“I was there when your life fell apart.”
“I know, and I don’t know that I’d even be alive if it wasn’t for you. But Caleb…he’s just it for me. You know, ‘it.’ You found your guy.”
“I did, and I know what it’s like to love for life. I also know that you would’ve survived, even without me. You’re a survivor.”
“Not if they’d taken Ethan from me. I would never have survived that.”
She nods. “Your son is the greatest testament to the love and strength you possess, my dear.”
“And now his father is here, wanting to make a life with us.”
“So he’s staying.”
“Maybe? Honestly, we’ve been more focused on the two of them getting to know each other, and everything else that’s going on. We haven’t talked about what’s going to happen after.”
“I’ll ask him that tonight, then.”
“Tonight?”
“You’re not having me over for dinner tonight?”
Of course I am. She always comes over when she’s in town. “You know the offer’s always open. Just try not to scare him too much.”
“Would you really want to be with a man I could scare away?”
“Don’t pretend that you’re not a bad-ass like the rest of us. I know better.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“No, I would not want to be with a man you could scare away,” I admit.
“I knew that, I just wanted to hear you say it.”
I roll my eyes and stick out my tongue at her as she laughs. I stop laughing once Reina tells me what she learned, and who exactly the Beauty Queen is. Once she gives Ainsley that information, it takes less than five minutes for us to have all the information we need to know. When the information is revealed, Cyndi and I both know I’m the best one for the job. I still haven’t spilled all my secrets to everyone else, but Reina is intuitive enough to give me a choice. There really is none, though. I need to face the Devil and hope that I come back with my soul still intact.
Chapter 10
Caleb
I was getting ready to ask Jade if she could watch Ethan for me tonight, when Wayne arrived for another guitar lesson. Is it bad that I still hate him, even after Tegan told me they’re just friends now? I can’t erase the sight of him holding her or how she hugged him back. It’s looking like I’ll have a repeat performance tonight. Plus one.
Tegan just called to say that Cyndi Evans is in town, and they’re coming by once they stop in at the hospital too see Liv and Luke’s baby and check on Yasmin. I met Tegan’s parents years ago, but I have a feeling the interrogation tonight is going to be even worse. Good thing I cooked extra food. I was planning on lunch for me and Teeg tomorrow, but Cyndi is welcome to some of it.
“Dad, can Wayne stay for dinner?” Ethan asks me as they walk into the open great room. Oh yeah, my day is just getting better and better.
I turn to see the bastard in question smirking at me. We both know what an ass I’d look like if I say no. “Of course he can.”
“It’s so nice of you to cook for me, Caleb.”
“Anytime, Wayne.”
“Maybe you can come visit us in Texas,” Ethan tells him.
“You’re moving to Texas?”
“No, but Mama said my dad’s going to teach me all about being a cowboy on my grandparents’ ranch once it’s safe. We’ll stay in her house which is right above it. I can’t wait.”
“Me either. We’re going to have fun, but it’s hard work, too.”
“I can work hard. I’ve been cleaning up after myself like you said I had to.”
“I know. You’ve been doing great.”
“I’m going to do my homework, so I can spend more time with Gram when she gets here.”
“Sounds like a plan. Let me know if you need any help.”
“You’re really good with him,” Wayne tells me once he’s gone up to his room.
“He’s a great kid, so it’s easy.”
“That’s all Tegan, you know.”
“No. It’s all of you. Thank you for being around for him.”
“You hate me being around.”
“Yeah, but he doesn’t. So what I think isn’t important.”
“I’d take her from you in a second if I thought I had a chance.”
“I wouldn’t blame you.”
The front door opens, and Tegan comes in with Cyndi. She runs over to me and pulls me into a passionate kiss. “I’m sorry in advance, Cal,” she says in my ear when we come up for air.
“I can handle them.”
“You say that now, but…wait, them?”
“Ethan asked me if Wayne could join us. I would’ve looked like an ass if I’d said no.”
“I’m going to have to blow you at least twice for this dinner.”
“Nah, just don’t let anyone stab me when I answer something wrong.”
“Deal, but I’m still having your cock in my mouth later.”
“I’m not going to keep actively discouraging that.”
“I didn’t really think you would.”
“I’m sorry to break this up…no, actually I’m not. But I was invited for dinner, and not a show,” Wayne tells us.
“Behave, Wayne.”
“You never wanted me to behave when we were together.”
“Wayne.”
“It’s just so fun to mess with him, Teeg. I mean, he looks like he wants to murder me right now.”
“If you don’t leave him alone, I’m going to stop trying to find you a woman.”
“I already found one.”
Shit. I may hate him, but I can sympathize with him right now, too. “I’ll be your wingman if Tegan’s not working out.”
“I’m an excellent wing woman.”
“For another woman, maybe. Wayne needs a guy’s help.”
“But I know what he likes.”
“So do I.”
“Thanks, man. I might just take you up on that.”
“Is anyone going to introduce me to Caleb?”
“I’m sorry ma’am. I shouldn’t have distracted them. Caleb Hall at your service, Miss Cyndi.”
“Put away the southern charm. I know too much about you for it to work on me.”
