“He’s made me laugh so many times, made me feel like I was worthy of something. It was nice. But has an overbearing father, whom he thinks he’s exactly like. I never saw a resemblance.”
I remember trying to find the connections between Dale and Kaleb. You could tell they were related, but they weren’t the same person. Dale had cold, ungrateful eyes while Kaleb’s were soft and kind. Even the way they stood with their shoulders back. Dale looked like he owned the world and believed it, while Kaleb was approachable and welcoming.
Even the way they spoke, you could tell they were nothing alike. So I didn’t understand why Kaleb was so scared of turning into his father. They were nothing alike.
“Sometimes it’s better to be alone. You can’t get as hurt. You get left feeling like you’re in someone’s way. Like you’re a burden. I’m pretty sure he doesn’t want anything to do with me now.”
Which is going to be difficult because it’s not just about us anymore.
“That’s not true.”
I jumped, snapping my head toward the door. Kaleb stood leaning against the frame with the door propped open. He looked tired, like he hadn’t slept much last night. He stepped into the back, the door swinging shut behind him. “That’s far from the truth.”
“Could have fooled me,” I said, staring at him.
He paused, shoving his hands in his pockets. He looked nervous as he stood there, seeming unsure of what to say.
“I need to apologize for how I reacted last night. I shouldn’t have said everything was a mistake.”
I swallowed, feeling my body stiffen, knowing he had to have heard me. Did he hear everything I said?
“And you’re not a burden. I want to spend time with you. I want you around.”
“Didn’t feel like that last night. You seemed pretty clear.”
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said what I said. I was in the wrong. I let my fear of becoming like my father get the better of me. I’ve been trying my entire life to be a better person than him, never wanting to step into his shoes, and last night I did. I should have been the man you needed.”
He moved closer to me, bending down to my level. “I have let my father control so much, even now, when I get back. I tried not to upset him, tried to do what was right because it was easier, but I’m not doing that anymore. I’m done trying to appease him.”
His eyes softened. “Nora, you are carrying my child. You are the most important person in my life.”
I chewed on my cheek.
“Give me a second chance at this. Let me make this right.”
“This was fake,” I whispered.
He shook his head. “Not all of it. It wasn’t all fake, Nora. As much as I tried to fight it, there is something there. You know it. I know it.”
I wanted to. I wished I could just agree and happily accept his offer, but I couldn’t. There was no way to just erase what had been said, no way to turn back time.
“I need time.”
Chapter 22 - Kaleb
I cracked the egg into the pan and watched as it sizzled. I glanced over at the mug sitting near the coffee, waiting for Nora to come down the stairs. Nora hasn’t returned home, but she did come in some mornings to grab a few things. She returned home this morning for more clothes.
I missed her. I could see the space between us and knew it would take time to fix what I’d screwed up. But I would do it. She was all I wanted, and she was carrying my child.
I flipped the egg and turned as I heard her coming down the stairs. She was already dressed for work and paused when she spotted me holding a plate.
“I made breakfast,” I said, sliding the plate onto the counter.
She took a couple of steps into the kitchen, and her nose scrunched up. “The smell of eggs makes me sick.”
I frowned, hating that I didn’t know that. “Oh…well…I can make something else. We have oatmeal or bread.”
She shook her head, grabbing her purse off the stool. “It’s okay. I’m not really that hungry this morning anyway.” She looked past me to the mug sitting on the counter by the coffee maker. I watched her lips curl up slightly.
