The Fallen Ones (Holloway University #1)

37. Caleb

Chapter 37

Caleb

I couldn’t seem to focus as I stared down at my textbook. I knew if I wanted to own my own bar I had to work hard. I also knew I’d needed to raise the funds and save up so I’d accepted an extra shift at work at Ray’s Bar. I was sure one day I’d change the name to something more exciting.

The thought made me smile. I had a couple hours to kill before my shift started so I figured I’d see if Lily was free. I missed her. I hadn’t seen her for a couple days and it was wearing on me.

I knew she’d been busy, and I really did have to work as much as I could so I didn’t make it to Cameron’s party. I was grateful Jace let me know he’d kept an eye on her. He also let me know he’d fucked her. Which both made me happy she’d had a good time but also envious that both he and Damien had their one on one time with her.

I wanted mine. Sure, I’d sort of had it that one night by the woods, but I wanted it where it was just the two of us with no prying eyes.

I wanted to fuck her masked up again. I just needed to figure out how though since I knew she was so into it.

I picked my phone up from my desk and sent her a text.

Caleb: Hey, Lil bit. You free to hangout?

Lily: Sure what you do you want to do?

I smiled at the message and stopped myself replying with anything provocative. I wished I could reply that I wanted to fuck her and hear her moan my name.

Caleb: Giano’s? Then we can hit up Racers? I have to work tonight so we’d need to meet up soon.

Lily: I can head to Giano’s now if you want.

Caleb: Wait outside your apartment building for me. I’ll be ten minutes.

Lily: OK. See you soon.

Caleb: See you soon, Lil bit.

I pulled up outside Lily’s apartment and jumped out of my car and opened the door for her.

“Hey, Lil bit. You look nice.” I complimented her as she slid onto her seat.

“Thanks.” She offered me a smile that made my heart jump.

She always looked nice. She could wear a trash bag and still be the hottest girl on the planet. I closed her in and got back in the driver’s seat, fastened my seat belt and looked to Lily.

“How have you been?” I asked and turned the music down.

“Good. I feel happier than I have in a long time.” Her reply sent warmth washing over me.

“I’m glad. That makes me happy. Anything in particular that’s made you feel that way? Or should I say, anyone? ”

She bit her bottom lip and twisted her fingers in front of her while looked down at her knees.

I grabbed her jaw and turned her face toward me. “Lil bit. Tell me.”

“The masked trio. I saw them again. Well, saw one of them. At Cameron’s party.”

“Oh yeah?” I pretended I didn’t already know.

“Yeah one of them followed me to the bathroom, and....”

“And what, Lil?”

“We had sex.” Her cheeks flushed red.

“Did you enjoy it?” I asked as I stared at the way her lips parted, her jaw still in my hand. It took everything inside me not to kiss her right there.

“Yes.” She nodded.

“That’s a good thing, Lil bit. You deserve to feel special.” I released her jaw and moved a loose strand of her dark wavy hair and tucked it behind her ear. “I’m glad you’re having a good time. That makes me happy.”

She smiled, a look of relief washing over her face.

“They still haven’t told me their names, but they did refer to themselves as the Fallen Ones. Have you ever heard of them?” She looked eagerly at me.

“Uh, no. I haven’t, sorry. If I do, I’ll be sure to let you know though.”

She seemed to accept that, so I turned the radio up, smiling internally at her attitude about the Fallen Ones.

“I love this song.” Lily’s face lit with excitement as she began singing along.

“Me too.” I admitted, the boom from the bass coming out and filling the interior of the car.

“It reminds me of the time you taught me how to drive a stick."

“You mean, when you stalled the car a dozen times before we even got out of the driveway?”

“Oh, shush. I learned how to do it eventually.” She slapped my arm and laughed.

“Half-assed, but that’s fine. I’ll count it.” I winked at her and rested my hand on her knee. It was a bold move since I didn’t typically touch her like this. When she didn’t move away, I took it as a good sign and kept my hand there.

She offered a smile and continued to sing. Her voice always left me mesmerized. She had so many talents and didn’t even know it.

We pulled up to Giano’s a few minutes later. I grabbed a parking spot before cutting the engine and getting out to go around to Lily’s side to open the door. I liked doing that for her. She deserved the princess treatment. Besides, I was old school. My grandpa always said to treat a lady how you’d want your daughter to be treated.

