One Step Closer(105)

Finally, his harsh words and stone cold demeanor got to Macy. She started to cry uncontrollably. Still, Caleb was unmoved.

“This is over.”





WREN WAS PHYSICALLY exhausted and emotionally drained.


She’d just finished a grueling eight-hour rehearsal in New York City and had taken the train from midtown Manhattan to Jersey City where she had a small, studio that she shared with another dancer named Molly, whom she barely knew. New Jersey rent was much less expensive than that in Manhattan, and the apartment had been more like a storage unit to keep her things in while she was touring. Now that she’d landed a role in a New York City production, something had to change.

The commute on the train was over an hour, and she didn’t have a car because parking in New York cost almost as much as her rent.

The strap of the bag she carried on her shoulder, dug into her flesh and her legs and feet ached with every step she took between the station and the brownstone that housed her apartment. The art of ballet was to make it look effortless and elegant; so graceful you almost appeared to be floating, but in reality, it was difficult and hard on her joints.

She’d wanted this role since before she’d graduated from Juilliard. Every ballerina wanted to play Giselle. The audition process had lasted two days and she only found out she was chosen earlier that morning, but her joy was overshadowed by thoughts of Macy and Caleb. She didn’t mind the long days, but she despised the train rides, walks and long hours trying to sleep where her excruciating thoughts hammered through her heart and mind.

Each step she had to fight breaking out into tears, thinking that less than a week ago, she’d spent two amazing nights in Caleb’s arms and she believed they had a future together. Finally. Her eyes were focused on the sidewalk in front of her, though she wasn’t really aware of it because Caleb consumed her mind. She had listened to his messages over and over absorbing every nuance of love in his tone.

After the day she’d flown to New York and he’d read the note she left on his bed, he hadn’t called again. Part of her was hoping he would, but she realized he had to be back in San Francisco and Macy would have surely told him about her supposed pregnancy.

Pain exploded inside her and ricocheted through her chest, causing a tightening of her lungs and heart whenever she thought about it. She guessed Caleb was reeling and trying to figure things out, or felt abandoned by her request of time. She tried hard to come up with an excuse that would explain why he’d stopped calling. It didn’t really matter why, though; the result was the same. She missed him so much it hurt. She felt it in in every breath she took.

She couldn’t help it when slow tears began to drip from her eyes, but she was thankful she was nearly home and she hadn’t lost control on the train. Her face crumpled, and she used the back of her hand to wipe at her tears, holding back a sob. She swallowed hard at the lump in her throat. Everything hurt.

There was nothing she could do but wait the months needed to see if Macy was lying, and it would only be worse if she and Cale kept in touch; pretending and hoping it wasn’t true, then being blindsided. The possibility was already crippling, and that would be so much worse. Wren hoped she’d be strong enough to handle it if it happened.

She rounded the last corner onto her street, and walked the last block and a half. She just wanted to get behind closed doors so she could let the pain pour out unabashed.

Even though it was getting dark, Caleb saw Wren coming as he waited on the front steps of the building where she lived. She was wearing frayed cutoff jean shorts, a faded burgundy T-shirt and sneakers. Her head was down as she walked carrying a sort of large duffle bag over her shoulder. Her face was flushed and her hair was in a tight ballerina bun at the back of her head. She looked exhausted and sad, but that didn’t stop his eyes from devouring her.

When she was only a few feet away her head lifted and she saw him; their eyes locked and Wren’s gate faltered.

“Cale.” His name fell from her soft pink mouth. “What are you doing here? I told you I needed time.”

He stood up and stepped onto the sidewalk in front of her, just as she reached her building. His heart broke at the dark circles under her eyes and the tear tracks that were still fresh on her cheeks.

“Yeah, you did. You also said you’d never leave me.”

Wren had the grace to pause. She had said that, but it was in the heat of passion and before she’d been clobbered by Macy’s surprise.

“That’s not fair.” She shook her head incredulously as took a few steps back. “I’m not ready. Please, Cale.”

“Oh, Wren,” he said, pulling her roughly into his arms and tight against his chest. One hand cupped the back of her head, and he pressed his lips to her temple. She was so slight in his arms as her bag fell to the pavement and her arms slid around his waist, her fingers clawing at his shirt and flesh. She started to shake and he knew she was crying desperately. “You know why I’m here.” Caleb’s own eyes filled with tears. “I’m so sorry.”

They stood there, uncaring of people walking or anyone spying from windows, as they remained locked together in a fierce embrace. Wren wasn’t sure if he’d come to break the news about Macy in person, but even then, she was happy to see him. It felt good to have his arms around her, even if it couldn’t be forever.

He kissed her on the temple again and his embrace tightened around her waist so he could lift her completely off the ground and into a full on hug. Wren’s arms slid up and around his broad shoulders and she buried her face in the curve of his neck.