Craving My Brother's Best Friend (Bailey and Kaleb) novel Chapter 20

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

**Bailey’s POV**

As I stepped into the sprawling building, I noticed a fellow freshman beside me. Her wide eyes darted around, reflecting a palpable sense of trepidation. It was clear that something weighed heavily on her mind, and I felt a twinge of empathy.

Suddenly, her books slipped from her grasp, scattering across the floor. I knelt down without hesitation, gathering the fallen pages. “What’s wrong?” I inquired gently, matching my pace to hers as we resumed walking.

“I heard Professor Snape is really uptight and strict,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. “People say he’s the worst professor in the whole school.”

While I was unfamiliar with the man’s reputation, I couldn’t help but feel unfazed. Following rules had always come easily to me, but her anxiety was genuine, and I couldn’t simply brush it aside.

“We’ll be just fine,” I reassured her softly, offering a smile. “Let’s see how his first class goes. He might not be as terrifying as everyone claims.”

As we approached the classroom door, I could hear the lively chatter and laughter of students inside. Scanning the room for a place to sit, my heart skipped a beat when I spotted Kaleb right in the middle row. He lounged back in his chair, exuding an effortless charm that made my pulse quicken.

What was he doing in my class? I nearly dropped my books in shock. He looked incredibly attractive, even in his casual attire, and the way he leaned against the chair suggested that nothing in the world could bother him. Was he stalking me? It was the only explanation that made sense.

Just then, as if he sensed my gaze, he glanced up and waved. My heart raced as he raised his phone, angling it toward me. I frowned, glancing down at my own device.

*Come sit next to me.*

Rolling my eyes dramatically, I made my way down the row of seats, ready to claim the first empty spot I could find. But then, I heard someone call my name.

“Bailey!”

I turned sharply to see Selena waving at me from the far corner of the room. A wave of relief washed over me as I hurried over to her.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, curiosity bubbling up the moment I reached her side. “You’re a sophomore. Why are you sitting in a freshman class?”

She groaned, resting her head on her desk in apparent defeat. “Ugh, don’t even remind me. I failed this class last year, so now I have to retake it. And to make matters worse, this professor is notoriously strict and impossible to please.”

“Looks like what I heard about him is true,” I replied sympathetically. “It’s a shame you have to retake the class, but I’m glad to have you here with me.”

Selena brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear, her expression softening. “Yeah, at least I have you by my side. We’ll survive this together.”

Just as I opened my mouth to respond, my phone buzzed insistently in my pocket. Of course, it was Kaleb.

*Why didn’t you come sit with me?*

I tightened my grip on the phone, irritation bubbling up inside me. *Piss off. Are you stalking me? Why are you in my class?*

I stared at the screen, my heart pounding as I waited for a reply. But he left me on read, the silence heavy between us. With a frustrated huff, I shoved the phone back into my bag, attempting to focus as Professor Snape finally entered the room.

The atmosphere shifted dramatically, the air thickening as the class fell into an uneasy silence. He surveyed us with a gaze that seemed to carry disdain for each one of us.

As expected, the lecture was intense. He peppered us with questions, dismissing anyone who dared to answer with a sharp remark that left them flustered and embarrassed.

The moment class ended, a wave of students surged toward the door, eager to escape. I quickly stood up, slinging my bag over my shoulder, and followed Selena out.

Just as we reached the exit, a hand latched onto my arm, pulling me aside. I stumbled slightly, landing against a solid wall of muscle.

“What the…” I exclaimed, spinning around to face Kaleb.

He wore a smirk that suggested he owned the entire hallway.

I shot him a glare. “What do you want?”

“I want to talk to you,” he replied, his tone casual.

“Don’t think we’re friends just because I stayed in your apartment for a night,” I snapped, my voice sharp. “That doesn’t give you the right to drag me around whenever you feel like it.”

Kaleb tilted his head, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. “Relax, Bailey. I wasn’t trying to act like we’re…” he began, but I cut him off.

“Forget it… Just tell me what you want.”

I rolled my eyes again, but she continued to stare at me with that teasing grin, unrelenting.

“Stop drilling me,” I said, trying to deflect.

“Nope,” she replied, taking a bite of her croissant, her determination unwavering. “I’m not letting this go. Spill it, Bailey. I can tell there’s something—you can’t fool me.”

I kept shaking my head in denial, but she remained there, patiently waiting, her eyebrows raised in challenge.

“Fine,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. “You’re right. I spent the night in his apartment, and I can’t get him out of my head.”

Selena’s eyes widened, and a grin spread across her face. “I knew it!” she squealed. “I knew it the second I saw the way you looked at him in the hallway. Oh my God, Bailey! Did you guys… you know?”

“Keep your voice down!” I hissed, glancing around nervously. “No, nothing happened.”

She leaned in closer, her curiosity insatiable. “So, what’s the problem? You like him, he clearly likes you. What’s stopping you?”

My chest tightened at the thought. “Kaleb doesn’t like anyone except himself,” I admitted quietly. “That’s just the kind of guy he is. And…” I hesitated, my voice dropping even lower. “He is my brother’s best friend. No one would approve of this.”

Selena tilted her head, her expression softening. “So you’re scared of what your family would say?”

I nodded slowly, the weight of my fears pressing down on me. “Yeah. That, and the fact that I know he’s trouble. I can’t let myself fall into something that will just end with me broken.”

She reached across the table, taking my hand in hers, grounding me in the moment. “Listen, Bailey, don’t overthink it. If you like him, go for it. I promise, with the way he looks at you, he really likes you,” her eyes sparkled with excitement. “Look, you have to accept my help. If you do everything I ask, I promise I’ll find a way for you and Kaleb to be together. You just need to trust me.”

I looked at her, worry etched on my face. “You’re insane,” I muttered, feeling a mix of apprehension and curiosity.

“Maybe,” she shrugged, a playful smile dancing on her lips.

I sighed, leaning back in my seat, uncertainty swirling within me. “I’m not sure about this, Selena.”

“Then don’t be sure,” she replied simply, her voice steady. “Just don’t argue when I tell you how to get him. Leave it to me.”