Take it All (Blinded by Love) (29 page)

“Well, yeah,” she said, unsure of what to say, “he just came across as a one girl kinda guy, you know.”

“Either that or he has shitty luck with girls,” he said as he put the car in drive and pulled away from the curb, turning his hand over for Lennox to take.

She intertwined her fingers with his as she asked, “Hmm... don’t you ever ask him?”

“Why would I do that?” he asked mindlessly.

Lennox reeled back in her seat, “I don’t know. It’s just an idea but maybe because he’s your
best friend
.” Her tone was laced with sarcasm as she looked at him dumbfounded.

“Babe, we’re guys, we don’t do touchy feely bullshit like that.” He let go of her hand and grabbed a smoke from his pack in the cup holder and placed it between his lips and lit it. “Most we touch on in the chick department is who he banged,” he said blowing out the rest of the smoke he inhaled.

“Maybe I’ll find him a girlfriend; Tatum’s single, and thinks he’s hot,” she said nonchalantly, looking at him from the corner of her eye to see him whip his head in her direction and look at her like she just asked him what color the sky was.

“No fucking way.”

“What? Why not?”

Caleb turned to her, blowing smoke out the corner of his lips, “Do I really need to list the reasons why?”

“What would be so wrong with setting them up?”

“How do I say this without hurting your feelings,” he said almost to himself, “Tate’s... fucked. She’s crazy and isn’t his type.”

“Hey she’s not...” she trailed off unable to disagree with him, “she could be his type,” she finally challenged.

Caleb’s head fell back against his seat as he laughed. “See, even you can’t deny it, and no, he may bring home girls who are bitchy and nag and a whole lot more but…” he trailed off, thinking.

“But what?” she asked, reclaiming his hand with hers.

“Dove, Emerson’s my best friend and he deserves the best,” he paused a moment, squeezing her hand, “someone like you.”

Lennox smiled, “So you wanna share me with your best friend, is that what you’re saying?” she asked teasingly, throwing her head back in laughter at the icy glare Caleb tossed her way. “I was kidding,” she tried saying between her laughing, “baby, I was
kidding
.”

Caleb shook his head as he turned the car into a parking lot that was full of different fast food shops and restaurants. “Em need’s a girl like... Londyn, that’s more his type.”

“If only she wasn’t dating Jeremy,” she thought out loud, then started to imagine Londyn and Emerson as a couple, “but they would be an adorable couple,” she agreed.

“Okay enough with Emerson’s love life; let’s go eat then head to Ty’s.” Caleb put the car in park in front of a sub place then hopped out and waited for Lennox before they walked in hand in hand.

“So,” Caleb began, as he swallowed the mouthful he had, “my mom called me this morning, they want us for dinner tomorrow night, you cool with that?”

Lennox chewed her mouthful of turkey sub then took a sip of her bottled water and answered nervously, “Uh, sure, why not.”

“Don’t worry, it’s just dinner,” he told her sensing her nervousness. “I’m required to go every Sunday; we’ll be there for six thirty and back to my place by eight,” he promised.

“Okay, can’t be that bad,” she said, taking another sip and seeing the look of doubt on his face, “can it?”

“The thing with my parents is, they’ll probably grill you and make you feel small about everything you’ve done in your life.” He ran his hand over his jaw, scratching around the stubble. “Wouldn’t doubt it if they include me in that also.”

Lennox looked at him flabbergasted as her hand twirled the cap to her water on the table between her fingers. “Seriously?” she asked, unable to believe any parent would do that to their child.

“There’s a lot you don’t know about them, and as much as I want to tell you, I can’t– not here anyways,” he said, crumpling up his sub wrapper and taking a pull from his pop. “Ready to head?”

Lennox crumpled up her wrapper and placed her garbage on the tray Caleb had waiting to dump in the trash. She tightened the lid on her water and stood up from their table then followed him to the trash can that was by the door. Upon tossing their trash he reached out and pushed the door open for Lennox, “After you, beautiful,” he grinned as she walked passed him out the door.

