Page 43 of Wishes for August

Noel laughed, full on laughed as he scooted away from me. “Calm down mate, I was just testing out a theory and I was right.”

“You’re lucky I like you Bennett,” Caleb muttered, clearly unamused by Noel’s antics.

“I’m sorry C, but it is so easy to rile you up. I’m happy for you though, for both of you.”

“Thank you,” Caleb replied, his features relaxed. “Can we chat business now please? We have a fair bit to cover today, and August and I have somewhere to be.”

Chapter 24

August

“Just take the bloody thing off.” Caleb looked over at me from his side in the driver's seat. We were stuck in traffic making our way to his parents’ place, outside of London in the Surrey Hills. I tugged furiously at the jumper, the skin around my neck red from scratching.

Manoeuvring my seatbelt to the side, I ripped the blasted thing off as quickly as I could. “Thank fuck!” I groaned in relief as I threw it into the backseat where Hamlet made quick work of pawing at the sequins.

“Did you really keep that on all day just to make me happy?”

Well duh, these days I would do anything to make this fool happy.

“Maybe,” I smirked, reaching forward to crank up the radio. The sound of early noughties pop filled the car and I glanced at Caleb to find him bobbing his head along to the music.

Sk8er Boiby Avril Lavigne gave way toI Gotta a Feelingby the Black Eyed Peas and I chuckled when Caleb belted out the chorus.

“Do you have a problem with great music?” He smirked, briefly looking at me before turning back to the road.

I laughed again, “Not at all Boss Man.”

I felt my lips stretch up as I rested my head against the seat and closed my eyes to the smooth vibrations of the car, the warmth of the heater and the sound of my boyfriend singing off key.

I was happy. Happier than I'd been in a very long time.

The journey took us just over two hours, and when we pulled into the driveway of an old Victorian style house, with a sprawling front lawn and modern two car garage, my stomach sank. My legs became restless, bouncing up and down as I chewed on my bottom lip. This was really happening, I was really going to meet his parents. The thought scared the fuck out of me. I wasn’t a meet the parents kind of guy. What if they hated me? What if they didn’t think I was good enough for their son? Shit, I wasn’t always easy to like and I didn’t particularly scream “extrovert” in new surroundings.

A warm hand rubbed against my leg and pulled me from my mini panic. I looked up to find Caleb watching me.

“Come on baby, it’s going to be fine. They will love you. What’s not to love?”

I scoffed at his question. I could think of a few things but I didn't voice them. I had taken to reminding myself that just because my parents didn’t love me, didn’t mean I wasn’t loveable. I tried to remind myself of that as I stepped out of the car and came around the front, reaching for Caleb’s hand.

“Okay, my dirty little elf,” I winked at him, “Let's go meet the parents.”

As we took the few steps to the front door, it flew open and a beautiful woman, dressed in a black dress with a tartan belt rushed down the stairs and engulfed Caleb in a huge hug. Her hair was up in a bun, greying in places. She smelled like roses and something subtly spicy.

Caleb didn’t drop my hand as he awkwardly hugged her back. “Hi Mum, this is a warm welcome.”

She took a step back. “Well, I haven’t seen my boy in months, so you can excuse a mother for being overwhelmed by his arrival.” Her brown eyes swept to me and a smile - so much like Caleb’s own - spread across her face.

“And you must be August. I’m Charlotte, but you can call me Lottie or Mum.” The word hit me in the chest. When was the last time I had said that word with any affection? I dropped Caleb’s hand and went to rub the ache in my chest before thinking better of it.

“It’s lovely to meet you Lottie,” I stretched out my hand but she batted it away and pulled me into a hug. So, the Winters family were huggers, not surprising. My body was rigid as I mimicked hugging her back, patting Lottie awkwardly on the shoulder before Caleb came to my rescue.

“Alright mum, let’s not chase him away, okay?”

Lottie tutted at Caleb before she took my hand and pulled me towards the door.

“Come on dear, come and meet the others.”

“I’ll get our bags and Hammy out of the car and meet you inside.” Caleb shot me an apologetic look. As out of place as I felt though, I didn’t hate it - the warm comforting feel of a mother’s hand in mine - it was different, but good. Emotion rushed to my throat and I swallowed thickly around the lump.

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