by Becca Taylor
For the first minute, we are just giving death glares. Since I am about five seconds from losing my shit, I talk. “Why you here, man? Just want to rub salt in my wounds? Well, have at it.” For good show, I push the container of salt in his direction. The fucker laughs, but to me this is no joke.
“It’s not what you think.”
“You don’t know what the fuck I think.”
“I love Kat, but not like that. She’s like a sister to me.”
“You dance with your sister like that?” I take a sip of my hot drink, looking him straight in the eyes.
“No, but you know what I mean. I don’t think of her in that way. We are just friends. I got a girl. A beautiful girl.”
I lean a little closer. “Does your girl know you dance with other women like that?”
“Well, I figured since it was Kat, I would be ok. It’s her friend, Dani.”
She had told me she set up a friend with her trainer a while ago. So I fucked up again. Logan continues talking, “Kat doesn’t want me either. You are all she talks about. How she messed up. I told her she needed to talk to you. She should’ve told you everything that was happening. She was too afraid. She thought you’d think she was weak.”
Why would I think she was weak? What the fuck is he rambling about? “You want to enlighten me. Because if something’s been going on with her, I want to know.”
He goes on to tell me a hell of a lot. How her ex has been stalking her for most of the time we were together. Now, I feel like the douche. I should have been the one to be there for Kat, not Logan. I would’ve handled the asshole long ago. Me! It was my job to protect her. But I was too stubborn to go to her first.
“Listen, I may have misjudged you.” I’m man enough to admit when I’m wrong. “Thanks for talking to me.”
“Caleb, don’t hurt her again. If you do, I’ll be here so fast you won’t know what hit you.” He shakes my hand, tightly, to prove his point.
“Understood. I don’t plan on it.”
After Logan leaves, I want to run right out the door, go to Kat. But being the lucky person I am, Bentley informed me she is away for the week. She went to do some new store opening, and will not be home until Saturday. This gives me time to get my shit together, work out how I’m going to win my girl back. I will get her back, even if I have to beg on my hands and knees.
Katerina
I DRIVE HOME early Saturday morning. I spent the whole week with Dani, setting up her new store. Although I was glad to see her, it wasn’t where I wanted to be now. Two hours isn’t that bad of a drive, normally. But I need to get home, so I could prepare for tonight. That includes getting a little beauty rest.
Bentley told me everything is set. All I have to do is meet him at the rendezvous point. I just hope my nerves don’t get the best of me. Slither is playing tonight at a friend’s bar. The plan is for me to hang outside, and Aly will text me when they have an intermission. During that time, I will plead my case to Caleb.
Fresh from the shower, hair dried, makeup applied, I stand in front of my closet deciding on an outfit. I didn’t want to be over the top, but I do want to look good. The bar is a more casual place, so I decided on my skinny jeans that give my butt a nice shape and purple bubble hem tank that shows just the right amount of cleavage. Black heeled booties for shoes. My “I just happened to stop by for a drink” look.
Aly came to pick me up and now I sit, waiting in the car. I can hear Slither playing. It’s taking everything in me to not run inside. Finally, I hear from Aly that they are on their last song. The owner is meeting me at the back door. Then, Bentley will cue me when it’s time.
As I wait, I begin to second-guess myself, wondering if this is the right way to ambush Caleb. Because that’s what I felt like I was doing. My biggest fear is he will run out again, before I finish what I need to say. In the back room, I patiently wait for my cue. Chris, the bar owner, came back to tell me it’s show time. I’m standing behind Chris, near the stage, as Bentley walks up. Hunter right behind him.
My hands are shaking and I feel like I’m going to pass out. Chris produces a shot for me, out of nowhere. “You look like you could use this.”
Downing it, I feel the instant warmth and my body relaxes. “Thanks.”