As Lennox climbed into the front seat her mind went directly on what their night was going to be like. When she saw Caleb doing cocaine, Ty and Kassie were right there next him, most likely not just to keep him company. Everything now seemed different, not with her and Caleb, but the world in general; it seemed more dark and unknown to her now. He was about to introduce her to what his world was like and surprisingly enough she had no objections, other than having no idea what she was getting herself into. Other than earlier, she and Caleb hadn’t talked anything else over. She wasn’t sure what else there was to say but in some ways it seemed too big of a deal to just leave it alone but that thought fizzled as Caleb grabbed her hand and brushed his lips over her knuckles.

“You’re thinking too hard.”

Lennox looked from her window over to see Caleb grinning at her, “How’d you know?”

“Dove, you bite your lips for two reasons; one you’re nervous or two your mind is spinning in that head of yours as you over think,” he said, looking at the road with a smug grin spread across his face. “So tell me what’s got you looking so serious.”

Lennox turned her head to look out the window, paying attention to where they were going as they drove along the highway heading east. “Ty and Kassie, have you known them long?” she asked nonchalantly, her head turned, looking out the window as if she was distracted by something.

“‘bout a year, year and a half, why?”

“Oh, just wondering, that’s all.”

Lennox could see Caleb nod his head slowly from the corner of her eye as they continued on the highway then came to a right turn that lead to a side road which Caleb took. “Who–” she started only to abruptly stop, unsure if she wanted to ask.

Caleb looked over at her, tilting his head to the side, “Who what?”

“Never mind, it’s nothing.”

“Dove, I can tell it’s not nothing.”

Lennox bit her lip, cursing herself for even saying anything in the first place, but knew there wasn’t a way to avoid it. “I was just going to ask, um... who those other guys were that were with you last night?” she asked, her stomach flipping with nerves unsure if she wanted to know.

Lennox, who had turned to look at Caleb, watched as his hand tightened on the wheel before he let go of her hand and took the wheel with it, running his other hand through his hair, “The one with the tattoo on his neck, short hair, that’s Andrew, also known as Snake, he’s... my dealer and the guys with him are part of his crew.”

Her mouth rounded as she barely audible, said, “Oh.”

“Yep.”

“So he’s not your boss at the shop then?

“No, not at the shop.”

“So, is he like your... drug boss then or a friend or something like that?”

Caleb’s head turned in her direction; his stare was chillingly icy and his face solid like stone. “Not friends, Lennox. He’s not someone you become friends with. Sure he may seem like that but it’s strictly business with him. He’s not a guy you wanna cross or owe money too,” he said firmly. “He’s just my dealer.”

“Okay, sorry, I just... this... I don’t understand it. I don’t know how it works or anything,” she said, wound up, feeling like an idiot for trying to talk to him about something she clearly didn’t understand.

Caleb’s face softened and he reached across and took her hand in his, tightly. “No, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean too, I just... “ he took a breath trying to find his words, “there isn’t much to tell you babe, other than, I buy my shit from Andrew and when I sell it, I only sell to friends or people I know.”

“Okay,” she said, understanding, “Andrew isn’t a good guy. Is he dangerous?”

Caleb nodded his head. “He may seem like a good guy, but he’s not. I’ve been around when someone crossed him or doesn’t pay back what they owe and... it’s not pretty,” he said, his voice tight and unwavering.

“You don’t... I mean, you don’t owe him anything, do you?” Lennox asked, her stomach clenching with nausea.

Caleb didn’t look at her when he answered, “Don’t worry, babe.”

She nodded as he kissed the tops of her knuckles as they continued down the road and turned off left heading down a gravel road. There was nothing around them except trees, farm houses, and wide open fields covered in snow. The sky was dark and clouding over; the stars weren’t given a chance to twinkle down on them as there was only a faint light left behind from the sun that was no longer visible. Lennox watched out her window as Caleb slowed down as they came up to the third right turn then turned into a long and narrow driveway and followed it up until they parked next to a dark Honda. Lennox felt sick with nerves as she had no idea what to expect when they walked into the house in front of them, but she pushed the feeling aside and told herself everything would be fine.

Lennox threw her door open at the same time as Caleb and got out of the car, only grabbing her cell phone and leaving her purse behind. Slamming the door she hurried over to Caleb and took his hand as he locked the car then headed up the pathway that lead to a two step deck where the side door was. She looked around the place, taking in as much as she could in the dark just in case something were to happen but she had no idea where they were and she didn’t exactly remember how they got there.

