And Then I Fell In Love by Jen Beadle

Author:Jen Beadle
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bellmanton Press
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

19

Caleb was in a dilemma. He lay on his bed and stared at the ceiling, hoping the answer would magically appear there.

Two weeks had passed since Owen’s birthday bash at Delirium, and they still hadn’t returned to London. Their initial plan only to stay for the weekend had been torn up and tossed out. Oli had fallen into the hands of Drumstick Woman yet again, which meant he was using his drumsticks on everything but his drum kit. He was losing interest in the band, which often happened when they returned to Brighton for longer periods, and Caleb had berated him for it. However, much to Oli’s smug delight, it was Caleb who was hesitating about going back to London. And there was only one reason for it – Saskia.

Saskia was slowly self-destructing – at least, that’s the impression he got when he finally saw her again. Since she’d bolted out of his kitchen after their no-sex one-night stand, he’d barely spoken to her, let alone seen her, and it was driving him crazy.

For the last two weeks, she’d disappeared into the fortress that was Obsidian. Just the thought of it repulsed him. She had finally emerged last weekend when the Missed Connections played at Driftwood, but trying to talk to her had been hopeless. It was busy and noisy; she refused every offer of a cigarette on the beach and deflected every serious conversation he tried to start.

Intuitively, he knew she felt embarrassed about what had happened, but shouldn’t they talk about it? Every ounce of his being wanted to make sure she was OK. He wanted to tell her how much she meant to him and that he was worried about her, but he didn’t get the opportunity. She was unreachable.

And she didn’t look well. She looked anxious and sleep-deprived – a little ill, even. Her smile was fake, no doubt slapped on by Shaun. Caleb recognised the look – reminiscent of the one she’d wore on the two occasions he’d seen the ‘happy couple’ together – but this time Shaun wasn’t glued to her side. Now he was inside her head, remotely controlling her thoughts and every move.

The only relief Caleb took was that Saskia was strong and would, given a bit more time, figure everything out. Anyone who could handle Shaun Sanders each day wasn’t exactly made of glass.

He had to make a decision. The band was his life, but Saskia was his friend. He’d already given Oli an encyclopaedia of excuses as to why they hadn’t returned to London. Dylan and Alex were getting anxious. If they didn’t leave soon, Caleb was pretty sure that Oli would do something stupid, like ask Drumstick Woman to marry him.

Caleb made several laps of his bedroom. Then Grace’s head appeared around the door. ‘Honeybunch, I’m fixin’ to go to the store. Dylan and Alex are downstairs, y’all play pretty now.’

Caleb nodded and Grace left the room. He started to pace again. Make a decision. Life must go on, and that meant leaving.

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