Chapter 24
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
CALEB
As I walk into my house, it feels weird, walking into the silence.
There’s no one here and it just feels . .
. off. Tella fell asleep at Andi’s, so Andi just said to come get her in the morning.
Mia left early this afternoon after I got home from practice.
It just doesn’t feel right coming home and not even seeing her.
I kick off my shoes, walk deeper into the house, and pause when I walk into the kitchen. On the center of the island in the middle of the room is a Tupperware with the cookies I made for Mia this morning. A smile pulls on my lips as I walk closer, noticing a note she left for me.
These were the best cookies I’ve ever had.
I don’t know what the secret ingredient is that you put in them, but I promise I won’t tell anyone if you decide to share it with me.
Yours,
Mia
Popping off the lid, I pull out one of the cookies and sink my teeth into it. The sweetness of the chocolate and the almond flour blend so well, it doesn’t even taste like it’s gluten free.
After finding out she has celiac disease, I found out everything I could about it. I know it’s not necessarily a food allergy, but anything that can do internal damage is worth exercising safety from. The last thing I want is for my home to be a danger to Mia and her health.
Everything in my house is completely gluten free now, just so there’s no risk to her.
Pulling out my phone, I open my messages app. My finger hovers above Mia’s name. It’s her birthday and she’s out with her friend right now, but I feel compelled to text her. I don’t know if it’s the note she left or the loneliness and silence creeping in.
I just want to talk to her.
How’s your night going?
Mia
It’s going well.
I’m actually waiting for the car I ordered to get here.
Where are you at?
The Bellvue.
Where is Willow?
She’s in the bathroom.
The hair stands up on my arms. It’s almost midnight and they’re at a bar, so why aren’t they together?
Is she not riding with you?
Oh, no, she is.
She had to go to the bathroom, so I came out to wait for the car. I don’t know why it looks like they’re driving to the other side of town though.
Popping the rest of the cookie into my mouth, I shake my head at my phone and type out my next message.
Cancel the ride, I’ll come get you guys.
No, you don’t have to do that.
Mia.
Caleb.
Cancel the damn ride and go find Willow.
I’ll be there in ten minutes.
Thank you.
Tucking my phone in my pocket, I head back out to the garage. I know exactly where I’m going, so I don’t bother with directions. I would much rather be the one driving Mia than having her fucking around with ordering a car that is clearly not coming to where she is.
I don’t know if she’s drunk, I have no idea what I’m really walking into here with her and her best friend, but I can’t sit here idly and hope she gets home safely.
It’s one thing I can control. It’s one thing I can do to ease my worried mind.
I slow down as I pull up to the bar, coming to a stop along the curb out front. Putting the car in park, I push open my door and immediately climb out to scan the street for the two of them. Just along the front of the brick building, I find her leaning against it.
She doesn’t see me at first and I allow myself the moment to drink her in from this distance.
Her hair is pulled back in a slick high ponytail.
The red dress she’s wearing hugs every curve of her body, stopping at the middle of her thighs.
In one hand, she’s holding a small clutch and in the other, her heels dangle by the ankle straps.
It’s not warm enough outside for her to be out here without a coat or shoes, but she doesn’t seem to mind the cold air. Must be the alcohol keeping her warm and I can’t help but wonder how much she had to drink.
Next to her stands another woman with strawberry blonde hair and a similar dress, although it’s in a dark mahogany shade.
I walk up to the two of them. Her friend doesn’t notice me, her attention glued to her phone screen, but Mia’s eyes immediately meet mine. Her lips curl upwards into a lazy grin, and her eyes lower as she tilts her head to the side.
“Hey, you,” she says, slurring the words together a bit.
“Hey, pup,” I say in a calm voice. With the swipe of my tongue, I wet my lips and inch closer. I reach for her hand, relieving her of her heels. “You ready to go?”
“Is this our knight in shining armor?” Her friend says as she stumbles, knocking her shoulder into Mia’s. “Oh shit, he’s hot.”
Blush creeps across Mia’s face and she bats her eyelashes at me. “Caleb, this is Willow.”
“Hello, Willow,” I respond, dipping my chin at her before my gaze flashes back to Mia. “Let’s get you both in the car.”
Willow begins to walk past us and Mia pushes away from the wall, clearly unsteady on her feet as she sways. I step closer, sliding my arm along her back to guide her over to where I’m parked. Willow walks right past the car, not paying attention to anything.
I stop at the passenger’s side, opening the door as I help Mia in. She calls to her friend, who whips her head around and stumbles back in our direction. Mia smiles up at me as she leans her head back against the seat and her eyelids flutter shut.
“You’re my hero.”
I brush some hair from her face and stare down at her for a moment, memorizing the way she looks.
I don’t drink really anymore and I can’t fault her for enjoying her early twenties as a single woman out with her friend.
I just feel so much better having her in my car right now, knowing that she’s safe.
Willow pauses by the backdoor and I push Mia’s door closed before opening the back for Willow. She gives me a smile, her eyes rolling slightly. “Thanks,” she half hiccups and flops into the backseat. I watch her for a moment, making sure she gets strapped in before she folds over to the side.
I let out a breath, shutting the door behind her. I swear to God, she’d better not throw up in there. I walk around the front of the car, climbing in behind the wheel and turning to look at Mia. “Where to?”