Caleb knocked on the door loudly three times then opened the door when he heard a voice that belonged to Ty holler, “Come in.”

He turned the handle but before he pushed open the door, he turned and looked at Lennox, and said, “You get uncomfortable or anything, you say the word and we’ll go.”

She nodded, “Okay.”

“I mean it; say the word and we’ll go.” His voice was firm as he waited for her to again acknowledge what he had said before he turned the knob and pushed open the door.

They walked into a large, open room with a closet on each side. Straight ahead a couple of feet were steps that led into the brightly lit living room with a large flat screen television that was playing music videos. Lennox slipped off her chucks, and then still gripping Caleb’s hand, followed him into the living room that was empty. “Ty, where you at man?” Caleb called as he looked around, “Nice place, eh.”

“Yeah, it’s very bright... and white,” she agreed as she looked around. The walls were white, very white and the light bounced off them and illuminated the room like the sun. There was a large window to her right that took up a great deal of the wall and looked out back into an open field that was only visible due to the moon shining bright in the sky. Also to her right and up two steps was a dining room and off to the side was what she assumed was the kitchen; both were in absolute darkness. Over all it was a nice house that showcased whoever owned it took pride in it and also had the money to put in every fine detail of the decorations that covered the walls and shelves, as well as the furniture.

“Yo, sorry guys,” Ty said, skipping the step and walking into the living room, his light blonde hair wet and messed all over the place, “just caught me hopping outta the shower. Hey Lennox.”

“Hey Ty.”

“No worries,” Caleb told him as they bumped fists, “Kass not here?”

“No she is,” a crooked grin spread over his lips, “she’s getting dressed.”

Caleb chuckled as he tossed his keys down on the coffee table that was in front of the couch they were standing by then turned to Lennox, “You can take your coat off if you want, babe,” he said smiling. “You didn’t happen to grab my smokes did you?”

“No, was I supposed to?” she asked, her brows creased as she shrugged her coat off.

“No, just thought I’d ask.” He swiped his keys off the table. “Be right back.” He hurried out of the room then slid his shoes on and left the house.

“Thirsty? Want a drink?” Ty asked as he turned and headed up into the kitchen.

Lennox’s eyes moved from the door Caleb left through to the backside of Ty as he walked up the steps. “Yeah, please, what do you have?”

“Alcohol or no alcohol?”

“No alcohol.”

“I got regular and diet pop, water, juice, tea; I can make coffee if you want,” he called over his shoulder.

“Diet whatever you have is fine,” she said, turning to the front door when she heard it open and Caleb walked in with his smokes and lighter in his hands. “Want something to drink?”

“Yeah,” he said tossing his things on the table, “Yo, you got any So-Co?”

Ty looked around the corner, the fridge light lighting up the kitchen as he grinned, “Knew you were coming so I bought a bottle today. You want it with seven?”

“Yeah, man.”

“Looks like I’m driving home,” Lennox announced.

“I’ll be fine to–”

She shook her head, “No.” It was final and she didn’t want to hear another thing about it.

He raised his hands in front of him, “Okay, I’ll let you drive home,” he said, finishing with a small chuckle.

Lennox looked at him with raised eyebrows, “I wasn’t asking for permission, I was telling you,” she said, walking past him and taking a seat on the couch as she dug through her coat pocket for her cellphone, checking it for messages only to find nothing.

Caleb sat next to her and handed her a can of diet pop and leaned over and brushed his lips across her cheek, “Love you,” he whispered.

Taking the can she looked at him and smirked, “I know,” she said then took a sip of her pop, seeing him from the corner of her eye watching her with eyes full of humour as he shook his head and sipped his drink.

“Hey guys,” Kassie said, waving as she came into the living room with her dark red hair pulled back and knotted in a wet bun on the top of her head, “Where’s Ty?”

“Hey Kass, he’s in the kitchen getting drinks,” Caleb told her as he sipped his drink then placed his glass on the table in front of him then sat back against the couch, his hand sliding to the side and resting on Lennox’s thigh.

“Baby,” Kassie called and waited.