Chapter 17
Caleb
When my phone buzzes I think it’s her. It was the strangest reunion I’ve ever had, but everything she does surprises me. Kadence is back on the island, and I haven’t been able to think straight since I found out.
After doing two back to back kayak tours, I head to the apartment to rest. First I shower and then grab something to eat. While sitting in bed, I flip through my phone and come upon the number I purposely made sure I had. It probably seems desperate, but I want to talk to her. My mind won’t shut off until I know everything she has to say. It’s obviously important if she hunted me down at work.
I get to the send screen and freeze. This isn't me. I don't get desperate, and I sure as hell don't sit around pondering.
Tossing my phone to the side, I fall fast asleep, hoping to hell I get at least a couple of hours in before someone comes in and ruins it.
It was inevitable. I no sooner get comfortable when I hear voices. People are laughing, glass is clanking, and I know rest will have to wait. Scrambling for my phone, I discover there's a message from Kadence. In fact, there's a couple.
The first one is just your average hello.
Then another asks if I can call her.
The third seems sort of desperate.
Since everything out of her mouth is unpredictable, I decide to answer once I figure out who is causing all this racket.
Coop, Evie, and two other chicks are crowded in the small kitchen area. There are brown bags full of booze, and an open pizza box that smells like heaven. I snatch a piece before giving them an accusatory stare. "Looks like there's going to be a party tonight."
"You thinking about hanging around?" Edie asks.
I shrug. "I don't have any other plans if that's what you're asking."
Then I remember the texts from Kadence. "Just give me a minute, I gotta make a call."
Since I'm not going to talk in front of them, I decide to go back in my room. Waiting for her to pick up, I flop down on my mattress prepared to smooth talk her.
"Caleb."
"Is this sexy Kadence?"
Sniffles. That's all I hear.
"What's wrong? Are you crying?"
"I'll be okay. I upset my parents and now I'm out walking around."
"Did you want to have that talk? You could come by my place, depending on where you're at now. We're right off Maddox. I can text you the address."
"Yeah, that would be good. I don't really want to be in public right now."
"I'll be here waiting. Don't worry, I'll have those tears dried in no time."
Pretty sure of myself, I finish off the slice of pizza and brush my teeth, making sure my breath is minty fresh to greet her. This time I won’t let her slip away without having breakfast first. And if she’s staying for more than a couple days, we’re going to hang out again. There hasn’t been many days I’ve gone without thinking about that night we shared. Hell, I jerk off to it because it was so hot. She’s worth driving up north to visit. I know that from just one night.
I’m outside on the deck sipping on a beer when I see her approaching. She’s wearing a pair of shorts that come up and rest at the top of her thigh, and a top that shows off her belly. It’s loose fitting, and as she walks I can tell it’s probably open in the back. Her large sunglasses hide her eyes, even though she’s pulled all of her hair back out of her face.
I walk down a couple steps to meet her halfway. “Come here and let me hug it away.”
Kadence expectantly falls against my chest. She’s sobbing and I don’t know why, yet I can’t bring myself to push her away. It’s a side of her I’m not familiar with, though for some reason it doesn’t turn me off like it would with someone else. I’d been under the impression that she was tough as nails, though now I’m questioning it.
I keep holding her until it gets uncomfortable to stand on the steps. “Want to come inside?”
She nods, takes off her glasses and starts to wipe her face. Black makeup has run down her cheeks and I do my best to try to clean it off before the people inside see her. “My brother has friends over, but we can go in my room, if that’s okay with you.”
“I really don’t want to be around people right now, Caleb.”
“Don’t worry I’ve got a door. I didn’t used to, but that shit got old fast. I got tired of seeing Coop’s ass. He’s my brother if you don’t remember.”
“I remember,” she says while following me.
All eyes are on us as we walk inside, and to keep her from being embarrassed, I rush us straight to my room and close the door. Coop yells something sarcastic, thought at this point I’m ignoring everything except the distraught woman in front of me.
