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“Hey, I’m home.” A soft voice whispers into the darkness.
I smile and turn to the side, puckering my lips in acceptance of the kiss that I know is to come.
It doesn’t.
Peeling my eyes open, I look at the figure looming over the bed. I can’t see his face, but I know who it is.
“Caleb!” I grin, clambering from the bed and throwing my arms around him. I bury my face in his neck and inhale deeply; he smells so good. He always does. “I miss you.”
His face finally comes into view. He’s smiling. It tears at my heart but I can’t quite put my finger on why. “You miss me? I’m right here.” A warm hand cups my cheek. “You look so beautiful.”
“Can you kiss me now? I feel like you haven’t kissed me in so long,” I whisper, pain flooding through me. Why do I feel grief?
“Certainly.” He grins wickedly and his other hand comes to my other cheek. His lips descend. My entire body heats as I wait for our lips to touch. I feel like I’ve been waiting for this moment for a lifetime. Why am I so sad?
Our lips are about to touch. I shiver in anticipation.
They stop.
Caleb looks over my shoulder, his eyes narrowing and his head tilting. “You’re not alone.”
“What?” What’s he talking about? Of course I’m alone.
I look over my shoulder and gasp at the sight before me. He’s right. Somebody is in my bed.
“What the hell?” I whisper as Caleb moves me to the side, his arms trembling, and reaches for the blanket. He pulls it back in one swift movement and the room fills with a rage that’s so thick I can taste it.
A red mist seems to swirl around him as he glares at the man in my bed.
“No!” Caleb roars, his angry eyes coming to me. “You promised.”
“What?” Who is that? Why’s he in my bed. “Who is it?”
“We’re getting married tomorrow! How could you?”
“I don’t understand. I don’t know who this is.”
“I told you to stay away from Nathan. You promised you would!” His tone is accusatory.
What? “I don’t know who Nathan is. I swear. I don’t know this man.”
Caleb steps away from me. “How could you do this?”
“I… I didn’t… Caleb, please.” I hold out my hand. “Believe me.”
He turns and walks over to my window. Wait… where’s the cot? Don’t I have a cot there?
Why would I have a cot? I’m still pregnant.
My hands find my flat stomach and I grasp at it desperately. “What’s going on?”
Caleb doesn’t answer. He only stares out of the window, his profile almost glowing in the moonlight. “I’ll never forgive you for this, Gwenny.”
“Wait,” I plead, racing towards him.
The red mist flickers outwards, long smoky tendrils lashing out at the dark room, slowly swallowing it whole until I can see nothing but red. Caleb’s hand reaches out and touches my cheek. He doesn’t speak, or if he does I don’t hear him. My heart starts beating a heavy rhythm as I’m overcome with fear and loss.
Caleb.
No. No. NO! I hit the floor with a thud, my body trembling and my front aching from my landing.
“Caleb,” I gasp, pulling myself up and looking around the room. “Dillan!”
Confusion sets in as I pull myself out of my dream state and back to reality. I race to the cot and sigh with relief when I see Dillan sleeping soundly, his mouth suckling at nothing.
“Nathan,” I whisper in realisation and turn towards the bed.
He’s fast asleep on his back, one arm spread to the side as if it has been searching for me and is now waiting for me. I climb onto the mattress and stare at him for a moment, ignoring the heartbreak at losing Caleb all over again.
This isn’t the first dream I’ve had of Caleb, but it’s the first one with Nathan. It’s all of this information I’ve received regarding him that’s throwing me. It’s too much to take.
I brush my fingers over Nathan’s brow and sigh as guilt floods through me. How could Caleb do that to him? How could he hurt his brother like that, who so clearly needs love and trust?
If he were alive I don’t think I’d be able to look at him for what he’s done. I know that’s easier said now that he’s not here, but I know Nathan now. I know that, with a bit of patience and a sledge hammer combined, you can crack that outer shell and the sweetness that lies beneath is just… gah. It’s amazing. He’s amazing.
How could Caleb… my sweet Caleb, be so cruel to somebody so damaged and in need of affection?
As much as I want to be sad over Caleb’s freak out in my dream, I can’t be. I can only be sad that I didn’t seem to know him at all. Or maybe he changed; I sure hope that’s the case.
