Chapter 20
Kadence
The man to come in the house is older, but I can see a resemblance to Caleb and his twin brother. He’s carrying a brown bag of food. I know, because I can smell it’s aroma. My stomach growls as a natural reaction. Not knowing the last time I ate, it only intensifies the hunger pains.
Caleb stands and greets his father. “Hey, Dad. I didn’t know anyone would be home.”
“Just dropping some extra food off before we head to the carnival. What’re you doing?”
He points to me. “This is my friend Kadence. We needed a quiet place to talk. Hope you don’t mind.”
“You’re clothed. I don’t mind at all.” He nudges Caleb in the side as to say it was a joke and then turns his attention to me, extending his hand for me to shake. “I’m Buck. It’s nice to meet you, Kadence.”
“Likewise.”
“Alice is waiting in the truck. I’m just going to take these to the kitchen and leave you two be.”
Caleb motions with his finger for me to give him a minute, then follows his father into the other room. I feel out of place here, like I'm an intruder. His father was kind, but that doesn't mean he's comfortable with me being in his home.
While I sit alone listening, I can hear what they're saying.
"Tell me why there's a crying female in my living room, Caleb. What the hell did you do now?"
"She's upset about her parents and Coop has friends over."
"Don't give me that shit. You're the last person a woman would come to for advice."
"She doesn't know anyone else here. We met several months ago."
I can't tell if they're looking at each other or not. It makes me nervous.
"You better not have done something stupid, son. The last thing you need is to get some girl pregnant."
As soon as I hear it, I'm up and headed for the front door. I don't care what else is said. My only inclination is to get out of there as fast as possible. Only making it down the driveway, I hear Caleb calling out for me. "Kadence, wait! Where are you going?"
He's running to catch up. "I'm fine. Just let me leave."
"No way. You're staying here with me. I don't know what you heard, but..."
When I turn to face him I see his father standing on the front porch. "Did you tell him?"
"Was it a secret?"
Shrugging, I'm at a loss for words. "I don't know. Now he hates me. He probably thinks I'm a whore."
Caleb thinks that's funny. "If you're a whore than I'm going straight to hell. Come on back inside. My dad won't bite. I'm sure he wants to get to know you. After all, you're going to be the mother of his grandchild"
When he says it everything comes full circle. I'm having a baby with this guy. These people are going to have to be a part of my life whether we want to or not. We can't change things. "How mad is he?"
Caleb takes my hand. "We're adults. He's not going to punish me if that's what you're worried about."
The first thing Buck says when we're back inside makes me laugh. "Did my son try to talk you into anything you don't want to do?"
"No. Not at all."
"She came onto me, Dad," Caleb announces. He's lucky I'm too embarrassed to slap him.
"I'm pretty certain it was mutual."
"You live around here?"
"I actually live in New York."
"Yeah, I can hear the accent."
"Everyone says that here."
I should be better talking to people, but being a hermit doesn't allow for me to socialize. In nervous situations I clam up.
"Do you parents know what's going on?"
I can only assume he's asking because Caleb said they upset me. "Yes. I told them today."
"Kadence has a prelaw degree. She's supposed to go to law school in the fall. I'm sure they're worried about her future changing."
"Prelaw, and you hooked up with this fool?"
We all sort of laugh about the comment. "He makes me smile."
It's not a lie. I can't remember being so entertained before.
"So what are you two going to do? Have you gotten that far into your talk?"
Caleb answers for me. "She's keeping it, Dad. We're going to figure it out."
"Raising a kid is hard work. It takes more patience than you can ever imagine."
I know he's right, but it won't talk me out of this decision. "I'll be okay."
"Do you still live at home?"
"I do."
"How do you think your parents will feel about you having a baby there? Do you have the room and means to care for the child?"
I nod, while Caleb chimes in. "They live in the Hampton's. What do you think?"
"What do your parents do?"
"Lawyers."
"That makes sense. I take it they're disappointed."
"You could say that. It's been a terrible day."
"Caleb's mom got pregnant with our first son when she was still in her teens. You make it work. It was hard for her parents. They hated me. I didn't much like them either. They said we'd never last. I spent most of my life proving them wrong."
I can finally conjure up a pleased grimace. This man is being nice, offering more background to their family dynamic and I appreciate it. "I'm sorry we got into this situation together. I just want to assure you that I'm going to include Caleb in everything I can, if that's what he wants."
Buck responds. "Of course that's what he wants."
When I turn to Caleb he smirks and throws a wink my way.
I'm reassured. Even though he's the last person I'd want this with, in starting to feel good about telling him. At the end of the day I need all the support I can get.
After Buck leaves Caleb seems to be in a better mood. I can tell he's been putting on a brace face for me, but he doesn't have to. This is happening and he's allowed to go through every emotion he needs to in order to deal with it. If he changes his mind I'll have to be okay with it.
There's an awkward silence between us. "This doesn't have to change your life."
"But it does."
"I need to talk to my parents again. They have to understand this is my choice."
"Take me with you."
"That's not a good idea."
"I'm not scared. I'll tell them how you're an animal in the sack and I couldn't keep my hands off of you."
I shove him with a slight laugh. "That's not funny."
"You think it is."
"They wouldn't even look at me. Bringing you would only make it worse."
"Ashamed of me?"
"You're not the type of guy I usually bring home to meet them."
"No. I'm better."
"It's your funeral."
I stand and watch as he comes up to face me. Taking his thumbs, he wipes the eye makeup off my cheeks. "We need to be friends. If we're a team in this, they can't force your hand."
He's right. We're young and foolish. They think this is a terrible mistake. I have to prove to them that I can fix this. My dreams don't have to change.