Craving My Brother's Best Friend (Bailey and Kaleb) novel Chapter 32

**The Night We Borrowed Fire from a Broken Star by Selvin Arlo Crest**
**Chapter 32**

**Kaleb’s POV**

The match was ours. Victory coursed through my veins like a drug, electrifying and intoxicating. I had just received a thrilling message from the coach, hinting at the possibility of being drafted to the local league. My heart raced at the thought, but there was something else that occupied my mind—a certain someone.

I found myself late to the celebration party, but not for the usual reasons of forgetfulness or disinterest. No, I was standing outside a flower shop, looking like a complete fool. I was completely absorbed in the task of selecting the perfect bouquet for Bailey.

It had become painfully clear to me that my feelings for her ran deeper than mere friendship. Every thought, every action, was colored by her presence.

The shopkeeper, a middle-aged man with a bemused expression, had already inquired twice if I needed assistance. His gaze lingered on me as I roamed the aisles, circling the buckets of flowers repeatedly.

Roses? Too clichéd. Lilies? Too delicate. Daisies? Too ordinary.

Frustration bubbled within me as I ran my fingers along my jawline, letting out a heavy sigh. “She deserves better than all this,” I murmured to myself, my heart heavy with the weight of unspoken words.

As much as I yearned to ask her out, I knew I wasn’t ready. God, how I wanted to. I envisioned grabbing her hand in public, wrapping my arm around her waist without a second thought, declaring to the world that she was mine. But the reality was far more complicated.

The life I led was fraught with danger. If I labeled us as a couple, I would be putting her at risk, and that was the last thing I could ever allow.

Yet, the desire to show her how much she meant to me was an ever-present ache in my chest. I could see the disappointment in her eyes when the topic of relationships arose, or when Selena playfully teased us.

Bailey never directly confronted me about it, but I could feel her giving me space. Still, it pained me deeply that I couldn’t take the leap.

After finally deciding on a modest bouquet, I paid for the flowers just as my phone buzzed insistently in my pocket. I pulled it out, and my heart skipped a beat at the sight of her name lighting up the screen.

“I have something important to ask when you get here.”

A smile tugged at my lips. What could possibly be so important?

I quickly texted back, “I’m on my way. Don’t miss me too much.”

Carefully placing the flowers in the backseat of my car, I leaned against the door for a moment, replaying her message in my mind.

The engine roared to life as I drove faster than I should have, the anticipation bubbling within me.

By the time I arrived at the party, it was pure chaos. Brown had won, and the entire house vibrated with the energy of celebration. As soon as I stepped inside, voices erupted around me, shouting my name. “Kaleb!” someone yelled, and another immediately thrust a drink into my hand.

“Man of the night!” a guy cheered, clapping me on the back as if I were a trophy.

I grinned, exchanging fist bumps with a few friends, but my eyes darted around the room, searching for her. None of this celebration mattered if I couldn’t find Bailey.

**12:50 Tue, Nov 25**

Where was she?

I pushed through the throngs of people, checking the kitchen, the living room, and even stepping outside where a group was gathered smoking. No sign of Bailey.

Finally, I spotted a familiar face in the crowd. “Hey, have you seen Bailey?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

He looked at me, momentarily puzzled, before a smirk broke across his face. “The girl you’re always with? Yeah, I saw her go upstairs with Ethan a few minutes ago.”

Ethan. That prick. Why was he with her?

Anger bubbled within me, and I clenched my jaw. “Alright, thanks,” I muttered, shoving past him and making my way to the stairs.

Upstairs, the hallway was quieter, muffled sounds of the party echoing behind closed doors.

I pushed open the balcony door, and my heart dropped.

Bailey stood there, her dress shimmering softly under the dim lights, her hair cascading over her shoulders. But there was Ethan, too close for comfort, his hand resting on her arm. And then, before I could fully comprehend the scene, his lips were on hers.

Time froze.

Something inside me shattered, a fracture I hadn’t even realized was there.

Ethan was kissing my girl.

“Bailey.” My voice emerged harsher than I intended, a raw edge slicing through the air.

The pain in her eyes was almost unbearable, and for a fleeting moment, I wished I could take it all back. I wanted to hold her close, to confess that she mattered more than anything, that the thought of losing her was tearing me apart inside.

But to admit that would mean dragging her into my chaotic life. It would force me to confront the truth—that we couldn’t be together without risking everything.

So I turned away, shoving my hands deep into my pockets, walking away before I did something I would regret.

“Why?”

Her voice halted me once again, a plea laced with confusion.

I sighed, grinding my teeth, refusing to turn back.

“Why are you doing this?” she demanded, her voice trembling but loud, cutting through the night air.

“Why are you playing with me? Is my heart some kind of joke to you?”

Slowly, I turned to face her. She stood there, arms trembling, eyes glossy with unshed tears.

Damn it, she was on the verge of crying.

“Bailey…” I whispered, running a hand through my hair, feeling the weight of my choices pressing down on me. “You know me.”

She blinked, confusion clouding her expression. “Know you? What does that mean?”

I clenched my jaw, forcing the words out even though they felt like poison on my tongue.

“It means I’ll sleep with anything. That’s who I am. You know that I’m not good for you.”

Her lips parted, but no sound emerged.

“What? Was everything between us a joke?” she yelled, and I shrugged, unable to meet her gaze.

I turned away, unable to witness her breaking down any longer. I walked off into the night, leaving her standing there, vulnerable and alone.