CHAPTER NINETEEN - CALEB

I was too exhausted to analyze Tara’s behavior. We had incredible sex. We were instantly connected to each other. Then, she left. She mumbled something about having to wake up early, but I could barely hear her. She threw on her clothes, kissed my lips, and then flew through the door without another word. I tried to get out of bed to follow her, but my leg wouldn’t let me move fast enough, and eventually, the exhaustion overwhelmed me.

After having sex, though, I knew my feelings for Tara were real. I’d been scared and questioning everything ever since I talked with my mother. I knew I wanted to make things work with Tara, but I wasn’t sure how to do that. When our bodies collided, I knew she was the only one for me. It wasn’t just about sex, it was about how much I needed her. No one had ever made me feel the way Tara did. She could overwhelm me, infuriate me, and comfort me all at the same time. Her mere presence was enough to make me feel at home.

I couldn’t let her go.

And yet, I did. I let her walk out the door without an explanation.

When I woke up the next morning, I hated myself for succumbing to sleep instead of calling her. I grabbed my phone off my nightstand and scrolled down to her contact.

I typed a quick text message. “Did you make it home okay?” I pressed send and stared at the screen until her response came through.

“Yeah. All good. Just woke up.”

I replied. “Me too. You wore me out.”

I stared at the screen, but nothing more came through. Frowning, I pushed myself out of bed and went to the bathroom. I showered and brushed my teeth, taking my time to ensure I would have a response from Tara when I was done.

Even after twenty minutes in the bathroom, the text message screen remained the same. Tara never answered. I was worried about her. She didn’t seem upset when she left last night. If anything, he just seemed sick. It was like she suddenly didn’t feel well and had to leave.

Just as I was about to type out another text to her, I heard a sharp tap on my front door. Thinking it was Tara, I threw on some clothes and hurried toward the door. My injured leg and crutches prevented me from running, but I wanted to. I couldn’t get to the door fast enough, and when I did, I was disappointed as hell to find my mother and Darren standing on my front porch.

“We brought breakfast!” Mom said. She stepped inside and kissed my cheek.

Darren nodded at me and followed his wife into the living room. My stomach felt like it was filled with lead. I didn’t want them in my apartment, not right then. I just wanted to talk to Tara.

“How’s your leg doing?” Mom asked. She set the food on the coffee table and turned to face me. I knew I wasn’t going to get rid of them anytime soon. I sighed and moved to sit down on the couch.

“It’s great,” I said. “Tara tried me on some weights at PT yesterday.”

“Really?” Mom asked. “Already?”

“Dr. McGee says he’s doing well,” Darren said. ‘Should be ready to go within the month.”

“Is that true?” Mom asked, her eyes wide.

I nodded. “That’s what they tell me.”

“That’s fantastic!” Mom gushed. “Oh, honey, that’s wonderful news!”

I smiled at her enthusiasm, but when my eyes turned to Darren, the smile immediately faded. He was staring just to the right of me, his eyes narrowed and his face contorted with rage. I glanced around, trying to see what had pissed him off.

“Is that Tara’s?” Darren finally asked.

“Is what Tara’s?” Mom asked, looking around in confusion.

Just then, I spotted Tara’s jacket thrown over the back of my couch. I grabbed it and held it up for my mom to see. With a sigh, I turned to Darren.

“Is she here?” he demanded.

“No,” I said. “She was here last night, but she left.”

“What was she doing here?” His voice was low, his eyes dangerous.

“Well,” I said. “She drove me to PT and then dropped me off.”

“That’s all she did?” he asked. “Drop you off?”

I didn’t answer right away. Our eyes were locked together. He knew exactly what happened between Tara and me last night. I wasn’t the best at keeping a straight face, and I wasn’t a liar. I wouldn’t outright say “I fucked your daughter,” but I also wouldn’t lie about it.

“You don’t have anything to worry about,” I said with a sigh. “She’s been distant lately. I’m not sure she even wants to be with me.”

“Her clothes shouldn’t be left here either way!” he yelled. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

“I’m not dicking her around!” I said, trying to get to my feet but failing. My leg wasn’t strong enough, and I couldn’t reach my crutches.

“The hell you aren’t!”

“Listen,” I said slowly. “I care about Tara, okay? You know that. I’m not just screwing her until I get bored. That’s not what this is. Tara is amazing. She means a lot to me. Tara’s more important to me than you know.”

“That’s bullshit!” Darren screamed. “Don’t sit here and tell me you care about my daughter. I know you too well, Caleb. You’re a lowlife who doesn’t care about anyone but yourself.”

“Darren!” Mom said, stepping in front of him. She was angry, but he wasn’t ready to back down. He moved around her, so he and I were face to face again.

“You’re just a lowlife,” he spat. “I knew it ten years ago, and I know it now.”

“I love her,” I said boldly. “I’m in love with Tara. Nothing you say can change that.”

“You aren’t good enough for her.”

“I’m a fireman for God’s sake!” I yelled. “I’m a fucking hero. Have you already forgotten how I injured my leg?”

“I’m only going to say this one more time,” Darren said, his voice low. “Stay the hell away from my daughter, or I swear to God, you will regret it.”

“What are you so scared of?” I demanded. “I’m not the same person I was when I was seventeen! Mom knows that. Tara knows that. Why the hell can’t you see it? I’ve changed. I have a respectable career.”

“Not for long,” Darren said.

He glared at me one last time before spinning on his heel and marching toward the door. He yanked it open and then stepped outside, slamming the door behind him. Mom jumped at the sound. When I looked over at her, tears were streaming down her cheeks. She looked to be in shock.

“Mom?” I said softly. “Mom, are you okay?”

“I’m so sorry,” she said weakly. “I don’t know where that came from. I mean, I know he’s angry with you but I never thought he would be so vicious. He shouldn’t have been like that. How could he be so mean?”

“It’s okay,” I said quickly. “Mom, I’m fine. Nothing Darren says can hurt me.”

“That doesn’t matter!” she shrieked. “You are my son. I can’t believe he said those things to you.”

“I can.” I sighed. “I don’t know what to do anymore. I can’t win him over. He hates me, and as far as I can tell, that won’t ever change.”

Mom’s face changed in an instant. One second, she was scared and weak. She was crying and shaking, unable to control her emotions. The next second, a steely glint passed through her eyes. She was determined and angry, ready to take on anyone who stood in her way.

“I’ll talk to him,” she said with venom in her voice. “This isn’t how our family is going to be. I won’t allow it.”

“Mom, I don’t think there’s anything you can do.”

“Watch me,” she snapped. “I’ll talk to him, okay? I’ll make this right.”

I nodded. She rushed forward and wrapped me in a hug, kissing my cheek quickly and running outside.

When the door clicked closed behind her, I felt my entire body deflate. I didn’t know what to do about Darren or Tara. Not only was Tara constantly keeping me at arm’s length, but her father hated me more than anyone ever had. If it were up to him, I would have stayed far away where I could never hurt Tara ever again.

What he didn’t understand was that I would do anything for Tara. She wasn’t just his daughter, she was the love of my life. I’d always known it, but it took me ten years to admit it. There was never anyone else for me. No matter how many women I screwed or how many miles I put between us, it was always Tara. She was always the one.

Now that I knew that, I felt weaker than ever. Everything was in her court. She held all the cards. I couldn’t walk away from her. I never would. But she kept walking away from me. It was up to her to decide what our relationship would be. All I could do was wait, and that was something I’d never been good at.