Ch24

NOVA

"He'll do it. He's crazy like that." Liam grins, winking at me from his sprawl on the sofa.

Not that I believe Liam or anything, but for some reason, I don't want to be here anymore. "I think that's my cue to leave," I say, pushing myself up from the plush cushions of the couch, a slight sigh escaping my lips.

Caleb's eyes widen slightly. "I was joking," he says quickly, taking a step toward me, his hands raising in a placating gesture.

"I know," I answer, giving him a small smile that doesn't quite reach my eyes. "I just think it's late and I don't want my mom to be worried." A convenient excuse, but not entirely untrue.

Caleb relaxes, nodding in understanding. He runs a hand through his hair. "Let me drop you off then."

He gets up, tossing the unopened first-aid kit onto the cushion beside Liam, who simply watches us with an amused smirk, already reaching for the remote.

"Goodbye Nova. Do you think I'll be seeing you anytime soon?" He asks as I get to the door.

I shrug, feigning indifference. "I don't know. Let's just hope your brother is on his best behavior." I tease, before Caleb and I head out to the driveway in silence, the cool evening air hitting my face as soon as we step outside. Caleb walks ahead of me and pulls open the passenger door of his car, holding it open. I offer him a subtle nod of thanks and climb inside.

The ride to my house is quiet. Caleb turns on the radio to a soft, low volume, occasionally humming along to a song playing through the speakers. I lean my head against the cool glass of the window, staring out at the passing streetlights while my mind spirals back to Bethany.

The task.

I want to be a Sigma Omega sister just to spite Kayda. I want to make the girls like me and I want to belong to something. Ava has joined after all. Why can't I join too?

They want me to make Caleb fall for me. I steal a quick glance at his side profile... This guy isn't going to be an easy target. It's going to take a lot to make someone like Caleb actually fall for me.

Before I know it, his car slows down, pulling up right in front of my house.

I unbuckle my seatbelt, turning to face him with a soft smile. "Thanks for the ride."

"See you around?" he asks, leaning back against his seat, his dark eyes fixed on mine.

"Yeah," I nod.

"Goodnight, Nova."

"Goodnight," I whisper, opening the door and stepping out.

I wave softly as he backs out of the driveway, standing on the curb until his taillights disappear down the street. Taking a deep, steadying breath, I turn around, walk up the porch steps, and unlock the front door.

I step inside, but my foot stops mid-air on the entryway rug.

Noah and Enzo are sitting in the living room.

They look up at me when I enter. My first instinct is to scream. When was the last time they came home and talked like this? It's been a few weeks but it feels like forever.

With them seated on the couch, it feels like every other evening.

I glance forward, at where I'm sure Mom is setting the table for dinner.

"Mom, I'm home." I shout, ignoring my brother and his friend.

"Where are you coming from?" Noah asks first, dropping the remote control in his hand on the hand of the couch, before turning fully to face me.

I look at Enzo, who's scrolling on his phone like this does not concern him. Technically, it doesn't concern him. It doesn't even concern Noah.

"I went out." I reply, attempting to walk past him but he yanks me back, his grip on my arm tightening.

"What the hell?" I say, wincing slightly at the pain of his fingers digging into my skin. "Noah... you're hurting me." I tell him slowly.

"Did you go out with that guy?"

"He has a name." I angrily reply. Maybe it's my reply that makes Enzo finally look up at me. His eyes are piercing as he speaks.

"You did go out with him?"

Now... now... This is surprising. I haven't seen this type of concern from these two guys for a long time. They don't speak to me but they want to be in control of what I fucking do? Who I fucking see?

Hell no.

"It's none of your business who I see and who I do not."

"You'll stay away from Caleb."

"Let me go, Noah." I breathe out, glaring at him.

"If I see you with him again..."

"What is going on here?" Mom's voice comes from the doorway of the kitchen, her apron still tied around her waist.

Noah let's go of my hand immediately, his arm dropping to his side. "Noah? What the hell was that?"

"I was just talking to her." He lies, his eyes darting to Mom, then back to me.

I don't say a word. I just rub my hand, breathing in and out slowly. "What are they doing here?" I ask Mom, my temper getting the best of me.

"Baby..." Mom scolds, her eyes doing the talking.

"No seriously. I can't with Noah." I shake my head.

"Nova, calm down." Mom steps forward. "Let's all have dinner together as a family, as old times."

"I'm not eating. I think I lost my appetite." I turn towards the stairs.

"Or maybe she's fucking had her fill with fucking Caleb."