A/N: Hey guys! Back with a chapter sooner than I thought! Hope you like it! I also started a book blog which if your interested you can find it at girlathome 1994 . blogspot. com (omit the spaces)
Please review! :)
Chapter 49
Lux's Point of View
Having Chuck ask me to stay there with him and refusing him was one of the hardest things I've ever had to talk myself into doing. Every inch of me ached for him. I wanted things to be the way they were in Tuscany before he tucked his tail between his legs and ran off like a scared little boy. A part of me enjoyed torturing him by leaving with Caleb, while another part of me wanted to get out of his truck and run and wrap my arms around Chuck and tell him it didn't matter that he was scared. We could work things out. But, I didn't and I won't.
We drove down the road heading to the beach in an incredibly awkward silence. Caleb glanced over at me and noticed how many times I had wiped my eyes. "Are you alright?" He asked letting his eyes drift back to the road before us. I nodded my head and smiled. "Perfect. It's just allergies." I lied beaming back at him. In all honesty I really didn't want to go to some raging bonfire. I just wanted to make Chuck think I was going to the bonfire with an incredibly gorgeous guy. It's cruel and unfair to Caleb I thought. He didn't deserve that. Just because I want to hurt Chuck like he hurt me doesn't mean I have to stoop so low.
"Actually, if it's not too much trouble would you mind taking me home?" I asked as we came to a stop at a red light in town. I felt awful for using him like I did. He seemed like a really sweet guy and I didn't want to lead him on.
"Yeah, it's no problem at all. Are you sure?" Caleb asked looking at me from across the truck. He reached over and turned the dial to the radio off and kept his eyes on me.
"I have a killer headache and I probably won't be much fun." I lied again. He smirked and shook his head accepting the fact as the light turned green. We made a left hand turn and headed back out into the country towards Serena's grandmothers home.
"This headache wouldn't have anything to do with the guy back at the party, Chuck or whatever?" He asked catching me off guard. I laughed surprised that he'd figured it out. Then again I'm a terrible liar so it makes sense. "Is it that obvious?" I asked laughing nervously as we turned on to my street. He remembered where I lived since he had just worked here the other morning.
"A little bit." He joked holding his hand up emphasizing the small amount space between his fingers.
"It's really complicated." I said running my fingers through my hair as we pulled into the driveway. Caleb shut off the truck and nodded his head in understanding.
"I understand. I just got out of a two year relationship with my girlfriend. So I'm guessing you guys dated then?" Caleb asked innocently just trying to be nice. I looked out the window at the freshly cut evergreen lawn and then back at him nodding my head.
"If I explained the whole story your ears would bleed." I tried to brush it off. I doubt he wants to hear about the tumultuous relationship between Chuck and me.
"I get it. You don't want to spill all your dirt to the new guy. " He teased holding his hands up in mock surrender. I laughed and smiled. "It's not that at all." I played along.
"Well maybe since you're bailing on me tonight you'd like to join me in the morning for breakfast in town. You can tell me about Chuck or not tell me about Chuck. I'll tell you about Courtney, or not." He offered smirking at me. I lowered my head and chewed on my lip.
"You know what, sure." I agreed. I owed him that much.
"Great. I'll meet you in town at Citron around noon?" He suggested arching his eye brows at me. "Sounds good to me." I said giving him a small smile before climbing out of his truck. He waited until I made it inside before backing out of the drive way like a complete gentleman. Unlike Chuck who forced me out of his limo before to walk home.
Since I bailed on the bonfire with Caleb I stayed locked in my room all evening pretending to be a mouse so Chuck would still think I was out with someone else. I curled in bed and continued reading The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks. It was on the bookshelf in the room I was residing in so I thought what the hell. I attempted to text Blair randomly throughout the night so she could give me the details about James or whoever he was.
