by Cate Maroon
“Yes, your dad must have put a lot of thought into making such a beautiful home.”
“Well, the house has been in the family for a long time.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, actually my great, however many times removed grandparents built the original house. My dad grew up in this house, and when my grandparents died, he inherited the house.”
“There aren't many people nowadays who live in their original family home.”
“It was a mess though; nothing had been done in here since my grandparents lived here. We needed to have all the windows replaced, and Dad decided to open them all up, so we were able to enjoy the views.”
“Yeah, I noticed you had the solar panels added too.” “Yeah, Dad wanted us to be as self-sufficient as possible, I guess it stems from his time in the army. Having to do everything for yourself. Do you want to go see the animals?”
I nod in response, and Jackson takes my hand, leading me around the various pens and fields. They had a lot of cattle to take care of, and I can understand why Jackson had been so tired. It must have taken a lot out of them to keep on top of the feeding and upkeep of so many animals.
A vast wooded area lined the perimeter of the property. I usually loved the woods, but something about this one put me on edge. It was as though every creature that lived inside was hidden in the trees watching us. Jackson followed my gaze.
“I'll take you into the forest later, I promise nothing will hurt you. I think you will be surprised.”
“Sure,” I gulped, sounding unsure.
A truck pulled up behind Jackson's car.
“Dad's home,” Jackson called to the twins, who emerged from the woods.
“Come on, I can't wait for you to meet my dad.”
I loved Jackson's enthusiasm, but this hurt me because he would not meet my parents. I barely saw them myself.
“Hi Kayla,” the twins yelled as they ran past, far too fast for me to bother replying. I was sure I would have the opportunity to speak to them later.
“Kayla, this is my dad, Max.”
“A pleasure to finally meet you, Mr. Taylor. You have a beautiful home.”
“Call me Max, and I'm sure my house is nowhere near as striking as you. I understand why Jackson is so taken with you.”
He pulled me in for a hug, causing me to blush, and I swore I heard Jackson growl.
“Someone's hungry,” Max smiled. I felt so stupid and was probably still a little on edge from my run the other day.
“Where's Hunter?”
“He's getting some meat for the barbeque. Do you eat meat Kayla?”
“Of course she eats meat Dad, she's not a freak.”
“Jackson, may I have your keys, please? I left something in the car.”
Jackson hands me his keys, causing the other three Taylors to frown. I grab the bottle of wine and start to walk back to the house. Just as another truck, almost identical to the one Max drove, pulls up.
“Give me a hand, you lazy oaths,” a deep voice calls out from the back of the truck. When no one comes out of the house, I turn back to go and help who I assume is Hunter with the food.
“Can I help?” I ask meekly.
Hunter checks me out, his eyes moving up and down my body. “Sure, but the bags are heavy, I have a tendency to overfill.”
“I'm not as weak as I appear.”
“Sure, I'm Hunter, by the way, and you must be Kayla. I've heard so much about you from my brothers. “
“Great to meet you,” I reply, shaking his hand as I put the wine on the top of one of the bags to free up both hands.
I take two of the bags from the trunk, and Hunter was not kidding when he said they were heavy. I glance over my shoulder to see him carrying three in each hand like they weigh nothing, while my hands were about to drop off. I place a bag on the porch, knocking politely before opening the door and walking back inside.
No wonder they did not realize Hunter was back. Jackson, his dad, and the twins sat around the kitchen table in what appeared to be a heated discussion.
“What's wrong?” I ask Jackson, who appears upset.
“Everything's fine. Now, what have you got there?” Max asks
“ I helped Hunter carry some things in.” I take the wine and hand it to Max. “I hope this is alright.”
“Thank you Kayla, this is so thoughtful, and this will go perfect with the steak.”
“Do you want the grand tour now?” Jackson asks, his mood now stoic.
“Yes, if your dad doesn't mind?” I ask, knowing some parents would be funny about this kind of thing.
“You two go on up, I'll call you when the food's cooked.”
Jackson and I head up to his room. He closes the door and turns on some music. We sit on the bed, and it feels as though a vast cavern had opened between us.
“Are you sure you want me here?”
“Yes, what made you think I didn't want you here?”
“You're just acting a little off,”
“We got some bad news.”
“I'm sorry, do you want me to go?”
“No, not at all. If anything, this makes me want you to stay even more, if that's possible.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“Not now, perhaps some other time.”
“Your dad's cool.”
“He is, and he likes you too.”
“I'm glad.”
“Me too, seeing as you're going to be around a lot more.”
“I am?”
“Yep,” he grins.
We both lie on the bed listening to music and the loud chatter of Jacksons dad and brothers drifted through the house. It was nurturing to be in an environment like this. My parents were always locked away in their offices, or on the rare occasion we ate together, we didn't talk.
“Do you guys hang out like this often?”
“Every day.” Jackson laughs.
“No, quite the opposite actually. I wished my family spent time together like this.”
“I'm sorry your parents are jerks Kayla.”
