Den Conversation

We didn’t linger too long before retiring to the den. I was tempted to toss on a movie, but it felt weird with Caleb here. The last thing I wanted to do was geek out in front of him. Instead, I let Paige pick. She put on a historical docudrama as background noise. It was the springboard for conversation that eventually evolved past what was happening on the TV.

Eventually, I got a chance to ask the question that had been burning inside me since I was introduced to Caleb. “Any reason why William isn’t here?”

There was a subtle shift in her expression as it hardened. “We broke up.”

That was news to me, and it showed. Kaylee’s reaction was barely a blip as if she expected it. “What? Why?”

“Why? Because I got tired of fucking ugly ass shitheads so that selfish asshole could get off. It was hot and fun pretending to be sneakily passed around by all his friends, but that wasn’t good enough for him anymore. In the end, I was nothing more than a tool he used to get his next masturbation material. Fuck him. I deserve better than that.”

“Absolutely,” Kaylee said, nodding in agreement. I was still stunned that she broke up with him. Sure, I didn’t pay that close of attention to Paige’s life, but I thought they were working through things.

My attention turned to Caleb. “And where do you come in?”

He shot me his charming half-grin. “Me? I’m just her next masturbation material,” he said with a thumb jerk in her direction.

My face went red as Kaylee laughed. It faded naturally, leaving her with a smile. “I am curious how you got to be here though. Usually, you are juggling six or seven different girls.”

Caleb let out an exhausted breath, running a hand through his perfect blond bangs. “At least a dozen.”

“Upping your game I see.”

He laughed. “More like you dragged it down. Keeping up with you was easily four or five girls worth of energy.” He looked my way. “Mad respect to you. Kaylee is easily the most insatiable girl I’ve ever been with. Most memorable one in bed too.” His eyes lingered on her longer than was appropriate and with an intimate knowledge I wasn't fond of.

“You were certainly something as well.”

I wasn’t sure how to feel about the situation. Jealous, sure. There was some serious sexual tension between the two despite Kaylee's disinterest during dinner. I also felt a bit bad for Paige. Here her… date?… was talking about how great another woman was in bed. When I looked over at her, she didn’t seem the slightest bit flustered.

“But I never really answered the question,” he said, slipping into that smooth confidence he had displayed over dinner. He smiled as he recalled a memory. “Monday after school, I’m in the art room trying to finish up a project. I have six or seven girls all arguing over who gets to take me home. Super annoying since I just want to finish my damn painting so Ms. Foster gets off my back when the door bursts open and in walks five foot five of pure sass.”

“Five six, thank you,” Paige said with a proud look.

His nod showed he stood corrected. “She walks straight up to me ignoring everyone else, looks me dead in the eye, and tells me she heard I’m a decent fuck and is here to test if it’s true. Instantly, there is an uproar from all the other girls, but Paige doesn’t even flinch. In fact, she completely owned the room. Five minutes later, it was just me and her in an empty art room.” Caleb shook his head in disbelief. “Never seen anything like it. I could never get those girls to leave me alone and she cleared them out in mere minutes.”

“You’re too soft,” Paige said, crossing her arms. “Let them push you around, they’ll never give up.”

“I remember violence being deployed,” Caleb said with a knowing smile. I winced. Of course. Goblins were prone to violence after all.

“Hey, she started it. If she thought a pathetic little slap was going to turn me into a sobbing mess or ‘put me in my place’ she deserved everything she got.” Paige’s nose flared slightly as she got worked up. “Don’t start shit you can’t finish.”

That got a laugh out of Caleb. Me, I was a bit horrified. Kaylee was soaking it all up with an amused smile.

“Did you get your painting done?” Kaylee asked, a knowing smile on her face.

“Haha. Not at all. Spent the next twenty-five minutes proving myself. Would have been longer if Ms. Foster didn’t catch us.”

Paige was still smug beyond reason. “He did well enough.”

He looked over at my sister. “You ruined my painting.”

“You were the one that put me on top of it. Not my fault.” She shrugged. “Besides, I’d say we’re even considering you smeared paint all over my back and clothes. Had to drive home in my underwear so I didn’t get it all over the driver’s seat.” She gave him a hard look. “It was a shit painting anyways.”

He chuckled. “Fair enough. Never said it was a good one.”

“So a week then,” Kaylee said with a nod.

