“I get it, Mom.If I could be with Cali, I wouldn’t hesitate as I just said.Darren was one of my best friends and I did see how bad things were between the two of them at the end.It doesn’t change the fact that they were together and have two of the best kids together.Darren died and will never get to see his children grow up and turn into the amazin’ people Cali’s raisin’ them to be.The only thing left for me to do is help her keep his memory alive and share stories of him with the kids.It would do nothin’ but confuse them if Cali and I were together,” I try to tell my mom where I’m coming from in a different way.
“I know, Caleb.Just think about it.Those kids love you and will understand when they’re old enough to learn the real story of Cali, you, and Darren.Don’t lose the woman you love because you can’t let go of what you believe Darren shared with her,” my mom says as Sidney brings me a plate of food and a bottle of water.
I eat my lunch and move on to different topics with my mom.She won’t keep pushing me on the issue of being with Cali.She’s said what she has to and now knows it’s up to the two of us to make a final decision.I’ve already made my mind up because I can’t betray Darren any more than I already have.It’s going to be hard and take a long time before Cali and I can move past the hurt we’ve caused one another to even get close to the relationship we used to have.At least that’s my hope.I’ll forever miss Cali and the time we used to spend together.Getting even a fraction of that back will mean the world to me.
Chapter Fifteen
Caliana
LUCA IS TAKING me tothe store today.All I’ve been doing over the last few weeks is clean the house, cook, bake, and take the kids various places with Luca and the other Prospects going with us.I try really hard not to leave the compound because it’s the only place I truly feel safe.So far, the stalker hasn’t found me or can’t discover a way to break into the place that’s been built like a fortress.Everything has been reinforced since the kids and I started staying here so no one can get inside.There are alarms on the fence and the Prospects at the gate question everyone who stops by to come in.If they don’t have a valid reason to enter the compound, they’re turned away immediately.I’ve seen it when Evan was on the gate and he became an asshole when Carly tried to get back inside.She left crying and Evan apologized to me for having to see him become that version of himself in order to get his point across.
The only reason I’m leaving the compound today is to go to the store because we’re out of a lot of things.Sam and Shy offered to go for me, but I’ve realized that by staying behind the fence, I’m letting both my stalker and attacker win.They’re making me not live my life and be a scared woman who can’t control her emotions to do the simplest tasks.I’m also letting Darren’s parents win if I hide away.Dr.Stevenson hasn’t gotten in contact with me about the investigation, but I’m guessing they won’t find the evidence to take my license away.I might not have my job any longer, but that’s okay.I can move somewhere new and start over if I have to.The kids and I aren’t tied to Glendale.It was just where I chose to live after Darren died.I couldn’t stay in Benton Falls any longer.
While I typically moved with Darren if he was transferred to a different base, the last year he was alive, we made the decision for me to move back to Benton Falls with the kids because he was considering leaving the military with Caleb, Kreed, and the rest of their team.It made sense for me to move back home to be close to family since that’s where the three of them were going to end up.All three of them had talked about joining the club once they were done with the military and had been Prospecting throughout the years of them being enlisted.I moved our entire house all by myself and it was hard with Bryce.He wanted to help with everything and ended up getting in the way more than anything else.Still, I made him feel as if he were the best little helper in the world.It’s a memory the two of us have to share and no one can take it from us.
“Luca, are you ready to head out?”I ask the Prospect who typically watches over the kids and me.“Tiffany is staying here with the kids.”
“I’m ready whenever you are, Miss Cali,” he answers as I walk out on the porch and close the door behind me.Luca is always so respectful and I can see the pain he tries to hide in his eyes and every move he makes.I’ve made the same moves and acted the same way.Luca feels like a kindred spirit to me and I want to help him become the confident man I know he deserves to be.Whoever ends up with this man will be the luckiest woman alive.
“Let’s get this show on the road.Feel like getting lunch while we’re out?”I ask him as Luca pauses because he doesn’t know how to answer that question.He wants to remain loyal to the club but I know he rarely eats a full meal because he’s constantly working in one aspect or another.“I’ll make sure it’s okay with Reckless and Link before you answer.They won’t care, I promise you.”
Pulling out my phone I send a message in the group chat I have with my best friends.
Me: I’m heading to the store with Luca.Gonna take him out to lunch before we go there.That okay with you two?
I don’t put my phone away as I walk over to my SUV and lean against it.There’s a response almost immediately from one of the guys.
Caleb: Go to lunch.Tell Luca it’s okay with us.I know he won’t eat if he doesn’t think it’s okay.
Kreed: Agree.He deserves to be away from the clubhouse for a bit.The kid has been busting his ass to prove himself and it’s not necessary.He’ll protect you as you know.
Turning my phone, I show Luca their response as a blush covers his face.This kid is so innocent and pure.I want to protect him from everything that’s hurt him in the past and all the women who will take advantage of his gentle nature.He reminds me a lot like Caleb when we were younger.The only difference is the way they were raised.Caleb had nothing but love and support throughout his life.Luca has had nothing but pain and violence.Even if I don’t know his story, it’s easy to see how he was raised.
“Thank you, Miss Cali.I’d enjoy havin’ lunch with ya,” he says as I finally get in my SUV and he climbs on his bike.
Luca and I leave the compound and head for the diner in town.I’ve loved their food since moving to Glendale, but don’t get to eat it as often these days.Since I’ve been out of work, my only goal is to save the money I have left.I’m not getting paid while the investigation is ongoing so I don’t buy things that aren’t necessary and getting takeout isn’t a necessity.I’m not even the one buying groceries today.Kreed gave me his card to get what we needed at the house.I’m out of food, cleaning supplies, and a few things for the kids.He told me to use his card and not my own money for a single thing.This man will be the death of me because he knows how I feel about spending his money on my kids.While they buy them things on a regular basis, I feel horrible if I have to use their money for anything.
