Unexpected Love

Chapter 13

Caleb's POV
We were sitting in her kitchen while she ate a bowl of soup slowly. I sat across from her, admiring how beautiful she was.
She had dried tears on her face and was sniffling every now and then.
After finishing her soup, she looked up at me and blushed.
" Thanks. For holding and letting my cry" she mumbled.
I looked at her in shock, not believing what she just said.
Is she really apologizing to ME right now?
I got up quickly and went to her, pulling her into a hug.
Her arms wrapped around my waist.
" Never, ever apologize to me for crying, or anything that has to do with the accident. I'm sorry. For you to be experiencing this pain and hurt." I whispered, huskily, to her.
She slightly shuddered and I smiled, knowing I still had that effect on her.
I mean, girls always fell head over heels for me, but when she just did the slightest thing to show she enjoyed having me around her I felt important and my heart fluttered.
" Don't hold it on your shoulders though" she whispered back, leaning her face up towards mine.
She kissed me and I seas about to get deeper into the kiss when I heard the front door open. I pulled away, as hard as it was for me, but kept my arms around her waist. She removed her hands though and attempted to flatten her hair out so her parents wouldn't notice that she had been a mess. Her eyes were puffy and red and her cheeks blotchy but I didn't say anything.
Her parents walked into the kitchen, setting down groceries on the counter.
" Hey Caleb. Can you help get the rest please dear?" she asked.
I saw her looking at Sarah and I smiled and said of course.
I wasn't sure if she was going to tell her parents so when I came back and saw her mom holding her, crying and her dad putting away the groceries, awkwardly, I decided to help and join. Passing him the items as he put them away since I didn't know where they belonged.
" Thanks. For taking care of her" he said, barely audible.
I nodded my head and hid the smile on my face.
" Anytime sir." I said.
We continued to put the stuff away and I hadn't even noticed that they had left the room.
When we finished putting away the groceries he made coffee and I accepted a cup, sitting across from him, and drinking it slowly.
" I've seen the way she looks at you." Mr. Jones said.
I looked up to meet his gaze, and I felt my face get red.
Damn myself.
He chuckled and I softly laughed to keep the mood good.
" She really does like you. I know of your reputation." he spoke.
My eyes got wide. Oh no. What does he think of me now? Does he want me to break up with her. I can't do that. I can't. I won't. I love her too much.
Wait.
Love her?
Yeah, yeah I guess I do.
I shivered at the thought of thinking I loved somebody.
No I can't love her. I can care about her but I can't love her. That's my number one rule.
I can't love anybody else ever again.
I won't. I won't get hurt again.
" Sir, I deeply care about your daughter. She's my life. Like, I can't explain it. She makes me feel whole, complete. Like I'm worth while. She's wonderful, and beautiful, and unique, and makes me smile whenever I see her." I said.
And everything I said was true. No hidden truth or lies. Just plain out there.
" I believe you. But don't think I don't have my eyes on you. I'm shy and quiet but when my one and only child gets hurt, I'm a whole new man" he told me seriously.
I nodded my head and he smiled, making him look a couple years younger then what he really was.
He got up and patted my back.
" Alright son. Nice talk." her father said, leaving the room.
Son? Was that supposed to mean something.
I decided not to dwell on it and went in the living room to check on Mrs. Jones and Kenya.
They were sitting on the couch, sitting cross legged across from each other and they were giggling.
Kenya and her mom were so close that I wished I had that relationship with my parents.
I stood at the frame of the kitchen, watching them.
She looked so happy.
Both of them did.
When her mom finally noticed me she motioned for me to come over and I sat on a single chair.
" So Kenya and I were talking. And she mentioned a party tomorrow. Kyles?" she said.
I didn't look at Kenya because I didn't want her mom to think that I needed to have her approvals before speaking.
" Yes. That's right." I said.
" Will there be drinking or smoking?" she asked.
I thought and decided not to lie.
" Yes."
" Right answer!" and she giggled.
I laughed and Kenya smiled, looking at me with those big brown eyes.
" Well make sure you are sober so you can drive her home afterwards. I don't care what time it is when you drop her off. And don't be high either. I know how those parties get" she said with a grin.
I could imagine her mom doing stuff like that when she was a teenager.
She was pretty, very outgoing, and was probably popular.
The strange thing was that Kenya didn't look like either of her parents.
She came out beautiful anyways though.
" You can come if you like." I offered, knowing she would turn it down.
" Oh no thanks. I'm far too old for those kind of parties anymore." she laughed and I did too.
" You are not old. You look very young." I said.
She smile brightly.
" Well he knows how to give a girl a compliment" she exclaimed to Kenya.
She looked at me and grinned.
" That's my Caleb."
Hearing her say " my Caleb" made my insides melt and I grinned widely. I couldn't help it.
I loved the way that sounded.