“A blissful one. Paige has been my guardian angel. My after-school routine has never been so peaceful now that she has established dominance over my usual fan club.”

“Surprised you let her.”

“As am I. Paige has certainly made things more interesting since she inserted herself into my life. I’m used to girls bending over backward trying to win my affection, but not her. She doesn’t ask or beg for my attention. She demands it. Strangely enough, it seems to have worked.” His attention moved away from Paige to rest on Kaylee. “Reminds me of you. You were far more subtle though.”

Discomfort running through me, I scratched at my cheek as I glanced at Paige. “So… You two dating?”

Caleb went to say something, but Paige beat him to it. “Maybe. He’s on probation pending thorough vetting.”

That seemed to surprise him. “I’m on probation?” Paige didn’t say anything more, which seemed to upset him. “And I don’t remember saying anything about dating.”

“No, but we will.” Absolute confidence in that statement. She gave him a smirk. “If you get through your probationary period that is.”

“You do realize there are at least a dozen other girls vying for my attention right now. Probably more.” She said nothing. Her stare conveyed only one possible meaning: ‘Your point?’ “Most of them are better looking.” Paige’s stare never wavered. “You aren’t even my type. I like full-body girls,” Caleb said as he outlined a large bust size on his chest.

“That’s nice to hear,” Kaylee muttered beside me as she glanced down at her own chest. She was smaller than Paige. I don’t think she meant for me to hear. When she saw me looking at her, she quickly looked elsewhere as she cleared her throat.

The smooth and collected Caleb I’d been introduced to had cracked slightly. He seemed flustered that his statements hadn’t fazed Paige in the slightest. “I could leave,” he finally said. “I could leave and call any number of girls to keep me company.”

Paige finally spoke, her voice calm. “Then go. I’m not forcing you to be here. If that’s what you want, leave. I’ll call someone else over and you can go have fun with all those other girls.”

Now it was super awkward as the two stared at each other. I fully expected Caleb to up and leave. He certainly looked the part. Which was why it was a bit of a shock when he let out a huff and settled back into his seat. For the briefest of moments, I saw the start of a victorious smirk on Paige’s face before she squashed it.

“A week and I already feel myself being twisted around your finger,” he grumbled.

“I told you. You’re a big softy. You let girls push you around too much.” Even as he huffed, Paige was scooting closer to him. She had a huge smile on her face as she leaned against him. He was ignoring her, but I could tell he was struggling not to put his arm around her.

First William and now Caleb. My sister’s relationships had weird dynamics. Then again, I didn't have much room to talk.

The conversation was interrupted by Mom as she opened the door to the den. “Hey.” Her gaze fell on me and Paige. “Your father and I are going to bed.”

I nodded and glanced at the clock. It was a bit early…

“Goodnight, Mrs. Hoffman,” Kaylee said with a smile.

Mom hesitated before looking at Paige. “Don’t worry too much about keeping to down tonight. Once I’m done with your father, he won’t be in much position to complain.” My mouth hung open as I stared at my mom. This was the first time I could remember her casually mentioning sex with Dad, let alone announcing it in front of guests.

Gross.

Paige didn’t seem affected by the revelation. She snorted, rolling her eyes. “You’re talking to the wrong person here. Kaylee is the loud one here—with the right guy.” God damn goblin just had to get a barb in there.

Beside her, Caleb chuckled. “Isn’t that the truth?”

Mom looked to Kaylee. "Well don't hold back on account of us," she said with a knowing smile. "Paige certainly doesn't."

Before she left, Mom's gaze met mine. It lingered for a few seconds as her expression softened. Before I could puzzle out the meaning behind that look, she disappeared as quickly as she had appeared.

I ran my hand over my face. Everyone was losing their god damn minds.

The conversation following Mom’s interruption was normal enough, but it was difficult to focus on it with Paige and Caleb getting increasingly handsy as time progressed. I knew it was time to go our separate ways when his hand found its way up her skirt. One, I had enough mental trauma of seeing my sister in intimate positions to want to add on to that pile. The other reason was I wasn’t too thrilled by the way Kaylee was looking at the two. Her excitement level was rising, and it wasn’t due to anything I was doing.

Grabbing Kaylee’s hand, her head swung around. Eyes meeting, I nodded towards the door. She didn’t need any encouragement.

I doubted Paige or Caleb even realized we left.