Chapter Thirty-Four
Mikayla
I honestly thought I had done a good job of keeping my emotions in check. Talk about a rude awakening when you find out your boyfriend can see right through you.
But, unlike what he was thinking, I wasn’t planning an escape. I just needed a moment alone. For fuck’s sake, my brother is here! Did Caine really think I’d bolt and leave my brother to fend for himself with a bunch of strangers on Thanksgiving?
But after all I thought in my head—Caine loves me. He loves me. He said it. And the craziest part of all of it, I really did need to hear it.
His touch, his kisses, his words, I had needed all of it. Feeling his body connect with mine, being inside me, filling me—I didn’t even realize how much I’d needed—him.
I close my eyes, my hands resting on the vanity. The granite feels cool against my palms, grounding me. I take a deep breath, clean myself up and wash my hands before exiting the bathroom.
I find Caine leaning against the wall, one socked foot bent. And my breath catches. The man is beautiful. He turns his gaze toward me and smiles, and all I want to do is rush to him and hold him. So—that’s exactly what I do.
“Let’s get some food,” Caine says, giving me a goofy grin, his arms resting loosely around my back.
I notice the music playing over the sound system in the kitchen. My face flushes with embarrassment. That wasn’t on when we first entered the house.
“Well, you two look like you had fun,” says Kyle as he takes a sip from his beer.
The smile on Caine’s face falls. “You’re seriously pissing me the fuck off.”
“Hey!” Franklin says, walking over. “Don’t you go ruining Thanksgiving,” he says, pointing his finger at Caine. “And don’t disrespect Micky, or I’ll be taking you outside, I don’t care how old you are.”
My eyes widen when all color drains from Kyle’s face.
“I’m Melanie,” says an older woman with light brown hair and dark brown eyes. “I’m Kyle’s mama.”
“Nice to meet you,” I say, extending my hand. But I’m taken off guard when the lady pulls me in for a hug.
“I’ve never seen Caine so happy. I’m thrilled you’re staying and working for Kyle,” she adds quietly before releasing me.
Introductions are made to the rest of the family before everyone ventures into the dining room. The room is so lovely. The large wooden table has little pumpkins as centerpieces and cute turkey cutouts.
“I made that one,” says Millie, the youngest of Caine’s nieces.
She points to one of the turkeys on the table, but to be honest I’m not sure which one.
“I made that one,” says Jax. “Gama also let me help set the table.” The boy beams with pride.
“I helped too!” says Conner.
“You all did a fantastic job.”
Caine takes my hand, and we sit down for dinner. Whitney cooked two turkeys, mashed potatoes, gravy and green beans. There are also little muffins of cornbread in bread baskets on the table.
“This is the best,” Jack says, leaning into me. “Thanks for including me.”
“I don’t want you to ever leave,” I tell him, giving him a side hug.
“With the studio Caine put me in, I may stay,” Jack says. “I do work from home.”
I sit up straight and look at him, trying to gauge if he’s joking, but he’s not.
“So, you’re not moving into the studio?” Whitney asks from down the table. “Are you wanting to move off the ranch?” A deep crease forms between her brows before her eyes dart to Caine. “I don’t understand. What did you do?”
“Thank you for that vote of confidence,” Caine mutters with a frown. He puts his silverware down and scowls at his mother. “Did it maybe occur to you that Mick isn’t moving out at all and wants to live with me?”
“No one wants to live with you,” mutters Patrick from the other end of the table.
“You aren’t helping!” scolds Rabecca. She elbows him in his side, and he winces.
“I want to live with Caine,” says Sawyer. “His house is really clean and smells good.”
“I reckon that’s Mikayla’s doing,” says Franklin with a grin. “I don’t know if Caine ever learned how to turn on the oven.”
“I can cook—some things,” Caine says.
“And Caine is pretty good at cleaning,” I defend.
“Does that mean you are staying?” Whitney asks. “You’re moving in with Caine permanently?
“Yes. I do need to make a trip to Seattle to get the rest of my things,” I say. My heart pounds at the thought.
“I’ll come with you,” says Jack. “I don’t want you going out there alone.”
“You can come, but she isn’t going without me,” Caine says defensively. “Not letting her go see that woman without me.”
“What woman?” asks Whitney.
“I didn’t tell them anything,” Caine whispers into my ear.
“Our mom,” answers Jack. “We’re estranged.”
A hush comes over the family, and everyone looks at me and Jack.
“I think it’s for the best,” says Kyle. “You need to take care of yourselves.”
I didn’t expect his words. I mean, he is completely aware of everything that went down, and he was the one who wanted me to take better care of my mental health, but I am surprised he spoke up for us.
“Thank you.” I give him a slight bow of my head.
The conversation turns to more exciting topics. And soon after, Caine gets up and starts clearing the table. I stand to help, but he places his hand around my waist and says, “You do enough. Sit and relax.”
Once the table is cleared and dessert is eaten, Sawyer, Jack, Caine and I make our way back home. Each of us is carrying Tupperware full of leftovers.
“I still have a food baby,” Jack groans, sitting down beside me on the couch.
“Me too.” I pat my belly and relax against the cushions. Caine goes to the bathroom, and Sawyer is hanging out in his room.
“You lost weight,” Jack says, his voice low. “I should have come here sooner and made you come to Atlanta. I’m sorry you had to deal with all that alone.”
“I’m not alone. Caine took care of me. I probably got better care here than I would have back in Seattle,” I tell him truthfully.
“I just feel like I should have been with you. I hate that we’re apart.”
I take my brother’s hand and rest my head on his shoulder. “I miss you too.”
“Do you really want to move out here?” Caine asks, approaching us.
“If my work approves it, yes. I’d like to be near my sister,” says Jack. “I don’t have anything in Atlanta.”
“This house needs another full bath,” I tell Caine.
“We can expand,” Caine says. “I’m thinking we need a few more bedrooms.”
“For all the babies you’re gonna have?” Jack teases.
“I hope so. We haven’t talked about that yet.” Caine pulls me into his side. I turn my head and look at him.
I don’t know why I’m surprised. “I wasn’t sure if you wanted kids.”
“Why wouldn’t I?” Caine asks.
“Because you’re old,” Jack says.
He places his feet on the coffee table, crosses his ankles and turns on the TV like he’s been here a million times.
“I’m not old,” Caine argues before punching my brother in the shoulder.
“Fuck!” yells Jack, rubbing his arm. “That was rude.”
Caine just raises a brow and then looks down at me. “You want kids?”
“I do,” I answer. “Just not right this minute.”
I blink, shocked that we’re having this conversation. Just a few hours ago I was freaking out, and now we’re talking about kids?
“Stop,” Caine says, pulling me closer.
“Stop what?”
“Thinking. Just stop.” He kisses my brow, and we settle back, watching When Harry Met Sally with my brother. Why? It’s on TV.