Chapter Six
Caleb waited impatiently for four o’clock so he could see Emily again and be around Krew for the first time in almost two months. He had missed both of them horribly, and he’d never exhibited this kind of patience in his lifetime. He used to spend his days practicing or playing lacrosse, researching and testing fireworks for his and Seth’s online company, flirting with and dating women, planning and executing pranks on his family members and friends, and traveling to be with family and friends. Since he’d met Emily and Krew, though, all he wanted was to be close to them.
He’d gone to Vermont for Christmas, but only because he adored his family and couldn’t break his mother’s heart. He’d separated himself from all the women who chased him, responding with a kind but firm no to every invitation. He spent his time working out hard, getting in lots of extra lacrosse practice, being with close friends and family, and watching out for Emily and Krew, from a distance. Of course, he still pranked Seth. His latest one had been great. He’d paid Breeze’s brother, Ridge, who worked and traveled with Seth and Breeze, to temporarily trade out Seth and Breeze’s million-dollar motorhome for an RV that resembled Uncle Eddie’s “tenement on wheels” fromChristmas Vacationwith Chevy Chase. Ridge had gotten him some great video footage of their stunned reactions.
Caleb’s thoughts returned quickly to Emily, as they often did. When Mylee had caught him walking past Emily’s house last night, she’d hugged him and kissed him on the cheek and forced him to agree to her plan today. Not that he had any objections, but he wanted to respect Emily’s need to wait until March to date, and being close to her muddied his brain and made him forget all about his proclaimed patience. He’d basically pinned her against his door and almost kissed her on those luscious lips. The kiss on the cheek had been incredible, yet it hadn’t been nearly enough.
He hadn’t dared tell his family about his obsession with Emily and Krew, but some of them were wondering what was going on with him. Over Christmas break, he hadn’t acted as crazy as usual; little Paisley had been mad at him about it, and Rachel claimed he’d matured overnight. He smiled to himself, but it faded away. Rachel. He hated seeing her still suffering from the burns on her face, neck, and shoulder that she’d gotten last summer because of a selfish jerk who was trying to hurt Seth and Breeze. Rachel was still staying with Mom and Dad, and that in and of itself was worrisome. Her skin grafts were healed, and though her skin wasn’t completely smooth, she hid most of the scarring with her hair swept over her face and across her neck and shoulder. Caleb thought she was as beautiful as ever, but why wasn’t she going to law school or out to conquer the business world like she’d planned on? She was only twenty-four, but Dad had told her he’d give her the five-million-dollar inheritance they each received at twenty-five early if she wanted to go start a business of some sort. She’d told him she’d think about it. It had been weeks, and apparently, she was still thinking. She’d be twenty-five this summer, so the point would be moot then. Like his dad, Caleb really wanted to see her go for something.
The doorbell rang, and Caleb pushed the worries about his family aside as he raced for his entryway. Jerking the door open, he saw the pair he dreamt about every night. “Emily! Krew!” He wanted to hug Emily, but he should demonstrate some of the self-restraint he’d lost this morning.
He needn’t have worried about time to hug Emily. Krew screamed, “Caleb!” then launched himself against Caleb’s abdomen. Emily shut the door behind them, grinning.
Caleb caught the little guy easily, lifting him into the air and hugging him tight. “Krew! I’ve missed you, my man.”
Krew hugged him fiercely around the neck, but then he leaned back and punched Caleb in the chest.
“Krew,” Emily admonished.
Caleb jerked in surprise as the little man squirmed out of his arms.
Krew put his hands on his hips and glared up at him. “Why did you ditch me? I thought you were my coach and my friend.”
“Ah, Krew.” Caleb pushed a hand at his hair, wondering how to respond. He would never blame Emily, but it had been her choice to sever ties, not his. Krew’s reaction suggested obvious abandonment and neglect issues from his dad, and now he thought Caleb had left him.
Emily gave him an apologetic glance, pulled off her coat and gloves, then knelt down in front of her son and took him by the shoulders. “Krew. Oh, sweet honey child. It was my fault, not Caleb’s.”
Krew narrowed his eyes at his mom. “Why?”
“I made the choice to stop your practices and stop you from seeing Caleb. I’m sorry, little love. I’m so sorry.”
“Did you choose it, Mama, or is it because Dad showed up that last night we practiced?”
Caleb’s own eyes widened at the little man’s perceptiveness.
Emily glanced up at Caleb. He wanted to make this easier on her, to protect her from her ex, to love her and Krew. He was moving too fast, even if it was only in his own mind. He kept trying to show that patience he’d promised her. The pair of them were worth waiting for, but it was tough to not just rush in and try to solve her problems.
“Your dad doesn’t want me seeing Caleb,” Emily admitted to Krew. “But there are other factors as well.”
Caleb wondered what she meant. Was there another reason, or was she trying not to badmouth Krew’s dad in front of him? What if the “other factors” had to do with something Caleb had done? He’d never lacked any confidence, especially where women were concerned, but when it came to Emily, he was ready to beg for any attention she could send his way, like a stray dog needing just a scrap of food.
“Dad ruins everything,” Krew muttered.
Emily didn’t contradict him, and Caleb agreed with the little guy. Yet Caleb had pushed Emily to get the jerk out of her life last fall, and it hadn’t gone well, causing them six weeks of separation and pain. He wasn’t about to bring back up the idea to fight Jeff in court when Emily and Krew had finally returned to his life.
Emily stood and wrapped her arm around Krew. She smiled at Caleb. “Caleb is our neighbor now, so we’ll get to see him again.”
“Yes!” Krew fist-pumped, and then his cute face crumpled. “Sorry I hit you, Coach. I forgot about our lessons on self-control.”
“It’s okay, bud. Do you remember what I taught you?”
Krew solemnly said, “The best player is never angry.”
Caleb allowed himself a smile. “That’s right. If we’re in control, we can play our best. Plus, it keeps us out of the penalty box … most of the time.” He winked at Emily.
“I’ve seen you in that penalty box,” she sassed him, looking so perfect here in his home, where she was meant to be.
He wanted to grab her and pull her close. “Have you now? Did I look good?”