“You have the advantage, but from what Tegan’s told me, I owe you for saving my son’s life, and hers. My appreciation is genuine.”
“Gram,” Ethan yells, running down the stairs before she can respond to me.
“Hi, E. How’s my favorite boy?”
“Good. Wayne said I’m doing a good job on my guitar, and my dad’s going to teach me how to be a real cowboy. Isn’t that cool?”
“Let’s all sit down and then we can talk a little but more about all of this.”
“Okay. You all sit down while Dad and I get the food. We’re the hosts.”
“Well, this is a change,” Cyndi says.
I can’t tell from her tone whether she thinks it’s a good change or not. I didn’t like the way she deflected Ethan’s comment about me teaching him things. I have to remind myself that there may not have been an Ethan if it wasn’t for her. I owe her more than I can ever repay, so I’ll bite my tongue as much as I can tonight.
I think I may be off the hook when nothing is said throughout dinner, but I should’ve known better than to hope for a reprieve.
“Dinner was wonderful, Caleb. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. It was my pleasure.”
“Yes, well, I think it’s time for us to talk.”
“I’ll answer anything I can for you.”
“What are your plans?”
“For?”
“Once you’re safe and can go back home. Are you going to do that?”
“If Tegan and Ethan are going with me, I will. I don’t think that’s going to happen, though, so I guess I’m hoping to stay here if they’ll have me.”
“We’ll have you, Dad.”
“You won’t miss your family, or your ranch?”
/> “I went to MIT for four years of college and then worked in Boston doing research for another four. I was just fine being away. I’m not saying that I don’t want to visit, or maybe spend a holiday there, but I don’t need to live in that town.”
“Even with this new deal that’s causing so much trouble?”
“The deal is for my formula and the two others I’m working on. I can work on those anywhere. The lab Ryan and Chloe designed for me here is better than any I’ve ever been in. So again, I’m hoping to stay here.”
“And when you and Tegan fight?”
“We fight almost daily. And then we make up.”
“Your answers are great, Caleb, but all I can think of when I see you is how broken she was when I met her. You did that to her.”
“If you’d met me then, you would’ve seen that I wasn’t doing so well myself.”
“Again, something that you did.”
“I’ll admit that I share the blame, but I won’t take all of it.”
“Pride cometh before a fall, young man. That’s not just a famous quote, it’s the truth.”
“That’s enough, Cyndi. I love you, but you know I love him, too.”
“It’s okay, Teeg. She’s just looking out for you. I appreciate it, and I’m not going anywhere.”
“I want to believe you, but I’m going to have to see that happen before I can fully do that.”
“No offense, ma’am, but it’s Tegan and Ethan that I need to impress. Not you, or anyone else. I’d love it if you accept me, but I can’t force you to, and I won’t try. I’ve never been a kiss-ass.”
“I don’t want you to kiss my ass, Caleb. I just want you to stand by Tegan this time. No matter what happens. If you love her like you claim to, you’ll stand by her.”
“I already told you that I’m not going anywhere.”
“Then we won’t have a problem.”
I see her nod to Tegan, who gives her a shaky smile. Why do I have a feeling that more is going on here than I know about? I try to catch Tegan’s eye, but she looks away. I need our guests to leave so I can just be alone with her and Ethan. Cyndi asked me about being away from my family, but while I love my parents and grandpa, these two people are the ones I can’t leave. I wasn’t lying about that.
* * *
Tegan
Cal passed Cyndi’s test, but we both know the true test will be when he wakes up to find me gone tomorrow, and how he deals with what he’s going to see after that. I have to follow through with the plan, though, because I need him to be safe. That’s more important than love and romance.
I know he wants to talk to me, but I can’t do that right now. I distract him by shoving my hands down his jeans once we’re in his room. “Tegan, honey, stop trying to get out of talking to me.”
I ignore him and drop to my knees before he can stop me. He makes one more half-assed attempt to stop me, but once I have him in my mouth, he gives in. I knew he would, which is why I insisted on this. I love doing this to him, making him crazy, but this time it’s different. It’s a distraction, but also a reminder to him that I want to please him. He pulls me up before he finishes and lies down on his back with me on top of him.
“You offering me a ride, Cowboy?”
“Only if it’s hard and very, very wet.”
“It is,” I say with a smirk as I look down at his cock, and then swipe a finger over myself.
I’m glad I took off my panties earlier, and that I decided to wear a dress today. I offer my finger to him, and he sucks it into his mouth. He moans as he looks me in the eye. “We are going to talk tomorrow.”
I don’t answer as I lift myself up and plunge down on him. My eyes practically roll back in my head at how good he feels inside of me. “Cal.”
“Yeah, that’s it,” he tells me as I start to move. “Fuck me hard, honey.”
He pulls the sides of my wrap dress apart, and twists my nipples in his fingers through the lace of my bra. I arch my back as I lean forward to grab his headboard. The angle pushes him deeper inside of me, and I get one of the growls I love out of him. His fingers are a little frantic as he pushes my bra cups down and starts to move his mouth back and forth between my breasts. I’m going to have marks from the bites he can’t stop giving me as he goes a little crazy.
