“Yeah, he’s probably going out of his mind with worry. You should call him back.”
“It could be Mom.”
Emily shrugs, still smiling like she knows something I don’t. “It could be. Look, I don’t think you’ve ruined anything, K. Caleb’s probably just as big a mess right now as you are.”
“You think so?”
Emily nods, then ruffles my hair. “I know Caleb. Not as well as you do, obviously,”—she shudders, making a yucky face—“but I know him. He’s a good guy.”
I wipe my eyes with my shirtsleeve. “He is. I really love him, Em.”
“I know, and that’s why I’m telling you everything will be okay. You just have to go fight for your man.” Emily grins at me. “Be the real fucking Romeo, K!” She clenches her fist, raising it above her head like some avenging angel. “Be the hero.”
I can’t help laughing, because damn, she really fucking hates Shakespeare. “So… you’re saying that Caleb is Juliet?” The tightening sensation in my chest eases just a little. While I might not have been right about running away, it feels good to be with Emily again. She’s always been the voice of reason, putting things into perspective.
“Who the fuck cares? You know what I mean. Be the hero of your own story, Kayden, don’t just be the side character in someone else’s.”
“Damn, you sure you shouldn’t be an undergrad in literature instead?”
“Fuck no!” Emily shudders again, and I laugh, then my stomach growls. “Okay, go check your phone and I’ll re-heat the French toast.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I walk to the counter, grab my bag, and pull out my phone. I’ve got a ton of unanswered calls. Two of them are from Mom; the rest from Caleb. There are a few messages, too. My heart thumps in my chest, warmth spreading throughout my body. He didn’t listen. He called me anyway. Emily’s right. My fingers itch to press his name and call him back, but suddenly I don’t know what to say. I decide to open the messages instead, the first one from late last night.
Caleb:I know everything’s a mess right now, but we’ll work it out. I promise. I love you
My chest squeezes, reading his words. The confidence he has in us, the determination. With my heart in my throat, I open the next one from early this morning.
Caleb:Baby, please pick up
Caleb:I just came into work, and you’re not here. Neither is your dad. I’m coming over
Caleb:Kayden, please. Just let me know you’re okay
Caleb:If you’re home, then open the door, baby
Caleb:Okay, I’m heading over to your parents’ now
There are no more messages after that, only a few unanswered calls. My heart thunders away, and I can hardly breathe. I read his messages again and again, and I feel…wanted, loved. I hear the worry in his voice in every single word. The fight too. He didn’t listen.
I nearly drop the phone on the floor when it rings.
“What should I do?” I hold up my phone like it’s a venomous snake, Caleb’s name flashing across the screen.
Emily rolls her eyes at me. “Answer it! The fuck, Kayden, just answer it!”
“But—”
“Kayden!” She gives me a stern look, and I swallow, then press the phone.
There’s noise in the background, a rushing sound, then Caleb’s familiar voice floats through the speaker. “Oh, thank fuck. Baby, is that you? Shit, just a second. I’m pulling over. Don’t go anywhere.” I stare at my phone, holding my breath. Then there’s a clicking sound, and some fumbling. “Kayden? Baby?” His voice sounds panicky, pleading almost.
“I’m here,” I whisper, licking my dry lips.
He sighs with evident relief, his voice trembling. “Oh, thank God. Shit, baby, you fucking scared me to death. Are you okay?”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t…” Hearing his voice makes my longing for him multiply by a hundred.
“Shhh, it’s okay now. Just… just don’t go anywhere, okay? Just wait for me.”Wait for me. Wait for him?“Sweetheart, are you there?”