Chapter 21
Caleb
I take the old pickup over to the apartment in order to change my clothes and get shoes. Kadence waits out on the porch so she doesn't have to witness the comradely inside.
I move fast, running my body under the shower to clean off my sweat. Then I brush my teeth and throw on some clothes that look halfway decent.
Coop comes into my room as I'm finishing up. "What's with the chick outside? Is she the one you hooked up with during Spring Break?"
"Yeah."
"And she came back to visit?"
"Something like that."
"So what's with the tears then?"
I look directly at my brother, who I know is intoxicated and unable to really comprehend what I'm about to say. "She's pregnant, bro. It's mine."
"Whoa! Hold on a fucking minute. Who says it's yours? Don't let some bitch accuse you of anything."
"We had unprotected sex. She's not like you're saying. Kadence has her shit together."
"Or so she says. How do you know she's not a pathological liar?"
I push him out of my way, noticing he almost loses his footing. "She's not. Stop being a dick about it. I've got somewhere to be."
"All I'm saying is that she could be putting the blame on you to protect someone else. Chicks do it all the time, bro. Protect yourself. Don't get stuck being responsible for some whores fuck up."
I'm irritated by the time I make it outside. Scoping the parking lot, the only person I spot is Evie. She's smoking a cigarette as I approach. "Did you see my friend out here?"
"That brunette?"
"Yeah."
"She said to tell you she's sorry and never mind."
"What?"
"Someone came and picked her up. What did you do now?"
I'm still searching the area for Kadence. I thought we'd been on the same page. It was all sinking in and I wasn't even pissed about it. The circumstances suck, but we'd figure it out. It's not like she was demanding me to marry her. She never once said we should be together I don’t get it.
I pull out my phone and find there’s already a text from Kadence.
I’m sorry, Caleb. This isn’t going to work. Maybe it’s best if we end this before too many people get hurt. – K
I write her back immediately.
Don’t do this. You’re overthinking it. We can make it work. Lots of people do. – C
I can’t give up my future for a mistake I made with a stranger. I let my emotions get the best of me. This won’t work. – K
Words can’t express how frustrated I feel. I was trying my hardest to be supportive when the whole shock hadn’t even begun to hit me, and then she turns around and changes her mind. It makes no sense.
Evie touches my shoulder when I slump down on the curb. “You’re better off without that chick. Come inside and have some fun. Forget about her. She’s just another tourist.”
“She’s not though, Evie.”
“Well she obviously doesn’t want to hang with the likes of you. You fucked up some way or another, just like always.”
“Suck my dick.”
“Been there done that. No thanks.”
For the first time I’m seeing Evie in a different light. When she goes back inside I’m glad to be alone. While I sit waiting for my phone to ring, I contemplate driving around the island to search for her. Then I realize I don’t even know what she drives. I have no idea where they’re staying, and even if I did, what would I say to convince her father I’m not the scum of the earth? This is probably the reason they’re so pissed. They don’t want their daughter involved with some country hick. Who would?
The party continues, but I don’t go back inside. After a while coop comes out to console me, but the damage is done. “Look, I don’t know what happened, but one of you must have said something to her.”
“Dude, she’s probably lying. Get over it.”
I shove him back. I’m not in the mood for his shit right now. “Leave me alone, bro.”
He comes at me in defense mode. Since I’m the sober one, it only takes one swing and he’s down for the count.
I don’t look back at him when I hop in the truck and pull away.