12. Kenny

Chapter Song: Invisible String- Taylor Swift

I woke up wrapped in Cal's arms. My legs were intertwined with his as we layed on the living room floor. Our clothes were all across the living room, but at least we managed to move the candles.

I slowly untangled myself from him and grabbed one blanket before picking up my clothes. I grabbed all of his and left it in a pile next to him befor tip toeing upstairs.

I wasn't sure when anyone else would get here but hopefully he'd be awake or clothed by then. If he wasn't at least awake by the time I got done showering I'd wake him up. We didn't need anyone to see this.

I turned up the hot water letting it consume me and wake me up more. It felt so good sliding down my back. Instantly I felt myself begin to unwind.

I should not have done that. We shouldn't have done that. What was wrong with me!

We were alone in a room together for one night and I threw myself at him. It was probably a new record for us, but I doubt it. Actually, there were shorter times in highschool but that was then.

Ugh.

How was I supposed to act now? What did it even mean?

Nothing.

It should mean nothing. Just two high school exes with lots of history hooking up. It was fine. People did it all the time. Except they didn't. And they weren't us. Oh this was about to get messy.

I don't even know why I did it. I just couldn't help myself. Maybe it was feeling vulnerable after talking so openly about things with him. There were things we needed to say to eachother. I know I had more to say, and I'm sure he did. But to be honest that would be for another day. Certainly not today. Or this weekend. Maybe after the wedding.

I couldn't help but think about that night. I hated to remember it, but for some reason the damn storm made me. Or maybe it was just Cal being there in his Cal manner. The whole let me take care of you and make sure you are okay. I swear one day that man will work himself to death over someone. He'll put anyone before himself. Whoever his person is, they are lucky.

He was there for me, and Liam, and our family. And I threw him away. I tossed him aside for my own selfish needs. Because I was too damn scared to face the loss. Instead I tried to run from my problems. He knew it, I knew, everyone knew what a coward I was.

You can't escape those kinds of problems though.

He was right when he talked about beautiful things being broken. I broke him in a way I don't think can be repaired. He's a beautiful person too good for what could ever dream of. I didn't deserve him.I never did. I think it was a small part of why I left.

Maybe that was why I was always trying to push him away. Run away was more like it. He was right about it. Even if I didn't admit it I always knew. I guess I just became so good at it that I didn't know how not to.

I felt a little lighter getting things off my chest. I may not know what's gonna happen when I get downstairs but at least I said some things I needed to. Not everything but it was a start.

I tried to mindlessly shampoo and condition my hair but last night kept repeating in my head. It was good. Actually it was amazing. I wouldn't mind it happening again. For scientific reasons of course. Have to make sure that it wasn't our candles that really set the tone.

Ugh.

I needed to stop this nonsense, this was not the weekend for this. This weekend was about Liam and Riley. One of the last few weekends before the wedding. Not the time to be selfish. I can worry about my problems after the wedding. I needed to focus.

I finished my shower thinking about the weekend plans. I needed to get dressed and look semi decent. That way after putting up decorations I can go to the store for food. By that time everyone should be here. The planes should land and the rest of our surprise should be here.

We all pitched in and bought plane tickets for the rest of the wedding party so they could be here for this weekend. It was a total surprise and I think that Liam and Riley were going to love it. They didn't suspect a thing.

I finally found the courage to head downstairs and was greeted by noises in the kitchen. There was a cabinet closing shut and the smell of bacon.

When I reached the kitchen Cal was shirtless in front of me cooking breakfast. Any girl's wet dream. His muscles were the only thing I could see. The way the light hit his back made me think I could never look away.

"It smells good," I shifted nervously.

He turned around giving me a casual smile as if this happened normally. My heart felt the tiniest tug as I inched a little closer to him.

"Yeah I went to the store while you showered and stuff. Thought I'd give you some time to yourself." He turned back to the pan that I now knew were eggs being scrambled.

"I thought you were asleep that's why I took my time. I could have went with you. How much was everything?" I reached for my phone to pull up Apple Pay.

"Don't worry about it. I woke up as you got up around the room. Thanks for my clothes by the way," he bumped his hip into mine.

"How much were the groceries?" I asked again.

"Don't worry about it."

"Cal."

"How many pieces of bacon do you want?" He raised a brow.

I continued to stare at him. I didn't move a single muscle except I felt the corner of my lip twitch. He stayed just as still. The only thing making a noise or moving was the sizzling of the bacon.

"It's going to burn if you don't tell me," he raised a brow.

"Three," I grumbled finally looking away. Ugh he was ridiculous.

"Knew it," he snickered focusing on playing breakfast.

I grabbed the butter out of the fridge for toast and worked on making cups of coffee for us before setting it at the table.

We ate in a comfortable silence. I was thankful for that especially after last night. I didn't know whether or not I should bring it up. Was it something that needed to be addressed?

"What are you thinking about?" Cal asked between sips of his coffee.

"Nothing," I said taking a bite of toast. "Did you get jelly?"

"No sorry. I can grab some later today though."

"No it's fine." I shrugged.

"Was that what was on your mind," he sipped his coffee some more. I think he knew what he was doing. But again maybe he was just trying to figure things out.

I didn't answer. Instead I was focusing on moving around a piece of egg on my plate. I ran through my to do list in my head hoping it would help me feel better. It surely wasn't keeping everything off my mind. God would we be able to survive this weekend?

"Look." I said as he said, "so listen."

We both caught ourselves and smiled meeting each others eyes. It was a relief to see him smile like that again. I hadn't seen him look so relaxed since I got back.

Maybe it was me causing the stress. It made me feel a little uneasy to think about. I didn't want to be the one causing his strain. That wasn't fair.

"About last night," he paused drumming his fingers against the wooden table. "I don-,"

"Hello!" We heard voices and footsteps grow closer.

I sighed a breath or relief or annoyance. Maybe both I couldn't tell just yet. I guess we'd have to have the conversation later if we'd ever get the chance.

Ty and Mason came barreling into the kitchen eying the empty plates at the table. Anywhere there was food any of the boys were there. At least that hadn't changed.

"Man it smells like sex in here," Mason sighed. With that Cal began choking on his coffee. I didn't know what to do but somehow the whole situation made me laugh.

"Who cooked? Ken?" Ty looked at me for confirmation. I pointed to Cal unable to speak so I reached for my coffee instead. "It smells amazing man."

"Let me make you a plate," he coughed again as he got up.

"I got the dishes," I said getting up and grabbing our empty plates. I put them in the sink and turned in the water to heat up.

"It really does smell good in here." Mason sighed happily sitting on the counter next to me.

"Better than sex?" I eyed him.

"Way better. Unless it's right after brunch."

"What," I laughed. "That doesn't make sense". Out of the corner of my eyes I caught Cal looking at me. Not too much to where he'd draw attention but just enough.

———-

A shorter chapter, but I couldn't leave you hanging on the last chapter. Something a bit more light hearted.

How do you guys like it so far??

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