Page 96 of Caleb
“We’re good?”
“Better than ever.” I put her down on her feet, and she sighs a sigh of relief that makes me laugh. I get it. Us being okay is also a fundamental part of my well-being and mental state.
“You should go out and celebrate or something,” she says. “I’m staying in for the rest of the night.”
“Yeah, I don’t know. I might be getting old, but—I’m tired. I wouldn’t mind staying in and getting some rest either,” I reply, brushing my forehead. “Today was stressful, if I’m being honest. Your father insisted on how everything had to be perfect tonight. No surprises.”
“I know. It was stressful for me too. But here I am. Perfectly safe and in one piece,” she sings, showcasing herself with a hand wave. “Thanks to you guys.”
A door shuts in the distance. It’s William, and he’s walking toward Red’s door. He leans against it and shoots a two-finger wave at her. I’m sure he wants to talk. So that means it’s time for me to leave.
I raise a brow and say, “Let me know if you need anything.” I glance at William as my way of letting her know I’ll be close by, just a few floors below. “We’ll be—”
“Downstairs,” she finishes the sentence with a laugh. It makes me laugh, too, as I turn around to leave. “Caleb!”
I look over my shoulder.
“And just for the record ... you’re wrong.”
I know what she means. She thinks I’m wrong about her feelings for William, but I’ve never been more certain about anything in my entire life. So I smirk at her and say, “Red, I’m always right.”
My phone vibrates on my chest as I step inside my apartment, so I pull it out of my jacket pocket. The caller ID says it’s my mom. I smile at the screen and take the call.
— “Hey, Ma.”
— “Happy birthday, son! I know it’s not officially your birthday anymore, but you wouldn’t pick up the phone all day.”
— “Sorry, Ma. It’s been a long day at work.”
I kick off my shoes and bring them into my room. Aaron’s sitting in the living room reading a book. He’s still wearing his black slacks, but he took off his jacket and tie and undid a few of his shirt’s buttons.
— “You work too much. Aren’t you out celebrating?”
— “Nah. I’m turning in. I’m going to eat something and go to bed.”
— “How will you ever meet a nice girl if you’re…”
— “Ma … Enough with that. How’s Dad?”
Chuckling, I shrug out of my jacket and loosen my tie. I love her, but her obsession with me meeting someone and getting married annoys the shit out of me every time. That’s the last thing on my mind right now.
— “He’s doing good. He had to leave early to run some errands but told me to wish you a happy birthday. He’ll call you later, I’m sure. When are you coming to visit?”
— “I promise I’ll try to go in the summer for a few days.”
She sighs, and I sit on the edge of my bed.
— “What’s wrong, Ma?”
— “Are you happy?”
I snort.
— “I am the happiest.”
Smiling, I remember how I just said those same words to Red in our conversation. And it’s the truth. I’m happy and at peace. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.
— “Okay. I love you, Caleb.”
