Page 13 of Outlawed Treat
“Yeah.Master, don’t let him see anythin’ too graphic or scary.This is his first haunted house and we don’t know how he’ll react.He’s either gonna be like Darren and love the hell outta it or like Cali and be scared shitless,” I answer, looking at Master instead of Bryce.
“We got this,” Master returns as I stand with Manic.
“She’s so damn adorable.Cali sure does make some good lookin’ kids,” Manic comments as he gazes off toward the small movie theater on the edge of the town square.
“She definitely does.Rory’s gonna look just like her.I hope she gets some of her height from Darren though.Cali’s so damn short.Kreed’s with her right now.She’s strugglin’ with takin’ the pain medicine because she doesn’t want to be all doped up and shit constantly.Kreed keeps tryin’ to get her to take them on time like she should,” I inform Manic as he nods his head absently while keeping his eyes locked on the movie theater.
Knowing Manic won’t let anything happen to Rory, I follow Master and Bryce into the haunted house.I remember this exact one Darren did because it’s from our junior year.The shit is scary as hell and Bryce doesn’t need to see everything inside.Plus, this will be the first time I’m seeing things since it really got started.We used Darren’s notes and plans for this and I’ve put my trust in the guys to follow what he did.Thankfully we have more than enough members and Prospects to take care of all the various parts inside.This is going to hurt in more ways than one.It’s going to flood me with the memories of our past and make me remember Darren even more.I don’t want to think about him because it’s all I seem to do when it’s not something about the kids and Cali.
Chapter Seven
Caliana
I’VE HAD ANOTHER check-up with Doc.He took X-rays of my hand and the cast won’t be coming off anytime soon.Doc told me the bone is slowly healing and I’ll be in the cast longer than we anticipated.This also means I’ll be out of work longer than we thought I’d be on medical leave.I’m unhappy with this situation because I’m quickly running out of my savings.Yeah, I get money every month from Darren giving his life while he was enlisted, but it only goes so far.My bills are going to eat up that money before it ever hits my bank account.I know I could ask Caleb and Kreed for help.Hell, I could ask any of the guys in the club who served with Darren for help, but I refuse to be that girl.I hate asking for the help they’re currently giving me with the kids and around the house.Kreed spends all of his time with me and it’s the first time I’m not with him while Caleb hides out in a different room of my house.He knows I don’t want to see him so he remains invisible whenever I’m out of my room.
“Cali, while you were in with Doc, I got a call from the school.My brother’s sick and I have to go pick him up.Mom’s at work and she can’t take any more time off,” Tiffany tells me as she pulls up to my house.
Looking over at her, I can see the internal debate going on with her.She knows the guys don’t want me left alone for any reason.However, she also needs to pick her little brother up from school.Tiffany’s biting her lip as she taps her fingers on the steering wheel of my SUV.My heart goes out to her because I’d be no better than she is right now.I’d be completely torn about what to do in this situation.
“It’s okay, Tiffany.I know how much your mom relies on you to help her out while she’s at work.Go pick Dean up and take care of him.If you need anything, let me know and I’ll send it right over.Kreed will more than likely buy some food for you to have in the house for Dean and the rest of you.You know how he is.He won’t be long.He was gonna check in at the garage and then meet us back here.The kids and I will be okay until he shows up.Don’t even bother getting out of the SUV.Take it home with you.I’ve got your car here if I need it and Kreed will have his SUV,” I say, trying to assure one of my friends that I’m not mad and she’ll be okay by leaving me alone.“I won’t let the guys say anything to you when you come back.If you can’t be here tomorrow, let me know and I’ll take care of it.”
“Are you sure, Caliana?”she questions me, still debating what to do and if she should really leave me alone or wait until Kreed and Caleb get here.“Can’t Caleb come over sooner than Kreed?He hasn’t really left the house since you got out of the hospital.”
“I’m sure Caleb is busy with other things today.It’s been way too long since he got some,” I tell her, looking over my shoulder to find Bryce wearing the headphones Manic got him for his birthday with my phone in his hand.He’s listening to music.
Tiffany looks at me because she knows how I feel about Caleb and the way he’s acting is upsetting me more than anything else has since she’s known me.Yeah, I was upset about Darren’s death and I still mourn the loss of him.However, anyone who truly knows me realized very quickly I wasn’t mourning him the way a wife in love with her husband does.I was grieving him as a best friend while thinking of how it would feel if Caleb had been the one to lose his life over there.
“Caleb is a damn idiot!He’s got the best thing to ever happen right in front of him and he keeps pushing you away in the worst ways possible.Screw him, Cali.When you finish recovering from the attack, we’ll go out and find a man who truly treasures you like the queen you are,” Tiffany promises me as she finally relaxes and looks at me with a smile on her face.“You’ll have a man who loves and supports you in ways you’ve only dreamed of.Caleb will be nothing more than a distant memory who your kids love.”
“I wish it were that simple, Tiff.Caleb is the one who stole my heart before my fourteenth birthday and I don’t ever see him giving it back to me.He’ll be the only one who ever truly owns it and I wish it were different.During my entire relationship with Darren, it was always more about Caleb.I hate myself for feeling that way and wanted to change things more than anyone will ever know.I did have love for Darren, like I’ve said before, it just wasn’t me beinginlove with him,” I say unbuckling my seatbelt before opening the door and awkwardly getting out of the SUV.
This is when Kreed would be helpful if he were here.I’m so damn short I have to practically jump out of the SUV and I can’t exactly do that right now.It will make my arm jostle and hurt more than it already does.Until Kreed gets here, and yes I know Caleb will show up with him, I can’t take any pain medicine.The kids need me and I refuse to be on anything to slow my reaction or judgment when I’m here alone with them.They need my full attention and that’s what I’ll give them because they’re the center of my universe.
“I’ll see you tomorrow or whenever Dean’s feeling better, Tiffany,” I say, taking the plunge and getting out of the SUV on my own.
I essentially slide off the seat and land hard on my feet right next to the open door.My arm hits the door and a sharp pain shoots up the length and into my shoulder.That’s nothing compared to the pain in my hand though.It’s intense and almost brings me to my knees as tears fill my eyes and I try to remain standing.
