Part 5 (2/2)
”Did you have fun with Kyle last night? I didn't have a chance to talk to him much. I waited up for him last night but he went straight to bed. I'm sure he would have told me if something had happened.”
”Yeah, we had an ok time, mostly.”
”Why mostly?” he said suddenly concerned. ”What-”
He saw my arm and his eyes went wide. I'd forgotten, the angry black burned hand print. His face twisted in anger.
”What happened? I can't believe Kyle didn't tell me about this. Who did this to you?”
”Some guy called Marcus,” I rubbed it like it could come off.
He pushed my fingers away gently to run his thumb across it, almost reverently.
”Marcus touched you?” he said softly and I knew not to mistake the softness for anything but fighting for control.
”He grabbed me when we tried to walk away. But as soon as he knew that I- you- we...”
”That we imprinted.”
”Yes. He left. I didn't see this until this morning.”
”It's what happens to warn them that you don't belong to them.”
”I know, I felt it but, why didn't it do that when Kyle touched me?”
”Kyle touched you?” he said with a slight edge.
”He held my hand a couple times,” I explained truthfully. ”Mostly to make me keep up with him but, it never did that with him.”
”It only happens if the person's actions aren't of pure intention. Your body can sense it when someone means you harm.”
”So, that Marcus guy wanted to hurt me?” I said breathlessly at the prospect.
”Don't worry about that just yet.” His big hand came up to my cheek, making me want to shudder. ”One thing at a time. I'll explain it all to you but, right now, I need to get you over to Kyle's. The family is all there, waiting for us.”
”Eh,” I cringed. ”I don't like crowds.”
”You'll like this crowd. There were so happy last night when I told them what happened. They can't wait to meet you.”
”Caleb,” I said and he sighed, closing his eyes like he was in ecstasy at the sound of his name from my mouth. ”I have no idea what's going on. I mean, what does all this mean? Why am I meeting your family after only knowing you for one day?”
”Well,” he looked slightly unsure. ”I, uh...you're my significant. I mean, I would never force you to do anything but, this means something to us, to my family. You are so important and the sooner you learn all about what's going on, the sooner you can make a decision if you want anything to do with it or not.”
”I thought I didn't have a choice.”
”Kyle and his big mouth,” he muttered. ”There are so many things you don't know. So many things that I need to tell you and explain. But if after you hear everything today you want nothing to do with any of it, or with me, I won't stop you from leaving if that's what you're asking.”
”Ok. I'm ready to go.” I nodded. ”I need to tell my dad where I'm going.”
”Alright. Should I go wait outside since I burst into your house without knocking,” he said with a c.o.c.ky grin. ”I'm sure your pops would love that.”
”It's fine,” I said laughing slightly. ”He won't know whether anyone's been up here or not.”
”Are you sure?”
”Yeah come on.”
”I guess it's only fair if you're meeting my family that I meet yours too, right?”
”I don't think the word 'family' const.i.tutes as one person.”
”Sure it does.” He stopped in the hall at a family picture of us four in front of the Christmas tree from two years ago. Bish had his arm around me and I was poking his stomach, making him laugh. ”Is that your brother?” I nodded. ”Wow. You really look like your mom.”
”Yeah, everyone has always said that.”
”What happened to her?”
”She left,” I said, shrugging before heading downstairs.
”I'm sorry. That sucks.”
”Yeah,” I agreed and then called to dad before we went into the den. Just in case he was in his underwear: ”Dad?”
I heard him grunt and felt a grip on my hand tighten. I didn't realize we were holding hands. Caleb smiled at me and I tried to think of how in the world to explain him to my father.
”What, Maggie?”
”Uh, dad, I'll be leaving for a while. I'm not sure how long I'll be gone. I just wanted to let you know.”
”Fine, as long as you don't miss work.”
”I'm off today, dad.”
”Fine.”
”Dad. This is my...friend, Caleb.”
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