15. Fifteen Freya
Fifteen: Freya
I 'd been shamefully avoiding Kaleb since our kiss. We still saw each other—we lived together, so it was inevitable—but I made sure I was never alone with him. If both my mom and Jackie were out, then so was I. Kaleb’s lingering glances were off-putting, and we both felt the thick, choking tension in the air between us. We couldn’t go without oxygen for too long, though. Soon enough, we were both going to have to come up for air and discuss what had happened.
There was just something about Kaleb that drew me in—I couldn’t put my finger on it—but perhaps that was because I didn’t want to know what it was. If I did, I’d be able to ignore it purposely. I felt safe with him. I’d managed to un-peel the many solid layers he wrapped himself in, and even he'd admitted Brent was the only person he'd been semi-vulnerable with.
I was walking back from college, relief spreading through me that I hadn't bumped into Zach again. He hadn’t been to class once since the incident, but it didn’t take a genius to work out why. He definitely had a hell of a shiner, and being seen in public with it would undoubtedly aggravate his ego.
My phone buzzed in my hand—luckily, Zach hadn’t broken it—and a shred of anxiety mixed with hope hit me. Was my dad finally answering my texts?
Mom: Jackie received a promotion today at work. We're all going out for a meal tonight to celebrate. Get home as soon as you can.
My eyes widened as I stopped on the sidewalk, apologising to a runner as they almost slammed into the back of me because of my sudden cease of movement.
I couldn't tell my mom I didn't want to come because things were awkward between Kaleb and me since we'd made out at some creepy shooting range. Jackie would be disappointed that I'd hooked up with her son while she was kindly allowing me to stay at her house—in her deceased daughter's room, for that matter.
Freya: Looking forward to it.
Far from it—I was going to have to put on a smile while sitting across from a guy who was confusing the heck out of me, and that didn't sound appealing at all. The kiss shouldn't have happened—no matter how right it felt. How right it felt to have Kaleb’s body flush against mine. How right it felt to have his large, calloused hands digging into my side, squeezing me possessively. How right it felt to have him peppering urgent kisses down my throat while I sighed in bliss. Shit.
I walked back to the house as quickly as I could, my mind wandering once again to the fact that my dad's company didn't exist. I hadn't had the guts to tell my mom about it yet, but I was becoming antsy. Judging by the fact that she hadn't informed me she hadn't been able to find any contact information, I gathered she hadn't researched it yet. Work was running her into the dirt, apparently.
Dropping my bag by the door, I peered into the house, trying to be as quiet as possible. The thought of facing Kaleb was nauseating. I didn't know what I wanted to say to him, and I knew hearing him admit he had no interest in me romantically would hurt like a bitch. It was a conversation that needed to be had, though. I’d been avoiding it too long.
“Oh, good!” My mom rounded the corner from the kitchen—still in her work attire—her heels clacking against the floor. “I was worried that you wouldn't get home in time.”
“So, where are we going?” I questioned, glancing up at the landing once I heard a door open, spotting a beaming Jackie.
“To a fancy little restaurant on the outskirts of town,” she responded excitedly. “It's one of my favourites.”
By the way and Jackie and my mother were giggling, it was evident they’d already been on the wine. My mom was a bad drunk, so I was going to have to look after her tonight.
“Is Kaleb coming?” I asked hesitantly, brushing my sweaty palms down my pant legs, dusting them off.
“He's in the car.” Jackie nodded through the open door, and I peered out to see him inside his black Jeep, typing away furiously with the same scowl he always wore. Why did that stupid scowl have to look so good on him, though? His eyes instantly found mine through the rear-view mirror as we hopped into the car, and we gazed at each other for a good few seconds before his phone buzzed on his lap.
“A few guys will be over to install the security cameras by the front and back doors tomorrow,” he said to his mother, shoving his phone into his pocket and starting the car.
“I don't know why you suddenly insist we get them, Kaleb.”
He merely hummed in response, focusing on the road before him as he drove.
“What's happened recently that's made you want to have them installed?” Jackie pressed, seeming slightly worried about her son's pushiness on the subject. Even though she claimed they didn't need them, he was insistent that he paid for them and had them installed as soon as possible.
My breathing hitched, and I panicked, worried he was going to admit to Zach barging his way into the house and attacking me.
Kaleb glanced at me again. His hurricane-like eyes clung to mine for a few more seconds before he averted them, shrugging at his mother's question. “No reason. It’s just safer.”
Thank God.
The drive took around fifteen minutes, and once Kaleb had parked in the middle of what looked like nowhere, we made our way around the corner to a small Thai restaurant. Jackie gazed up at it with what appeared to be a mix of sorrow and excitement, and I smiled at her with questionable brows.
