Chapter 14

In the living room, on the couch, Caleb leaned in closer. We were waiting for Carl because later at three, we would go horse riding. “I will go to the city tomorrow, do you want something? You might wanna go with me.”

“Oh, then, let’s ask Carl. We should go together.”

“I’d like to shop. Carl also mentioned yesterday that he wanted to buy something.” He gathered my hair in his hand, crossed his legs, and leaned on the couch. “You use Carl’s shampoo.” He snorted a soft laugh through his nose.

"I liked the smell of it.”

“How about mine?” he cocked his head to the side, waiting for my reply.

“Hmm,” I acted like I was considering his question, and I almost burst into laughter when his nose flared. He was cute. “I like your smell, too. Mr. Me too.”

He grinned, tickling my side, causing me to laugh. When I turned my head, Aunt Beth had already entered the living room. My heart sank as her sharp gaze fell upon us, instantly making me feel like a child caught with her hand in the cookie jar.

Her suspicious look made my stomach churn with unease.

When Aunt Beth strategically placed herself between us, I almost snorted a laugh despite the seriousness of the situation. She could be very obviously suspicious. “Carl will be home soon. I had called him and he’s close.”

Caleb and I looked at each other. He looked innocently confused.

Aunt Beth sighed. “Caleb, do you want to wait for Carl outside? Your friend needs your help with those boxes.”

“Sure, Aunt.” He said and winked at me, which Aunt Beth saw, and I felt like bumping my head somewhere. This was getting harder. Caleb looked so cool with it.

As the doorbell rang, unease flooded through me like a coil of wind on a hot summer day. Caleb’s departure to greet Carl sent nervousness lingering like a shadow in the back of my mind.

Her watchful eye squinted. “Sasha, dear,”

I could see the worry etched on her face, her brow furrowed with apprehension. I didn’t want her to worry. I didn’t want her to be upset. I swallowed hard. I was freaking nervous. “Yes, Aunt Beth?”

“I thought...we already talked about this,” she said cautiously.

My heart was pounding with anxiety. “Yes, Aunt Beth. Everything is good, Uhm, we’re good.” Ugh! Tell her already!

“Let’s hope so,” she murmured, her eyes sad.

As the minutes ticked by, each second felt like an eternity.

Finally, when Carl saw us, there was a palpable shift in the room. Aunt Beth’s tension seemed to double as she greeted Carl with a kiss on the cheek, her usual cheerful demeanor masking the underlying worry that gnawed at her.

Without a word, she excused herself and headed upstairs, leaving Carl and me alone in the living room. It was unusual for her to leave so abruptly, especially when Uncle was still resting.

I felt a pang of guilt, knowing that her concern stemmed from her love and protectiveness towards Carl.

I watched her retreating form. She was too nice to say hurtful words to me, yet I had been lying about the whole thing. I let out a sigh. I had to ease Aunt Beth’s worries.

“Are you okay?” Carl asked, reaching for my forehead. “The lines will give you wrinkles.”

I chuckled. “I’m fine,” I reassured him with a smile.

My eyes scanned the room briefly before settling back on Carl. “Where’s Caleb?”

“He put something in his room. The one he asked me to buy.” He explained.

" I didn’t notice he went up to his room.”

“He’s gotta be careful with it, though,” he smirked.

“Hmm, what is it?” I asked, curious at the glint of mischief in his eyes. “You’re not telling me something, Carl.”

He chuckled, a twinkle of amusement in his eyes. “You’ll know tonight,” he mused, running his tongue over his lip. “You should not know what we are going to get up to next. It’s going to spoil the fun.”

I sat down on the couch, feeling suddenly exhausted. Tonight, they would sneak to my room again, and I had been worried Aunt Beth might catch them. “Carl,”

“You’re pouting and it makes me want to kiss you.” I hit him lightly on the leg as he sat next to me. “What’s the problem?”

“We have to tell your mother. I’m worried about her finding out about us sneaking around like this. We can’t keep hiding forever.”

His hand reached out to gently squeeze my hand. “I know, Pumpkin,” he murmured sympathetically. “But it’s complicated. I mean, how do we even begin to explain it to her? I don’t know exactly if she’s open-minded about these things.”

I felt a knot of anxiety tightening in my chest. “But... We’re deceiving her by keeping this a secret. I don’t want to lie to her. She’s just so nice.”

“Maybe you’re right,” he conceded reluctantly.

“I just wish there was an easier way,” I confessed, the situation pressing down on me like a heavy burden. I had to accept her criticism, her reaction, her disgust, and her admonishing.

He wrapped his arm around me. “I believe she will understand,” he promised softly.

“I hope so,”

..

The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting a golden glow over the rolling hills. Carl, Caleb, and I found ourselves atop three majestic horses, galloping across the open fields. I laughed as we raced each other along the winding trails, forgetting my worries just for a bit.

“Race you to the oak tree!” Caleb called out as he spurred his horse.

“Not so fast, Caleb!” I giggled, urging my own horse to pick up the pace, determined to catch up to him.

