In Her Sleep

Magical Sunset

"I think Simon is following her." Caleb speaks quietly as he gets the first bag out of the car. They just reached the lakehouse and he and Darren have stayed back to unpack while the girls have gone inside. He couldn't wait to let Darren know what is going on after bumping into Simon.

"Are you sure?" Darren asks, shocked.

"Am sure of it. It's not a coincidence that he happened to be at the mall the same time we were."

"Wait, he was at the mall? Is that the reason she…"

"Yeah, I just didn't want to worry you guys. You know how Janice gets, especially when the kids are involved."

"I get it man. What are you going to do about it?" Darren looks at him thoughtfully.

"I don't know yet. But I won't let history repeat itself." Caleb replies as he gets the last bag out of the car.

"You don't think that he would…"

"I won't risk it. I won't let it get that far." He cuts Darren off.
"Especially that there is history between them. Damn it!" His fist connects with the hood of the car.

"Cool down man. We'll figure this out together hmmm?" Darren pats his back and he just nods.

He is not sure he will remain calm for long though. It's not one of his strong suits when people who are close to him are being threatened. And Simon did more than threaten Layla today. When he found her trapped in his hold unable to get out, It literally took everything in him to keep his cool when all he wanted was to beat the hell out of him.

"Did you find anything more about her family?" He asks Darren after a moment.

"Not yet, why?"

"Because I think something weird is going on there too. Am yet to ask her what really happened back at the mall but she says she saw her mother again." He looks up at his friend thoughtfully. 

"But that doesn't make any sense." Says Darren.

"I know and the jerk wants to convince her that she's got a few screws loose." Caleb's words drip with spite.

"How convenient." Darren sneers.

"Glad you get my point." Caleb sighs feeling tired all of a sudden. 

"But are you sure she is you know...alright?" Darren asks, looking apologetic.

"Of course she is. You know me, if I even thought there was a hint of what Simon suspects, I would have gotten her help already." Caleb answers with confidence. He has had some time to study her without her knowing and he has no reason to think there is any truth in what Simon is insinuating. 

"I'm sorry, my bad. But you know I had to ask right?" Darren looks at him with a sorry look.

"Of course. Aren't you determined to keep my butt out of trouble?" Caleb smirks.

"Damn right about that, especially now that you are totally whipped." Darren says amused. 

"Yeah, didn't see that one coming either." Caleb runs his fingers in his hair nervously, making Darren laugh.

"She's good for you." Darren suddenly says with a smile.

"You think so?" Caleb looks over at his friend surprised at his words. He is not one to easily give him a green light on his choices, but he is doing it again on Layla.

"I know so" Darren replies.
"Now let's get this stuff in there before I end up sleeping on the couch." Darren says and they both burst out laughing.