We both sit down on the edge of my mattress. She stares at her hands and sniffles. “I’m sorry you have to see me like this. I’m sure you don’t want me ruining your night.”
“I didn’t have plans, Kadence. You’re fine.”
“I shouldn’t have messaged you, but I didn’t know where else to go. My parents are so hurt by me. They’ll never forgive me for what I’ve done.”
“It can’t be that bad. Parents forgive. They give us shit, but they come around. Besides, I’m pretty sure you’re not capable of doing something that bad.”
Her tear-filled eyes stare back at me. “How old are you, Caleb?”
“Why does that matter? I’m old enough.”
“Seriously, how old are you?”
“Twenty-three.”
“I’ll be twenty-five.”
“So? I like older women.”
“You don’t understand why I’m asking.”
“No. Not yet. I’m sure you’re planning on telling me. You said you wanted to talk. To be honest I’ve been thinking about it all day. I’m kind of hoping you’ve decided to drop out of college and move to a small coastal island in Virginia. I guarantee I could make…”
She puts her hand over my mouth to stop me from speaking. “I’m not moving to Virginia, Caleb. Something happened the night we were together. I’ve thought a lot about this and …”
I stop her. “Whoa. I don’t have diseases, so if you’re here to accuse me of giving you something…”
She almost laughs. “Oh my god, it’s not that at all.”
I pull her into an embrace, thankful she’s not some psycho trying to accuse me of something that ain’t true. “You had me going there.”
Kadence backs her face away so she can look straight at me. Then she pries out of my hold. “Caleb, I’m pregnant.”
I burst into a laughing fit. “That’s fucking funny.”
Her face remains serious. It’s not changing. She’s just sitting there waiting for me absorb it.
All of the air leaves my body.
“Pregnant?” I shrug it off. “Well, we can still screw around. It’s not like you’re showing.”
I’ve obviously said the wrong thing. When our eyes meet again, I know what she’s about to say.
“You think I’d show up for a booty call, but tell you I was pregnant first?” She’s shaking her head and tossing her hands around in the air. “It’s yours, Caleb.”
“Mine? Woman, we were together once.”
“I haven’t been with anyone else in a very long time. I know you don’t’ have any reason to believe me, but it’s the truth. I found out a few weeks ago.”
I’m not trying to be a dick. “You’re sure?”
“Yes. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t. Trust me. I considered never coming back here again. I’m not coming to you because I want something. I don’t need your help. I’m coming to you because I want to do the right thing and be honest about it.”
I stand up and start pacing. The words keep repeating in my head. Pregnant. Pregnant. Pregnant. It won’t stop.
“I wish you didn’t tell me.”
Now she’s standing. “Well, I couldn’t live with myself knowing I never told you, especially after the baby is born and will someday want to know their father.”
“Wait, when the baby is born? You mean you’re having it?” My legs give out and I slump back down on the bed to catch myself. “I thought you’d have an abortion being that you have that life plan.”
Kadence looks away. Her tears are still falling, and I know I’m saying all the wrong things. The truth is, I can’t wrap my head around this, not without taking some time to let it sink in.
Before I can find the words my bedroom door bursts open. Coop has some topless chick on his back with what appears to be her shirt in his teeth. I look from my brother then to Kadence, and notice he’s doing the same to me. “Get the fuck out of here, dude!”
Kadence grabs her purse and heads for the door. I throw my body in between. “Whoa, hold up. Please. I don’t want you to go.”
“Why should I stay? It’s not like you even believe me, Caleb. My parents hate me, and it’s not like we were ever friends to begin with. All I wanted to do was tell you the truth. I’m not asking for a handout or sympathy. I’m trying to be fair. You have a right to know.”
“I’m not ready to be a father. Look at me. I live in an apartment with my brother. We have parties almost every night. I’m not even responsible enough to watch the family dog.”
Kadence touches my hand briefly. Her lips tremble when she starts to speak. “I get it. I’m sorry I burdened you with my problems. Don’t worry, you’ll never have to see or hear from me again.”
Just like that, she walks out of my room, and I don’t follow.