Caleb

Chapter One

His sentimental thoughts were interrupted by Marcus' deep voice, warning Caleb that someone was approaching him.

"Incoming on your three." Marcus grumbled before taking a swig of his beer.

Caleb immediately turned his head over his right shoulder just as a loud, over dramatic voice assaulted his ears.

"Caaaaaaaaleb," Molly practically sang his name as she walked up to the bar beside him.

I've never heard my short name broken up into so many annoying syllables before.

"What's up Molly?" Caleb said with a forced half smile.

"I haven't been able to get a hold of you. I've been missing my favorite soldier," she hummed leaning in close to him and ran her hand up and down the muscles beneath this sleeve.

He winced at her words as if they had physically harmed him.

Soldier? Definitely not a soldier and definitely not yours.

"Navy," Caleb said before tipping his beer and downing the rest of its contents.

"What?"

"I was in the Navy. Soldiers are in the Army." Caleb corrected her as politely as he could.

Molly rolled her eyes and scoffed, unfazed and annoyed by Caleb's correction.

"Aye Aye Captain," she said sarcastically.

Oh hell no. I'm not in the mood for this shit...Just smile Caleb, try not to be an asshole.

Having slept with Molly a few weeks prior after a drunken night out, Caleb tried to remain cordial and polite, but Molly sure wasn't making it easy. She had called him a few times wanting to reconnect, but Caleb always seemed to find an excuse not to.

"I hated that you had to cancel the other night," Molly whined.

"Sorry about that. I uh...wasn't feeling 100%."

"Well you look like you're feeling better now. Maybe I could cash in a raincheck." Molly leaned closer and ran her hand along Caleb's chest.

Not happening.

"I was just about to head out actually. Maybe another time," Caleb suggested, removing her hand from his chest and signaling over his shoulder to the bartender to close out his tab.

"We don't have to stay here. We could go to your place and have a slumber party." she giggled.

Nope.

"I'm not really in the mood for a slumber party," he said, losing patience quickly as he felt her hands making more unwanted contact with his chest.

"Oh come on. Don't tell me you've already forgotten the mind-blowing sex we had a few weeks ago."

I think she just mispronounced the word mediocre.

"Like I said, I'm not in the mood for a slumber party tonight," he repeated, removing her hand from his chest once again and placing it on the bar.

Molly gave Caleb another exaggerated eye roll and an irritated huff, before turning her attention to Marcus who was trying to become invisible on the other side of Caleb. Seeing Marcus try to shrink his massive 6'7 body and remain unseen was comical and obviously unsuccessful as Molly traced her finger across the top of his shoulders

"What about you big guy? You look like you'd enjoy a slumber party." Molly said in a sultry voice.

Marcus sighed as if he thought he had actually been hidden before addressing Molly as respectfully as he could manage.

"Honey, It looks like your bedtime is way later than mine. Thanks for the invite though."

"Ugh you guys sure are lame tonight." Molly sassed as she started scanning the bar for alternative slumber party guests.

For some reason being called lame by Molly wasn't insulting at all, but his encounter with her had left a bad taste in his mouth and he was ready to leave, they had an early flight the next morning and his bed was calling to him.

"I think I'm gonna head out." Caleb announced as he approached Declan and Pierce.

Delicate arms wrapped around him from both sides at his words. Looking down to his right and left Caleb realized both Lexi and Natalie had wrapped him up in a hug simultaneously. He instinctively gave them both a squeeze and smiled at their sweet antics.

"What am I gonna do for five weeks without my two best girls?" Caleb chuckled.

"Take care of these two for us will ya?" Lexi asked, looking up at Caleb and motioning with her head toward Declan and Pierce.

"Don't I always?"

"Take care of yourself too okay?" Natalie added giving him a tight squeeze.

"Yes ma'am." Caleb answered before giving each woman a quick peck on the top of the head.

"See you in the morning." Declan said with a smile, reclaiming Lexi under his arm.

"Bright and early, Boss."

*****

Caleb fell into this king sized bed, expecting to find sleep instantly, but was left searching for it as he restlessly tossed and turned beneath his sheets. After a few hours of wrestling with his pillows and blankets, trying to find the perfect position that would lull him to sleep, Caleb gave up and decided to raid the kitchen instead.

A shirtless bedheaded Caleb sauntered into the kitchen, opening the fridge and surveying the contents before grabbing a half gallon of milk, popping the lid off with his thumb and taking a large gulp straight from the jug.

Wiping his mouth with the back of his arm, Caleb's eyes settled on his bags by the door and a stack of files on his kitchen table.

Don't do it.

His hand ticked, wanting to open the file and thumb through the pictures within it.

Let me just double check my flight time. Wouldn't want to be late.

He nodded along with his bogus reasoning and flipped the file open. His flight reservation information was printed and the first thing he saw when he lifted the edge of the folder. Confirming the time that he already knew, Caleb couldn't stop his hands from flipping through the rest of the documents in the file until he landed on the one thing he was truly searching for.

His body relaxed as his eyes settled on Elaina's picture and he felt a sudden sense of relief and satisfaction at the sight of her. Like an addict who had just taken a much needed hit. The peace that Elaina's picture brought to his soul was difficult for Caleb to understand, so he chalked it up to lust which was a much more familiar feeling.

Jeez I guess I didn't realize how horny I was. Maybe I should've let Molly over for a few hours to clear my head and blow off some steam.

Scrunching his face into a disapproving look at his own thoughts, Caleb shook his head knowing that wouldn't have solved anything.

Caleb raked his palm down the front of his face before running his hand through his light brown bed headed hair.

What the hell is going on with me?

He closed the folder and stood to make yet another attempt at a good night's sleep, but only took one step toward his bedroom before he felt the urge to turn around and open the file one more time. Scoffing at his own reaction, Caleb ignored his sudden impulse and forced himself into his bed once more.

Quit being so pathetic and get some damn sleep.

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