“They aren't jerks as such; they are just too self-absorbed.”
“That makes them jerks in my books.”
The bedroom door knocks. “Come on, love birds, dinner's almost ready,” one of the twins calls through the closed door.
“We will be down in a minute,” Jackson calls back.
“Well, don't be too long, or Dad will be up with an ice bucket.”
“We won't!”
“He wouldn't actually dump an ice bucket on us, would he?”
“He would, he is big on punctuality.”
“Get up, I don't want to get soaked.”
Jackson reluctantly climbs out of bed, and we head downstairs to join the rest of the family.
The kitchen table is filled with salad, bread rolls, potatoes, and sauces.
“This looks amazing!” I can't help but say.
“How would you like your steak?” Max asks me.
“Medium, please, if that's not too much trouble.”
“No trouble at all,” Max replies.
“Do you need me to do anything?”
“You can lay the table if you don't mind. These knuckleheads can never get anything right,” Max laughs.
Jackson passes me the crockery and cutlery, and he brings the glasses as we both lay the table. We finish as Max, Hunter, and the twins come in with their arms loaded with more food.
We all sit down and eat together. The conversation is easy and playful as the men mock each other while telling me various stories of the funny things that had happened throughout their lives.
“Your mom would have loved having another female in the house, to help keep us boys in line,” Max states somberly, and his eyes glisten with unshed tears.
“She would have,” all the boys added.
“She would have loved an extra member on her team.”
“Yeah. Mom always said we ganged up on her.”
The mood s
oured, and I was uncomfortable witnessing the Taylor family's shared grief. I can't say anything to comfort them. I did not know what Mrs. Taylor was like, but if the boys were anything to go by, she was an amazing woman, one I wished I could have met. I glanced at my phone, not wanting to be rude but curious about the time as it was so dark outside.
Five missed calls from home, something must be wrong.
“Excuse me for a moment.”
“Is everything alright?”
“I need to call home; I've had a few missed calls.”
“I'll come outside with you,” Jackson said, his face mirroring my concern.”
“Thank you,” I said, taking the hand he offered.
“Kayla, where the hell are you?”
“At a friend's, having dinner. Remember, I did tell you this morning when you were getting your coffee.”
“You need to come home now.”
“What's the matter?”
“We will talk when you get home.”
“Fine, I will leave now.”
“Kayla, be careful, I don't want you driving erratically.” They never worried before.
“Jackson's driving, he picked me up.”
“Who is Jackson? Never mind, just come home.”
“Kayla, what's wrong?”
“I'm not sure. But I have to leave, I'm sorry.”
“You go and grab your things from my room, and I will go explain to my dad.”
“I hope he doesn't think badly of me.”
“Don't be silly Kayla, he will understand.”
I ran upstairs quickly, gathering my sweater and handbag, before carefully navigating the stairs on my way back down.
“I'm so sorry I can't help with the cleaning Max.”
“Don't worry Kayla, I hope everything is okay at home.” He gives me a worried smile. “Please call me as soon as you can. Jackson will give you all our numbers, please call if you need anything.”
“I will thank you for being so kind to me and for the delicious meal. It was a pleasure to meet you all.”
I head outside with Jackson, but instead of getting in his car, we get in Hunter's.
“Are you sure Hunter won't mind you taking his truck?”
“No, he gave me the keys while you were upstairs. It was faster than moving his and my dad's trucks out the way.”
Chapter Six
Kayla
It was not long before we arrived at my house. I jumped out of Jackson's car and ran toward my house, yelling a quick thank you over my shoulder.
I burst through the front door to find my parents stood ashen-faced, with several suitcases packed.
“What's wrong? Where are you going?”
“Your grandparents have been in an accident, and we have to leave immediately.”
“I'll go throw some things in a bag, and I'll be ready. What times our flight?”
“You aren't coming.”
“What do you mean I'm not coming?”
“You are staying at home.”
“No, I'm not.”
“Yes, you are, the hospital is not a place for a child.”
“I'm not a child anymore.”
“Well, your actions tonight show us you are.”
“My actions?”
“Not answering your phone.”
“That was an accident. I must have turned my phone on silent.”
“We've noticed the change in you this past week.”
A taxi pulled up outside at that point, and it was only then I realized Jackson was standing in the doorway, watching everything. He stood off to the side as my parents moved past without acknowledging him.
“When are you coming home?”
“I'm not sure, but you have money in your account, and I will transfer more if necessary.”
“Call me when you find out what's happening.”
They did not reply, and now more than ever, I realized I was nothing more than an inconvenience to my parents. I loved my grandparents because they were always kind to me, and now I was being forced to stay here when they were hurt or dying. If anything happened to them and my parents forced me to stay here, I would never forgive them.
I crumpled to the floor, not having anything left inside. The stress and hurt my parents did not want me to go with them had overcome my body. Before Jackson scooped me up and moved me to the sofa, he placed me down gently and went to close the front door before he silently went upstairs. When he returned with a blanket and covered me up. Putting the television on mute, and moved to the kitchen. I listened as he turned the kettle on, and at that moment, I was so thankful he had come into my life. I zoned out to the television, trying to block out the hurtful words of my parents.