“This was Brie's favourite restaurant,” my mom whispered to me as we hung back slightly, noticing my confused expression. “I don't think they've been here since she passed.”
I nodded in understanding, picking at my cuticles, and my mom sighed after noticing my sombre expression.
“Honey, I was going to tell you but didn't have the time. I contacted the police the other day about your father, but they didn't take my claim seriously. They said since this doesn't seem too out of character for him, they aren't overly worried, and I need to contact them again if he's not back by next week.”
I arched my brows, shaking my head. “How could the police not be worried? He's a missing person.” I’d spoken louder than intended, gaining a couple's attention nearby.
Jackie and Kaleb were glancing at us from the restaurant table with strange expressions, and my mom cleared her throat, nodding to them. “We can finish this conversation later. Right now, let’s celebrate with Jackie. She's worked very hard.”
Tightening my jaw, I sat down next to Kaleb. Our legs brushed as I got comfortable, and he stiffened from beside me, his throat bobbing up and down as he swallowed.
“Welcome, guys. Can I get you all something to drink?”
I recognised that voice. Gazing up at the server, I narrowed my eyes. “Ty?”
“Oh, my God.” He chuckled. “Freya? It's been ages!”
I beamed, standing up to hug him, his arms wrapping around me tightly. “I know. How have you been? We haven't spoken since high school."
“I'm good, I'm good. I'm playing ice hockey for Richmond now. Coach wants us to remain humble, and his plan is to get us to work once a week to stop us from getting too cocky, as he thinks it affects the way we play, hence this side hustle. Plus, with the name Ty, it’s kind of fitting to work here.” He laughed, gesturing down to his server's apron. “How’s college?”
“It’s good. I'm studying art.”
“Of course you are. You always had a talent for drawing. I expect to see your artwork hanging at the Louvre soon.” His words caused my mom to chuckle, and they exchanged a quick hello . “Look, I'd love to catch up, but I've got a heap of orders to take, so could I just grab your drink orders, and maybe we can chat later?"
As Ty walked away with our order in hand, I glanced at Kaleb, noticing his blazing eyes locked in on my old friend. His eyebrows were pulled together, and his jaw flexed. He was looking at him as if he was a meal.
The evening mainly consisted of Jackie and my mother giggling, and Kaleb pulled out his phone every couple of minutes to type while I attempted to keep my focus away from his fast-moving fingers. He seemed to always be in the middle of an important and heated conversation with someone.
“So, Christmas is coming up soon.” Jackie laughed—now on her third glass of red wine. “Do either of you have anything planned for it?”
I hadn't really thought about Christmas, but I hadn't imagined that we’d spend it anywhere other than my house. The way things were going, though, it looked like my mother and I would be staying with Jackie and Kaleb a little longer than we’d first expected.
"I think—“
My mother cut me off with a loud curse, and Jackie stared wide-eyed at the wineglass she'd just smacked onto my mother's lap, red wine coating her black pencil skirt and white, knitted sweater.
“I'm so sorry!” she complained, reaching for some napkins.
“That’s my fault for insisting we drink red tonight,” my mom cackled. “I'm just going to head to the bathroom. Wine stains.”
“I'll come.” Jackie worriedly knitted her brows together at Kaleb and me as she followed my mother around the corner.
I cleared my throat, continued to chew on my chicken curry, and stared at the plate as if it were the most interesting thing in the restaurant. It was far from it—the most interesting thing was sitting right next to me.
“We should talk about what happened,” I blurted out. It had to be done. I needed to stop chickening out.
Kaleb sighed, biting the inside of his cheek as he studied me. “Freya.”
Why did he have to look so gorgeous when he was trying to let me down?
“You don't have to say it. It was just a kiss. Friends, it is.”
At my comment, Kaleb's eye twitched, and the corner of his mouth curved downwards as he ran his hands through his dark hair. As usual, his tongue caressed his front teeth. “I—“
“Hey, I brought over some extra napkins,” said Ty cheerily from behind me, placing them on the table, his hand on my shoulder.
“Oh, thanks.” I reached over the table, wiping up the spillage. “I'm sorry about the mess.”
Ty waved my worries away, flashing his perfect white teeth again. “No, don't even sweat it. Oh hey,” he suddenly said, turning his attention to Kaleb, holding his hand out. “I'm sorry. That’s rude of me. I'm Ty. You must be Freya's boyfriend.”
“Oh, he's—“ I began, but Kaleb cut me off, taking Ty's hand and shaking it firmly.
“Yeah, that’s me.”