Take it All (Blinded by Love) (31 page)

“There’s an empty spot,” she mumbled, as she traced the area left bare.

“I know, it’s for King Kong’s love, whenever I get to it,” he said, his eyes not leaving the television.

“Oh,” she whispered.

Nothing else was said as her fingers continued tracing as he watched the movie. She was exhausted but she couldn’t close her eyes; she was too afraid something would happen to him. She feared that a delayed reaction to the drugs would arise and she would be passed out next to him, then wake up to Caleb dead next to her, so sleep wasn’t going to happen. She didn’t care if she had to stay up all night; if it meant keeping him safe then it would be worth it.

“Tired Dove?” he asked, glancing down at her.

“No,” she lied.

“Liar, you look exhausted.”

She didn’t answer, just snuggled into him deeper, not wanting to let go of him. She’d never felt so afraid to close her eyes and sleep in her life; she had never worried about anyone as deeply as she did for Caleb, and the thought of closing her eyes, even if it was for a second, frightened her, but she wasn’t going to tell him. In the midst of her thoughts, before she knew what was happening, Caleb rolled into her and she was on her back when he covered her body with his; his mouth claimed hers in surprise. Her lips moved with his while his hands roamed her body in every place that screamed for his attention. She did the same to him, startling him when her hand smoothed over his stomach then lingered at the top of his briefs for a moment before she slid her hand between his warm body and briefs.

It didn’t take long until Caleb had her naked underneath him. Her back slightly arched off the bed; one hand gripping his bicep while the other fisted the blankets next to her as his fingers worked their magic inside her until she was close and he reach for a condom. Feeling alive and on the highest of mountains, she took the condom from his hands and ripped it open with her teeth, tossing the wrapper aside before rolling it over and down his length while her eyes locked with his. Unable to take much more, Caleb slid inside her, his head dipping down into the crook of her neck as he buried himself inside her; a groan escaping them together. Lennox’s right leg hooked around his waist as he moved in deeper; a moan vibrating in her throat. He rocked slowly inside her, taking pleasure in the way she felt wrapped around him as her hands lightly scratched up his muscular back then over his sides.

“I love you.” It came out almost like a whimper before her neck arched and a louder moan rocked her as he hit the spot. Then lifting her head, she put her lips next to his ear and begged him for more.

“I love you too, baby, so damn much,” Caleb said, crashing his lips on hers and he gave her exactly what she asked for.

They finally came together and collapsed in one another’s arms where Lennox, unwillingly, gave into the heaviness of her eyes and fell into darkness. But that darkness didn’t last and before she knew it, she was woken up by the bed shifting under her. Still naked and wrapped in a blanket, she looked over her shoulder and saw Caleb walking across his room and into the bathroom. She listened, expecting to hear the toilet flush or water run but there was nothing like that, only the sound that shattered her and kept her awake all night as she listened to Caleb get in and out of bed a few times before turning on the television and laying next to her, having no idea she was wide awake beside him, her gut twisting in the worst way possible.

“Ready?” Caleb asked, turning the ignition off.

She nodded then opened her door and folded out of the car and walked up to the front door hand in hand with Caleb. She knew she was holding on tight but she couldn’t help it, she was nervous. She had only been to their place a few times since they started dating but those few times they were cold to her, forcing conversation and smiles when really they didn’t want her around and she had no idea why. The only one who had actually treated her decently and talked to her genuinely and who seemed to enjoy her presence was Haley. The last time she was over they had exchanged numbers and talked every couple days; they got along and Lennox liked her; she was funny and full of spunk and loved giving her parents a hard time.

Lennox knew Haley and Caleb were close and that she looked up to him and thought the world of him but what she didn’t know was, if she or their parents knew about his using and, if they did, what were they doing about it. It was something she thought of throughout the night, if they could tell by looking at him or if it wasn’t an easy thing to notice. Lennox had her ways to tell but she was new to it and only picked up on what she saw in him when he was under the influence and that was the head bobble. It didn’t matter what they were doing; his head was always moving around, sometimes more frequently than others but it was Lennox’s way of knowing he was on coke.