So wait, he's a prince?-L
Yes, he's royalty! It's like a modern day fairytale.-B
His name is Marcus Beaton. He only lied because he thought all girls would care about would be his title.-B
Well you always said you wanted to be a princess, B! – L
I know! It's fate! L, he's perfect! –B
I thought he was boring? –L
I never said that! : P –B
OMG B. lol. –L
I awoke in the morning around ten and realized I needed to get ready to head into town to meet Caleb for a late breakfast. Then I had to meet Serena so we could take the Jitney back into the city later this afternoon. Luckily, I made it in and out of the shower without the slightest hint of Chuck. I pulled on a white halter dress and a fedora hat before walking into town to meet Caleb.
As I glided down the sidewalk I spotted Blair getting out of a black town car followed by James or Marcus. That whole situation still confuses me. She noticed me and smiled as they jaywalked across the street to reach me. "Hey! Lux!" She squealed looping her arm through my own pulling me down the sidewalk.
"Morning to you too B." I laughed as she looked over her shoulder at Marcus. He was fiddling with his phone lagging behind us.
"Come join us for brunch!" She more so demanded than asked.
"I'm actually meeting Caleb." I said waiting for her to freak out with excitement. Her eyes lit up like the fourth of July. I rolled my eyes and laughed. She's been begging me to get back out there all summer long. I just haven't had the heart too.
"Caleb, from the party last night? I met him earlier in the evening before I went to find Marcus. He was gorgeous!" Blair cooed as we all headed into the restaurant. Caleb was sitting in the back by the windows sipping on a cup of coffee. Blair was giddy with delight as she shoved me forward towards him.
Caleb stood up to greet me and smiled a toothy grin before we both sat down at the perfectly set table. The place was calm but still bustling with life as waitresses ran around bringing tourists there burnt toast and overdone eggs. "I'm glad you came. I was thinking it'll be nice knowing at least one person when school starts up." He grinned as a waitress poured us both a fresh cup of coffee.
"Of course I came. I feel really bad about bailing last night." I confided in him holding the steaming cup of Joe in my hands. Caleb waved it off and relaxed into his seat more.
"Don't worry about it. You're here now, that's all that matters." He flirted causing me to blush slightly. I smiled and glanced over at Blair doting all over Marcus at another table and our eyes met. She mouthed the words 'flirt with him' from across the room causing me to roll my eyes.
"So are you heading back into the city today or staying in the Hamptons longer? I'm heading back later this afternoon with my friend Serena. I'll introduce you to her if you want." I chirped looking over the menu before me.
"I'm heading back tomorrow with my mom and sister. I'd love to meet Serena." He said before focusing on his menu. It felt nice to hang out with Caleb without Chuck skulking in the shadows. I was definitely more comfortable and at ease that's for sure.
"Excuse me, I need to borrow her!" Blair said standing by our table smiling latching her claws into my arm. I shook my head and laughed. "Caleb, this is Blair Waldorf. My best friend." I introduced them to each other. Blair waved and smiled before yanking me out of my seat and weaving us out of the restaurant.
"B? What the hell!" I asked once we were outside. The smoldering summer air swarmed around us.
"I need to talk to you! Things are going south with Lord Marcus." She hissed pulling me away from the windows to the restaurant.
"Okay, what's the problem?" I asked brushing some hair behind my ear and looking at a panicking Waldorf.
"I love him, but he's being vague about the future." She complained. I half expected her to stomp her feet like a child throwing a temper tantrum.
"Blair, love really? You just met the real him, like what less than twelve hours ago?" I asked raising my eyebrows. Nate and Blair were in love.
"Yes, like very much and not just because Tom Hanks gave him a tissue at Lady Dianna's funeral. He's worldly and classy and everything I've ever dreamed about." Blair ranted while I stood there and listened to her. Caleb is going to hate me. First I bail on the bonfire and now I've been torn away from brunch…
Chuck's Point of View
Last night was one of the worst nights of my entire life. I'd finally gotten the chance to talk to Lux and some preppy country hick came in and swept her away from me. After I had lost what dignity I had left begging her to stay with me I decided to take one of the many beautiful blonde vivacious party guests out for a night on the town with Chuck Bass. The girl kept my mind occupied until the numbness of the alcohol we were downing kicked in.
