Rebound
The party was packed, the music loud enough to make the floors hum under my feet. The air was heavy with the scent of sweat, perfume, and cheap beer, a combination that made my stomach churn. I wasn’t sure why I’d let Caleb drag me here. Maybe it was the lure of distraction, or maybe—if I was being honest with myself—it was because part of me wanted to prove I didn’t care about Logan anymore. But as soon as I stepped inside and saw Vanessa draped over Logan like a trophy, her laughter ringing out as if she were the queen of the world, I knew I’d made a mistake.
The sight hit me like a punch to the gut. Logan’s arm was slung around her shoulders, his easy smile too familiar, too painful. My chest tightened, and I forced myself to look away, but Vanessa’s voice cut through the music, sharp and saccharine.
“Look who decided to show up,” she said, her eyes locking onto mine. Her smile was wide, all teeth, and completely devoid of warmth. “I’m surprised you had the guts.”
I tried to ignore her, brushing past, but she stepped into my path, blocking my escape. Her smirk widened, and I could feel the eyes of her entourage on us, waiting for the show.
“Relax, Emma,” she said, her tone dripping with false sympathy. “I just wanted to say… I’m glad you’ve moved on. Caleb seems like your type. All rebellion, no substance. Perfect for a rebound.”
The words hit harder than I wanted to admit. My pulse raced, my fingers itching to respond with more than just words, but I refused to give her the satisfaction of seeing how much she’d gotten under my skin. I met her gaze, forcing my voice to stay steady. “At least I don’t have to trap someone into being with me,” I said coldly.
For a split second, Vanessa’s perfect smile faltered, a flash of something raw and unguarded flickering in her eyes. But she recovered quickly, her smirk snapping back into place like a mask. “Logan’s finally moved on,” she said, her voice soft but pointed, each word a knife. “Maybe it’s time you do the same.”
She turned and walked away, her laughter trailing behind her like a dagger twisting in my chest. My hands clenched into fists at my sides, my nails biting into my palms as I fought to hold back the anger and humiliation bubbling inside me. The party suddenly felt suffocating, the press of bodies and pounding music too much to bear.
I found Caleb leaning against the wall in a quieter corner of the house, a beer in hand and his usual smirk firmly in place. His sharp eyes flicked over me as I approached, taking in the tension in my shoulders and the way I struggled to keep my emotions in check.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, his tone casual, but his gaze was keen, searching my face for answers.
“Nothing,” I said quickly, though the waver in my voice betrayed me.
“Liar,” he said, stepping closer, his smirk fading into something more serious. “Was it Vanessa? Or lover boy?”
“It doesn’t matter,” I said, shaking my head as I leaned against the wall beside him. My arms crossed over my chest, a feeble attempt to shield myself from the vulnerability I hated feeling. “They’re both toxic.”
“Then stop letting them get to you,” Caleb said, his voice dropping to a low, soothing tone. He reached out, brushing a strand of hair from my face with surprising gentleness. “You’re better than that. Better than them.”
The simple touch sent a jolt through me, warmth spreading from the spot where his fingers grazed my skin. I met his gaze, my breath catching at the intensity in his dark eyes. Before I could think or protest, Caleb leaned in, his lips brushing against mine in a kiss that was hot and reckless, full of fire and defiance.
For a moment, I froze, caught between the chaos of my emotions and the electric pull of his touch. Then I gave in, letting myself sink into the kiss, my hands finding his shoulders as he pulled me closer. The music, the noise, the lingering sting of Vanessa’s words—all of it faded into the background. It was just Caleb, his lips on mine, and the raw, unspoken promise that maybe I could let go of the pain, if only for a little while.
When we finally broke apart, my chest heaved as I tried to catch my breath. Caleb’s smirk had softened into something almost tender, his thumb brushing against my cheek as he studied my face.
“Feel better now?” he asked, his voice teasing but quieter, as if he didn’t want to break the fragile moment between us.
I didn’t trust myself to speak, but the heat in my cheeks and the slight curve of my lips said enough. For the first time in weeks, the crushing weight of heartbreak eased, replaced by something lighter, something dangerous and exhilarating.
As Caleb leaned back against the wall, his hand still resting on my arm, I let myself breathe again, even though I knew the reprieve was temporary. For now, it was enough.
