by Rye Hart
“I’m doing fucking amazing without them,” Caleb said. He laughed lightly. “Watch this.”
He let go of the wall and slowly made his way toward me. It was only about three normal steps, but for him, it took about ten.
“It’s your funeral,” I said, rolling my eyes.
“Always the pessimist.” He grabbed his crutches and shoved them under his arms. “Can’t you just be positive? Just one time?”
“I’m positive during every single PT session,” I argued.
“Oh yeah,” Caleb said. “You’re a freaking ray of sunshine.”
“Whatever.”
He grinned as we slipped through the front door and headed to my car. Caleb had called me the night before to ask for a ride to PT. I was happy to do it, but I was always nervous. Things between us had been so strained lately. I didn’t know how awkward the car ride would be.
After his playful banter at the apartment, though, everything felt normal. We laughed and talked the entire way to the hospital. He teased me, and I poked fun at him. We flirted, and he even pulled me in for a kiss at every red light. By the time we pulled up to the PT building, my mood had drastically improved.
“Let’s get you started on some weights today,” I said. “You think you’re strong enough to walk around without crutches? Prove it.”
“Bring it on, baby.” Caleb grinned and followed me toward the weight bench.
I loaded it up with two-and-a-half-pound weights while he positioned himself. When he saw the size of the weights, he snorted and rolled his eyes. I just shrugged and motioned for him to try. He tucked his foot beneath the foam cushion and slowly began to lift. His face immediately contorted as pain shot through his leg. The bar barely lifted before he dropped his foot, breathing heavy.
“What the fuck?” he growled and his face flushed with rage.
“Hey,” I said softly. “Relax. This isn’t supposed to be easy.”
“I feel so damn weak,” he said.
“You’re not.”
“It’s two pounds!” he yelled.
“And next week, it’ll be five,” I said. “Then, ten. Then, fifty. You’ll get back to your old self again, okay? It just takes time.”
“Yeah.” He nodded. “Okay.” He said it, but I wasn’t sure that he believed it.
“And you said I was never positive.” I snorted.
He smiled weakly and let out a half-laugh. It was progress.
I tried to keep his mood light as he tried the weights a few more times. After that, we did a couple laps on the bars and then, he was done.
Our PT sessions had become harder each week. I knew Caleb was really starting to feel the resistance. He was almost finished, which was when most patients wanted to give up. I knew Caleb too well to think he’d ever go down that path. He’d rip himself apart before he would walk away from a challenge.
As I watched him towel off his face, I couldn’t help but feel a burning desire in the pit of my stomach. My legs felt weak as he leaned back in the chair, his eyes closed and his face flush from the workout. I trailed my eyes down his chest to his legs. The scar on his injured leg was still visible, and I longed to run my finger over it.
My heart was racing, and I felt sweaty by the time he opened his eyes. We looked at each other, and I knew he was reading my mind. His eyes trailed down to my breasts and stayed there for a second. When he looked back at my face, I was hotter than ever.
“Maybe we should get out of here,” I said softly.
“My place?” he asked, already getting to his feet.
I nodded and led the way outside.
***
Caleb kept his hand on my thigh the entire drive back to his place. I was trembling with desire. He trailed his fingers up my leg to my hip. I was wearing jeans so I could barely feel his touch but it was enough. My body was alive with energy. I wanted him more than I ever had.
When we got back to his place, we didn’t waste any time talking. We flew through the front door and moved straight to his bedroom. Our minds were focused on one thing and one thing only.
“Come here,” Caleb said, grabbing me around the waist and pulling me against him.
His lips were hard against mine. They moved with an urgency that sent a pool of desire flooding into my panties. I moaned against his mouth, opening my own to take in this tongue.
When our tongues met, I shook uncontrollably and pulled him closer. My hands were in his hair, on his back, sliding down to his ass. They were everywhere. I couldn’t get enough of his hard, muscular body.
