Broke Up... Now I Am His Stepfather

background music blending. Lit by warm amber light

glass of wine, phone resting idle in his palm. His friends, Jaden, Derek, and

alm, pointing it toward Jaden with a

burst out

d," Jaden said, lifting his glass in mock sa

Caleb chuckled,

on the table. "So which hotel

Caleb said, flashi

m ca

eamy sigh. "And Mi

ding slowly, "I give Will h

iet for a second,

asked, br

d. "Coming f

yes and took anoth

atching them all wi

be lit," Jaden declared, exhaling l

ll wondering why you haven't t

would it be if not a ho

et yourself a man," J

lect them," Caleb said, brushin

The ones who br

mith. That guy's a cheater. Don't even get me s

don't look at the heart. Just t

ing," Caleb chuckled.

They don't deserve yo

alone at the bar, head bowed, nursing a drink. His shirt, Gucci

gaze. "You're handso

tening, bro," Jade

Derek p

agging his attent

looking at?

ng alone in the Gucci

en said, "

murmured. "Can't you

gainst the rim of his glass. He leaned toward Caleb,

aint edge of distraction in h

ening his shirt, and walked o

," Derek said, nu

riends, raising an eye

apped his thigh. "

exhale, Caleb

," Will said, r

Derek adde

he room. The stranger barel

Cale

ed, his voic

b. And yo

ied without meet

if I

is gaze locked on him. Caleb's piercing blue eyes held him capt

" Caleb said gently. "Thought yo

y said quickly,

You don't

bruptly

him, startled. "Did

id, softer now

sitated.

urned t

en

lancing over

et your

sleek card from his pocket, handed

d in disbelief, then wa

go?" Der

rd onto the table.

aden burst

leb asked, sliding

card, his eyes going

" Will

d to Jaden, who gasp

ill said,

Caleb just talked to is Henry Tho

ng," Will sa

's the hotel you were gonna book

Yeah. One of the best

d. "Boy, you have

Caleb rep

ed his phone

" Caleb

said after a moment. "But h

rue," Jad

in. "Hi baby... yeah, I'm with the boys...

d an eyebro

us to dinner ton

ile. "That's what

thought you wouldn't

m a warning l

ting different since you cam

urry, guys. We've go

aid, already gr

-

lanced at his watch, 7:03 p.m. With a sigh,

hone

. Henry Thompson, ind

t it

ed again. A me

avior earlier today and

ne rang again. Caleb he

b," came He

member

sorry about earlier.

ry, man. You'l

k I alr

spoke again. "I know we didn't

softly. "You'r

o you have any soc

ur

m to me afte

rig

can I ask

so

orry if

miling. "It's f

with me tonight?

b pa

don't

ka

d in relief.

dress, I'll be

yours. I'm p

"Alright. I'l

-

r, his phone

outside

A sleek black Benz idled outside. Beside it stood H

k and pulled the

ressed gorgeously in black jeans and

eyes w

aid, smiling as

handsomeness and

smile

asn't wrong when he said the

y's stomach, a playful touch

off guard, then open

with a smile

und and got in,

" by Little Mix

"She's probably thinking

uiet, emotional sound. "A

said nothing, and f

gine, and they drove