Of course, I wasn’t so sure I’d want my daughter railed by three masked men in various settings. I tabled that thought and moved to the next.

The idea of having a kid with Lily one day had crossed my mind a few times. I’d seen the way she was with kids and knew she’d make an amazing mom. That wasn’t something anywhere near our future, so I pushed the thought away. We still needed to figure out how we were going to come clean about everything to her and still be able to keep her. The plan of continuing on and hooking her good seemed to be working. I had hope it would stick when it came time to unmask.

I held the door open to Giano’s and watched as Lily walked in front and chose a booth for us to sit.

She slid to the opposite side of the booth and faced me. “Caleb, can I ask you something?”

“You know you can,” I replied and placed my hands on top of hers on the table.

“Do you not think it’s risky?”

“What do you mean. What’s risky?”

“The masked guys.” She crinkled her brows.

“Have they done anything to make you feel unsafe?” I asked and swallowed hard, nervous of her answer.

“No. They’ve actually made me feel… loved. Does that sound silly?”

“Not at all. They clearly like you and this experience. I’d say they want to continue it so they’re making it a good time for all of you.”

The waiter came over to our table and interrupted our conversation. “Can I take your order?”

“Usual, Lil?” I asked her.

“Actually, can we get something a little spicy?” she replied with a mischievous grin.

It wasn’t like Lily to switch up our Giano’s order, but I figured she’d been feeling more adventurous lately.

“Yeah of course,” I replied before turning to the waiter. “Can we get a large spicy meat special and two cokes. Thanks.”

“Got it. It won’t be long,” the waiter replied and headed off to the kitchen with our order.

“I just want to know who they are,” she said picking up the paper menu off the table and rolling it between her fingers.

“Well, they know who you are and they’re clearly smitten with you. I’d say that’s a good thing.”

“Two cokes.” The waiter returned with our drinks.

“I know, but surely if they were serious about me they’d want me to know who they were so I could…”

She paused and took the straw in her glass between her lips and sipped her coke.

“So you could… what?”

“It doesn’t matter. It’s silly.”

“Lil bit, nothing you have to say is ever silly.” I reached out and took hold of her hand.

“But, Caleb.”

“No buts . Tell me.” I squeezed her hand to reassure her.

“So I could… love them.” She looked down at our hands. “I told you it was silly.”

My heart skipped at her words. I thought she was into it, but I never thought it was this far. It was a huge step for her, and I was more than here for it. I cleared my throat.

“It’s not silly. Not one bit. Maybe they want you to love them, but maybe they’re scared you won’t if you find out who they really are.” I feared I’d said too much and grabbed my glass gulping down half my coke.

“Trust me, Caleb. These guys aren’t scared of anything.”

Our pizza arrived and with good timing too. The conversation had become tense, and I was scared of fucking things up and saying the wrong thing.

“I’m just saying to consider that as a possibility,” I said.

She contemplated my words before nodding. “Yeah. I’m scared, so maybe.”

I breathed out a sigh of relief, our conversation rolling over to small talk, school and my job. We ate between conversations, laughing and genuinely having a good time.

“Come on, we better go to Racers. I only have an hour before I have to go to Ray’s.” I pushed away from the table, feeling full but sleepy. I hated I had to go into work tonight. I could use a good nap. I’d get my second wind by the time I got to work. I always did. Dealing with old drunks and bikers meant I had to be on my toes, especially in that part of town.

“Oh. I forgot you had to work tonight.” The disappointment in her voice was clear.

“I’m sorry, Lil. It sucks. But you can always come hang out at the bar. It’s never too busy on Wednesday night.”

“Yeah, I like hanging out with you there. Sounds like a plan.”

I smiled, excited at having her around a little longer tonight.

It was shaping up to be a really good night.

We were soon in Racers killing aliens with our laser guns. I’d missed hanging out with Lily like this. It was cute how she always thought she could beat me. Truth was, I’d always let her win.

It made me happy to see her excited and collecting tokens from the machines to trade in for some cheap arcade prize. She didn’t care about the value of stuff. That’s one thing I loved about her. She wasn’t materialistic at all.

We moved over to the claw machine and I managed to grab hold of a giant stuffed panda bear.

“Damn it,” I muttered as it tumbled back into the machine.

“It’s OK. I have the monkey you won for me last time.” She squeezed my arm.

“Well, the monkey needs a friend, and that dude in there looks like he needs an escape,” I replied and slammed my hand down on the button.

