16. Chapter 16
Chapter 16
Calista
A fter that kiss last night, I didn't get a wink of sleep. It was all I could think about, and for hours, I still felt his lips on mine. When my alarm goes off, I feel like I just closed my eyes. Even so, I'm up and getting Skye ready for school and making the coffee extra strong this morning.
When I take Skye into Even's room to say good morning before my mom gets here, he is already up, and he doesn't look like he slept much either. With Skye at school and the house to ourselves all day, what will happen? I need a breather before I find out, so when my mom shows up, I’m excited to get away.
“Would you mind staying with Evan and letting me take Skye to school? I want to check on Kaylee while I'm out. I haven't heard from her in a few days.”
“Of course! You need to get out of the house, too, and recharge. It will be good for Evan and me to catch up,” Mom says.
“You okay with me taking you to school?” I ask Skye.
“Yes! I can show you where to drop me off!” Skye bounces out the door.
“Get in my car!” My mom calls after her, and she hands me her keys. “I have her car seat installed in my car, so it would be easier for you to take it instead of moving it to your car. Plus, my car is already warmed up.”
I don't argue. Taking her keys, I give her a hug.
“Even is already up, but he needs to eat and probably take a pain pill. He’s been weaning himself off slowly, but he often wakes up sore and in pain, so he’ll take one. Oh, and he’ll try to tell you he doesn’t need help getting out of bed, but he does. He's still a bit unsteady. I promise I won't be long,” I say.
“Take as long as you need!” Mom calls after me as I put on my jacket and walk down the stairs.
It feels like I’m running away from Evan, leaving my mom at the house, so I'm not alone with him. But not only do I need to process that kiss, but I also I need to talk to Kaylee. Last night, I didn't want to wake her up, but I know I will catch her while she gets ready for work this morning.
Skye talks the entire way to school about what she’ll be doing. Today is music class and she’s excited. How it's her turn to play the triangle, and how fun it looks. As we get closer to the school, she points out where to enter for a drop-off.
“Mrs. Fraser! This is Calista, Uncle Cody's sister. She’s the one I told you about. She’s staying with us and helps Daddy, and she has also been doing my hair. See the braid she did today?” Skye says to the teacher who opens the car door.
“It's very pretty. It's nice to put a face to the name she has told us all about this week. How is Detective Greer doing? We have all been praying for him,” Mrs. Fraser says.
“He's doing better. He's still healing, but he's up on his feet a little more now that he’s home,” I tell her.
“Give him our love and let us know if you need anything!” She says before closing the door.
From the school, I go right to my apartment to chat with Kaylee. Thankfully, I can see a light on from the parking area, so I know she's awake, not that her sleeping would have stopped me from waking her up.
“Kaylee, I need emergency girl chat!” I say as I walk in. She peeks her head out of the bedroom and looks me over to make sure I'm physically fine. I follow her back to the bathroom.
“What is going on? Everything okay?” She asks as she keeps doing her makeup.
Putting the toilet seat down, I sit so I can comfortably share with Kaylee my news.
“Evan kissed me last night,” I say.
Kaylee drops her eyeliner on the counter and spins to look at me. What?! Why didn't you call me?” She stares at me wide-eyed.
“I figured you were asleep.”
“So, you wake me up! Best friend code says that is a legit reason to wake the other up! Oh my god! All the details now!” She demands, her makeup long forgotten.
I spend the next few minutes spilling all the details about the flirty comments, touches, looks, and kiss, ending with how I quickly bailed and left my mom there this morning.
“Oh, my god!” Kaylee squeals, but quickly sobers when she realizes I'm not gushing with her.
“Okay, what is it?” She asks, leaning against the bathroom counter.
“I'm so much older than him,” I say.
“So, if he was older than you, it wouldn't even be a factor, so it shouldn't be now,” she waves it off.
“He's Cody's best friend. My family is the only other family Skye knows. It would be so awkward if it didn't work out. I'd be the one to back away because otherwise he's lost his entire support group.” I tell her everything that ran through my mind last night.
“Or you can look at it as you two already fit into each other's lives. You know each other better than most people when they start dating, and when this works out, it will be a seamless transition,” Kaylee says, ever the optimist.
“And you think Cody is going to find out and say, ‘oh cool’ with a shrug and let it be?” I ask because we both know that is not how it's going to go down.
“I think he wants you both happy. While it will take some getting used to, he will be okay with it eventually when he sees how good you two are together.”
“Everyone in town will judge me for being older than him.”
“Fuck them. Again, if he were older, no one would blink an eye. Those who care about you two won't care at all. The rest don't matter,” she says.
“Then there is Skye. She is already attached to me, and if it doesn't work out, she will be hurt, too.”
“Kids are more resilient than you think. Plus, she won't lose you completely, the same way Evan won't lose your family. It will just be a different normal. Talk to your mom and dad if you need reassurance, but you should see where this goes. I saw the way that man looked at you. I wouldn’t think twice if I could find someone to look at me that way,” she says, finally picking her eyeliner back up and finishing her makeup. “The big question is, how did the kiss feel?”
I smile like a love-struck teenager.
“It was the best kiss I’ve ever had. He took control. But he was gentle, and the way my heart raced was like nothing I've ever felt before,” I say honestly, making Kaylee sigh.
I think of that kiss again, and I can’t stop smiling. It’s been a long time since I’ve had something like this to be happy about.
“While I get that you are scared, but don't let the fear of striking out…” she starts saying the same line we have heard from my dad over and over again.
“... Keep you from playing the game,” I finish and sigh because I know she's right.
“Alright, I need to go rescue my mom, and you need to get to work,” I say, standing up and giving her a hug.
“Call me, no matter what time, next time something happens!” Kaylee says with a stern look.
“I promise to wake you up at two a.m. the next time Evan kisses me,” I joke.
Laughing, she says, “That's all I ask!”