When he pushed me backward on the bed, I bounced slightly, and he grinned at the sight. His eyes were dark with a desperate hunger. He moved forward like a predator stalking its prey and ripped my jeans from my body. He pulled my panties down and dove between my legs.
“Holy shit,” I moaned and gripped the bedsheets with both hands.
Caleb’s tongue was on my clit in an instant, moving so fast I barely knew what was happening. I felt waves of pleasure washing through me. My legs wrapped themselves around Caleb’s head as he moaned against my pussy. His tongue slid down, slipping inside my wet folds, then darting back up to my clit.
“Fuck,” I said breathlessly. “Caleb.”
His tongue moved faster, and soon, I was screaming out his name and writhing against the bed.
“Caleb! Oh fuck! Yes!”
My orgasm came fast and hard, rushing through me like an intoxicating shot of adrenaline.
He lifted his head up and grinned, already sliding up my body to reclaim my lips. This kiss was harder than the last. His tongue slid forcefully into my mouth, and I tasted my juices on his lips. I moaned and kissed him back, wrapping my legs around him.
He stood up to strip his clothes off. I watched him move, staring at his body with an animalistic interest. When his rock-hard cock sprung free from his boxers, I moaned and silently begged him to take me. My legs spread for him but he just shook his head and pulled me up.
He stood in front of me and lifted my shirt over my head. I took off my bra and looked at him expectantly. He leaned down to kiss me again. When he pulled away, his cock was right there, ready to take the place of his lips.
“Is this what you want?” I asked softly, flicking my tongue over his tip.
He growled and tangled his fingers in my hair while I took him all the way down my throat. He was huge but I didn’t mind. The taste of his precum was enough to drive me forward. I swirled my tongue around his cock while he pumped his hips against my face. I moaned and hummed, making him grunt and shake with pleasure.
“Fuck,” he said. “Fuck, I’m gonna come.”
He wrenched himself away from me, pushing me backward on the bed. He crawled on top of me and grabbed my legs, lifting them over his shoulders. While he held onto my legs, he thrust his hips forward and buried his cock deep inside me.
I was soaking wet and more than ready for him. I cried out with pleasure and reached above my head to grip the bedsheets again. He watched my body shake beneath him, his eyes wide and full of need.
When I screamed out his name, he moved even faster inside me. I lifted my hands up to run my fingernails down his chest. I left red marks where I touched him, and the sight excited me even more.
I lifted my ass to meet his thrusts, pushing him even deeper. He grunted and growled, his balls slapping against me while he took me with vigor. Before I could catch my breath, my second orgasm was building.
Caleb was relentless as he brought me closer to the edge. I came again, clawing at the bedsheets and screaming out his name.
“God damn, Tara,” he grunted. “You look fucking incredible.”
His eyes trailed over my writhing body while he exploded inside of me. He collapsed against me, our bodies fused together with sweat and lust.
It took a few minutes for us to pry ourselves apart. When we did, my temples began to throb. Just like that, reality set in. Caleb disappeared. My love and lust for him were swallowed by the pain. The only th
ing that existed was my headache and the true meaning behind it.
Caleb held me against him chest and my headache worsened. I tried to convince myself to stay the night, but the pain was too much. I made up an excuse and left in a hurry, desperate to reach my own bed.
CHAPTER NINETEEN - CALEB
I was too exhausted to analyze Tara’s behavior. We had incredible sex. We were instantly connected to each other. Then, she left. She mumbled something about having to wake up early, but I could barely hear her. She threw on her clothes, kissed my lips, and then flew through the door without another word. I tried to get out of bed to follow her, but my leg wouldn’t let me move fast enough, and eventually, the exhaustion overwhelmed me.
After having sex, though, I knew my feelings for Tara were real. I’d been scared and questioning everything ever since I talked with my mother. I knew I wanted to make things work with Tara, but I wasn’t sure how to do that. When our bodies collided, I knew she was the only one for me. It wasn’t just about sex, it was about how much I needed her. No one had ever made me feel the way Tara did. She could overwhelm me, infuriate me, and comfort me all at the same time. Her mere presence was enough to make me feel at home.
