Caught in the Crossfire
The party was already loud and chaotic when I arrived, the bass from the music thudding in my chest. I’d come reluctantly, dragged along by Sarah, who insisted I needed a distraction. But the moment I stepped inside, I felt a knot of unease settle in my stomach.
I found Caleb near the drinks table, talking to a group of people I didn’t recognize. He spotted me and smiled, but before I could reach him, Vanessa appeared out of nowhere, sliding into his space like she belonged there.
It happened so fast I almost didn’t believe it. One moment, she was laughing at something Caleb said, her hand resting lightly on his arm. The next, she was leaning in, her lips pressing against his as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
My heart stopped. For a second, Caleb didn’t move, caught off guard by the kiss. But when he pulled back, his expression conflicted, he didn’t immediately push her away.
That was all I needed to see.
I turned and bolted, my chest tight as tears blurred my vision. I heard someone call my name—maybe Caleb, maybe not—but I didn’t stop. I just needed to get out.
***
Logan saw the whole thing. He hadn’t planned on saying anything, but when Caleb started after me, something inside him snapped.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” Logan growled, stepping into Caleb’s path. “You’re supposed to be with her.”
Caleb frowned, his usual cocky demeanor slipping. “Stay out of it, Logan. You don’t know what’s going on.”
“Oh, I know exactly what’s going on,” Logan shot back, his voice rising. “You’re screwing with her, and you don’t even care.”
“Back off,” Caleb warned, his tone dangerous. “This isn’t your business.”
Logan didn’t listen. His fist connected with Caleb’s jaw before either of them could think twice, sending him stumbling back into the table. Drinks spilled, and people scattered, the room erupting into chaos.
Caleb recovered quickly, throwing a punch of his own that caught Logan in the side. The fight spiraled from there, both of them grappling and swinging wildly as onlookers shouted and scrambled to get out of the way.
“Stop it!” someone screamed, but neither of them listened. By the time they were pulled apart, both of them were bruised and breathing hard, their anger radiating off them like heat.
“You don’t deserve her,” Logan spat, wiping blood from his lip. “And you never will.”
Caleb didn’t respond. He just glared at Logan, his chest heaving as he turned and walked away.
***
I didn’t stop running until I was halfway home, the cool night air stinging my cheeks. My mind was racing, the image of Vanessa and Caleb burned into my memory. Logan’s voice rang in my ears, his words echoing louder than the pounding of my heart.
I didn’t know who to trust anymore—not Caleb, not Logan, not even myself. And as I stepped through my front door, I realized one thing for certain: I couldn’t keep running forever. Something had to give.