Carl chuckled beside me, his horse keeping a steady pace as we chased after Caleb. “I think you’ve met your match, Caleb,” he quipped, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

“We’ll see about that!” Caleb called back, his laughter echoing back, urging his horse to go faster.

My heart was pounding hard, my breath coming out free and full of blast. As we neared the oak tree, Caleb let out a whoop of triumph, crossing the imaginary finish line with a flourish. He was grinning triumphantly as he pulled his horse to a stop.

“That was fun.” He exclaimed, looking so boyish and carefree.

“That was more than fun, it was exhilarating!” I breathed, feeling so adventurous.

Caleb’s face flushed with excitement. “I couldn’t agree more. The thrill of the race, the rush of adrenaline coursing through my veins – it’s a wonderful experience.” His face flushed with excitement.

Unlike Carl, we never had this opportunity, so this was a breath of fresh air for us.

“Let’s do it again!” I suggested eagerly, my smile widening as I nudged my horse playfully.

Carl laughed, the sound echoing through the open fields. “Careful, young lady!”

“Yes, sir!” I replied, feeling alive and carefree at that moment. Their laughter followed behind me.

The wind whipped through my hair and the horses’ hooves pounded against the earth. A sense of exhilaration filled me. But just as we were picking up speed, Caleb’s horse stumbled on a rocky patch of ground, causing Caleb to wobble dangerously in the saddle.

“Whoa there!” Caleb exclaimed, alarmed as he struggled to regain his balance. He finally got down on his feet.

Worried, Carl and I pulled our horses to a stop, hoping Caleb didn’t topple over. “Easy, Caleb,” Carl said, reaching out to steady Caleb’s horse.

“You alright there, cowboy?” I asked and got down also, worried.

Caleb let out a shaky laugh, “Just a little stumble,”

“Better safe than sorry,” Carl remarked, his eyes scanning the ground ahead for any more obstacles.

“Oh, dammit!” Caleb hissed, covering his eyes.

“What’s wrong?” I reached for him to check what was in his eyes.”

“Something in my eyes,”

“Let me see. I’ll blow it.” Inhaling a lungful of air, my lips parted slightly to blow a soft breath against his eye, hoping to dislodge whatever was causing him discomfort, but before I could do it, his lips met mine, causing me to blow the air straight to his mouth, his laughter vibrating against my face as he chased my lips for a kiss.

I could hear Carl’s laughter, seeing through Caleb’s attempt at a joke.

“I’m sorry I worried you,” Caleb said, grinning.

“Idiot!” I narrowed my eyes at him, punching his chest as I laughed. “Don’t do that again.”

..

Tonight, after dinner, we would finally tell Aunt Beth the truth about our unconventional relationship. We had decided it was time to come clean and face whatever she had to say about it. I was just so guilty sneaking around behind her and Carl’s father. They were nice people. She was so nice to me, and I didn’t want to do more damage to her emotions than I already did thinking that I was cheating on Carl.

Tonight might be my last night here in her home.

Since I helped her in the kitchen, I went there first. I had to quickly do the dishes so we could talk to her. I was getting nervous at each passing second. Carl remained at the table with her to inform her that we would need a moment with her before she went to her room.

Caleb followed me in the kitchen. “What are you doing here?”

“I will help you.”

“Caleb, I already told you. She’s being suspicious. I want you and Carl to give her company as I finish this quickly.”

“Two pairs of hands will make this quicker.” He insisted and reached for the liquid soap.

I slapped his hand before he could touch it. “I said no.”

“You’re becoming violent, woman.” He narrowed his eyes.

I scoffed at his playful jab, though my nerves were still frayed with anxiety. “I’m not being violent, Sir. I’m trying here to keep my nerves in check despite the tension brewing within me. I just want to get this done as quickly as possible.”

His grin widened as he leaned against the kitchen counter. “Alright, alright, no need to get feisty,” he teased, his eyes dancing with amusement. “You look more beautiful when you’re like that.”

I shot him a glare before turning back to the sink, focusing on the task at hand. “You’re not helping at all, Cal.” The sound of water splashing and dishes clanking as I worked quickly, my mind racing with thoughts of what lay ahead.

“Alright,” he sighed as if defeated. “Maybe this will help.” He said and wrapped his arms around my waist, snuggling his nose against my neck. His warm breath tickled my skin.

I sighed, his affectionate gesture melted away some of the tension that had been building inside me. “Caleb, stop it. What are you doing?” I tried to sound exasperated but failed miserably. His arms were comforting.

“Helping, of course,” he replied with mock innocence, his voice muffled against my neck. “Can’t have you stressing out all by yourself, now can we?”

I shook my head in amusement, feeling the corners of my lips turn upwards into a smile despite myself. “You’re impossible, you know that?” My heart fluttered at his closeness.

“That’s what you love about me,” he quipped and pressed a gentle kiss to the sensitive skin just below my ear.

I was about to respond when a horrified gasp reached my ears. “What on earth are you two doing?”

Oh, no! I froze.