Page 70 of Unforgivable

Why indeed…

“I—I just thought you really needed it.”

I really needed you…

I cleared my throat and broke contact, hopping out of the car to get away from that alarming thought that floated to the surface. I hurried up to the front porch, but before I could knock the door flew open and I was swallowed up in a tight embrace, the scent of cinnamon apples engulfing me. No matter what time of year, Gran always smelled of cinnamon apples and it dang near brought tears to my eyes how much I had missed her.

“Oooooh, my sweet boy! There you are! You arrive in one piece? No car troubles, right? Didya eat on the road? I figured you'd both be starvin', so food's ready on the table just in case. Now where is this friend of yours? Where are your manners, Rhys Evans? You left him back in the car by himself. What the heck is the matter with you, boy?” Gran raced out a million thoughts at once, ever the human tornado.Between her and Cal's energy from earlier, I was already exhausted and ready to drop like a rock.

Is this what I sound like to people when I ramble? Sweet mercy, how have I not been committed yet?

“Gran, maybe take it down a few notches so you don't scare him and send him running back to Austin? We both know you're an acquired taste,” I sassed her, earning me a smack on the arm in retribution. I laughed at her scowl, pulling her into another big hug that she returned with twice the force. I released her and motioned for Cal to come over. He gingerly approached with a shy smile that looked so out of place on him.

“Hello Ms. Evans, it's really nice to meet you. Thank you so much for letting me spend the holidays with you both. I really appreciate it,” Cal said politely. I snickered at how formal and weird he was being with Gran, but she ate up his manners like apple pie.

“Oh, don't start with that Ms. Evans crap, I'm Gran to you!” Gran scolded sweetly before wrapping Cal up in a giant hug of his own. Cal's eyes bugged out and he looked shell-shocked for a few seconds, but eventually he gave into it and hugged her back. The sight had warmth flooding my body, wondering if this had been the only loving adult contact he'd gotten since his mom died.

Gran pulled back, but kept his shoulders in her firm grip and smiled up at him. “I'm thrilled you decided to join us for Christmas. You are more than welcome here, Callum. Or do you prefer Cal?”

“Uh, Cal's fine, ma'am. And thank you.”

“Well, let's not stand around here all day! Grab your bags, boys, and come on and eat!” With that, she marched back into the house and left us to unload.

In the kitchen, the bar top was lined with food. Mashed potatoes, fried okra, mac and cheese, fruit salad, burgers, chips, and even Gran's homemade fudge brownies were waiting for us. My mouth watered at the thought of having some of Gran's cooking again.

During lunch, I was shocked at how easily Cal seemed to talk and laugh with Gran, as if he had never been worried in the first place. I couldn't figure out if it was Gran's easygoing nature or Cal's normal confidence that had them gabbing like old friends. I had a gut feeling that part of it had to do with Cal's yearning to have a family again, to feel genuinely wanted and cared for. My heart ached for all the yearsCal lost with a family who didn't love him as he should have been loved.

He could have that with you now. You'd love him enough to make up for all those years and more.

I quickly stood up and started clearing the table, anxious to get some space and escape the unbidden thoughts I was having. Cal was there as my friend, nothing more. I had to have boundaries with us, otherwise everything could fall apart again. I wasn't strong enough to stomach that.

“Hey, you okay?” I spun to see Cal coming up on my side as I finished the dishes, a small smile on his flawless face. “Need any help?”

God, it was getting hard to breathe when he was this close to me, his rich bergamot smell dousing my senses and melting my brain.“N-no, I'm good. Let's actually take our stuff upstairs and I can show you your room.”

Cal narrowed his gaze at me slightly, but only nodded and followed me to get our things. The hallway forked left and right at the top of the stairs, with my room on the right side at the end of the hall. I led Cal down the left side of the hallway to the back guest room.

“This will be your room for the week. It's—Cal?” I stopped when I realized he hadn't followed me in, so I peeked my head into the hall. Cal was stopped in front of the array of family photos that were hanging there.

“You guys look so happy in this one,” Cal said quietly, his gaze fixed on one photo in particular. In it, I was about eight years old standing between my mom and dad in front of a giant waterfall. Dad was soaked and had his arm slung around mom as she draped her arms around my shoulder, all our faces bright with laughter.

“Yeah, we were.” I smiled at the memory. “We were on a family vacation in Hawaii. Dad had been teasing me and mom for getting tired after climbing up to see this waterfall, but when he tried to get closer to the water, he slipped and fell in. I think mom and I laughed at him for a solid five minutes. This older couple passed us and Dad asked if they could snap that picture. Right after that was taken, Dad grabbed me and tossed me in the pool of water and then mom pushed him right back in to get him back for me. That was the best trip we had ever taken. It was also the last one before…” I finished softly, a lump rising in my throat.

Cal raked his eyes over my face slowly, the warmth there heating my blood. “You never told me their names.”

“Everett and Alice. Did I ever tell you they were high school sweethearts?” Cal shook his head, continuing to assess me with that penetrating look of his. “Gran said it was like they were ripped right out of a John Hughes movie. Dad was a running back on the football team, had a full ride to Oklahoma State, and was apparently a bit of a bully at times.” Cal breathed out a small laugh that had me narrowing my eyes at him as I bit back my smile.

“Now why does that sound familiar?” he muttered under his breath, and I bumped his shoulder.

“Shut up,” I said lightly. “Anyway, he met my mom in an honors class they shared and the way he told it, it was love at first sight. She was a shy, sweet overachiever and dad couldn't help himself.”

“Let me guess, he pulled the classic “pick on you 'cause I like you” bit?” Cal smirked at me.

“Recognize it from experience?” I retorted.

“Don't know what you're talking about. I've never been a bully before. I'm straight up delightful.”

“I'm going to have to ask you to take two giant steps back from me.”

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