“God, I love it when you mark me.”
He bites harder, as I grind down onto his cock. It pushes me over the edge, and I come as quietly as possible because I don’t want to wake up Ethan. A few hard pumps later, and Cal comes too, jerking me up with him as he bites the underside of my right breast one last time. We both just lie there, breathing hard, for a few minutes.
“Damn, it just gets hotter and hotter with you.”
“Same.”
“All those years when we were apart, I used to tell myself that I was just imagining it was better with you than it was with anyone after. But I wasn’t. There’s nothing like being inside of you, making love to you.”
“Right back at ya, Cal. It’s never been like this except with you.”
“Even with Wayne?”
I smile against his chest. “Yes, you crazy jealous man. I never really enjoyed being with anyone else, including him, because I only wanted you.”
“You’ve got me, Teeg. For as long as you want me, which I hope is forever.”
“Careful. That almost sounds like a proposal.”
“It’s whatever you want. I’d marry you tonight.”
I want to grab him and take him down to a chapel right now. We could take Ethan, Cyndi, Brad, and Stella, and get married in a matter of hours. But I can’t do that. Not before what I have to do tomorrow. If we were married, it would make things worse.
“You’re thinking about it, aren’t you? Should I go get Ethan?”
“You don’t want that, Cal. Your parents aren’t here.”
“I do want it. Do you have something you can wear?”
“Um, yeah. I think I do.”
“Go call your friends, then. One request, though.”
“What is it?”
“Can we have Elvis marry us?”
I burst out laughing. “Yeah, we can do that.”
“Then get moving. I want to get my wife back here as soon as possible.”
“You’re really sure about this? I mean, what if something happens to make you angry at me again?”
“I’m not a teenager anymore. If I get really angry at you again, we’ll talk. Now stop worrying and get a move on.”
* * *
I have the perfect outfit to wear when getting married in a Vegas wedding chapel. It’s a white lace cropped shirt, with a matching skirt. It’s from a classy store, even though it’s a little “club.” I saw it in the store a couple of months ago and just had to buy it for some reason. All my girls are here with me, while Ethan and Caleb are downstairs in Stella’s place with the guys.
“If you’re sure, Teeg, I have a gift for you. I saw these and knew you had to wear them for your wedding one day.”
“I’m sure, Stell. I know this is fast, and probably a little crazy, but I’ve wanted to marry Caleb since I was thirteen.”
“Not in a Vegas wedding chapel,” Cyndi reminds me.
“No. I was hoping for our creek on his family’s ranch. But it’s the marriage, not the place, that matters.”
“Jade’s going to replace you tomorrow,” Reina tells me.
“What? No. I need to be the one to do this. You know that.”
“Caleb isn’t going to be okay when the pictures surface. Because you’ve already told us that there will definitely be pictures. It would be hard enough if he was your boyfriend, but now he’s going to be your husband.”
“He said that if he ever got really angry at me, we’d talk it out.”
“It’s easy for him to say that now, before a really bad situation occurs. You know this is going to be bad,” Cyndi tells me.
“It may be the only way to end this, to save him. That has to be more important than prot
ecting my heart.”
“I can’t argue with that, but just know that I’ll be here to hold you up if he won’t listen to you.”
“We all will,” Stella says, coming back into the room with a gorgeous pair of boots. They’re cream colored satin cowboy boots with gold embroidery.
“Oh my God. Those are perfect.”
“I knew you’d like them.”
“I love them. You’re the best bestie ever!”
“Aww, thanks babe.”
I slip them on and check my hair once more in the mirror. I put it in a big, loose bun with a few curls hanging down in front. I smooth down my dress and smile. I’ll be Tegan Hall in just a couple of hours. And with any luck, I’ll have taken down the man who’s behind the threats on my husband tomorrow night.
* * *
Caleb
“You need a hat and boots, Dad.”
“No, this suit is fine, E.”
“Nu-uh, Mama’s going to want you to look like a cowboy.”
Shit. I know he’s right. “I don’t know if any stores are open.”
“It’s Vegas, man. We’ll find something that’s open, or they’ll open it for me,” Wayne tells me with a smirk.
An hour later, I not only have a hat and boots, but also rings for us. I got her a large pink diamond with white diamonds running along a twisted black band, paired with another black band studded with white diamonds that fits underneath the first one. Mine is just a plain black band. I don’t need anything fancy, but I know she’s going to love hers. Ethan gave his stamp of approval, too.
We have to get our marriage license before the ceremony, so Tegan’s meeting me at the courthouse. I’m waiting nervously at the counter when she walks in. I forget how to breathe when I see her. What she’s wearing shouldn’t look like wedding attire, but paired with the fancy boots, and the fact that it’s her wearing it, I think she looks like the perfect bride. Especially with the big smile that breaks over her face when she takes in my hat and boots.
“You look so good, Cowboy.”
“You look even better, honey.”
“Thanks for wearing a hat and boots.”
“Our son reminded me that you’d want me like this, and Wayne helped me make it happen.”
“I want you however I can get you, but I like this. A lot. I’ll have to give Wayne a thank you kiss.”
Uncovering His SECRET Page 9