I couldn’t let her go.
And yet, I did. I let her walk out the door without an explanation.
When I woke up the next morning, I hated myself for succumbing to sleep instead of calling her. I grabbed my phone off my nightstand and scrolled down to her contact.
I typed a quick text message. “Did you make it home okay?” I pressed send and stared at the screen until her response came through.
“Yeah. All good. Just woke up.”
I replied. “Me too. You wore me out.”
I stared at the screen, but nothing more came through. Frowning, I pushed myself out of bed and went to the bathroom. I showered and brushed my teeth, taking my time to ensure I would have a response from Tara when I was done.
Even after twenty minutes in the bathroom, the text message screen remained the same. Tara never answered. I was worried about her. She didn’t seem upset when she left last night. If anything, he just seemed sick. It was like she suddenly didn’t feel well and had to leave.
Just as I was about to type out another text to her, I heard a sharp tap on my front door. Thinking it was Tara, I threw on some clothes and hurried toward the door. My injured leg and crutches prevented me from running, but I wanted to. I couldn’t get to the door fast enough, and when I did, I was disappointed as hell to find my mother and Darren standing on my front porch.
“We brought breakfast!” Mom said. She stepped inside and kissed my cheek.
Darren nodded at me and followed his wife into the living room. My stomach felt like it was filled with lead. I didn’t want them in my apartment, not right then. I just wanted to talk to Tara.
“How’s your leg doing?” Mom asked. She set the food on the coffee table and turned to face me. I knew I wasn’t going to get rid of them anytime soon. I sighed and moved to sit down on the couch.
“It’s great,” I said. “Tara tried me on some weights at PT yesterday.”
“Really?” Mom asked. “Already?”
“Dr. McGee says he’s doing well,” Darren said. ‘Should be ready to go within the month.”
“Is that true?” Mom asked, her eyes wide.
I nodded. “That’s what they tell me.”
“That’s fantastic!” Mom gushed. “Oh, honey, that’s wonderful news!”
I smiled at her enthusiasm, but when my eyes turned to Darren, the smile immediately faded. He was staring just to the right of me, his eyes narrowed and his face contorted with rage. I glanced around, trying to see what had pissed him off.
“Is that Tara’s?” Darren finally asked.
“Is what Tara’s?” Mom asked, looking around in confusion.
Just then, I spotted Tara’s jacket thrown over the back of my couch. I grabbed it and held it up for my mom to see. With a sigh, I turned to Darren.
“Is she here?” he demanded.
“No,” I said. “She was here last night, but she left.”
“What was she doing here?” His voice was low, his eyes dangerous.
“Well,” I said. “She drove me to PT and then dropped me off.”
“That’s all she did?” he asked. “Drop you off?”
I didn’t answer right away. Our eyes were locked together. He knew exactly what happened between Tara and me last night. I wasn’t the best at keeping a straight face, and I wasn’t a liar. I wouldn’t outright say “I fucked your daughter,” but I also wouldn’t lie about it.
“You don’t have anything to worry about,” I said with a sigh. “She’s been distant lately. I’m not sure she even wants to be with me.”
“Her clothes shouldn’t be left here either way!” he yelled. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
“I’m not dicking her around!” I said, trying to get to my feet but failing. My leg wasn’t strong enough, and I couldn’t reach my crutches.
“The hell you aren’t!”
“Listen,” I said slowly. “I care about Tara, okay? You know that. I’m not just screwing her until I get bored. That’s not what this is. Tara is amazing. She means a lot to me. Tara’s more important to me than you know.”
“That’s bullshit!” Darren screamed. “Don’t sit here and tell me you care about my daughter. I know you too well, Caleb. You’re a lowlife who doesn’t care about anyone but yourself.”
