We had made it halfway up the stairs when my heel slipped. My body tipped backward, and just when I thought I was going to tumble down the steps, I fell straight into a pair of warm, familiar arms.

Everything felt unbearably hot.

But why was Caleb’s body so cool?

I couldn’t stop myself. I kept burrowing closer, chasing his chill like it was the only relief I could find.

Caleb shifted his grip and lifted me into his arms. Heat radiated through his clothes, outlining every firm line of muscle. Maybe it was the alcohol, maybe it was something else, but I couldn’t stay still. My hands dangled uselessly at my sides instead of holding onto him.

He freed one arm just long enough to guide my hands around his neck.

“Hold on.”

I tilted my head up, and my lips stopped a breath from his.

The alcohol hit me all at once. Before I could think, I leaned in and kissed him.

His lips were cool against mine. The touch lasted only a second before he jerked away, but my head was swimming, and the world kept tilting.

He carried me into a car. In the cramped space, the heat felt even thicker. I pushed against him, restless, but he pinned me gently, refusing to let me move. His breathing was fast, almost ragged.

I thought he might have asthma. What a hypocrite.

His breathing grew heavier, and he pulled me tighter against him.

His voice sounded strained. “You’re going to be the death of me, Jennie.”

Then he lowered his head and kissed me again.

Our lips brushed, our breaths tangled. I wanted to respond, but he suddenly pulled back. When I blinked up at him, ready to chase his mouth again, a cold gust hit my cheek.

He had opened the car door.

He moved fast. I leaned toward him on instinct, but he pressed my head into his chest and muttered, “Don’t move.”

His tone was sharp enough to frighten me into stillness.

A moment later, I heard a door slam.

Then my back hit a surface. He had me pinned against it. His mouth returned to mine with a force that left me breathless, like a drowning fish with no strength to fight back.

For a split second, the face in front of me blurred, and I thought it was Travis.

“Trav…”

He exhaled sharply, almost like he was grinding his teeth. “You’re killing me.”

…

I slept past noon. When I tried to stretch, a bolt of soreness shot through every muscle in my body.

I lay in my bed, staring at the ceiling, piecing together fragments of last night. My face burned.

I could guess what happened. Linda must have skipped drugging Calvin and, thanks to my earlier “advice,” decided to dose me and Caleb instead.

I never would have expected that sweet, shy boy to be that two-faced. Thinking back on the night made my ears heat up. No wonder this world was based on a smutty novel.

But I brought a man home. Travis was probably going to throw me out for good. He had extreme cleanliness standards. The fact that he didn’t kick us out last night was already miraculous.

I changed into the most conservative outfit I owned and tiptoed out of my room. Travis was sitting on the couch, expression unreadable. The place was spotless. Caleb was gone.

I was still debating what to say when Travis called out, “Come here.”

I took a long breath and walked over.

“Does your body hurt?”

My face turned scarlet. “I feel better now…”

“Breakfast is on the table. Go eat something.”

I hesitated. “You’re… not mad at me?”

Travis seemed almost amused. The corners of his mouth lifted. “No more drinking outside. And from now on, I’ll accompany you to gatherings.”

He really didn’t seem angry, so I went to eat.

The moment I turned on my phone, I saw a flood of messages from Linda. Travis had even called me several times last night. And there was a friend request from Caleb.

I replied to Linda, then accepted Caleb’s request.

His message popped up instantly.

“Sorry, Jennie. I didn’t expect my tolerance to be this bad. I blacked out way too fast. Can I take you out to apologize today?”

This puppy had a serious split personality. Last night he forced me to call him “Daddy” and murmured “baby” against my lips. Today he switched right back to “Jennie.”

“Take you out…?”

I froze. I hadn’t noticed Travis standing behind me.

His voice was tight. “That’s the boy you like?”

He must have seen Caleb last night. He already knew I brought him home. If I denied it, I’d look like trash. And honestly, I did want to see where things went. So I nodded.

“Jennie.”

He took a long breath, the muscle in his jaw tightening.

“The man you were with last night. Who was he?”