Chapter 10
CHAPTER TEN
CALEB
Iwas irritated when Pop asked me to go on this run at the last minute. I knew if I was going to be at the distillery full-time now, that I’d have more responsibility. I’d just expected to be able to pick up Georgia from work. I hate I’d forgotten my cell phone at the house when I left this morning.
It was late when I pulled into the driveway, but I was hoping when I called her, she’d still be awake. I wanted to hear my baby’s voice and how her day had gone.
I trudged up the steps ready for a shower.
When I walked in the door, Pop was waiting for me in the living room. Which put me on guard. I felt like nothing good ever happened in that living room anymore. Plus, we’d been avoiding each other this last week.
“Son, we need to talk.”
“Why? What’s wrong?” I noticed how quiet it was.
“Is it Fletcher or Ram?”
Pop shook his head.
My body went cold. I didn’t even want to ask. “Is it Georgia?”
“Maybe we should sit.” Pop tried to steer me to a chair.
“I don’t want to sit. Just tell me. Is it the baby?”
With a sigh, Pop fell into an armchair.
“She came by today…”
I shifted my weight from one foot to the other, growing restless, waiting for him to say what needed to be said.
“She’s changed her mind.”
My brows knit together in confusion. I wasn’t sure if I really didn’t understand what he was saying or if I was purposely being obtuse.
“What?”
“She came by on the way to the clinic looking for you. Told me she was getting rid of the baby. She loves you, but it’s too soon for her to be a wife and a mother. She couldn’t, tell you herself because she was afraid, you’d try and talk her out of it. Asked me to deliver the message.”
For a minute I couldn’t process his words. “I don’t believe you.” I said quietly. “She wouldn’t do that.” The rage inside was boiling over. I was fighting for control. I was ready to tear the house apart.
When he looked at me with pity shining in his eyes I lost it.
I exploded. “You’re a filthy fucking liar!”
I stomped off to the kitchen in search of my phone.
I dialed Georgia’s number and got a ‘This number has been disconnected’ message.
Fear curled in my gut, and I pulled the phone away from my ear.
With shaky fingers I dialed her number once more.
The same message. I let my phone clatter to the ground.
I grabbed my keys and raced out to my truck. I ran the red light as I headed to Georgia’s house. The driver I cut off honked their horn several times and stuck their head out the window of their car to curse at me. I didn’t care. I just needed to get to my baby. I needed to get to Georgia.
Tires screeched as I pulled up on Big Momma’s lawn and ran from the truck. Pop must have called her the minute I left the house because she was waiting for me on the porch.
“Georgia!” I yelled at the house. “Georgia!”
She didn’t come out. I didn’t even see her peeping around the curtain in her bedroom window.
“Georgia!” I yelled once more, making myself hoarse.
I approached Big Momma. “Where is she? Tell me it’s not true.”
Neither my anger, nor my heartache swayed her, she stood on the porch like an immoveable force.
“Georgia’s gone.”
My heart slowed and turned to ice.
I almost couldn’t find the words. Pop had said it, but I needed her to tell me. I wouldn’t believe it until she told me.
“And the baby?” My voice broke.
“She went to the clinic this afternoon.” That time her voice held a tinge of pity.
I shook my head and turned away from her too shocked to ask any more questions. I wanted to howl, scream, curse, hit something until this pain in my chest went away. My eyes burned from the force of willing myself not to cry.
I didn’t have a heart anymore. I was the only living human walking around without one. Georgia had taken it with her to wherever the fuck she went. I wanted to hate her, but I loved her too damn much to hate her.
STAY TUNED
Caleb and Georgia will get their happily ever after.