Caleb pushed the door bell and the two waited until Haley pulled open the door and greeted them. “Hey guys,” she said, holding the door open for them and closing it as they walked in.

Letting go of Lennox’s hand, he hugged Haley as he said, “Hey sis.”

“Hey Hales,” Lennox said with a smile as she took off her coat.

“Lennox, just the girl I wanted to see,” she smiled and it was one that made Lennox nervous at what she was hiding behind it. She turned to Caleb, clapping her hands together, “Can I borrow your amazing girlfriend for a second– okay thanks– come.” She grabbed Lennox’s hand and pulled her towards the stairs, the two laughing as Lennox looked at Caleb with a look that told him she had no idea what was going on.

“Where’s mom and dad, Haley?”

“Dad and his queen of the manor are in the living room, awaiting their prodigal son,” Haley said in a fake snotty British accent then rolled her eyes as she dragged Lenox up the stairs.

“Super.” Lennox heard him say dryly as he turned and made his way into the living area where his parents were waiting for him.

“Lennox, I need help,” Haley said in a hushed voice as they hit the top of the stairs and pulled her down to the end of the hall and into the room on the left.

“What’s going on, you okay?” she asked when Haley closed the door to her room and pressed her back to it, looking at Lennox nervously.

Haley took a deep breath, “Don’t freak out– no it’s nothing horrible– and you can say no if you want.”

Lennox’s brows knitted together, having no idea what was going on, “Okay, what’s going on– wait you’re not pregnant are you?”

Haley laughed as she pushed away from the door and skipped to her bed then sat in the middle with her legs crossed, a half smile that almost matched Caleb’s spreading across her face. Lennox’s eyes widened at her expression, “Oh, God, please tell me–”

“I’m not pregnant, I was just thinking about my mother’s head exploding if I actually was, that’d be classic,” she laughed, running her hand through her hair.

Lennox chuckled, “Okay, then what’s going on? What do you need?” she asked curious as she took a seat on the side of her bed, facing her.

“Well, first let me start by saying I like you and my brother together. I’ve never seen him so– happy before and I can tell you’re happy too, so yay for that,” she clapped her hands together excitedly. “So with that... I was wondering if– sometime soon– you could take me to get the pill,” she finished in a rush.

Lennox stared at her; her brows high and eyes wide with her lips slightly parted. “I’m sorry?” she asked, shaking her head thinking she heard wrong.

“I wanna go on the pill... but I know if I ask my mother she’ll likely say no then transfer me to an all girls’ school or something lunatic like that.”

“I don’t know, Hales, might not be a good idea that I take you,” she bit her lip, contemplating what Haley was asking.

“Why not?”

“Your parent’s already dislike me. If I took you they’d probably... well I don’t know but I’m sure it wouldn’t be a good idea.”

Haley scoffed then rolled her eyes, “They don’t dislike you it... it’s just how they are with everyone and Caleb’s... it’s complicated, but they don’t dislike you,” she told her with a small smile.

Lennox wasn’t sure if she believed her. “I don’t know Hales, how long have you been seeing the guy for?”

Haley grinned and wiggled her eye brows, “Oh, there’s no guy– yet– but there will be one day, at least I sure hope so. I don’t wanna be like a crazy cat lady who only speaks in cat ‘cause she has no one else to talk to.”

“I’m going to ignore that cat comment; you’re too young to think about becoming a cat lady,” Lennox giggled, then laid across Haley’s bed, her elbow propped up and her head resting against her palm.

“First of all, I believe I said, crazy cat lady,” Haley laughed, holding up her index finger, counting, “and two, it’s possible, you’ve met my mother– if my dad ever left her she’d be the poster woman for crazy cat ladies unite; she’d make it a pandemic so no one is ever happy.”

“Haley!”

