Casual Sabotage

Chapter Twenty

After diverting back home to change into some clean clothes, I was just as quickly back on the road and heading for the airport. Caleb had texted me saying that his plane was just taking off and that he couldn't wait to see me. Now, don't get me wrong, I had had the best time with Brian in Caleb's absence, but I knew in my heart that this was the right thing to do. I couldn't keep this affair up any longer. As Brian had always said, he had his chance. Maybe we were never meant to be more than lustful partners after all. A heavy sigh fell from my lips when one of his favourite songs came on the radio.

"I get it," I spoke aloud to myself. "I hear you, Brian. I was going to regret whatever decision I made."

Changing stations, I was nearing the airport as I joined the back of a long line of cars waiting to turn into the parking lot. I rolled my window down and looked out at the clear blue skies above me, spotting a plane come soaring through the clouds and readying for landing. It was probably Caleb's flight arriving, which would be perfect timing.

Ten minutes later, I had parked up my car and was heading through into the airport itself, being met with calls for departures and crowds of people all over the place. The airport was bustling with life as I made my way through the building to the arrivals section. There were a few others stood by the double doors when I found my place front and centre, feeling a little flutter in my heart at the thought of my boyfriend walking through those doors any moment now.

Peering up to the flight information screen, I could see that his plane had landed on time and was already unloaded. I composed myself and brushed a hand over my hair to make sure nothing was sticking up. Pretty soon, a number of people were entering the airport through the doors. I kept my focus and eyed every person that arrived and either departing in their own company or meeting with groups behind me. The more people that came flowing through, the more I was beginning to worry when Caleb still hadn't shown.

I pulled my phone out of my pocket, typing out a message to him to check that he was safe, when I heard a clearing of the throat from in front of me. Returning my phone and raising my head, I came face to face with my boyfriend as both of our faces lit up with excitement. I opened my arms up and was quick to wrap Caleb up in a massive bear-hug, squeezing him tightly and dotting kisses to his cheek.

"Hey, hey," He laughed, forcing himself out of my embrace. "I missed you too, Sal."

"I'm so glad to have you back." I smiled at him, taking one of his cases from his hands to assist him back to the car.

"Have you been alone this whole time?" He wondered, looking at me with concern.

"Not the whole time." I admitted. "I invited some friends over the other night, but that was it."

"You should have had them over more often by the sounds of it." Caleb acknowledged.

"I just wanted your company, if I'm honest." I shrugged, receiving an appreciative nudge to my side from the man. "So, how was your trip?"

"Oh, it was so awesome!" He explained extatically. "One of these days I have got to take you to Idaho and show you around."

"I would love that." I commented back, leading Caleb back to the car.

Once there, we loaded up the trunk with his baggage and climbed into our respected seats. I clicked my seatbelt into place before firing up the engine and pretty soon we were on our way back to our apartment. The whole ride home Caleb told me all about his time away.

"Yellowstone National Park was as beautiful as ever." He smiled while I kept my focus on the road ahead.

Removing one hand from the steering wheel, I let it settle at his thigh to show that I was listening to him. "Oh, and on one day we drove all the way down to see Idaho falls! I have so many photos to show you, Sal."

"I can't wait to see them, Baby." I returned, giving his leg a comforting squeeze.

We still had a fair distance to go before we would be back home, so I suggested to Caleb to rest if he needed to. I knew how tiring travelling could be sometimes. "Sleep if you want to, I can see that you're tired."

"Thanks, Sal...I might do." Caleb appreciated. "I've been awake since God knows what time this morning packing up and saying my goodbyes."

"It must be pretty hard saying goodbye to your family every time." I considered.

"So hard." Caleb sighed, smiling sadly. "Probably the next time that I fly out there, Ryder is going to be taller than me with a full-grown beard and all."

He laughed gently to himself. "He's growing up so fast."

"I can imagine." I replied, lowering the volume to the radio. "Go on, get some sleep. We'll be home soon."

Caleb nodded his head and leaned across to press a kiss to my cheek, before wrapping himself up harder into his hoodie and resting his head against the window. He was practically out like a light within moments as I took quick glances at him every chance that I could, smiling to myself. Deep down inside, however, I could feel my heart being torn in two completely different directions. I felt like I was going to be forever weighing up my options until I committed to a final decision.

"If only you knew, Cal." I whispered to myself, looking across at my boyfriend sorrowfully.

Once back home and unpacked, Caleb threw himself down next to me on the couch, curling an arm around my shoulders. He nestled his face into the curve of my neck, pressing light kisses to my skin. I pulled him into my lap so that he was sat across my body with his arms looped around my neck. One arm curled around his back while the other hand gently caressed up and down his thigh.

The TV was rattling away to itself, showing the same repeated episodes of Friends as Caleb and I cuddled up together and watched, springing the occasional kiss to each other's lips. I must admit, it was nice to have his company back in the apartment, but I still had trouble shaking the thought of Brian from my mind. Why was I still so hung up on him?

"How about we take this further?" Caleb asked in hushed tones, touching his hands over my shoulders and down my front. "Let me show you just how much I've missed you."

I groaned with satisfaction and rested my head back against the sofa, smiling at him. "I take that as a yes?"

"More than ever." I accepted his invitation, breaking my embrace from him as Caleb clambered from my lap and was quick to pull me up with him.