She doesn’t say anything as she sits with her head back against the seat. I stare at her for a moment, my eyes widen and my heart races in my chest. The rise and fall of her chest captures my attention for a moment before I let out my own breath of relief.
“Mia.”
She clears her throat and whispers, “Yeah, love?”
Love? I can’t get hung up on that word right now. Maybe she uses it with everyone when she’s been drinking. I give my head a slight shake to knock those thoughts from my head and refocus on the task in front of me. “I need your address, pup.”
“I’m not ready to go there,” she half mumbles.
I swallow the lump in my throat, glancing at her sleeping friend in the backseat before looking back at Mia. Her head rolls as she turns it to face me, but her eyelids don’t lift.
“Take me home.” She pauses, letting out a soft breath. “With you.”
My throat constricts as my eyes travel over the planes of her face. Leaning forward, I reach across her and grab the seat belt to pull it across her body. “Okay,” I whisper, my voice strained as I secure her seatbelt before sitting back in my own seat.
The drive is silent, except for both of them snoring as I head back to my house.
Neither of them stir as I pull up the driveway and into the garage.
I kill the engine, glancing at Mia and then back at Willow.
Turning away, I sigh and climb out of the car, making my way to the back.
I pull open the door, not sure how the hell I’m supposed to wake her up.
“Willow,” I say loudly, poking her shoulder. “Willow, wake up.”
Willow lifts one eyelid to peer at me. “What?”
“I need to get you inside.”
She runs her tongue over her top teeth. “I need a drink.”
“Okay. I’ll get you water as soon as I get you inside.”
“Yeah, okay,” she sighs, pulling herself into a seated position. She struggles with the seatbelt for a second before she undoes it. She’s a bit unsteady as she attempts to climb out of the car, so I hold my arm out for her in an effort to help. “I can see why Mia likes you.”
I stare at her for a moment, not commenting on her remark as I feel the familiar twisting in my chest. Willow gets out of the car and I help her into the house, immediately walking her to the couch where she flops down across it.
She’s snoring before I get the chance to get her water, so I grab one anyway and leave it on the coffee table for her.
I toss a blanket over her body before heading back out to the garage to get Mia. I grab another bottle of water on the way and tuck it in my back pocket for her. She’s still asleep when I open the front door.
“Pup, we’re home,” I say softly as I unbuckle her seatbelt. “Let’s get you inside, yeah?”
She turns her head to face me, a smile lifting her lips as she raises a hand and cups my cheek. Her eyelids crack open, but I can see the colors of her irises peeking through. “You’re a good man, Caleb Ford. The best man, really.”
“You’re sweet when you’re drunk,” I chuckle as I grab her clutch and loop her heel straps with my finger.
“I’m always sweet.”
“You are,” I murmur, my eyes traveling down to her perfect pink lips. My nostrils flare, a shiver trailing down my spine as her thumb brushes against the corner of my mouth. “Lean forward.”
Mia slowly sits up straight as I slide my arm behind her back. I slip the other beneath her bent knees and lift her into the air in one fluid moment. “Oh,” she breathes as I hold her against my chest, her arms moving to link around the back of my neck. “I can walk.”
“I’d rather carry you,” I whisper, reveling in the way she feels in my arms. I know she can walk, but she’s tired and drunk. The last thing I need is for her to fall and get hurt. I know I can keep her safe if she’s in my arms.
Mia nestles her face into my neck and I kick the door shut before heading deeper into the house. I glance over at the couch where Willow is still asleep and thankfully hasn’t thrown up. I carry Mia upstairs to the second floor, walking right past the guest room she’s been occupying.
I carry her straight to my bedroom and quietly shut the door behind me. Dropping her heels on the floor first, I then set her clutch down on my dresser and carry her over to the side of my bed.
Mia lifts her head, and pulls back a little so her eyes can meet mine as I slowly lower her down onto her mattress, pushing the covers out of the way. “This is your room,” she says softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
“I know,” I murmur, as I kick my shoes off and pull off my sweatshirt.
Emotion wells in my throat as I stare down at her for a moment.
Her mascara is smudged under her eyes, her cheeks a little flushed still from the alcohol, her lips still bear the fainted tint of lipgloss, and I can just make out her faint pulse flickering in her slender neck.
I haven’t had anyone else in my bed since Amelia passed, it never felt right.
But for some reason, nothing about this feels wrong.
She rolls over, shifting her body into the center of the king sized bed as she reaches for me. “Sleep with me?”
Her sleep laden voice is so sweet, like honey dripping from her tone. I can’t walk away from her, instead I remove my glasses, and set them down on the nightstand. The bed shifts beneath my weight as I lower myself onto it, scooting closer to her as she pulls the covers over both of our bodies.
I’m hesitant at first, but once my hands find her beneath the blankets, my arms encircle her and I pull her flush against my side. Her head rests against my ribcage, the sound of my heart pitter pattering beneath her ear.
She snakes her arm around my torso, her warmth seeping into my flesh. “I’m afraid when I wake up, this will all be a dream.”
My breath catches in my throat as I lift my hand to run it over her hair. “I’ll be here when you wake up in the morning.”
“Promise?” She murmurs against my chest, her jaw widening as she yawns. She holds me a little tighter.
I lower my face to her head, burying it in her hair as I breathe in the scent of her, wanting to memorize every piece of this woman. “Promise.”
I know I’ll be here in the morning, but I can’t promise her any more than that . . .