Chapter 69
KC
Today is the day we have our family video chat. Thankfully, Jared not only grabbed my clothes but also my laptop when he packed me a bag from my place. I’m waiting at the kitchen table, laptop on. My little brother’s face pops onto the screen first.
“Hey, big sis. Look at you finally on time for once!” Travey looks at his watch and smiles at me.
“Yeah, it happens sometimes I guess.” I take a sip of my coffee, and the dark circles under Travey’s eyes catch my attention. “Hey, are you okay? You look tired.”
He rubs his face. “Yes. Just been burning the candle at both ends. That pre-med life ain’t easy.”
“Did you tell Mom and Dad yet, about your plan to come to Chicago for med school?”
Travey shakes his head. “No, not yet.”
I look over the screen of my laptop and see Jared, shirtless, making me scrambled eggs.
“Well, I might have something to tell them today, and it might lessen the blow for you.”
He rests his elbows on his desk and leans closer to the camera. “Yeah? Do I get a heads-up first?”
“No way. I’d rather tell everyone together and see their judgment all at once.”
“Fair enough. Looks like they’re also on time today.”
Mom and Dad’s faces appear on camera. “Good morning, my beautiful children!” Mom’s voice is chipper this morning. Dad gives her a kiss and says hello, too.
“How’s work and college been, kiddos?” Dad’s holding his Number One Dad coffee mug.
“Kailey has something to tell us!” Travey chirps loudly.
“Alright, well you can’t just say that and not tell us more.” Mom leans into the camera. “One sec, let me turn the volume up.”
I laugh while shaking my head, pointing at Travey. “Thanks for that.”
“Welcome.” He smiles back at me.
“Well, uh, I do have something to tell everyone, but I’m a little nervous about how you’ll react.”
“Are you going back to nursing school?” Mom asks eagerly.
“Uhm, I hadn’t thought about it. But maybe? That’s not my news though.” I make eye contact with Jared, and he’s smiling at me, giving me the hand motion to continue.
“I’m dating someone.”
“That’s great news, babygirl. We only want you to be happy.” Dad’s tone tells me he means it.
“We can’t wait to meet him, honey.” Mom smiles at my dad.
Travey must know something is up because he hasn’t added his two cents yet.
“Well, that’s the thing. You’ve actually met him before.” Jared walks into the view of the camera to bring me my eggs and sits down next to me.
“Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Caine.” Jared mock-salutes them.
“Oh, Jared, it’s so good to see you. We had wondered where you ran off to when we saw Greg had been mowing our yard instead of you.”
I look from my mom and back to Jared. “Wait, what? You guys have been seeing and talking to Jared all these years?”
Dad clears his throat and speaks first. “Yes, babygirl. We never blamed him for what happened. And after you and Travis left town, he came around often to see if we needed anything.” He looks over at my mom before continuing.
“Then, when I had a severe heat stroke, Jared came over every week and mowed the yard and made sure your momma didn’t need anything else done outside.
He had been giving me a break like the doctor demanded I take. ”
My mouth pops open, and Jared closes it by lifting my chin with his finger. “I didn’t tell you about it because I didn’t want to sway you one way or the other in taking me back.”
“I knew you two were meant to be together,” Travey finally chimes in, dramatically clapping his hands.
I hold my hand up. “Wait. You’re telling me that all of you have been in contact with him in one way or another?”
“Yes,” they all say at the same time.
“Honey, don’t get mad at us. We understood that you needed your own time and space to heal from what happened to Beth.” Mom’s eyes start to water, and Dad hands her a tissue.
“We miss her everyday, too, but we never blamed Jared, or you, babygirl.”
“I’m not sure if I should be mad that you all kept this from me, or be happy that you accept that Jared and I are together.” I jut out my bottom lip in a pout.
“Happy that we’re together, for sure,” Jared states then continues, “I never stopped loving you and still cared about your family. I knew that your father needed some help, so I offered it. It was no big deal.”
“Mom, Dad, you should’ve told me you needed help! Or that Dad had a health scare. But we can talk more about that when Jared and I come home to visit.”
“You promise?” Mom asks hopefully.
“Yes.” Jared and I mimic each other.
“Well, alright then, that was easier than I thought it would be. Now, Travey has something to tell you!” I point at him through the camera.
He just laughs while shaking his head at me. He goes on to tell our parents his game plan for med school in Chicago, and we all end the call with I love yous. Dad stays on camera after my mom walks away and Travey signs off.
“Kailey, I want you to be happy, and we never said anything about Jared because we love you and trust you to make your own decisions, and we never wanted to push you back into Jared’s arms if you didn’t truly want to be there.” My dad stares at Jared’s arm around me.
I lean my head against Jared’s shoulder. “I see that now, Dad. Thank you. I think I did just need some time.”
“I would’ve waited however long it took.” Jared kisses the top of my head.
“Okay, cheesy!” I slap his chest and he grabs my hand, kissing it.
“Only the truth.”
“But I do hope you come home soon, Kailey. We miss you here and want you home for the holidays.”
I stare into Jared’s eyes before responding. “I promise it’ll be different this year.”
“Alright then. I’ll let you two lovebirds enjoy the day. Take care of my babygirl, Jared.”
“I will. Promise.”
“Love you, Dad.”
“Love you too.” Then he signs off.
I turn to face Jared. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me.”
He holds a forkful of scrambled eggs to my mouth. “Eat first, Dimples. Then I’ll tell you whatever you want to know, while I’m in between your thighs, having my breakfast.”
I let the fork enter my mouth and enjoy the taste. “You even put shredded cheese in them.”
“Why, of course I did.”
“Real smooth, Cap Guy. Let’s move this to the bedroom, shall we?” I grab the plate from him and start walking toward the bedroom, making sure to shake my ass a little extra.