Chapter 24

Caitlin’s Pov :

Practice had just ended. My body was tired, muscles aching in that satisfying post-workout way, sweat still clinging to my skin beneath the hoodie I’d pulled over my head as soon as I’d left the court. The gym lights dimmed behind me as I stepped into the fading gold of a late spring afternoon.

Rob was already waiting for me by the car, as always-dependable, composed, arms crossed beside the sleek black vehicle that had become my little moving sanctuary these days. I offered him a nod, adjusting my hoodie with one hand as I walked toward him, my other hand digging into the front pocket for my phone.

I was about ten steps away when the familiar chime buzzed in my palm. My fingers instinctively wrapped tighter around the phone as I pulled it out.

Sienna.

A smile broke across my face without warning. Just seeing her name on my screen lit something warm in my chest. I clicked “Answer,” heart already picking up a beat-not with nerves but with something lighter.

“Hi, sunshine,” I grinned, teasing. “Miss me already?”

But instead of her usual flirtatious banter, or even a sarcastic comeback, all I heard was… broken sobs.

“Cait…” her voice shattered between soft gasps. “Ca-Ca-Can you please pick me up… pl-please.”

My entire body tensed. The smile slipped from my face so fast it felt like my heart had dropped with it.

“Sienna?” I asked, voice sharp with panic, but trying to stay calm for her. “Sunshine, what’s wrong? Where are you? Baby, hang on, okay? I’m coming. Just send me your location.”

All I could hear after that were her heavy breaths, like she was trying not to fall apart completely. Then a soft ping sounded in my hand, and I looked down at the notification-she had sent me her location.

Salzman Street.

“Rob, change of plans,” I called out immediately, hurrying the last few steps to the car. “I need you to drive me downtown to Salzman Street. It’s an emergency. Drive quickly, please.”

Rob didn’t hesitate. “Yes, ma’am.”

The second I slid into the backseat, I was already bouncing my leg, my thumb nervously grazing across the edge of my phone screen. Every turn we made felt like an eternity, and I had to stop myself three different times from demanding Rob to just run the lights.

My thoughts raced with every block we passed. What had happened? Why was Sienna crying? Why was she alone downtown? My fingers clenched the edge of my seat.

Then we turned onto Salzman.

A tall, fancy building stood at the corner, its glass walls reflecting the last light of day. The sign above the revolving doors read: Clarity and Co.

The name hit me like a bolt of static.

Clarity and Co.

Why did that name feel so familiar? Where had I heard it before? And why was Sienna here?

I grabbed my Yankees cap from my bag, pulling it low over my forehead. Then pulled up my hood putting it over my cap. I added sunglasses-probably overkill-but I didn’t want her to feel exposed. I didn’t want us to be exposed.

As soon as I stepped out of the car, my eyes scanned the sidewalk.

And there she was.

Curled up right there in the middle of the pavement, arms wrapped tightly around her knees, her head buried between them like she was trying to disappear into herself. A security guard stood beside her, looking unsure and helpless.

But I only saw her. My sunshine, dimmed.

I nodded politely to the guard, then slowly knelt down in front of her.

“Sienna…” I whispered. “Sunshine, are you okay?”

She lifted her head slowly, and when our eyes met-those shimmering green eyes, now soaked with tears-I swear, I forgot how to breathe.

She didn’t say anything. She didn’t need to.

Her arms flew around me like she was trying to anchor herself, and then she crawled into my lap, straddling me, burying her head into the crook of my neck. Right there. On the sidewalk.

I wrapped my arms around her tight and rested my chin on her shoulder, holding her like I’d never let go.

People walked by. I didn’t care.

I don’t know how long we stayed there. Minutes? Maybe more. But eventually, I felt her trembling start to ease. She still hadn’t spoken, though.

I pressed my lips to her temple and whispered, “Let’s get you home, sunshine.”

She didn’t move.

I tried again, gently. “Did you drive here? I can have someone come pick up your car if you want.”

Sienna shook her head against me. “That’s okay, Cait,” she mumbled. “I didn’t drive… I took an Uber.”

I nodded, brushing my hand up and down her back. “Okay.”

Then I stood up, careful and slow, lifting her with me as she instinctively tightened her legs around my waist. I carried her to the car like she was made of glass and like I would shatter if I let her go.

Rob opened the door without question. “Thanks, Rob,” I murmured, then slid into the backseat with Sienna still wrapped around me, her arms locked tight behind my neck.

She didn’t speak.

She didn’t look up.

She just… held on.

I tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear and whispered softly, “Baby, I need you to look at me. Please.”

She sniffled, then slowly tilted her head back, emerald eyes meeting mine again-this time just a little less stormy.

I wiped the tears away with my thumb. “Oh, sunshine…” My voice cracked. “Do you wanna talk about it? About what happened?”

She shook her head, lip trembling. “No.”

I didn’t push her.

“Okay,” I whispered. “Then do you wanna go home? Maybe watch crappy TV?”

A small smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. It was faint, but it was there.

“Yeah,” she said quietly.

I smiled back. “Yeah,” I echoed, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

She didn’t say anything else. Just rested her head back against my shoulder.

I didn’t know what else to do, so I did what I always did when I didn’t know how to sit still-I pulled out my phone and started mindlessly scrolling through TikTok. Edits of me played one after another, some of Paige and me, others of Kate and me, all set to moody music with filters and sparkles. I didn’t pay attention to any of them.

All I could focus on was the weight of Sienna in my arms. The way her chest rose and fell against mine. The feel of her breath on my neck.

Then… I felt it.

Her breathing evened out.

She was asleep.

I looked down at her peaceful face, my heart aching in a thousand different ways.

I pressed a soft kiss to her temple and whispered, “I wish I could punch whoever hurt you. I hate seeing you cry. You deserve to laugh more than cry, my love.”

She stirred a little, but didn’t wake.

I looked toward Rob. He was humming softly along to the radio.

I glanced at the window, watching the lights blur past. Then I looked back at Sienna.

She looked so tired. So worn down.

I couldn’t bring myself to wake her.

“Hey, Rob?” I said, still gazing at her.

“Yes, Miss Clark?”

“Change of plans. Instead of heading home… could you just keep driving? Even if it’s around the city. I just… I don’t wanna wake her up. She looks peaceful. If that’s okay with you.”

Rob glanced at me in the rearview mirror and smiled kindly. “It’s okay, Miss Clark. I don’t mind driving. Even if it’s all night.”

I exhaled softly. “Thank you so much, Rob. That means a lot.”

He nodded and turned back to the road.

My fingers gently combed through Sienna’s blonde hair, smoothing it out, brushing it behind her ear again.

After a long stretch of silence, Rob’s voice broke through softly.

“You love her, don’t you, Miss Clark?”

I didn’t even hesitate.

“Yeah,” I whispered. “I do. More than anything in this world.”

And in that moment, I knew the truth I had been dancing around for weeks and months.

I was in love with Sienna Callaway.

My sunshine.

And I wasn’t going to let her go. Not now. Not ever.

Authors Note :

This update is dedicated to my readers, I woke up to your lovely comments and some of it cracked me up so guys this is for y’all…. anyways thank you so much for reading this book I love y’all so much. Until next time lovelies, stay happy <3

XoXo V 💜💜💜