After spending the day with his mom and grandma at the compound, Sam takes me to the salon where I’m pampered.My hair, make-up, and nails all get done while Sam sits with me and talks about everything under the sun.She also talks to Paris, the woman in charge of making me look better than normal.I’ll never say I look beautiful because that’s not how I see myself.I’m average on a good day and that’s not often I feel that way.More often than not you’ll find me in a pair of glasses with my hair thrown up in a messy bun.I’d rather wear a pair of sweatpants and hoodie instead of looking cute for the guys at school.Unfortunately, Caleb and Kreed won’t allow me to go to school in sweats and a hoodie.I even wear my contacts for them because my glasses have been broken more than once by the girls wanting to get close to them.
After being pampered at the salon, Sam takes me back to her house where she helps me get in the dress Caleb bought for me.Yes, he bought it with his own money instead of asking Sam and Playboy to get me something.He knows I’ll never spend a lot of money on myself when I either save it all or pay the bills so we still have running water and electricity.Things my father doesn’t believe in paying if it means he can’t drink.
The dress is black with jewels covering the bodice.Spaghetti straps hold it up and it zips up the side so I won’t need any help when I get home from the dance.Sam pulls out a box once the dress is on me.When I open the lid, I find a pair of black wedges.Caleb and Kreed know I can’t walk in heels.The last time I tried, I almost broke my ankle.Sitting down on Caleb’s bed, I slide my feet in the shoes and wind the straps around my leg.They go halfway up my calf where I tie them in the back of my leg lose enough it won’t cut off my circulation but tight enough they won’t slide down my leg when I move.
“You’re ready to go, Sweetheart,” Sam says after checking my appearance to make sure I didn’t ruin my hair and make-up.“The boys are waiting downstairs for you.Darren got a limo for tonight and it’s already pulled up outside.Have a great time tonight, Cali.”
“I’ll try.I’d rather be home, curled up with a good book instead,” I mutter under my breath as Sam leads me out of Caleb’s room and down to where the guys wait for me.
When I step into the living room, Caleb is the only one looking at me.I watch as he swallows hard and steps forward.
“You look even better than I imagined you would, Reina.Fuckin’ stunnin’,” Caleb says, causing Kreed and Darren to turn and face me.“Mom, if you’re doin’ pictures, you better get to them now so we can head out.”
“You know I’m taking pictures, Caleb.Laura wants me to send her a bunch of them.First up, Kreed and Cali.Laura wants to see the two of you all dressed up,” Sam orders as she pulls out her phone and I move over to stand with Kreed.
He wraps his arm around my shoulders as Sam takes pictures and poses us in different ways.I get my picture taken with each of the guys, then Caleb and Kreed, and finally all three of them.I’m over having my picture taken and ready to go home instead of getting in the limo with the guys and going to the school for this dance.
When we get to the school, Caleb helps me out of the limo and leads me inside the school toward the gym where the dance is being held.He doesn’t release my hand as Kreed and Darren follow behind us.After getting our picture taken when we walk inside the gym, Caleb leads me to the dance floor as a slow song starts to play.Always Remember Us This Way by Lady Gaga plays through the speakers as Caleb wraps me in his arms and begins dancing with me.This is the first time I’ve ever danced in public.Usually, I save that for my room when I’m all alone.
I close my eyes and rest my head against Caleb’s chest as he slowly spins us around during the song.I’m following his lead and letting the words of the song fill me.This is honestly one more first Caleb has taken and I wonder how many more he’ll have.Caleb was the first boy to hug me, the first to hold my hand, and now he’s the first boy I’ll dance with.Part of me wants him to have every single one of my firsts, but I don’t know if he feels the same.
As we dance, I feel Caleb keep one of his hands on my lower back while rubbing the other one up and down my back under my hair.My arms are around his neck as we continue dancing to the song.The only thing I can think about or feel is Caleb.He’s been working out for football and has gained muscle over the last year or so.I know his dad and uncles have been helping Kreed, Darren, and him make the most of each workout they have at the compound or school with the rest of the football team.Caleb has also had a growth spurt and towers over me.I feel even shorter when I stand next to him.Being in his arms makes me feel even smaller.Caleb always protects me and right now I feel as if he wants to keep everyone away from me and all to himself.I wouldn’t complain at all.
When the song ends, Caleb pulls back a little and I let my arms drop from around his neck as my eyes slide open.Looking up, I smile at the look on Caleb’s face.It’s one I can’t read but I know it means something.I’ve never seen him look at anyone the way he’s looking at me right now.We walk over to the table Kreed and Darren secured for us hand in hand.If I don’t do anything else during this dance, the best part of my night will be the dance with Caleb holding me close.