Serena was right Lux will probably never forgive me for what I did to her, I thought as I walked down the sidewalk to Main Street. I had a hangover from hell and needed a bagel from the restaurant in town to soak up the alcohol still resting in my stomach. I slipped my phone in the pocket of my cargo shorts and vowed not to look at Gossip Girl again. I may or may not have checked the blog periodically last night to see if any photos of Lux had been posted at the stupid bonfire.
The sunlight was giving me an even bigger headache as I removed my sunglasses and pinched the bridge of my nose. I stopped in my tracks when I saw Lux and Blair having a conversation outside of the restaurant and glanced inside the window to see that guy Caleb or whatever the hell his name was sitting in the back of the place by himself. I looked at Lux again and put two and two together. She was here with him. I clenched my jaw shut and ducked into the restaurant before she could spot me.
She's just using him as a prop to hurt me that's all. This guy is going to end up like a lost kitten out in the rain in the middle of hurricane season when I get done with him. I placed my order to go and sauntered over to his table. "Caleb, right?" I said causing him to look up from his menu. He nodded his head and took on a more intimidating stance.
"Chuck, right?" He mocked me. I smirked and nodded. "I was just getting a bite to eat, you mind if I join you?" I offered glancing over my shoulder at the door praying Lux would walk in soon and see us together. She would freak out and wonder what I told her knew boy toy about her.
"Actually, I do. I'm here with Lux. I don't know what all went on between you two, but I know you two have a history. I mean it was sort obvious last night." He said cocking his head to the side while he sipped on his coffee. I'd done my best to try and cock block him. Clearly, it hadn't worked.
"Well in this town who doesn't." I laughed. "Look, Lux and I have a past. That's all it is, a past. If I came off as a bit of an ass at the party than I truly apologize. There's no reason we can't be friends." I said extending my hand out for him to shake. After a moment he reluctantly did.
I made boring small talk with Caleb until a flash of brown hair caught my attention. I smirked at Lux as I handed Caleb his phone back since we just exchanged numbers so we could hang out once he returned to the city, we scheduled a game of squash to welcome him into the new school year. Lux's face contorted slightly as she balled her hands up at her sides at my presence. I'm not going to lie; her angry actually turns me on.
"Chuck…what are you doing here." She chirped hiding her disdain for me horribly.
"We were just talking about getting together once we all got back in the city for a game of squash at his fathers club. You should come watch us." Caleb informed Lux. She scoffed and smiled looking at me as I swirled a spoon around in my cup of coffee.
"Chuck, sidebar please." Lux demanded sweetly clenching her hand down on my shoulder squeezing it as hard as she could. I flinched and smirked up at her, not wanting her to stop touching me even though she had quite the grip on me. "We weren't finished talking." I said relishing in the fact that she was uncomfortable with me being here with him.
"Notice how my voice didn't go up. Come on." She said yanking me out of her chair and pushing me towards the exit to the restaurant. "Squash? I'll squash you." She hissed in my ear as we walked a little further. I shivered slightly at her breath on my next before turning around to face her.
"It's just a game Lux." I told her staring down at her. I tipped her hat back slightly so I could see her eyes as she crossed her arms over her chest to keep space between us.
"It's not a game to me. I like him you Bass-hole!" She said making me chuckle slightly at her heated tone. I'll admit it hurt watching her get into his truck last night and to know that they hit it off well enough to have breakfast the next morning. "Well I like him too; apparently he doesn't have that many friends. I was trying to be friendly and help him out." I informed her while her nostrils flared. She shoved me away from her while I smirked walking out the door.
She forgave me once; maybe just maybe she'll do it again. As long as I can knock this other guy out of the equation it shouldn't take much to get her back...