The machine grabbed the stuffed panda and brought it to the edge of the prize box. It soon tumbled down and the machine’s lights lit up as I was declared a winner.

“Told you I’d win it for you.” I grinned and handed her the panda bear.

“You’re the best.” She threw her arms around me and we held each other in an embrace longer than what was considered normal.

I slowly pulled away, but the desire to kiss her without my mask was stronger than ever.

I couldn’t fuck things up so I pulled away and cleared my throat.

“Good thing I managed that because we need to leave. I have to be in work in fifteen minutes.” I glanced at my watch.

“I’ve had so much tonight, Caleb. I’m sure we can have a singalong in the bar, too.”

“We sure can.” I agreed. I wasn’t so sure about my singing voice but whenever I was with Lily I’d do anything she wanted me to do.

Ray’s was busier than usual for a Wednesday night. I hadn’t expected it, but was grateful Jake was working to help out. I’d only been offered the overtime because Ray had other stuff he needed to take care of. I never questioned it since I needed the money and I was more than happy to cover and take extra shifts.

“Want a drink, Lil bit?” I asked Lily as she perched herself on a stool at the bar.

“Just a lemonade, please,” she replied as she bobbed her head along to the music blaring out from the jukebox.

I turned to make her lemonade. She always liked the crushed ice but we didn’t seem to have any behind the bar so I headed to the back to get some. Stefan, one of the line cooks, was staring down at something on the counter.

“Peanuts or chips?” he asked me.

“What?” I asked, confused by my coworkers question.

“I’m hungry. I’m not sure which to snack on.”

“Whatever you want. You can just make a burger if you’re hungry. You are the cook,” I replied to him. He was a strange dude, but he was pretty harmless.

“Hm. That’s a good idea,” he said, going to the walk-in freeze to get hamburger.

I chuckled at him and retrieved the crushed ice from the freezer and made my way back out to the bar. I became quite busy with a bunch of people waiting to be served while Jake worked the other end of the bar, talking with some of the regulars. Tonight, there were a lot of young people in, which was surprising for mid-week. We tended to see this crowd more on the weekend, but I wasn’t mad. Tips were tips.

I scanned the room for Lily to find her at the old jukebox filling it with coins.

She really did love music. I smiled at that.

She soon selected an old classic and danced her way back to the bar to grab her lemonade.

I quickly served the waiting customers. I wanted to hurry up so I could sit and chat with her. I liked these moments with her, even if I had to break away to serve a customer. It felt like it was taking forever though to get back to her. When one customer walked away, another would pop up and ask for more beer. Chelsea, one of the waitresses, would trot over with more drink orders, making me feel frantic.

Finally, I managed to get through everything and seemed to have a lull.

I served the final customer and made my way to where Lily sat at the end of the bar.

“One minute,” she said raising a finger at me and looking down at her phone screen as it flashed with Brandon’s name.

The fucker really wasn’t giving up. I ground my teeth, frustrated.

“Lily,” I called out, but she’d already climbed down from the stool and was headed toward the side door. It was only to be used by staff, but since Lily was my friend, she was always allowed to use it.

It annoyed me that she’d ditched me to answer Brandon’s call. This was supposed to be our time together and that piece of shit was inserting himself into that.

The thought soon lit a fire inside me, and I paced to the back of the bar and into the kitchen.

“Stefan, watch the bar. I’m taking my break,” I said.

I didn’t wait for a response and left via the back kitchen door. I weaved between the trash bins and dashed to my car that I’d parked at the back of the building.

I opened my trunk and reached inside, grabbing my mask, beanie, a plain black shirt, and a pair of black gloves.

I dashed back toward the bins and slid them all on.

It was time for The Fallen Ones to reclaim their girl.

Fuck Brandon Rogers.

I peered around the side of the alleyway to see Lily facing away from me and leaning sideways against the brick wall. Her phone in hand, she was lost deep in conversation with Brandon.

I crept up behind her and wrapped my arm around her waist pulling her back into my chest.

“Wha—” she called out, her body bucking with her fear.

I spun her around, forcing her to face me, and placed my gloved finger against her lips.

“Everything is fine,” she replied to whatever he asked her and swallowed hard, her gray eyes wide.

Knowing she was willingly playing along spurred me on and I took the risk and whispered “Good girl” with a low growl in her ear.

