One Step Closer(102)

His mother’s locket.

He gave a slow, disbelieving shake of his head. She didn’t just give something that meant so much back. Not after what had happened between them. He’d finally admitted he was in love with her; he’d bared his soul, and now this?

Caleb’s vision blurred in the dimly lit room and his eyes started to burn. He wasn’t even sure he cared what was in the f*cking letter after that. It was the ultimate betrayal. What the hell did she think? That he’d make love to her, spill his guts and then she’d leave him? Was this payback for how he left after their first night together?

Pain shot through him, and his chest refused to expand. He felt like there were steel bands around his chest preventing him from breathing, his heart was racing uncomfortably.

He couldn’t believe Wren would be so malicious. Veronica, yes; even Macy, but not Wren. He unfolded her note and squinted to read it under the low light, praying he’d find some sort of reasonable explanation.



Dear Cale,

I’m sorry I left without talking to you, but I knew I wouldn’t be able to leave if I saw you. So much has happened in the past few days and I need to make sure that if we end up together, it’s for the right reasons.

I love you for always taking care of me, but I don’t want the money. My life would be nothing if it weren’t for you, but this is about you and me. Not the money.

I’m not my mother. I know you’ll say that you already know that, but I just need to prove it.

It’s ironic that you gave me half of the estate to make sure I would be part of your life, and I’m giving it back for the very same reason. I need to make sure you know that I would choose you if you didn’t have a penny to your name; if you had nothing to give me but your heart.

You can run Lux and I’ll do another tour just like we planned. Then, if we don’t end up together, I’ll talk to Jonathan and figure out a way to give back the assets. It’s your birthright, not mine. It’s hard to hate my mother, when she is the reason I have you. I’d go through the bad stuff all over again, if I knew you’d be at the end of it.

I know everything inside of you is screaming at me right now, but please do this for me. Let’s just take a break for a few months to make sure of each other. If you give me that locket again, I swear, I’ll never take it off.

No matter what, you’ll always be my Superman.

Love forever,

Wren



Caleb swallowed hard at the pain welling up that caused his throat to ache. His chest heaved with emotion as he bent his arm to rest over his eyes; his hand still holding on to the letter. His heart was breaking, but how could he be mad at her for this? If anything, he loved her even more.

“God, Wren,” he said as if she could hear him. “You are so f*cking perfect.” The pain in his voice was tangible and two tears welled in his blue eyes, spilling out from his closed lids and running down the side of his face.

He bolted upright and grabbed his phone off of his dresser, instantly dialing her number. He knew she’d still be in the air and wouldn’t answer. Maybe she wouldn’t answer anyway, but he had something to say.

Caleb wished the sweet voice on the other end wasn’t just a message.

“It’s me, Bird. I got your letter and I’ll do what you ask, but I don’t like it. I love you, and nothing will change in whatever time you think needs to pass. I’ll keep my distance, but talk to me. Please call me. I just got you back. I already miss you.”

He struggled for a moment, the recording continuing through his silence. He didn’t want to break the connection if this was this last connection he’d have with her. “I love you, Wren. Call me back.”

After he ended the call, he called Dex.

“You didn’t give me much time to look, man. I haven’t even started.”

“No, that’s why I’m calling. I want to get a tattoo, then let’s get burgers and beer.”

“Okay. I’ll call Scanlan’s and see if he is open around 7:30. He’s usually booked, but maybe since it’s Monday he’ll have an opening.”

“I wondered if he was still in the city.” It was the same establishment where he and Dex had gotten matching tribal tattoos done around their left biceps when they were kids. Darren had consented, but Caleb had forged a consent letter and then flaunted it in front of his father. Edison had been furious. “Just a simple one. Script.”

“Cool. If I don’t call back, it’s a go; just meet me there.”

“Right. Thanks, Dex.”

“It’s good to have you back.”

“I was just thinking the same thing.”





IT HAD BEEN FIVE days and Wren still hadn’t returned his calls.


Caleb still called her everyday, hoping she’d eventually answer. Her letter said she loved him, and he understood her need for clarity and distance, at least for the time being. However, he didn’t understand why she wouldn’t talk to him. It was making him nuts but he was trying to occupy himself with packing.

He’d been back in San Francisco since Thursday morning, and he’d already started packing up his apartment. His kitchen was finished except for the drawers. One of them was full of his father’s numerous unopened letters. His plan was to just throw them all in a box and go through them once he moved back to Denver.