“What? It’s true. She may act all saint like but it’s an act, she’s a major control freak. I’m shocked she hasn’t ordered us down to the dungeon–I mean living room–yet.” Haley threw her hands in the air and fell back into the pile of pillows behind her.

“Anyways,” Lennox cut in, changing the topic back to what she originally had asked, “why the pill now if you don’t have a boyfriend.”

Haley looked up at the ceiling as she answered softly. “There’s a guy– no we’re not dating– he’s just there and I like him.” She sat up on her elbows. “I just wanna be prepared, Lennox, you know.”

Lennox nodded her head in understanding. She knew Haley was a smart girl and she was showing that in wanting to be prepared but there was one thing that was bothering her about it. “Haley, I hope you know that when–if you guys start dating that you don’t have to have sex with him right away just so he...” she trailed off when she saw Haley’s amused look. “What?”

“You’re just, I don’t know, I can see why Caleb loves you,” she shrugged her shoulders, “but I know what you’re saying, and this guy, he’s different– he’s a bit older– but I’ve known him for a bit... nothing probably will come of it though for many reasons.” Her tone was suddenly sullen and her face fell as she looked away from Lennox.

“Hales–”

“It’s cool, but will you take me?” she asked almost pleadingly.

“I’m off on weekends but I’m usually with Caleb– unless you have a free day coming up, then I could get off early or something,” she suggested, patting Haley’s arms.

“I have next Friday off. Will that work?” she asked, her face brightening.

Lennox smiled, “That’ll work, but don’t tell Caleb. I don’t think he’d like it too much.”

Haley cocked her head to the side. “Yeah, I’m going to tell my brother that his girlfriend is taking his baby sister to get birth control. I’d like to not die a virgin thank you very much,” she said matter-of-factly.

“Point taken,” Lennox chuckled, hesitating as she started to move off the bed, “Who is it anyways?”

“What?”

“The guy you clearly like a lot.”

Haley’s face dimmed before she quickly recovered, “Oh, um... he’s... um... doesn’t matter, I don’t think you’d know him anyways,” she stumbled over her words and it made Lennox curious and sensing she was keeping something to herself.

“Is it a guy from school?” she questioned.

“No, not really–he’s kinda outta school now– but we should get down stairs before her majesty beckons for us,” Haley said in a rush then hopped off the bed, making her way to the door.

Lennox didn’t push the subject anymore and just nodded and followed her out of the room and back down stairs. She’d never seen Haley like that before; she was usually so lively and optimistic, her eyes always shining with happiness, even in her text messages it was obvious, but sitting there in her room with her, there was a different side to her; one more closed off and vulnerable, a side Lennox wasn’t sure she liked so much.

Haley turned her head over her shoulder, smirking at her as she said, “Let the fun begin.” She winked before they joined Caleb and their parents in the dining room.

“Ah, there you two are,” Caleb’s mom, Johanna said as she stood and looked between the two. “I was about to send Cal to get you– Hi Lennox– dinner’s ready.” Caleb’s parents lead the way into the dining room as Caleb took Lennox’s hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze as they followed behind.

Caleb pulled the chair out for Lennox, sliding it in as everyone sat down at the table that was covered with plates and trays of food. “Everything looks great, Mr. and Mrs. Kingston,” Lennox said with a smile as she looked over the food in front of her.

“Thank you, dear,” Johanna said with a tight smile, looking at her then to Caleb with a stony look in her eye.

“So, Lennox,” Caleb’s dad, William began as he started filling his plate with food, “How’s your mom and dad doing?”

Taking the plate of steamed vegetables Caleb handed her, she said, “They’re really well. Dad just got back a few days ago from Fort McKay, I believe.”

Johanna looked at Lennox with an unreadable face as she chewed on her mouthful of food, in thought of what she wanted to say next, “So,” she swallowed, her fork poking at the chicken on her plate, “Jason– your dad– he does what exactly, it slipped my mind.”