Better With You - Maddie Poppe and Caleb Hutchinson Series (Book 2)

Chapter 1

(A/N: This is the second book of a series. If you haven't yet, I suggest you read More Than Friends before you start this one!)

4 Years Later

Caleb's POV

I haven't seen or talked to Maddie except for right after the tour I joined her on. She unfollowed me on all social media and even blocked my phone number. She thought she was doing what was best for me.

It wasn't. I was miserable for I'm not sure how long.

I wanted to make it work. I wanted to wait for her. I would have. Everything happens for a reason though, right?

I know that she doesn't live here in Nashville anymore. She moved to LA a couple years ago because I guess they needed her out there all the time. I still think about her everyday.

Is that wrong of me to think of her all the time when I've already moved on with someone else?

I just can't stop thinking of her. I never stopped.

Maddie's POV

I have never met someone like Caleb. I know I let him go because I thought he'd be better off. I switched record labels and now I'm signed to a label that's in Nashville, so now I've moved back here.

I always think about Caleb. I stopped following his social media accounts because looking at him hurts. I finally feel like I have more time since I've slowed down and I don't have as much to do or as many places to be. I've been on a few dates this past year, but those relationships never lasted. None of them are right for me.

None of them are Caleb. Caleb is right for me.

But there's no way I could go back to him, now. Besides, he's probably already moved on. But that's what I wanted, right? I wanted him to find someone that could make him happy and be there for him. I couldn't do that.

I hope he's happy. That's all I want.

I'm currently in Nashville, recording a couple new songs I've wrote. Whenever I'm finished at the studio I decide to go get something to eat. I sit at a table alone after ordering. I go on my phone and smile at a text from Catie. We have always stayed in touch, and are still the best of friends. One time I asked about Caleb, but she said she doesn't really talk to him anymore. I set my phone down on the table when the waitress brings me my lemonade.

I look across the room and my eyes lock with a set of beautiful blue eyes I haven't seen in years.

I swallow uncomfortably as he stares at me. What should I do? Should I go over and talk to him? Will he come over and talk to me? It's like he read my mind. He starts walking over to me slowly.

"Maddie?" He says.

"Caleb," I say, "Wow, hi."

"Hey," He says softly, "you got a show here or something?"

"Uh, I actually live here again. I switched labels," I say, awkwardly.

"Oh, nice. How've you been?" He puts his hands in his pockets.

"I've been okay, you?"

"Same."

After an awkward silence I speak up again, "Would you like to sit?"

"Oh, no. That's okay," he states.

Then a brunette comes over to us, "Caleb, babe. Our food is ready," she says.

I feel a pang in my heart when she calls him 'babe'.

She looks at me continues, "Oh, Maddie, hi. It's been a while."

"Yeah, it has, Bella. How have you been?" I bite my lip.

"Great," she says after a moment, "Uh, would you like to join us?"

"That's okay," I look down, "so, you two are uh, together now, huh?"

"Yeah," Caleb says lowly.

He takes his hands out of his pockets and I notice a ring on his left ring finger and then see one on Bella's, too. I swallow hard and try not to cry.

He's really moved on.

"Oh," I say softly.

Bella notices my eye-line and looks at her hand, "Yeah, uh, this happened a few months ago."

"You two are married," I say quietly and give them a small fake smile.

"Yeah," Caleb breathes out, "I'm married to Bella."