Clearing the memory from my head, I look up at Caleb’s face and find his eyes open as he watches me sleep.Again, he’s got a look I can’t decipher on his face and it’s killing me to wonder what he’s thinking.I wish I could read him better.Since I’ve only been with Darren, it’s so hard for me to read or understand what any guy around me is thinking or feeling.The drawback of only being with one man my entire life.
“I’m sorry,” I tell him, pushing off his hard chest and sitting up in my own seat.“You could have put me back in my chair instead of letting me sleep on you.”
“Not gonna happen, Reina.You were comfortable and I wasn’t gonna wake you up because you fell asleep on me,” he responds, his voice a whisper and I know he didn’t sleep at all.
“Why don’t you go home and get some sleep.I’m sure someone will be here soon to hang out with me,” I tell him, knowing he needs his rest because the haunted house opens today and he’s one of the people working it.
“I’m good, Cali.Not goin’ anywhere until Rory gets discharged.The nurses were just in a little while ago to give her more medicine.Some of her color has come back and her fever broke durin’ the night.Doc has already been in to see her too.She’ll have blood work done later on today to see if the antibiotics are workin’.She’ll be gettin’ them every six hours.Doc will be back in to check on Rory.Mom is on her way with Aunt Maddie and Uncle Tank.Dad is hangin’ out with Kreed and Bryce at the house.They’re bringin’ us breakfast sandwiches from the clubhouse and stoppin’ to get coffee.Mom remembers your order,” Caleb informs me as I turn my attention to Rory in the crib while wrapping my arms around my body.
I’m so damn cold.These hospital rooms are always colder than they need to be.Even in the winter when the heat is on, they’re still so cold.If I weren’t so scared, I would have grabbed a hoodie and a pair of pants to put on.Instead, I’m wearing a pair of shorts and one of Kreed’s tee-shirts I stole from him years ago.I was just cleaning and looking for a job so I didn’t really pay attention to what I was wearing when I checked on Rory and tried to get her fever to come down with medicine at home.Maybe Sam thought to grab a change of clothes for me.
“Thank you, Caleb.You’re always here when I truly need you,” I tell him, knowing the words will never be enough for everything he’s done for me over the years.
“Cali, I know shit is strained between the two of us right now.Don’t ever let that make you avoid me when you need me in this kind of situation.Not just when it involves the kids, but if you need me for any reason, call me.Come get me in the clubhouse or wherever I am.I willalwaysbe there for you and the kids, Cali.What were you thinkin’ about before you pushed off my chest?”Caleb asks me, his voice still a whisper as Rory sleeps directly in front of us.
“Well, um, I was just remembering the first and only time I was in your arms other than for a hug,” I tell him honestly because Caleb always knows when I’m not disclosing the full truth to him.
Caleb is quiet for a few minutes.I feel his body shift in the uncomfortable chair as he turns to look at me.
“The homecoming dance our freshman year when I danced with you.I was the only one to dance with you that night,” he says, longing in his voice as I look at him.
“Yeah.The same night you won homecoming king for the first time.I haven’t thought about that night in such a long time.It was one of the best nights of my life.You made it special from buyin’ that gorgeous dress and shoes to sending me to be pampered for the day.It’s the only day I’ve ever had something like that,” I say, realizing how little Darren actually did for me over the years we shared our life together.
When he was home, everything was about him and what I had to do to make his life easier.Not that anything I ever did was right.He never once thought about everything I did as a single parent while he was deployed.Not only was I a single parent, but I was either going to school full time or working full time once I graduated.Yes, I know nothing I did compared to him putting his life on the line every second of every day he was deployed.It’s just upsetting to know he never wanted to spend time alone with me on a date or something when he was home.
“Hey, what’s got that look on your face, Reina?”Caleb questions me as a knock sounds on the door.
Releasing a shaky breath, I look over as Sam and Maddie enter the hospital room with their arms loaded down with bags.
“We got all kinds of goodies for the two of you.How’s our little angel doing today?”Sam asks, walking up to us and handing everything over to Caleb while Maddie hands me a coffee.
“Her fever finally broke in the middle of the night.They’re givin’ her IV medicine every six hours and she’s startin’ to get some of her color back.She only woke up once but she was alert and looked over at me.Rory wasn’t awake for very long, but Doc said she’ll be awake for longer periods as the medicine starts to work and she feels better,” Caleb answers his mom as he hands me a breakfast sandwich that I place in my lap.
