GOTTEN CLOSURE

JEREMÍAS

I surely didn't expect Caleb to bring anyone with him as he was coming, and especially not her.

I knew they were best friends but I didn't know she was far different from how Caleb had described her the last time he visited alone.

But she? She's pretty and delicate, in a way that makes someone think a dozen times before wanting to mess with her.

But not me.

Most people who meet me for the first time tend to tremble or treat me with respect due to my appearance and personality. But for someone who she just met for the first time, she sure is confident and speaks casually.

My gaze lingered on her.

Her denim shorts dangerously exposed the smooth skin of her thighs and legs alongside her petite stature.

Her blouse perfectly shows the curves of her small breasts, and that curly hair? It's still the same after all these years.

I put on my cargo sweatpants and head downstairs. I stand by the side of the staircase, watching her lash out at Caleb like she's his mother.

“You think? What do you mean you guys haven't broken up?” she asks, her brows furrowing slightly.

“After I found out that she cheated on me thrice, she just disappeared without a word for nearly six years. She ghosted me, but we didn't break up.”

“And? You wanna get back together with her?”

Caleb pauses, dragging a hand over his face. “No. Maybe. I don't know. I need to hear her out and know why she ghosted first.”

Krisoff instantly stands, annoyance laced across her features. “Hear her out after she cheated and left? When she didn't even prioritize you, Caleb?

She inhales and exhales, finally speaking calmly.

“And… if she somehow manages to give you an almost good reason for cheating and leaving, will you get back with her?”

He looks up at her, sighing. “I don't know, Ash. I've known her for ten years. I can understand her.”

“And you've known me for twenty yet still can't understand me? This time, her voice reduces to almost a whisper. “Gosh, Caleb.”

I can't watch her continue. I step forward, smoothly sliding into their conversation.

“I'm heading out to buy some party supplies,” I say. Wanna tag in, Bella?”

She glares at me and for a moment, I think she's gonna throw a punch at me. But she agrees.

“Let's go. I need to think… and so does he.”

I smile. “Come on.”

I make my way towards the entrance door, Krisoff following behind.

She gets inside the front passenger seat of my Wrangler and I speed off. Throughout the ride to the store, she is silent, biting her upper lip constantly.

On the way back, after getting her some vanilla cookies, a wide beam spreads across her face. It is effortless and bright.

Using this as a chance, I can't stop myself from talking to her.

“Caleb is daft, isn't he?”

“Very much,” she responds instantly while shoving the cookies in her mouth.

I chuckle.

She glances at me. “But you don't ever get to call him that. It's just for now.”

A faint smirk tugs at the corner of my lips. “Whatever you say, Krisoff.”

“Do you want some?” She asks, holding out the container of cookies.

I shake my head. “No.”

“Your luck. I was trying to be nice , but if you had actually taken a cookie, you would have made a U turn back to the store to get three extra after a heavy blow to your face.”

Wow. This holiday is going to be fun.

I clear my throat, glancing at her every second, trying to observe her expression before finally asking her what's been on my mind.

“So, you and Caleb. Are you two dating?”

She freezes, with the cookie mid air near her mouth.

“No.”

“Have you two dated?”

“Never.”

“I'm convinced. But… has he ever fondled your titties or… My eyes drag down her body.

“Fuck. No.”

She glares at me, her eyes dark.

“Right. So, no one has ever fondled your titties? Not even tried to?”

I love seeing the slightly embarrassed and cautious look on her face whenever I mention the words.

“Should that be a surprise to you?”

I smile. “Not for long.”

We reach the mansion and I park the jeep while she gets down, carrying a few supplies.

Caleb comes out of the house to meet her. “I've thought about it, Ash. I just need closure from her.”

“When?”

“She'll come tonight. I'll know then.”

I notice Krisoff's mood change when he mentions that Tessa is coming around again. She doesn't even try to hide that one fact.

“When you get the closure you need, you can come and meet me.”

She walks past him, heading inside the house without glancing back at him.

~~~~

The living room is crowded with boys and girls, dancing, smoking and drinking nonstop. Loud music erupts in the house, the bass thumping so hard I can feel the vibration.

Everyone is here, even my basketball teammates—everyone except for Krisoff.

She had said she wasn't attending the party because of a migraine. Right. But I knew better.

I sit back on the leather sofa in the living room, a glass of vintage champagne in my hand, watching the chaos with some sort of detachment.

A couple of girls are twerking barely inches from my knees, their eyes filled with excitement. I try to give them the satisfaction, but it doesn't work.

Then, through the moving crowd and neon lights, I see her.

Krisoff. She has changed into another pair of shorts that almost covers her petite frame. But those legs are still very much on full display.

She stops at the bottom of the stairs, her eyes darting frantically around the room. She is looking for someone—definitely him.

I stand up, cutting through the crowd. She reaches the main door and is about to go to the front yard, but I reach there immediately.

I block her path with my body, gazing at her.

“¿A dónde vas, pequeñita?” I ask, my voice cutting through the roar of the music.

Her face snaps up to mine. Up close, the frustration in her expression is even more exciting.

“Later, I'll have to remind you that I'm not a Spanish girl, but right now I need to find Caleb.”

I straighten up, tilting my head towards the right side of the house. “Last I saw him, he was by the pool.”

“Thanks,” she mutters, vanishing towards the terrace. I do not stay behind. I follow her at a distance, my hand shoved deep into my cargo pocket.

The pool is illuminated by underwater red lights. It is also not quiet out here, the loud speakers outside are creating a bass thumping.

Suddenly, Ashley stops dead in her tracks.

She is inches away from the pool, her small frame now rigid as if she has been turned to stone.

I stop a few paces behind her and watch. In the pool, among other couples, and sad singles, Caleb is by the side, his arms wrapped around a girl's waist. Not just any girl—Tessa.

She is draped over him, her arms wrapped around his neck as they kiss with a desperate passion.

He is lost in it, his arms wrapped tightly around Tessa like she is the one keeping him afloat. He is completely oblivious to the fact that his best friend is standing and watching him.

I look at the back of Krisoff's hair, those stubborn curls. She doesn't move. She just stands there, watching.

I want to see her face. The expression she will have on now. I want to use it and mess with her.

“Looks like he's gotten the closure he needs,” I say darkly, stepping up right behind her and placing my hand on the small of her back, so she can feel my presence.