Chapter 15
Lila
Caleb came into Drake's smiling that afternoon. It was my last day in California, and he was making the most of it. Right from the start, he seemed freer and more peaceful than he had been the previous two days. All along, he had been saying that things were going to work out and be all right, but today it seemed like he meant it. I noticed a change in his eyes.
Plus, he was all over me, which was a bonus. We had only been together for a few minutes and already he had kissed me several times. If I had known this would happen, I would have pulled out the little dress days ago. He was acting alpha-male with me, sniffing my neck and holding onto me like he was a hungry animal. I was weak in the knees because of it.
We left Drake's right after his mom called and asked for a ride. I rode next to him and we talked while we drove to her house.
"I'm glad you're meeting my mom," he said during our conversation.
"I’m glad I'm meeting your mom, too. This works out great." He put his hand on the console and I reached out for it. I loved everything about him, and I brought his hand into my lap so that I could stare at it. "I wish I could have met Drake while I was here," I continued. "I feel like I know him already with staying at his house."
"Just stay forever," he said.
"I wish I could. I'm going to miss you. I have to get back for that shower, and my brothers' birthday is coming up. I always help my mom with that."
"Yeah, I know you need to get back."
"You could always come. You can plan another trip to see me." I put the back of his hand to my cheek.
"I really could. I just might," he said.
"I would love that," I said, holding his hand in mine again. "How were things at work today?"
"It was good," he said. "But I don't think I'll be able to work with Bailey. I think we're going to have to part ways completely."
"I'm sorry to be the cause of that," I said, feeling sad for him to have to go through the awkward situation.
"Please don't be sorry," he said. His eyes met mine, and he glanced at me for one sincere second before looking back to the road. I squeezed his hand. "I am so thankful we met, Lila. I'm the one who should be sorry. You have to be patient while I work all this out. I was thinking about how sweet and patient you're being. I'm so thankful you're here. And that you're so nice about me having to work with her all morning. At this rate, I don't think it's going to work out, though, even professionally."
"I was thinking about things I could do to help you if you need it," I said. "I think I could fill in some of the gaps with your channel. I'm not trying to influence your decision about working with her, but I would be willing to help you, if it comes to that and it's something I can do."
"You're amazing," he said. "You'd probably be good at it."
"I bet I would," I agreed, nodding. "And I'm a quick learner."
For the next fifteen minutes, we talked about his process of producing videos. I asked questions, and he gave me thorough, honest answers. Caleb had this extremely charming way about him. He was humble and sincere for someone in such an otherwise smoking hot bad-boy package, and being around him made my heart pound constantly. He was going through a hard time with his friend, and he had completely shaken it off. I could tell his attention was focused on me and the moment. I could tell he was happy with me. I wanted him to take as long as he needed to take care of things with Bailey. She had been a friend to him, and I knew we would both have regrets about it if he was heartless and cold with her.
His mom was waiting outside when we pulled up at her house, and she came to his car, walking with a determined stride.
"Do you want me to give her the front seat?" I whispered quickly since she was approaching. I opened the door before he had the chance to answer. "Would you like to sit in the front?" I asked as her she came to the passenger's side.
"Sure, I'll take shotgun," she said, standing back to let me out.
I could hear Caleb say something to me, but it was too late… I had already offered his mom the front seat and she had already agreed that she wanted it.
She looked me over when we traded places.
I did the same to her.
She had on a three-button polo shirt with the name of a restaurant embroidered on the chest. It was cursive, and I didn't stare long enough to read it but it started with the letter D. I wanted to hug her and have a proper introduction, but she didn't seem up for it. She assumed we were just trading places, so she scooted around me and took the front seat.
"Girlfriend, huh? Do you know my son called you his girlfriend?"
We weren't even settled in the car when she asked the question. I closed the door.
"This is my mom, Dani. Mom, this is Lila."
"Well, Lila, my son doesn't normally say that word about any woman, so I had to see who this was who's managed to get her talons into my baby."
She glanced at me, and in panic, I raised my hand and smiled innocently. "It's me," I said stiffly.
She laughed. "I bet you did, honey! My Caleb is the hottest bachelor in Hollywood."
"I'm sorry," he said quietly, turning to me while his mom was busy with her seatbelt and he was backing out. I gave him a reassuring smile before he turned back around.
"Caleb's the best-looking kid I have, and that's saying a lot. I produced some fine-looking boys. Diego's pretty handsome, but he's got a baby and a girlfriend. Have you seen Drake?"
