the campus. She studied Caleb while he unpacked. She knew that he was aware that her point was true.

Stefan seemed like a great guy, but they were into the same girl and that was not going to work. They had all met yesterday, but Gracia really cared for Caleb, Tyler and Preston. They were the kind of friends she needed and thanked God for. She was definitely Team Caleb and needed to help however possible to ensure he got the girl.

"So, the Undie Run is tonight." She said scrolling through her phone. "We're going and you are going to make your move on Aria." Caleb stopped and looked over at her. "I kind of already did. You know, with the kisses and all." She waved her hand. "Child's play. You kissed her secretly. There was no one there to witness it, but doing so publicly stakes your claim." She grinned. "It lets everyone know, especially Stefan, that she's your girl." Caleb sighed. "You sound crazy, G. She isn't my girl, so there's nothing to claim. If she wants to date Stefan that's fine by me."

Liar! Caleb hated how stubborn he was sometimes, but he knew deep down that nothing good would come of him and Aria. He was a mess and would drag her down with him. He was the bad boy and someone as good and kind as Aria deserved the good guy. "What are you talking about? You guys kissed multiple times! There are obvious sparks between you, so why don't you just ask her out?"

Caleb was getting tired of this conversation. He knew himself. He knew his habits and he was not going to subject her to that. He couldn't even imagine how she would think of him. Caleb loved the way she looked at him. Her big, brown eyes seemed to light up with excitement, passion and a hint of something more. If that look ever changed to disappointment or worse, he'd be wrecked.

"Gracia, listen to the words that are coming out of my mouth." He mustered up his best Chris Tucker impersonation, which made Gracia smile. "I'm no good. I don't do girlfriends and you know as well as I do that Aria is girlfriend material." Gracia sighed standing up. "Aria is wife material."

Even she couldn't deny how sweet and beautiful she was. It may have been the alcohol, but Aria was so socially hospitable and made sure everyone was okay and having a good time. "So, you're not going to ask her out?" Caleb thought about it and resolved on the best action plan. "No, I'm not."

"You two can't seem to do anything but flirt and banter when you're together. You can't deny the attraction." Gracia huffed starting to see that her cause was becoming a lost one. "You're right. I'm attracted to her, but like I said I'm no good for her. I can stop the flirting and the banter." He said more confidently then he felt. "I can keep things platonic. I'll treat her like she was one of the guys." Gracia let out a loud laugh. "Okay, Caleb. I want to see you do that. Especially when Stefan makes his move. Let's see how bro-like you can keep things."

She had a point. How can I keep things platonic when I just want to punch something every time she's with him or worse they're touching? He repressed the thought and held onto resolve. His focus needed to be getting back to Los Angeles and resuming the life he had there.

It wasn't much, but it was all he knew. He didn't have time to feel the things that were stirring within all because of a girl. He wasn't proud of the things he had done in the past, but habits were hard to break and the misery was a surprising comfort.

"We're still going to the Undie Run," Gracia resolved lying back on the bed. "Sure." He sighed realizing that he was in for a different kind of misery and it involved pushing away the one girl that made him want to be a better person.