Bentley starts talking, and I know that’s my cue. “I hope everyone’s having a good time tonight. I’m going to give my voice a rest, but I’d like to play some music for everyone. Maybe slow it down a little. How does that sound?” People start stomping boots, whistling their approval. “Alright then, if you don’t mind I brought a friend of mine to join me. She’d like to sing a song for a good friend of mine.”
One deep breath, then I make my way up the steps. Bentley gives me a quick kiss on the cheek. “You got this, Kat.” Nodding my head, I step to the mic. Another check on my list complete, sing to the man I want more than anything.
Bentley starts strumming the first notes on his guitar. I chose to sing Ed Sheeran’s Photograph. An acoustic version. I sing it slower though, keeping my eyes cast down, until I build up my courage. At the chorus, I look up searching for Caleb. Wanting him to know I am singing this for him. Our eyes finding each other at the exact moment I want them to, coinciding with the lyrics.
I sing about love. How won’t be easy. But if you find that one person, the one that is made for you, it can heal you. That’s what Caleb did for me. He healed me. It might have taken me a while to realize it, but in the end, I got there. I swear if he gives me another chance, that if he takes me back, I won’t let him go. Ever.
I keep my eyes on him the rest of the time I sing. Even as Caleb stands and starts to walk towards me, my eyes stay fixed on his. He’s standing in front of me. For the last line, I kneel in front of him so we are eye to eye, putting my hand on his face. His hands cover mine as I ask him to “wait for me to come home.”
Once my grandmother told me, “Every day is an adventure. Some will be filled with excitement, others may test your limits, or even break your heart. But at the end of each adventure, you can always find home.” That’s what Caleb is to me, home.
Caleb
AFTER PLAYING our first set, we enjoy a beer. Everyone is having a good time, shootin’ the shit. All I’m thinking about is going to get Kat. That is my plan, tonight after we are done. Getting back my girl.
Aly told me Kat’s around. She got back to town today. I was hoping she would come tonight, but after the way I walked away, why would she? After tonight, neither of us will be walking away.
Bent and Hunter said they were going to check out the equipment before we went back up. He said something didn’t sound right with his guitar. Everything sounded fine to me. “You want me to take a look?”
“We got this. Finish your beer.”
Checking out the clock, I still have at least three hours before I can claim my woman. I look at Aly, “You think Kat will still be up when we get out of here?”
I can guarantee Bentley told her what my plans are tonight. “I’ll text her. I’m pretty sure she will be awake. Why? Are you finally going to talk things out with her?”
I plan on a lot doing more than talking. “Yeah, you good with that? I know I fucked it up, Aly.”
She punches me in the arm. “It’s about time.”
Just as I order another beer, Bentley starts talking over the mic. It takes me a minute to realize he’s saying someone is going to sing with him. When I grab my beer off the bar, I hear her voice. I look at Aly, and she has the biggest smile on her face.
My girl is on stage, and she looks so goddamn beautiful. My heart quickens at the sight and sound of her. Her voice is sexy and sultry. Her hands are grasping the microphone so tightly, until her eyes look up finding mine.
Thump, thump. My heart is beating so hard and fast. It feels like it might break through my chest. It’s taking everything I have not to jump on that stage, throw her over my shoulder, and take her home. Instead, I listen to every fucking word she sings to me. And it cuts lik
e a knife knowing I wasted all this time away from her, when we could’ve been together all along.
My patience only lasts for so long. I hand my beer to Aly, and make my way to my girl. I look in those big brown eyes knowing Kat is mine.
She drops to her knees in front of me, placing her hand on my face. And, god, her touch feels so good. Putting my hands on top of hers, I lean into her touch. At that moment I know, I am in love with this woman.
When she finishes her last lyrics, she drops the mic. I crash my lips to hers. Grabbing under her thighs, I wrap her legs around my waist. “Don’t let go, baby.”
Her head rests in the crook of my neck. “I won’t, Caleb, ever again.”
I pull her to the back room, sitting her on a stool I see in the corner. My hands are on either side of her face, caressing her lips with my fingers. “You really want this, Kat? Because I do.”