Her cheeks flushed as I found my way beneath her dress. I knew she had pale blue panties on because I’d caught sight of them earlier at the arcade when she’d bent down to collect her tokens.

I wanted to see them around her ankles, but first I had other ideas. I lowered to my knees, lifted her dress, pushed her panties to the side and began eating her sweet pussy.

“I– I’m staying here with Caleb,” she mumbled to Brandon at the same time her hand rested on top of my beanie.

My heart thundered at the sound of my name. She was thinking about me and didn’t even know I was the one eating her pussy right now.

I needed to think straight. It would only take a second for her to remove my beanie, then it’d be game over. I quickly grabbed her hand making sure she hadn’t decided to take hold of the beanie. I locked her fingers in mine and continued to circle her clit with my tongue applying just the right amount of pressure to cause her voice to wobble whenever she responded to Brandon.

I slid my tongue up and down until her legs wobbled.

I’d warmed her up enough– now it was time to force her to come for me.

I rose to my feet and freed my cock. I was hard as a rock for her. I lifted one leg up and she instinctively wrapped it around my waist as I pushed into her waiting pussy.

“Oh god,” she choked out.

“What?” I heard Brandon’s response.

The asshole was clueless.

“I was talking to Caleb. I like– I like the lemonade here,” she lied.

I knew she was responding to me as the masked stranger thrusting inside her hard. But the fact she’d replied that she was talking to me only made me fuck her rougher.

Her ass slammed against the brick wall.

I tried to keep my grunts low and close to her ear, but as I did she made to reach for my mask.

“No.” I took control and grabbed her arm, pulling my cock out of her.

“Please,” she begged, pulling the phone away from her mouth.

I wasn’t going to stop, but she didn’t know that.

I grabbed hold of her and spun her around, forcing her flat against the wall.

She remained on the phone but didn’t respond to whatever nonsense Brandon was saying.

I pulled her free hand behind her back and slammed myself deep inside her.

“Oh god,” she rasped.

“What’s going on?” I heard him ask. “Are you OK?”

It amused me to know he could hear me fucking her and he didn’t even have a clue. Fucking idiot.

I grabbed at her other hand and held them both together behind her back. Her ass pushed into me, and I grabbed her phone and ended her call. Fuck that prick.

The crazy in me took over, and I pulled out of her pussy and position my dick at her tight rosette. She sucked in a sharp breath as I pushed forward. She was soaked, so it wasn’t like we needed a lot of lube. She was tight and inexperienced though, so working my dick in needed to be a slow process.

She whimpered, her body tense.

“I-It hurts.”

“Take it, pretty girl,” I growled into her ear, slowly inching into her ass.

She cried out softly at my intrusion, but I kept pushing forward, knowing the end game was going to be worth it.

When I bottomed out, I groaned into her ear, making her shiver. I pulled out and pushed back in slowly. After several times, I had her good and warmed up so I could move without hurting her.

And so I did.

I picked up my pace, fucking into her ass. If someone would have told me a year ago I’d be fucking my best friend in her ass in a dark alley behind a bar, I’d have called them crazy. This was insane, but I couldn’t stop myself. I wanted this more than I wanted my next breath.

“Oh, I-I’m going to…” she cried out, her body trembling at her impending release.

“That’s it. Be my good girl and come for me,” I rasped low and gravelly. I reached around and rubbed her clit as I continued to plunder her ass.

I’d become quite the professional at disguising my voice. All the practice I’d done was worth it.

I’d wanted to say dirty things to my girl for a long time, and now I finally could.

“It feels so good,” she cried out, her legs shaking beneath her as her orgasm hit. Her ass tightened around my cock forcing mine, and I filled her with my release.

We both trembled as we came down from our high, our bodies molded to one another in that dark alley.

“You’re such a sweet girl, Lily,” I husked out into her ear.

I dared to whisper her name. It earned the reaction I’d hoped for as she trembled against me.

I held her for a moment before pulling my cock out and tucking it back into my pants as she stayed against the wall.

“Close your eyes for me, pretty girl,” I commanded in my growl. She did as I told her. I leaned in and spoke into her ear. “Remember, we fuck you whenever, wherever we want. Ditch that loser you were talking to. Don’t open your eyes or this ends.” I gave her a warning, noting she was squeezing her eyelids closed tighter.

“Please. When will you tell me who you are?” she asked, her panties still around her ankles.

