Page 74 of Honey Pot

“Cael,” Dad hushed me from the end of the table, but my mind was swimming. I couldn’t believe that a kid like Kiefer had conned them so badly that they just didn’t give her curfew. Even if I took her out, we always had to be back by a certain time. It was stupid, and she didn’t even have a phone to check on her.

I stood from the table. “I’m not hungry.”

“Cael!” As I left the house through the back door with a huff, Mama's voice rang out.

I marched down to the creek and sat in the grass, staring at the farmland surrounding me. Clementine hadn’t even bothered to tell me she was going on a date. The worst part was I didn’t even know why it made me so angry. I should be happy for her, finding her footing. Flirting with guys? Did that make her happy?

Or was I jealous?

But of what? Kiefer got to take her to the movies, and we went to the movies all the time. No. It was the thought of him holding her hand, them sitting together, and him getting to wrap his arm around her. Kissing when the lights went down…

I ripped some grass out and inhaled slowly. Why did that make me so angry?

Those were more explosive feelings I wasn’t necessarily ready for just yet.

“Cael Cody,” Mama's voice called from behind me as she came down the hill. “What the hell was that all about?”

“I—” I opened my mouth only to shut it again. I was confused.

“Spit it out.” She sat down in the grass with me and nudged my side.

“I don’t like that Kiefer guy.” I shrugged.

“And why’s that, Honeybug?” She asked.

“He plays hockey. Those guys are all dicks.”

“Oh.” She paused, and a tiny sigh left her lips. I knew she could see right through me, and I hated it. If Mama could see through my lie, then she could see how much I was struggling with my realization. “Have you told Clementine how you feel?”

“I don’t feel anything, Mama. I just don’t want her dating guys that won’t-” I stopped and picked at the grass some more as the sun started to sink in the sky over the hill.

“I don’t know when you started to lie to me, but I don’t like it when you do,” she scolded.

I grumbled and looked away from her, knowing she could tell from my face that I was jealous and upset.

“I know that it’s a scary thought. You’ve spent your entire life loving Clementine because she’s always been there, and if that love is deeper than your sixteen-year-old heart imagined, it’s okay. We all go through moments like that.”

It’s not a moment.

“You mean…” I turned to look at her. Her long dark hair was braided down, and she watched me with her soft blue eyes. Always so patient with me, even when I’m acting like a jerk.

“You have time to figure out what kind of way you want to love her,” Mama said with a smile as she ran her fingers through my hair. “But you can’t run around here with a sour mood blaming her when she explores other options waiting on you.”

“I don’t think Clementine likes me like that.” I shook my head. “I don’t even know if I like her like that…”

“Don’t rush. Just enjoy the time you have with her. You’re sixteen, Honeybug. You aren’t figuring out your feelings on your deathbed. You’ll get there.” Mama laughed, and I leaned into her for a hug.

“Look,” she pointed into the dusk at a set of headlights pulling up to the Matthews’ house. “She’s home.”

MATTHEWS

The stadium was quiet as the evening dragged on. I had come down for video footage of the stadium to fill the gaps in the piece and to filter underneath certain interviews. I checked the time on my phone and cursed. I’d missed dinner at the Nest, and my stomach was rumbling. I was searching for a restaurant other than Hilly’s on my phone when I heard the soft padding of feet. I followed the sound down the hall and found a long wall of windows that gave a view into a fully equipped workout center.

Pushing through the heavy door as quietly as I could, I wandered around the back side of the gym, watching Cael every step of the way.

Lean, tan muscle drenched in sweat. It pooled between his bare shoulder blades as he pushed himself at a grueling pace with the jump rope gripped between his hands. His gaze was straight ahead, completely lost in the moment as he bobbed his head to whatever music he was listening to. His biceps tightened as his pace quickened. Damp, blond hair stuck to his neck and temples. It took everything in my power not to stroll over there, but he seemed on edge about something, so I slid back on the desk and watched.

Cael hadn’t noticed me as he started to sing along to Moulin Rouge that pumped through his head phones. He was actually pretty good as the words rolled off his tongue in time with his quick footsteps over the rope.

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