“Darren!” Mom said, stepping in front of him. She was angry, but he wasn’t ready to back down. He moved around her, so he and I were face to face again.
“You’re just a lowlife,” he spat. “I knew it ten years ago, and I know it now.”
“I love her,” I said boldly. “I’m in love with Tara. Nothing you say can change that.”
“You aren’t good enough for her.”
“I’m a fireman for God’s sake!” I yelled. “I’m a fucking hero. Have you already forgotten how I injured my leg?”
“I’m only going to say this one more time,” Darren said, his voice low. “Stay the hell away from my daughter, or I swear to God, you will regret it.”
“What are you so scared of?” I demanded. “I’m not the same person I was when I was seventeen! Mom knows that. Tara knows that. Why the hell can’t you see it? I’ve changed. I have a respectable career.”
“Not for long,” Darren said.
He glared at me one last time before spinning on his heel and marching toward the door. He yanked it open and then stepped outside, slamming the door behind him. Mom jumped at the sound. When I looked over at her, tears were streaming down her cheeks. She looked to be in shock.
“Mom?” I said softly. “Mom, are you okay?”
“I’m so sorry,” she said weakly. “I don’t know where that came from. I mean, I know he’s angry with you but I never thought he would be so vicious. He shouldn’t have been like that. How could he be so mean?”
“It’s okay,” I said quickly. “Mom, I’m fine. Nothing Darren says can hurt me.”
“That doesn’t matter!” she shrieked. “You are my son. I can’t believe he said those things to you.”
“I can.” I sighed. “I don’t know what to do anymore. I can’t win him over. He hates me, and as far as I can tell, that won’t ever change.”
Mom’s face changed in an instant. One second, she was scared and weak. She was crying and shaking, unable to control her emotions. The next second, a steely glint passed through her eyes. She was determined and angry, ready to take on anyone who stood in her way.
“I’ll talk to him,” she said with venom in her voice. “This isn’t how our family is going to be. I won’t allow it.”
“Mom, I don’t think there’s anything you can do.”
“Watch me,” she snapped. “I’ll talk to him, okay? I’ll make this right.”
I nodded. She rushed forward and wrapped me in a hug, kissing my cheek quickly and running outside.
When the door clicked closed behind her, I felt my entire body deflate. I didn’t know what to do about Darren or Tara. Not only was Tara constantly keeping me at arm’s length, but her father hated me more than anyone ever had. If it were up to him, I would have stayed far away where I could never hurt Tara ever again.
What he didn’t understand was that I would do anything for Tara. She wasn’t just his daughter, she was the love of my life. I’d always known it, but it took me ten years to admit it. There was never anyone else for me. No matter how many women I screwed or how many miles I put between us, it was always Tara. She was always the one.
Now that I knew that, I felt weaker than ever. Everything was in her court. She held all the cards. I couldn’t walk away from her. I never would. But she kept walking away from me. It was up to her to decide what our relationship would be. All I could do was wait, and that was something I’d never been good at.
CHAPTER TWENTY - TARA
A week later, nothing had changed. My illness was still slowly killing me, and I hadn’t told anyone. Caleb and I were still seeing each other, though things between us were more confusing than ever. One day, I was determined to stay away from him to protect him from the pain my cancer would cause him. The next day, I was tangled in his bedsheets while he rammed my head against the headboard.
No matter how hard I tried to stay away from him, Caleb and I were drawn together like two unwitting magnets. My body called out to his, and my soul couldn’t survive without his presence. I hated myself for it, but I couldn’t stay away from him. Deep down, I didn’t want to. In spite of my illness, I longed to be near Caleb. I was desperate to be with him while I still could.
I only had one day off that week, and Caleb insisted we have lunch together. His leg was healing quickly, and he was almost able to drive again. The doctors insisted he take another week or so before he tried it, just to be on the safe side. I knew it was driving him crazy to stay home all day. He was completely dependent on others if he wanted to leave his apartment, which he hated.