Weight of The Untold

Chapter 29

"Kyla!"

Caleb shouted my name, sharp and panicked, and I jolted so hard my heart slammed against my ribs. I spun around, heat rushing to my face, while the foreign woman on top of him only laughed-soft, amused-like this was all mildly entertaining.

"I'm so sorry," I blurted, words tripping over each other. "I didn't know you had company."

Damn it.

I squeezed my eyes shut, but the image burned anyway-Caleb sprawled back against the pillows, a woman straddling him, intimate enough that it felt illegal to witness. They weren't naked. That almost made it worse.

What if I'd walked in a minute later?

Oh no. Oh no, no, no.

"Kyla, why didn't you knock?" Caleb asked, dragging a hand down his face.

"I did," I rushed. "Twice. You didn't answer. You didn't tell me to go away."

He groaned, irritation flickering across his features. "I'm sorry."

"Baby, come on," the woman said gently, brushing it off like nothing. "She didn't mean to. Besides, she didn't see anything."

Baby?

I froze.

Caleb has a girlfriend?

"Kid, you can turn around now," he said with a heavy sigh.

I did-slowly-and when I faced them again, they were sitting properly on the bed, composed, like my heart hadn't just fallen out of my chest.

"Hi," the woman said warmly as she stood. "I'm Ari. I already know you're Kyla."

She offered her hand. I shook it, still stunned.

"Yeah. I'm Kyla."

Caleb snickered, shaking his head like he found this whole thing funny. I forced a small laugh.

"I actually came to check if you're okay," I said. "You were late for breakfast. You're never late."

"How did you even know I was home?" he asked.

I shot him a look. "Brie saw your car outside. Duh."

They both laughed.

"So you thought your brother overslept?" Ari teased.

"At first I thought he was sick," I admitted. "Then I heard him laughing and figured he was on the phone."

"That explains why you let yourself in," she giggled, returning to sit on the bed.

"I should probably go," I muttered.

"It's fine, Kid," Caleb said. "We'll join you. Just give us a sec."

I smiled, nodded, and escaped.

-

Back in the dining room, I finally sat down and started eating. The food was still warm-thank God. Cold food was a crime.

"I'm sorry, Kyla," Brie said softly. "Is Mr. Caleb coming, or will you be having breakfast alone?"

"He's coming," I said with a small laugh. "Please add an extra plate. We have a guest. And maybe warm the food again-they're taking their time."

She frowned. "I thought Zach left early. I saw him drive out."

"Zach isn't a guest," I replied calmly. "And I'm not talking about him. I'm talking about Caleb's girlfriend."

Her hand flew to her mouth. "He has a girlfriend?" she whispered, sliding into the chair beside me.

"Apparently," I said. "So hurry. I hear giggles and footsteps."