“What!?” I snap, ready to let loose.
“Something to help you…move on,” he says, his voice still controlled. Hard. “Caleb is gone, honey. He’s not coming back. And you need to accept that.”
I’m not going to sit here and listen to this anymore.
Fueled by the rage and fear inside of me, I rise to my feet and storm from the room. But instead of going upstairs, I rip the front door open and race outside. The fresh air is a minor relief as it blows over my skin, but it’s nothing compared to what putting some distance between me and the house feels like.
I have to get away from there. From all the memories, the confinement. From my dad, who seems to be trying to gaslight me into thinking I did something wrong.
I didnothingwrong.
Breathing heavily, I keep moving, striding down the driveway until I hear something in the distance that can’t possibly be right. I freeze, listening.
It’s the sound of a truck engine. Caleb’s truck engine. And it’s getting closer. Quickly. My heart nearly leaps out of my chest as I start running down the road. Seconds later, I see his truck round the corner, with him behind the wheel.
“Caleb!” I shout, waving my arms like a madwoman. He accelerates, speeds right up to me, and slams on the brakes. He steps out like a dream, and I hurl myself into his strong, safe arms as tears fall from my eyes. “You came back!”
“You thought I wouldn’t?” he asks, his voice like an anchor, tugging me down to where I belong. My heart slams against my ribs as he holds me. I press my nose to his chest, inhaling his scent like an addict. “I would never lie to you.”
“I know you wouldn’t,” I sob. I was so silly for being afraid.
“You’re gonna come live with me now,” he says, wiping away my tears with his thumb. “They’ll have no control over us. We can be together.”
“With you?” I repeat, barely able to believe what I’m hearing. I’ve never even been to his apartment, but I don’t care if it’s a tent in the middle of the woods. Just so long as I get to wake up in his arms.
“Yes.” He smiles, leading me into the truck. “We’re going to go to your house, and you’re going to pack a bag. I’m going to tell Daniel, and then we’re going to leave. Got it?”
All I can do is nod. My throat is too choked with emotion for me to speak. I curl up in his lap for the brief drive back to the house, but I’m shaking as he parks and we get out.
“It’ll be okay,” he assures me, running his hand through my hair. “Just do as I said, and everything will be fine.”
“Yes.” I nod up at him.
We take the stairs to the front door. Caleb reaches for the knob, but it opens, revealing my dad. “You’re not—” But before he can finish his sentence, Caleb steps into the house, pulling me along with him.
“Go upstairs. Now,” he whispers. My whole body is buzzing as I race up the stairs, taking them two at a time.
“I’m not going to pretend anymore, Daniel,” I hear him say as I reach my room. “She’s coming with me. And you’re not going to punish her because it makes you uncomfortable.”
Warmth floods through me. A smile comes over my face as I grab my suitcase from the closet and start stuffing clothes in it. Only the essentials for now. We just have to get out of here and to his apartment. Once my parents calm down, once they finally accept that he and I are going to be together, I’ll come back for the rest.
“You don’t want to challenge me, Caleb,” my dad is saying as I reach the top of the stairs. He’s right up in Caleb’s face, looking like he’s ready to fight.
“Don’t do this, Daniel,” Caleb growls. “She’s not yours anymore. You’re not stopping this.”
Dad goes tense and takes a step forward.
“I’m going, Dad,” I say quickly, dragging my suitcase down the stairs. He turns to me, looking absolutely furious. “It’s my choice. You can’t stop me.”
Reaching out, I take Caleb’s strong hand and smile up at him as he squeezes it. That’s all the reassurance I need to know that we will make this work. All I need ishim.
I turn and walk with him. That’s when I hear my father shout behind me, “If you walk out that door, you’re cut off!”
“That’s fine, Daniel,” Caleb replies, calmly. “I will take care of her. She’ll be just fine.”
Just as I step outside, I see Sara peeking out from the living room. She’s been watching the whole thing. On the verge of tears herself, she rushes over to my side and pulls me in for a hug. “Don’t worry, sweetie. I understand. You can’t fight love.”
It’s quick, just a brief moment before she pulls back and takes her place by my dad. Following Caleb out of the house and over to his truck, I allow myself to feel a tiny glimmer of hope. If Sara can accept us, maybe my father can come around too.
