One Step Closer(69)

Caleb caught site of Dex and his parents about halfway back and he nodded at his friend. The two had kept in contact over the years, but Caleb hadn’t been back to Denver to see him even once since the night they fought. It hadn’t been easy for Caleb to move beyond the night when Dex put the moves on Wren, but eventually they had talked it out over the phone. Dex would have been insane not to want her; she was so beautiful, and it was Caleb’s fault he’d never confessed his feelings concerning Wren to his best friend. He’d always held his emotions for her so close to himself out of guilt. How do you confess to being in love with a girl who you are supposed to protect and everyone else sees as your sister?

Dex looked quite a bit different; his hair was less edgy and he was wearing dress slacks and a button down. Growing up, Caleb had never seen Dex in anything other than jeans, T-shirts and leather jackets. His old friend rose and walked up, offering his hand to Caleb and then going in for a brotherly hug. “It’s good to see you, man. Sorry about your dad.” He looked at Wren, and bent to kiss her on the cheek. “How are you, Wren?”

She smiled softly and Caleb could see the admiration in Dex’s eyes. Some things never changed, and he didn’t expect them to.

“You look good, Dex. Different.”

Dex smiled. He was handsome in a rugged sort of way.

“Well, I couldn’t be a thug my whole life. My dad has me managing the shop and we’ve expanded. We have three locations, now. Have you started your design firm in San Francisco?”

Dex was a first class mechanic. They’d both learned a lot from Darren growing up, but Dex had gone to trade school and learned how to run his father’s business, while Caleb attended a top engineering university. It would have been the perfect combination for the two of them to go into business together, which had been their plan for years.

“Not yet. Might go on the back burner for awhile, now. I have to deal with Lux.”

“Are you still fighting?” Dex asked.

“On occasion. I beat the shit out of the bag at the gym on a more regular basis.” The two men laughed softly. Wren watched the interaction between the two of them, admiring them both. Both men were tall and fit, Caleb a bit taller with more of a classic beauty to his face. He had his mother’s model features, though he was casually unaware of how people stared at him. Wren had always been acutely aware of him.

Dex put his hand lightly on the small of Wren’s back. “Are you still with the touring company or back in New York for good?” he asked.

“Still touring, but we’re on a break for a few weeks.”

“I’d love to see you dance sometime.”

“She’s amazing. Stick around afterward and we’ll get a beer at the house. Jonesy’s been cooking for days. Bring your folks.”

“Sounds good. I remember Jonesy’s cooking.”

Caleb hit Dex’s bicep with his open palm. “It’s good to see you.”

It didn’t escape Caleb’s radar that Dex knew about Wren’s schedule, which meant they’d been in touch. After he’d beat the shit out of him all those years ago, he was a bit surprised Dex still kept track of her, and that he neglected to mention it on any of their phone calls. It was probably nothing, but he couldn’t deny that it still bothered him.

After Dex returned to his seat, Caleb and Wren found Macy, Jonathan, and Jonesy already waiting in the small room off to the side. The room was furnished with upholstered couches and chairs and was set up more like a living room. A few others, including his father’s personal assistant and some of the board members, were also there.

Jonathan made the necessary introductions to some of the senior members of Lux’s board of directors, and then they all took their seats.

Jonesy approached Caleb and put her arms around him. She hugged him, and he bent down to kiss her weathered cheek. “We’re here for you,” she said solemnly as she patted his cheek and pressed his mother’s bible and her pearl and gold rosary in his hand. He was touched that she’d remembered to bring them with her. The dark brown leather and white beads blurred as he looked down at them in his hand. He swallowed at the tightness of his throat.

“I know. Thank you, Jonesy. This was nice of you to remember.”

“Of course, honey. Celine would want you to have them with you today.”

Given the turn his life had taken after his mother’s death, Caleb wasn’t all that religious, but she had been and the sentimental gesture touched him deeply. He held her rosary and her bible on his left knee after he sat down.

Caleb’s right hand reached for Wren’s as she sat beside him. He was unaware that he’d barely let go of her once since she’d joined him beside his father’s casket. However, Macy was extremely aware, and sat in stiff silence to his left.

The reciting of the rosary seemed long; the same few prayers being recited over and over again felt monotonous and unnecessary to Caleb. The words to all but a couple of the prayers escaped him, even though he’d had them all memorized as a young child.

Sitting there, his mind was preoccupied. His father was the type to get down to business and dispense with anything frivolous, and he would consider this bevy of crying and praying unnecessary. Edison wouldn’t have wanted a full-blown funeral. Caleb realized the formality was mostly for the press and the board of directors, who were no doubt taking advantage of any free publicity for the advancement of the company.