Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22359 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 112(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22359 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 112(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
“Okay,” I call back. I get out of bed and slide into a bulky pair of pajamas and a sweatshirt, covering myself with the hood. It somehow feels…safer.
When I get downstairs, he and Sara are both sitting in the living room together, side by side on the couch, like a couple of judges. “What is this, court?” I mutter as I slouch down in the recliner across from them.
What I wouldn’t give for Caleb’s hand on mine. His body beside me. His warmth wrapping me up like a heated blanket.
“We need to talk about your future,” my father says. “How we’re going to…fix this.”
“Fix what?” I quip back. Sara’s eyes flash, and she looks at him. He takes a deep breath and lets it slowly out.
“Caleb manipulated you, honey—”
“He did nothing of the sort,” I snap. The fear inside me is starting to morph into anger. A hot, molten core of emotion that has my pulse scorching. I turn my eyes on Sara, who sits complacently by. “How can you let him talk about your son like that?”
Daniel takes her hand before she can speak. “We both think that what would be best for you is to get some therapy.”
“What!?” I snap, ready to let loose.
“Something to help you…move on,” he says, his voice still controlled. Hard. “Caleb is gone, honey. He’s not coming back. And you need to accept that.”
I’m not going to sit here and listen to this anymore.
Fueled by the rage and fear inside of me, I rise to my feet and storm from the room. But instead of going upstairs, I rip the front door open and race outside. The fresh air is a minor relief as it blows over my skin, but it’s nothing compared to what putting some distance between me and the house feels like.
I have to get away from there. From all the memories, the confinement. From my dad, who seems to be trying to gaslight me into thinking I did something wrong.
I did nothing wrong.
Breathing heavily, I keep moving, striding down the driveway until I hear something in the distance that can’t possibly be right. I freeze, listening.
It’s the sound of a truck engine. Caleb’s truck engine. And it’s getting closer. Quickly. My heart nearly leaps out of my chest as I start running down the road. Seconds later, I see his truck round the corner, with him behind the wheel.
“Caleb!” I shout, waving my arms like a madwoman. He accelerates, speeds right up to me, and slams on the brakes. He steps out like a dream, and I hurl myself into his strong, safe arms as tears fall from my eyes. “You came back!”
“You thought I wouldn’t?” he asks, his voice like an anchor, tugging me down to where I belong. My heart slams against my ribs as he holds me. I press my nose to his chest, inhaling his scent like an addict. “I would never lie to you.”
“I know you wouldn’t,” I sob. I was so silly for being afraid.
“You’re gonna come live with me now,” he says, wiping away my tears with his thumb. “They’ll have no control over us. We can be together.”
“With you?” I repeat, barely able to believe what I’m hearing. I’ve never even been to his apartment, but I don’t care if it’s a tent in the middle of the woods. Just so long as I get to wake up in his arms.
“Yes.” He smiles, leading me into the truck. “We’re going to go to your house, and you’re going to pack a bag. I’m going to tell Daniel, and then we’re going to leave. Got it?”
All I can do is nod. My throat is too choked with emotion for me to speak. I curl up in his lap for the brief drive back to the house, but I’m shaking as he parks and we get out.
“It’ll be okay,” he assures me, running his hand through my hair. “Just do as I said, and everything will be fine.”
“Yes.” I nod up at him.
We take the stairs to the front door. Caleb reaches for the knob, but it opens, revealing my dad. “You’re not—” But before he can finish his sentence, Caleb steps into the house, pulling me along with him.
“Go upstairs. Now,” he whispers. My whole body is buzzing as I race up the stairs, taking them two at a time.
“I’m not going to pretend anymore, Daniel,” I hear him say as I reach my room. “She’s coming with me. And you’re not going to punish her because it makes you uncomfortable.”
Warmth floods through me. A smile comes over my face as I grab my suitcase from the closet and start stuffing clothes in it. Only the essentials for now. We just have to get out of here and to his apartment. Once my parents calm down, once they finally accept that he and I are going to be together, I’ll come back for the rest.