She ignored me. “Is this why you’ve been getting into fistfights? Missing a week in school right before your finals? You’re graduating. And now you’re in jail?”
Her eyes turned to me briefly, and I caught the warning in them.
I felt sick.
Caleb observed the exchange between his mom and me. His green eyes were anxious as they studied me. I willed my face to look blank, empty, but inside, I felt nauseated.
She turned to the officer. “Release my son.”
The officer obliged her. The rattle of the metal handcuff grated in my ears. I could feel the pulse in my temple begin to throb.
“I’ve spoken with the chief of police,” she announced, reprimand and disappointment in her voice. “There will be no record of this. Caleb, how could you let this happen?” Her voice cracked and she paused. “I already told your friends to go home, so I will expect to see you in your apartment with a reasonable explanation in half an hour.”
Although her face was stoic, her hand shook as she reached out to touch her son’s face. “You’ve frightened me. When will you ever learn, Cal?” I could feel the worry and fear in her voice, and the strong love she had for Caleb.
Caleb stood and wrapped her in his arms, murmuring in her ear. I stepped aside to give them more room. He was talking too softly for me to hear, but his mom nodded. I felt like a trespasser. She kissed him on the cheek and then turned and left with the officer—without glancing at me.
“I’m sorry, Red. Don’t worry about my mom. I’ll talk to her.”
I shook my head. “She’s right.”
His eyes filled with fear as he cupped my face in his hands. “You’re not thinking of leaving me again.” It wasn’t a question.
“N-no.”
His hands fell to my shoulders, pulling me close to him. “Do you trust me?”
He had asked me this before. This time, I didn’t hesitate. “Yes. I trust you, Caleb.”
“Good.” He kissed my forehead. “Come home with me, baby.”
I wanted to be with him, especially after what had happened today. But I couldn’t. “No. Caleb, your mom just asked you to come home.”
He pulled back, staring at me intently. “You promised you’d stay with me tonight.”
“Don’t be unreasonable.” Don’t make her hate me more than she already does, I thought, but I didn’t say that. “Your mom’s upset, Caleb. You’ve got to take care of that. I’ll see you tomorrow. Please.”
He nodded tightly. “Don’t go anywhere, Red.”
“I won’t,” I promised. And this time, I meant it.
Chapter Fifteen
Veronica
I was so exhausted that I had trouble sleeping. The last time I’d had more than five hours of sleep was the night before I went hunting, as Kara eloquently put it, at the club to get Caleb back.
It didn’t make sense. Shouldn’t I be able to sleep as soon as my head hit the pillow? My body might be depleted of energy, but my mind wouldn’t stop worrying.
Caleb had beaten up Justin because of me. He went to jail because Justin or Beatrice-Rose had set him up. Again, because of me.
And now his mom was upset with him because of me. I knew how much Caleb loved his mom, and the thought of her disliking me was depressing.
She was right, though. All the bad things that had happened to Caleb were because of me.
You bring nothing but bad luck. I should have picked the other kid to adopt. Tanya and I would still be together if not for you.
My dad’s voice echoed in my mind. Of all the hurtful things he had said to me, this one hurt the most. This one I could never forget. Maybe because deep down, I knew he was right.