“Oh, there’s really one thing. Dump the slut and are available again to me. Perhaps then I will rethink whether or not or to not hearth her.”

“That is out of the query!”

“Nicely, then,” she says sharply, “I counsel making a decision shortly. You have got till tomorrow night at ten o’clock.” She will get up and appears down at me coldly. “Do not even suppose I am bluffing. I’ve nothing to lose. Determine towards your little girlfriend, or I will be certain my father makes your life a residing hell and ends your profession.”

I knew she would say that; I needn’t hear extra. Now I stand up too.

“Go away, now!” My harsh tone does not shock her. Quite the opposite, she shrugs her slender shoulders and totters to the door. As soon as there, she sighs and turns to me one final time.

“You already know, Caleb, you actually ought to severely think about whether or not you need to jeopardize your future for some lady. Simply suppose how laborious your method into the professional league was. There isn’t a pussy on the planet who’s value risking your profession for.” With that, she grabs the doorknob and disappears for good.

21

Emma

After Caleb drops me off on the ice rink, the uneasy feeling that has been bothering me since early this morning intensifies. I am shaky and my palms are chilly. All morning, I really feel out of types. God, I fervently hope that Jessica will likely be keen to speak. I can not eat something through the lunch break, which worries Dad. I inform him I am not feeling properly, which is not even a lie, as my abdomen feels removed from wholesome. Shortly after half previous three, my final therapeutic massage for as we speak involves an finish. Now, a horrible stress overwhelms me, realizing that Caleb will quickly meet with Jessica. To distract myself, I’m going buying. Caleb and I’ve plans to satisfy at my place at eight tonight. I need to formally introduce him to Dad as my new boyfriend over dinner. As I wander by the aisles of the grocery store, gathering all of the elements for lasagna, I preserve glancing at my cellphone. No messages, no calls. It is driving me loopy! After I get residence, I put away the groceries and ship Dad a textual content reminding him of dinner at eight. It is half previous 4 now. Are they nonetheless speaking? I determine to distract myself with house responsibilities. In spite of everything, I need all the things to be neat when Caleb comes over tonight. An hour later, I can not take it anymore and I textual content him.

*Every little thing okay with you? How did the dialog with Jessica go?

With a pounding coronary heart, I watch for a reply. But it surely does not come. I inform myself he is in all probability at apply and hasn’t seen my message but. Then I begin making the lasagna so it will be prepared on time.

Seven minutes previous eight, my dad arrives. “Sorry, I am late! Invoice talked me into having a beer after apply!” he calls from the hallway. “Mmm, that already smells scrumptious,” he praises and comes into the kitchen to me. When he sees me sitting on the set desk, arms wrapped round my abdomen, aching with fear, he stops abruptly.

“Emma? What’s fallacious, what is going on on? And the place’s Caleb?”

“He isn’t right here.”

“I can see that. However why? I used to be positive he’d be right here by now. He even skipped apply. I assumed you would be cooking collectively.”

“He skipped apply?” Has one thing occurred to him? Instantly I panic, considering Jessica might need completed one thing to him. It would not be past that loopy lady.

“Yeah, Invoice’s fairly mad about it. The fellows have their first playoff recreation developing. Coaching periods are essential.”

That is true, and it is so in contrast to Caleb to overlook coaching. I am about to stand up to go search for him when my cellphone, sitting subsequent to me on the desk, beeps. With a dreadful feeling, I decide it up and see that I’ve obtained a textual content. It is from Caleb.

*Must cancel dinner, one thing’s come up.

A fiery ache shoots by my abdomen as I understand: I’ve nervous for nothing. He is positive, he simply does not need to see me. With tears in my eyes, I stare on the display screen. In the meantime, Dad grabs a chair and sits straight in entrance of me.

“Emma, I need to know what is going on on now. Please, sweetheart, speak to me.” I swallow the painful lump in my throat and carry my gaze. A single tear rolls down my cheek as I look into Dad’s heat eyes.

“Let me be your anchor, similar to you’re mine,” he says softly, putting his hand on my knee. And with that, the dam breaks. I nod and tearfully inform him about Caleb and me. How we bought collectively and the way he means extra to me than anybody earlier than. I additionally inform him about Jessica, her demand, and the way Caleb tried to speak to her once more as we speak. He listens attentively, furrowing his forehead once I present him the textual content the place Caleb cancels our dinner.

I pour out all my heartache. Lastly, I let Dad maintain me in his arms and luxury me. Then he serves himself a plate of lasagna and we go to the lounge. Whereas he settles into his chair, I lie down on the sofa. I’ve a horrible headache. My father reassures me, saying I’ve to attend and see what tomorrow brings. Perhaps all the things will prove for the higher. In his eyes, Jessica is nothing greater than a spoiled brat used to getting what she desires. He believes Mr. Flake is smart sufficient to not hearth me simply because his lady calls for it. His deep voice is soothing to me. Ultimately, I develop sleepy, so Dad will get my bedding and tucks me in. I do know him, he’ll sit up late in entrance of the TV, maintaining watch over me. That is why I really like him. He is there for me once I’m feeling down.

“Sleep properly, my darling,” he whispers, brushing the again of his hand towards my cheek.

“Dad?” I say with heavy eyelids.

“Hm?”

“It appears to be like like we have each been betrayed, does not it?”

“Let’s hope not,” he replies solemnly. “Now sleep, I am right here.” He offers me his everything-will-be-alright smile and settles again into his chair. Then he quietly activates the TV and begins consuming his now-cold lasagna.

The following morning, he wakes me up at eight o’clock. I instantly verify my cellphone, however to my disappointment, there’s neither a textual content nor a name from Caleb. Unable to bear the uncertainty any longer, I name him, however he does not decide up. I depart him a voicemail, asking him to name me again. Then I prepare for work. Dad forces me to eat one thing earlier than we head to the ice rink. Arriving there, I really feel desolate and empty, very similar to the gloomy grey sky over Portland. Alongside my father, I descend the steps to our therapeutic massage rooms.

“Do not freak out, Emma,” he pleads as we stroll down the hallway and switch the nook. “You will see…” He stops abruptly and stands nonetheless when he spots Jessica and Mr. Flake in entrance of my therapeutic massage room.

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