Craving My Brother's Best Friend (Bailey and Kaleb) novel Chapter 16

**The Night We Borrowed Fire from a Broken Star by Selvin Arlo Crest**
**Chapter 16**

**Kaleb’s POV**

I could hardly wrap my mind around the news that flashed across my screen. An email, simple yet monumental, declared that I had been awarded a full student-athlete scholarship to Brown University. The thrill of the moment was intoxicating, yet a small note of caution lingered in the back of my mind. “Probation for one year,” it read. But honestly? I couldn’t care less.

The terms were crystal clear: if I maintained my grades and demonstrated my worth on the field, the scholarship would remain mine. It was a lifeline, and I was determined to hold onto it. Mr. Hart, Bailey’s father, had taken it upon himself to make this happen as soon as I expressed my desire to attend Brown.

He was genuinely thrilled at the prospect of Bailey, David, and me all being at the same school. The thought of it filled him with a kind of joy that was contagious. Mr. Hart had even gone so far as to secure me an apartment close to campus, which was both generous and bewildering. When I inquired about his motivations, he looked me straight in the eye and said, “Your father was my best friend. I promised him I would look after you if I had the chance. This is me keeping that promise.”

His words resonated deep within me. I didn’t argue; I couldn’t. This was what I wanted, even if the circumstances felt less than ideal. College was a dream, but not quite like this. Yet, I had no other options, and I was committed to playing my part in this intricate plan.

David had informed me that Bailey was moving in today, and I found myself counting down the hours with a mix of excitement and dread. I longed to see her, to apologize for everything that had transpired between us. I stood at the threshold of her apartment, nerves churning in my stomach. How would she react? The memory of her tears from that day haunted me; witnessing her cry had felt like a dagger to my heart.

With a hesitant knock, the door swung open, revealing her. My breath caught in my throat. She was a vision transformed, no longer the girl I had known just weeks ago at the summer house. Her hair, once a vibrant red-brown, was now a striking blonde, sleek and cascading down her shoulders like a waterfall of silk. She appeared leaner, too, and even more stunning than I remembered. I had thought she was breathtaking before, but whatever had happened in my absence had elevated her beauty to a whole new level.

I found myself staring, unable to mask my admiration, and she returned my gaze, her eyes wide with disbelief. The silence between us was thick, almost electric. Her lips parted, and the first words to escape her were sharp and unexpected.

“What the fuck are you doing here?”

Caught off guard, I blinked, struggling to gather my thoughts. Before I could respond, her mother’s voice rang out from inside the apartment.

“Kaleb! Come in!”

With a warm smile, her mom stepped into view, and I felt a wave of awkwardness wash over me as I stepped inside. Bailey’s eyes remained locked on me, radiating annoyance and a clear desire for me to leave immediately.

David was there too, casually leaning against the wall, engrossed in his phone. I reached out and gave him a friendly tap on the shoulder.

“Here, let me help,” I offered, moving toward the stacks of boxes cluttering the living room.

Together, we began to rearrange furniture, shifting items around and slowly transforming the space into a cozy apartment. Bailey said nothing, retreating to her room, but I was acutely aware of her presence. My gaze drifted toward her room repeatedly, despite my attempts to focus elsewhere. It was painfully obvious that she had no inkling about her father’s arrangement for us to live next door to each other, nor did she know I was coming to Brown at all.

By evening, the apartment was finally taking shape. The couch was arranged, the kitchen was stocked, and the bedrooms were ready for habitation. David decided it was time to return to his own campus, which was separate from ours. As Bailey’s parents bid her farewell, they wrapped her in warm hugs, reminding her to reach out if she needed anything.

“Take care of each other,” Mr. Hart instructed us, and I nodded, though I could feel Bailey’s disinterest radiating off her.

The moment her parents departed, Bailey spun around sharply and headed for the elevator.

“Bailey,” I called after her, my voice tinged with urgency.

She ignored me completely, her focus unwavering. I barely managed to slip into the elevator just before the doors closed behind me.

“That’s impossible,” I finally said, my voice steady yet firm.

“We’re neighbors now, Bailey. Our doors are merely ten steps apart. Do you really think we can go a whole year without crossing paths?”

Her incredulous expression told me everything.

“You’re seriously going to stay in that apartment and not move to the dorms?” she asked, disbelief lacing her tone.

“Yeah,” I replied quietly, “this is my place.”

She crossed her arms, a skeptical look on her face.

“Kaleb Hayes, why are you pretending like you don’t have a billion-dollar inheritance? You could easily afford an apartment if you wanted to.”

“Well, your dad set it up,” I admitted, the truth slipping out. “He wants us to be together.”

She let out a mocking laugh, the sound sharp and bitter. “Of course he does. And yeah, I know what he wants: for you to protect me. But I’m warning you, stay away from me.

I hope we never run into each other,” she reiterated, her voice cold as ice.