She glanced at me for my answer. "No, I haven't." I had seen him on television and I had seen him on social media, but I didn't say that.
"Well, Drake, he's good-looking. Almost as good as Caleb. Drake's dad was Filipino." She reached over and pinched Caleb's face. "This one, we don't know who his dad is… but it doesn't matter, does it? Just look at him. He came out perfect. Look at this face." She turned and glanced at me. "And he's famous, too. You must know that. Did you know he's famous?"
"She knows about my YouTube, Mom."
"That YouTube's good, but I'm talking about the TV show. He's an actor. That's how she probably knows you."
"Yes, Lila knows about the show," Caleb said.
"I loved the show," I said.
"I'm sure you did. All the ladies like that show. They all want to look at those men with their shirts off."
"Mom," Caleb said.
"What? You know she's not blind. Why do you think she's sitting back here smiling?" She glanced back at me, raising her eyebrows suggestively. Caleb adjusted the mirror so that he could look at me as well. I smiled pleasantly at her knowing he could see me.
"What do you do for work?" she asked.
"I graduated college recently, and I'm getting into party planning."
"Like a wedding planner?"
"Yes," I said, not wanting to disagree even though I didn't want to do weddings.
"Well, at least you didn't say you're an actress like everyone else in this city."
"No, I'm…"
"She lives in Chicago," he said.
"I'm just here visiting."
She let out a relieved sound and leaned back as she reached out to ruffle his hair. "You had me freaked out with the girlfriend thing. An outta-town girl's totally different." She relaxed in her chair and leaned back. "I could see how you'd come all the way out here to visit my Caleb. He's a hottie."
"Mom, please," Caleb urged.
"I'm not saying anything that's not the truth. She knows you're hot. And you're rich enough to buy this whole town."
"That's not true."
"Well, you might as well be. You bought your mama a house. That house I'm livin' in… who do you think bought that?"
The question was for me, but Caleb spoke. "Drake helped me," Caleb said.
"Hey, can you stop right here at this gas station and let me… thank you," she said when he slowed quickly and turned into the next driveway on the right. "I'm working the line tonight. I'm gonna need an energy drink."
He glanced at her patiently when he parked.
"Can you go in and get it? I’ll be on my feet all night."
"Sure," Caleb said. He glanced at me. "Are you coming?" he asked.
"She'll stay with me," Dani said. "You'll just be a second. Anything but orange."
"Any brand?"
"Yes, just no orange flavor. I'll take a couple. Thank you, baby. I'll get you next time."
Caleb was barely out of the car when she turned like she was going to say something to me. I was watching him walk inside, feeling proud of him and so attracted to him. I thought of going into a gas station for an energy drink, and I remembered the way we met. I was lost in thought when she turned to me with a serious expression that made me brace myself for whatever she was about to say.
"I don't know what you know about me."
I expected her to continue, but she paused looking at me like she was waiting for my answer.
"Uh, not much other than you have four kids."
She shifted in her seat, turning around, staring at me. "Well, let me tell you something… we all make choices in life. You'll make choices you regret if you haven't already. Nobody's perfect. Don't let Caleb give you sob stories about me having to leave them kids when they were little. You better keep yourself in check with how you look at me and judge me because if you don't walk a mile in a man's shoes, you have no idea what all they've been through. You don't know anything about me." She was serious and stone-faced, mad, looking like she might cry.
"Yes, yes, I agree. I would never presume to know what you've been through."
"Presume?" she said, squinting at me.
"I'm sorry, I respect what you've gone through and I don't know anything about it. And Caleb doesn't tell me… Caleb loves his family. I was and am, really, looking forward to meeting you… all." I could see Caleb coming back to the car in my periphery, but I kept my eyes trained on her.
"How long are you staying here?" she asked.
"I leave tomorrow."
She nodded at me and turned in time to see Caleb opening his door. She thanked him and said he had gotten the right thing. I didn't see what was in the bag.
Caleb turned and glanced back at me. He stared at me for a second or two, holding eye contact. I gave him a small nod and a reassuring smile.
The gas station was near the restaurant where Dani worked, and within two minutes, we had parked in the back of it, and she was getting out of the vehicle. I moved to get out of the vehicle as well. I was timid about it, but I also thought it would be awkward to sit in the back and not trade places with her. I heard him say goodbye to his mom and then I stood back and gave her space while she got out of the car.
"I will say I like the dress," she said with a nod in my direction.
"Thank you," I said, bowing my head a little at her.
She turned and walked into the restaurant's back door, and I sat in the front seat next to Caleb.