BEST FRIEND’S BROTHER

“Oh, you mean your two missed calls and one message?” Sasha replied sarcastically, and Kaleb squinted his eyes. “You must have really tried your best to reach me with those sleazy attempts of yours, huh?”

“What do you mean?” Kaleb huffed, sitting more comfortably.

“I mean three trials and you’re here complaining?” Sasha muttered under her breath, and he raised an amused eyebrow.

“So you think it wasn’t enough? Do you prefer I called you nonstop and sent you a bundle of texts instead?” He smiled boyishly.

Sasha rolled her eyes and got up, flustered. “No, I never said that,” she replied stoutly.

“Oh, you didn’t?” Kaleb gazed up at her, grinning.

“Yes, I’m only saying that you could have-” She halted. “Wait, you’re only trying to evade the main issue here, aren’t you?” Her voice was accusing.

“Meaning?” Kaleb was enjoying the show.

“Why are we even discussing this?” Sasha demanded, stunned.

“Because you want to?” Kaleb answered with a sweet smile, folding his arms across the chest.

“Of course not! Kaleb, just tell me what’s all this about so that we can get it over with. Because I’m not in the mood to play your games,” Sasha told him strictly.

“Nothing much, I just wanted to spend time with you. You were the one who said we didn’t spend enough time together…and now I want to.”

“Huh?”

“Because I miss you,” he said truthfully, his voice low and gentle.Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

A small silence stretched between them as they both eyed one another.

“Are you even listening to yourself?” Sasha uttered, unable to fathom anything he was trying to pull. “Who do you think I am really? A slut with no dignity? A hooker you can have whenever you feel bored?”

“None of that,” Kaleb prompted coolly.

“Oh, I know.” Sasha laughed, biting her bottom lip. “A poor, stupid girl who got pregnant, then one day she finds a hiding shelter in the arms of the Prince charming, is that it?”

Kaleb’s lips twisted at her final remark, displeased. “I haven’t thought of you as any of that, Sasha,” he said softly.

He had a girlfriend. A reminder that made Sasha weak despite the strange sensation she’d entertain whenever she was alone with him. “Please, Kaleb, just let me go,” she begged softly. “I don’t want to talk to you,”

“Sasha,” Kaleb uttered, and that cynic air was all gone. “The truth is-”

“Let’s just focus on this baby thing peacefully and when the child is born, we’ll both go to where we truly belong,” Sasha said. “Yes, I admit that you’ve managed to shake me up for a moment, and I forgot my place, my principles, and even my dignity. But you know what? That’s as far as I’m willing to go, Kaleb. It’s difficult resisting you, that I admit, but don’t make this even harder for me, please.”

She wasn’t going to win against him, Sasha knew this for a fact. But she also knew he was capable of doing that for her. Probably, if he stopped looking at her the way he was currently, everything would be back to normal.

“Listen, Sasha,” said Kaleb in a soft voice. He stood up so that they were closer. “I’m not playing-”

“I’m done with this!” Sasha snapped. “I can’t afford to be the other woman, and especially the evil one. I already messed up and got myself pregnant and I’m not making another mistake with you again.” She furiously grabbed her handbag and headed to her bedroom.

“So this is all about Claire?” Kaleb snapped back, and she stared back at him, wondering what was really the matter with him.

“Yeah, it’s all about her,” she retorted. “So can I go now?” Her voice was harsher.

“Are you feeling guilty or something?” Kaleb asked.

Was he serious? Sasha let out a smirk and bit her lip savagely. She’d started to think he was really out of his mind. Was it possible that she was dealing with a mental patient? Asylum mental? She asked herself inwardly, but couldn’t bring herself to believe he was in need of a shrink.

“Do you even love her? You girlfriend?” Sasha asked.

“Does it matter?” Kaleb queried.

“It was a stupid question, wasn’t it?” Sasha laughed sinisterly. “Because I don’t think people like you even know what love is, let alone how to love someone.”

A heavy silence settled as Kaleb’s jaw tightened. He suddenly looked different, pained even, but none of his reactions impressed Sasha. He slowly began undoing his shoes, and then his socks, wordless. He seemed thoughtful.

What was he thinking of? Sasha wondered.

“Let’s say you’re right.” Kaleb sighed, his eyes dark. “But what if Claire wasn’t my girlfriend? Would you have spared me the drama?” He stood up.

“The drama? You think this is a drama?” Unexpected pain shot in Sasha’s heart.

“Yes,” Kaleb replied crisply while marching closer, barefoot. “Women are so good in thinking they know what love is, but in reality, you’re the first creatures who introduced betrayal in the world. In the name of love.” He was disdainful.

“You’re fucked up!” Sasha gritted her teeth. “You bastard!” She began walking towards the bedroom again.

“You haven’t answered my question!” Kaleb barked. “Would things be different if she weren’t my girlfriend?”

Sasha stopped, clenching her fists hard. Taking a deep breath, she slowly whirled back. “If I say yes, what will you do? Will you leave her for me?” she asked.

Kaleb was silent, inexplicably silent, totally unable to tell what he was thinking.

“Sasha. . .” He ran his palms on his face, perplexity laced in his voice.

“See? You can’t even answer that,” Sasha muttered. “Just let me go, Kaleb. And when the baby comes, you can forget about me as I will you.”

“Do you want me to leave her?” Kaleb asked.

“Can you?” she retorted.

“Do you? Do you want me to do it, Sasha?” He insisted.

Was that what she wanted? Another woman to be abandoned for her sake? Sasha thought. “No! Just do nothing, you asshole!” she barked to his face and headed for the bedroom again, but he was fast and before she knew what he intended to do, he was in her way, blocking the door.

“You won’t be able to get in there, unless I let you,” Kaleb said.

“Get out of my way so I can open the door, Kaleb.” She tried to confront him-only to bump into his chest.