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I didn’t know how he turned it on and off like he did. My mind was racing with thoughts of what had happened earlier between us. What I wanted. What he wanted. Was I even ready?
I took Cal’s hand and led him up the stairs to the kitchen where my mother was making coffee for my grandmother who sat at the island in her blue jeans and cable knit sweater.
Her blonde hair like my mother’s was pulled up in a high ponytail that made her look younger than she was. Her pale blue eyes were always happy even after Granddad passed. She said he wouldn’t want her to be sad because he had died. He wouldn’t want her light to go out even if her heart was breaking so she carried on because that is the way she was. Grandma was strong. I wanted to be like her.
I went to her outstretched arms. “Grandma, I missed you.”
“I missed you too,” she said patting my back while I held her tight.
When we released each other, Grandma peeked over my shoulder at Cal. “Let me meet this young man of yours that your Mom has been telling me about,” she declared.
I kept my arm around her slender shoulders and introduced grandma to Cal. “My grandma, Heather Brown. My boyfriend, Cal Cooper.”
“It’s nice to meet you Mrs. Brown.” He was so polite and charming when he stuck his hand out to my grandma. She shook it with both her hands wrapped around his while she checked him out.
I knew my grandmother. Her wise eyes saw beneath the layers and saw the things that most people didn’t want you to see. Then she released him.
“I have to head home now. We are having company today too. My Dad’s parents are coming in from Florida for a visit while Dad is home,” Cal informed Mom and Gram.
She winked at me and I knew that Gram liked Cal.
“Goodbye, Mrs. Brown. Kat.”
I walked with Cal to the drive. He leaned against his car and I leaned into
him. His arms went around me. His hands clasped at the curve of my spine. I turned my head up for his kiss. When it ended, he said, “If you can’t make it tomorrow do you think maybe I could pick you up tonight?”
“Gram just got here,” I said.
He looked up at the sky. His hands slipped lower on my butt squeezing it hard, drawing me closer to him. Cal sighed. “I’m going to miss you.”
I laid my head against his chest and closed my eyes, lost in thought. We didn’t hear the door open. We didn’t hear the thunder of Ty’s shoes on the grass until he shouted at Cal. “Man, do you have to grope her in broad daylight. In front of the neighbors.”
“Ty, we weren’t doing anything.”
Tyson glared at me as I stepped back from Cal putting space between us. He glanced down at me.
“His hands were all over your ass, Abby. I looked out the window and saw him.”
“Just go back inside.”
“If this is what he’s doing in public what are you letting him do in private,” my brother snapped.
Cal pulled himself away from the car. “That’s enough,” he snapped.
“You’re damn right it is. Would you want a guy treating your sister this way?” Tyson asked.
I had about enough of Tyson. I stepped around Cal, but he moved me behind him.
“I have respected your sister Tyson.”
“I saw that from the living room window Calvert.”
I could see this situation was getting out of hand. Both were angry. Tyson shoved Cal.
“Ty that is enough,” I snapped. I moved in front of Cal and laid my hand on his chest. “Don’t,” I said. His eyes met mine for a moment then he looked over my shoulder at my brother. “I’ll call you later.” He kissed my nose. “I love you Abby.”
He had never said it out loud in front of anyone. I waited for Tyson to respond to that declaration. He didn’t. “I love you too,” I told him.