Jackson came back into the room with two cups and sat on the sofa with me.
“Don't you need to get back?”
“I'm going to stay here tonight and keep you company.”
“Won't your dad mind?”
“No, I've already talked to him. This was his idea, actually.”
“Thank you.”
“My family knows grief more than a family should.”
I did not fully understand what that meant. Jackson had lost his mom and obviously his grandparents; otherwise, he would not be living here. But his statement signified a more significant loss. The rest of the night was a blur. We did not talk, and the quiet sound of the television was the only sound. I checked my phone every hour, even though deep down, I realized my parents would not text me.
My energy was drained, so I can not walk upstairs to get to bed. I woke up to my phone vibrating and realized I must have fallen asleep on the sofa. Jackson was sleeping next to me. I grabbed my phone, hoping it would be my parents with news of my grandparents, but the display showed an unknown number. The area code did not match my grandparents, so I decided to ignore the call. Something I would not normally do, but I was not in the mood to deal with pushy telemarketers anyway.
I tried to go back to sleep, but my mind was too hectic. I got up carefully and quietly went to the kitchen as I did not want to wake Jackson. He had been so considerate of me, the least I can do in return was let him get a decent amount of sleep.
I decided to text my dad, Any news. I got the notification to show they'd read the message, so I decided to get a drink while waiting for a reply. Fifteen minutes later, nothing had come. I brushed it off, telling myself they were at the hospital, probably talking to the doctors, and unable to respond. I decided to go for a quick run, hoping this would calm me down. Jackson was still sleeping soundly, so I crept up the stairs, put on a pair of legging and my trainers. I didn't bother changing my top, which would only get sweaty anyway. I will simply shower and change when I got home; by that time, Jackson would be awake.
I did not run far, as I wanted to be close to home just in case I received any news. I ran a circle about half a mile away from the house. I ran around it a few times, and my heart was starting to pound, but I was nowhere near done. I felt as though I might be able to run for hours, having not been for a decent run all week, and was probably why I had so much pent-up emotion.
“KAYLA!” Jackson's voice boomed, his tone full of concern.
I quickly turned back to the house and ran as fast as possible, hoping my parents had called the landline.
“KAYLA!” Jackson's voice boomed again.
As I neared the house, I listened to him talking to someone frantically. I caught snippets of the one-sided conversation.
“I can't find her, what if something's happened to her? This is all my fault, I shouldn't have fallen asleep.”
“Jackson,” I called out, letting him know I was nearby as he sounded distraught.
“Kayla,” he called back to me.
I emerged from the trees and ran straight into Jackson's muscular frame, falling back on my butt.
“Is everything okay? Did my parents call?”
“No, nothing, I just woke up and couldn't find you. I was worried after everything that happened last night
.”
“I'm sorry, I needed to get out and clear my head; you probably wouldn't understand.”
“You should have woken me; I would have come with you.”
“You looked like you needed the rest. Besides, I did not go far, I ran a few laps, no big deal.”
“Did your parents get in touch?”
“No, nothing,” I sighed.
“Why don't you go shower and I will make us some breakfast.”
“Thanks, Jackson, I don't know what I would have done without you.”
I take a hot shower, the water washing away the sweat and tears now flowed freely. I cannot be bothered to get dressed. I did not want to leave the house, so I threw on my pajamas and headed back downstairs. The strong scent of cinnamon filled the house and reminded me of the time I spent at my grandparent's house.
“Any news from my parents?” I asked, hoping
they might have been in touch while I was showering.
“No, nothing, have you tried calling them?”
“I sent a text before I went for a run, but they didn't reply.”
“I'm sorry, Kayla, you should give them a call after you have eaten something.”
“I'm not hungry.”
“I thought you would say that, so I made a few pancakes and a fresh fruit salad.”
“This looks amazing.”
“It will taste even better, please try to eat a little. I know you probably aren't in the mood, but you need to keep your strength up.”
Jackson was right, so I reluctantly sat at the counter and put a pancake and a small portion of the fruit salad on my plate, while Jackson poured us both a glass of orange juice. I took a few bites from the pancake, but my stomach was in so many knots I struggled to swallow. He moved his chair closer, so our legs touched, as he sat watching me eat. The small amount of physical contact settled my nerves and allowed me to eat the food on my plate. Taking a lot longer to eat than usual, but at least I was managing to keep the food down, as I would have been more embarrassed if Jackson witnessed me emptying my stomach contents. We had not known each other awfully long and had been dating for an even lesser time. We were nowhere near the stage in our relationship when we show our worst, not that I had not come close already.
My phone rang again with the same unknown number I saw early in the morning. Not wanting to deal with it, I asked Jackson to answer the phone while cleaning away the plates. He went outside with the phone so as not to make me more stressed out than I already was.