I liked the way she looked standing against the wall with her pretty little ass hanging out.

“Soon. If you’re a good girl.” I backed away leaving her against the wall, her eyes closed tightly.

I darted around the corner and slipped my mask, beanie, shirt and gloves off before going back inside the bar via the kitchen entrance. I knew Lily would fix herself up before she came back in from the alleyway using the side entrance. It was right next to the bathroom too so she could slip in unnoticed by most.

I tossed the mask, beanie, black shirt, and gloves into my work bag. I hadn’t taken them into work with me because I hadn’t planned on fucking Lily here in public like that, let alone in the alleyway. The possessive motherfucker in me had raised his head once again.

I took a breath and made my way back out to the bar and sure enough, I spotted Lily shuffling her way to the bathroom, her head down.

I started serving customers again as if I’d been here all along.

A few minutes passed before she returned to her stool at the bar.

“Lil bit. Where have you been?” I pretended I didn’t know the answer.

“I, uh, went outside to take a phone call,” she replied and sipped her lemonade, her hand trembling.

“Long phone call. Was it important?”

Redness flushed from her chest to her face as she bit her bottom lip. “Can I tell you later?”

“Sure. Want a fresh lemonade? That one’s probably warm by now isn’t it?”

“Yeah, I’d like that.” She offered me a smile.

I noticed marks on her wrists where I’d held her tightly – maybe a little too tightly.

My shift soon flew by and the crowd eventually thinned out.

“I got this if you want to head out,” Jake said, nodding to Lily as she rested at the end of the counter, her head on her hands. “Your girl looks tired. Take her to bed.”

I didn’t hesitated.

“Come on, Lil. Let’s get you home.” I helped her off her stool. She looked up at me with a tired smile.

I grabbed my work bag and we walked down the alleyway where I’d fucked her earlier as we headed to my car.

“I was out here earlier.” Lily looked to me tiredly.

“Oh yeah. Your phone call, right?”

“Not just my phone call. Caleb, I have to tell you something.”

“Go for it.” I squeezed her hand.

“One of the Fallen Ones. He, uh, he pinned me against the wall here in the alleyway and we had sex.” She looked back at the spot I’d caged her in earlier.

“Damn, in public?”

“Yeah. Is that bad?”

“Did you enjoy it?” I asked as I opened the passenger door for her to hop in my car.

“Yes,” she replied with a nod and a little smile.

“Then that’s all that matters, right?”

She nodded, looking content, so I closed the door on her and walked around to the driver’s side and grinned like a motherfucker.

She’d enjoyed it– she’d enjoyed me.

I took a breath before I opened the door and hopped in the car.

I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself,” I said once I was behind the wheel. “I think you’re finally letting go, and if you’re enjoying it and it makes you happy, then go for it, Lil bit.” I squeezed her leg then started the engine.

“I really hope it continues,” she said softly. “I just want to know who they are. While I like the masked part, I also want more. I want to know them. It’s killing me to not know.”

“I’m sure they’ll come around to it.” I assured her. “Like I said, maybe they’re scared of rejection. They are human, you know.”

“I know. I just wish I knew who they were. I really think we could have something. It’s unconventional, but I think I’d be into it.”

I backed out of my parking space and couldn’t help but smile to myself.

“I had a good night. I had fun with you, Caleb,” she said. “You always listen to all the weird stuff I have going on. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, but I can’t take all the credit. You had fun with your masked guy, too.” I couldn’t help myself but mention it again.

“I did. It’s been one of the best days. And I get to take Mr. Panda home and sit him with my monkey.” She grabbed hold of the bear off the backseat and let out a giggle as she held it tight against her chest, her gray eyes sparkling with happiness.

I loved that look on her and wanted to give her a million more moments like that. We talked all the way home about everything under the sun, laughing and joking the entire way. I wished the ride was longer, but soon enough, I was dropping her off at her place.

I waved goodbye to her as she got out and walked to her apartment. I waited until she was safely inside before driving home feeling like I’d finally won at life.

I’d had Lily all alone, and she’d even said my name twice while I was inside her.

I really did love her and couldn’t wait to see her again.

We needed to figure out how we were going to come clean with her though. She wanted it. I had faith it was going to work out.

If it didn’t….

The thought made me sick because I knew I wouldn’t take no for an answer. Not now. Not ever. I’d had a taste of her and there was simply no going back now.