“More than you know. I’m sorry for everything.” Before she continues, I suck her bottom lip between mine. I need to feel her mouth on mine. Running my tongue over her top lip, I coax her to open for me. Our tongues meet and I groan. My woman can kiss. Her tongue rolls against mine, in perfect harmony. She grabs around my back, pulling my body closer to hers, squeezing her thighs to my hips. All while our mouths are connected. I never want to stop kissing this woman. She suddenly pushes me away.
“I think you’re being paged.”
Just then, I hear Bentley’s voice, yelling for me to get my ass on stage. Frustrated that we can’t leave yet, I grab Kat’s hand. “When I’m done up there, you are coming home with me. We are going to finish talking.”
I pull her up on stage with me. “What are you doing, Caleb? I’m not staying up here.”
“Yes you are, baby. I’m not letting you out of my sight.”
She shakes her head no at me. “You can watch me from over there. I’m going by Aly until you finish.”
“Fine, but stay where I can keep my eyes on you.” Gripping behind her neck, I kiss her lips one more time. I smack her ass for good luck, as she walks down the stairs. This starts the crowd’s hoots.
Katerina
I THINK THAT went well, better than I expected anyway. Through the crowd, I make my way to Aly. She already is holding a drink out for me. I love this girl. I don’t know what I would have done without her. “I told you it would work out.” She says as she bumps her shoulder on mine.
“We still have to talk. I need to tell him everything. Why I acted the way I did. I don’t want to keep anything from him.”
Just then, Slither starts playing, and I watch my man on stage. He’s always gorgeous, but when he is on stage, playing, Caleb is downright sexy. From his confident stance, the way his body moves with the music, to the way his fingers move across his bass.
We listen to the boys play and have a drink. My body finally relaxes. Aly grabs my hand pulling me towards the stage, to join with everyone dancing. After a few songs Bentley bends down, “Caleb wants you to sing again. You want to?”
I look at Aly first. “Will you be ok if I go up?” She shoos me away.
I have no clue what we are singing, but I’m sure I will figure it out. Bentley hands me a microphone and he starts playing. I know exactly what he is playing, Broken by Seether. What throws me off for a moment, Caleb starts singing, not Bentley. I turn towards him listening to his sexy voice, singing to me. I join in when it’s my line. We never sang together before, just the two of us. Our voices blend, flawlessly, as if we have been singing together forever. When the song ends, he pulls me to his body kissing me gently. It feels right singing with them, comfortable.
As soon as the band finishes playing, Caleb had me out the door and on his bike, not even giving me a chance to say goodnight. I climb on behind him, yet my body felt like it needed to get closer. With my nose to his back, I breathed in his scent. His t-shirt, that I still had at home, lost his scent long ago. I must have worn that shirt every night for a week.
I almost wish the short ride to his house were longer. I know I’m about to tell him everything. Why I acted like I did, what Travis did, most of all how I was a complete idiot for letting him go in the first place. I’m apprehensive because I don’t want to ruin the night, that’s been going so well. I must’ve squeezed around his middle harder than I meant to, because he slowed down. I pat his leg once and squeeze, our signal to keep going. He picks up his speed, and just a few minutes later we are at his house. After helping me off the bike, he takes my hand, leading me inside. “Drink?” He asks me.
“Just water is fine.” Suddenly my mouth feels dry, like desert dry. I think I drank half the bottle in one sip, before I feel myself being pulled toward the couch.
Caleb sits, pulling me down next to him. Hanging his head down with his elbows on his knees, hands clenched behind his neck, he talks before I say anything. “Kat, I’m so sorry.”
What did he have to be sorry for? “No, Caleb. This was all my fault, not yours.”
He interrupts me, “I’m sorry that I didn’t go to you first. I’m sorry I was an ass to you when I saw you at Aly’s party. I’m sorry I didn’t stay and learn the truth about you and Logan. I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you, while your ex has been bothering you all this time. I’m just . . . sorry.”
