Just Like Cinderella

Just Like Cinderella [2]

He had a serious problem, Caleb Flynn thought. He didn't care how it had come to be or who was to blame. He cared about fixing it. Fast.   

Seeing as Kehlani Simpson had done what almost no girl had been able to—she'd held his interest for more than a few days—she deserved more than him running away from their complicated relationship with a simple goodbye. He had to find a way to fix things between them.

He might not feel like it was the best decision. He didn't know if he and Kehlani could forgive each other or if things could go back to the way they were before. But he had to try. He'd rather risk it than have her tell him they were over for good.

He supposed not too many guys would be willing to do what he was doing; not after Kehlani's betrayal, not after how strained their relationship had gotten. But he'd once liked her, enough to date her. He wasn't sure if he still did, all he knew was he'd liked her enough and being with her that way had made him happier than he'd been in a long time. Granted most of it was when he was buying her lavish gifts or taking her out to dinner in even more expensive restaurants, but he didn't really mind. After all, which girl truly wanted him for him, without once thinking about what a rich family he came from? It was disheartening but true.

Maybe there were some who didn't care, but none of them were the right ones. He didn't know how he was so sure about it, and about Kehlani not being the right one either, but he was.

People might call him a player or an asshole, and with good reason, but none of them knew a damn thing about him. He liked very few people and trusted even fewer. It was just the way he was. Asher was probably the only person he'd opened up to outside of his family, and he preferred it that way. Being nice to people didn't come as naturally to him as it did his best friend. All his life he had wanted to keep people away, and being an asshole was the way he went about it. But then there were times he questioned that decision, especially now. Now when it felt like he was losing himself to this void inside of him, felt like he was not only losing his mind and sanity but everyone close to him.

Kehlani was probably at the top of the list, or maybe he'd never really had her to begin with. She got along well enough with his mom—mostly because his mom chose to tolerate her and Cassandra Flynn was an expert at appearing to like someone—but his little sister hadn't cared much for her. Kiara had once confessed to him the reason behind her distaste, saying Kehlani was too beautiful. At first it sounded like such an odd reason not to like someone, but now, with all that had happened, he couldn't help thinking maybe Kiara had a point.

As the day dragged on, Caleb's mood only grew worse. It didn't help that before the last bell, there was an announcement for all seniors to be in school early tomorrow to get reassigned new lockers.

Just as he stepped out of his last class, relieved Coach had called off afternoon practice that whole week because of preparations for the dance, Kehlani fell into step beside him. This caught him by surprise seeing as she'd been avoiding him all day.

She silently took his hand and interlocked her slender fingers with his thicker ones as they walked out of school. She wasn't in her cheer outfit and her bag was hanging over one shoulder, meaning she was going somewhere. She was most likely going to ask him for a ride.

When they got to the parking lot, Caleb stopped beside his black Maserati Gran Turismo, and barely had time to face her before she attacked him with a tight hug. "I'm sorry for how selfish I've been lately," she said against his chest.

He was well aware she was trying to manipulate him. Either she wanted something from him, or she didn't know he wasn't planning on breaking up with her and was trying to hold on to him until she grew tired of their relationship. Still, he decided to go along with it for now and hugged her back. "I forgive you," he muttered.