Chapter 8 #2
Chloe grasps my arm. “Are you okay?”
I nod. “There are things I want to know about when she left, but I don’t expect to get any explanation about why she never stayed in touch like she promised—not after so long. And I said some terrible things when she left. It wasn’t pretty.”
“I remember. You were so angry after she left for a really long time.”
My chest tightens. “I loved her. And now I need to talk to her. I feel like I left what we had behind so long ago, but hearing her name today was a bolt out of the blue. There was so much left unsaid.”
“I know how that goes,” Hunter says. “When Chloe came back, she was still with Scott as far as I knew. But I had to go to that reunion to see her.”
Her gaze shifts to him. “I’m glad you did.”
I roll my eyes. “No gushy stuff, thanks.”
She laughs. “You’re in the wrong house if you want to avoid that.”
I’m not expecting anything from Emma—what we had was far too long ago for that. But it’ll be good to sit down and maybe find out why she never contacted me after she left.
What I had with Emma was short, but intense. She’s the only person I ever imagined spending my life with. But we were sixteen when she left town—her father was part of a church that built a community in the South Island, but she promised me she’d stay in touch.
I haven’t lived the last twenty-seven years without settling down because of her. But I’ve never felt that spark with anyone else. It feels lame, but at the same time, after seeing the way Chloe and Scott were, there’s a big part of me that believes in soul mates.
Emma was mine. It was a long time ago, and while I’ve had other relationships, none have stuck with me like my relationship with her.
I spent years chasing that feeling again and never found it.
I’m not a fool—clearly she moved on in that time, but the thought of seeing her again leaves me wondering about closure and whether I’ll finally get it after all this time.
Maybe we could rekindle our friendship.
“Caleb?” Chloe prods my arm with her index finger.
“What?”
“You were a million miles away. I asked if you want to stay for dinner?”
“I’d never say no to that.” I grin at her. “Beats Mum’s cooking any day.”
Hunter roars with laughter. “That’s rich coming from a guy who’s never left home.”
“I have my reasons. I’m not staying for her cooking, that’s for sure.”
“You two are so mean about your mother.”
I shake my head. “I love her dearly, but there’s only so much over-boiled and dry food a man can take.”
“Is that why you go out so much?” Chloe pokes her tongue out. She knows I cook for myself most nights—just not in the same house as our parents.
“I’m not that bad.”
She laughs. “No, I know you don’t go out as much anymore.”
“I can’t be bothered. Must be getting old.” I take a sip of coffee.
“So … How do you feel about seeing Emma tomorrow?” Chloe asks.
I shrug. “I’m not sure. Seeing her today was crazy. I’m still trying to wrap my head around it actually being her.”
“Everything happens for a reason.” She meets Hunter’s gaze.
“It’s just been so long.”
“Maybe you can get some actual closure.”
Her sympathetic gaze hits mine, and I nod. “Maybe that’s why it’s bugging me so much. I never got to apologise for reacting the way I did over the news of her leaving.”
“At the very least, you’ll get a chance to talk.”
I pull up into Mum and Dad’s back yard and sit in my truck for a moment.
Dinner was crazy.
Chloe’s girls are adorable, but a lot of work. Her nineteen-year-old boys adore their younger sisters, and that whole house feels so full of energy.
So much so, that I’m relieved for the quiet of home.
Stepping out of my truck, I head toward my place before I pause.
I should check in with Mum and Dad.
Frequently, I go for days without seeing them, but today is different.
I tap on the back door as I go—Mum always tells me I don’t need to, but I like to let them know I’m here.
Dad’s probably in bed—it’s not late, but he’s an early to bed man. Always has been.
My mother sits in front of the television in the living room.
“Caleb.” Mum gives me a tired smile.
Chloe’s always made fun of me for never leaving home. Several years ago, I built a second dwelling on the back on Mum and Dad’s property. I don’t live in the main house, but I’ve never moved away.
While Chloe was living overseas, Dad had an accident, and while he recovered, he couldn’t work as a builder anymore.
She thought he made the decision to move into an office job by himself, but the reality was, he couldn’t do the physical work anymore.
That combined with him being off work for several months meant our parents struggled.
I chose to stay living at home to help support them and then just never left.
We live very separate lives most of the time, and now they’re retired and the bad years are behind them, they’ll be just fine if I leave.
But I still like to keep an eye on them.
“Hey.” I bend and peck her on the cheek.
“Did you have a good night?”
I nod. “I had dinner with Chloe and Hunter.”
She tilts her head. “I noticed you weren’t home. How are they?”
“Good.”
I study her for a moment. I’m not going to tell her about Emma—not yet. Not when her and Dad had to help pick up the pieces for the broken-hearted sixteen-year-old I was.
“I’m going to head out to bed. I just wanted to check in.”
“You’re a good man, Caleb.”
“Goodnight, Mum.”