He already knows what happened with Travis. “Who told you?”
He finally looks up at me. “Logan came to see me after the party. Set me straight. Told me nothing is going on with you two, and gave me the cliff notes of what Travis has been doing. You needed me and I wasn’t there. I would’ve been there for you if I wasn’t such an ass. I should’ve manned up right away, not sat here like an idiot waiting for you to come to me.”
Needing to get closer to him, I climb across his legs, straddling them. Placing my hands on either side of his face, I pull his head up so he is looking in my eyes. “You did nothing wrong. I should have never believed Travis about those pictures. If I had just listened to you, instead of getting lost in my own insecurities, none of this would have happened. So, no Caleb, I’m the one that needs to apologize.”
His hand begins stroking the sides of my thighs. “Why didn’t you tell me what was going on? I would have protected you from him.”
I slide off his lap before talking. “I didn’t want you to know. I thought if you found out, it would drive you away from me. That my drama would be too much. I thought I could take care of it.”
He puts his hand on my face, and I lean into his palm. “No, Kat. I wouldn’t have left because of that asshole. What I would have done, was ended all that shit with him once and for all. And maybe none of this would have happened. You need to trust me. I won’t hurt you.”
I kiss his palm before entwining our fingers. “I know that now. I let him get in my head, again.” I knew it was time for me to be honest. “At first, I thought I could handle him myself. When he would show up places, I would blow him off. I told him I was with you. That he and I would never get back together, but he didn’t give up. I think he thought, actually, I know he thought that if he sent me that picture, I would go crawling back to him. When I got that picture, every bad memory from my past came back to me. Not just the insecurities he put there, but ones that I kept buried. At least thought I had buried them.” I tell him the quick version of my teen years, finally letting it all go.
“Baby, I’m sorry that happened to you. Kids are cruel, but add in teen hormones and they are downright evil.” He strokes his thumb on my hand. These small gestures mean more to me than he could know.
“I know. It’s silly, and I know I’m not that little girl anymore. But I guess every once in a while, I have doubts. Once I realized that Travis was just messing with my head again, it was too late. He accomplished what he set out to do, splitting us up. But in the end, he didn’t get what he wanted. His plan only made me dislike him even more. I’m sorry that I let him get to me. I should have trusted you. And Caleb, I do trust you. You never gave me any reason to doubt you.”
He wipes the tear
s that started falling down my face. “What happened, happened. We can’t change it. But we can make sure it doesn’t again. Is Travis still going to be a problem? Do I need to make him see you are mine, and it’s going to stay that way?”
“No, he won’t be a problem anymore. I took care of him last week, and I’m pretty sure he will stay away. I scared him enough that he backed off.”
“Good. Now, I have some things to say and then we are going to bed.” I lick my lips in anticipation. “Just to sleep, Kat. I just want to hold you tonight. We have plenty of time for other things.” I look at him with a pout on my face. “Not going to work, baby girl.”
“Fine. I will have to try to sway you later.”
He shakes his head at me. “I’m sure you will, and I’m sure I will cave. For now, I want you to listen. Our time apart made me realize some shit. I don’t know how to say everything without sounding like a sappy fool, but that’s what you reduce me to. I’m putty in your hands, Kat. The night that we met, I think I knew it. The day you showed up at my store solidified it for me. You’re it. I can’t explain why. I just feel it. When we aren’t together, I count the minutes till I can be with you. The past month has been pure hell. I felt like someone reached in my chest and was squeezing my heart until it would pop. I never want to feel like that again. Let’s not do this again, Kat.”
“I promise we won’t.”
“Good, because if it did, I think it would actually break me. I mean it Kat. You are mine. What we have is good, better than good. People can only hope for a small fraction of what we have. Besides amazing sex, we have a lot in common. Music, movies, I like your friends and I know my boys love you. You were made for me in every way.”
I needed to let him know what I was feeling. “Home. Caleb, when I’m with you it feels like I found home.”