A Tough Choice

Chapter Sixty

"Did you get a dress?" Ethan asked as soon as I stepped indoors.

"I've ordered one." I said quietly.

He smiled at me happily.

"I made some calls and have booked a date in December." he stated.

"That gives us a few months to organise everything." I agreed.

"The officiant and the flights are booked." he told me.

"Cool." I said quietly.

"Oh by the way I got a call from work while you were out and they have asked me to work tonight." he said sadly.

"Okay that's fine." I said as I made a sandwich.

"At least you'll have Kirstie to keep you company." he pointed out.

"Yeah I'll be fine." I reassured him.

"What time do you have to leave?" I added.

"Soon." he said sadly.

"Go get changed then." I said quietly.

"I won't take long." he smiled.

"Where's Ethan gone?" Kirstie asked as she entered the room.

"To get ready for work, he's been called in." I told her.

"Ooooh good job I brought some chic flics, we can have a girls night." she said excitedly.

"Sounds good." I smiled, her excitement was infectious.

I looked up as Ethan came downstairs.

"I'd better head off." he said quietly.

"Have fun." I said as he hugged me tightly.

"You okay?" he whispered in my ear so that Kirstie couldn't hear.

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" I said quietly.

"You don't seem yourself lately." he whispered.

I sighed and held him tighter, I didn't want him to let go.

"Well talk later." he whispered as he let go of me.

I smiled at him as waved at me before leaving.

"Right I'll make some popcorn." Kirstie squealed.

"We don't have any." I grinned.

"Aww come on!" she complained.

"Ethan likes to eat healthily." I told her.

"That's boring." she said.

"The joys of living with a doctor." I smiled.

I looked up as I heard the phone ringing and made my way along the hall to answer it.

"Hello." I said quietly.

"Hey." Caleb said.

"I wanted to see how you are doing?" he asked.

"I'm getting there." I said quietly. I knew that Kirstie could hear every word I was saying.

"Sorry that I haven't been round to see you." he stated.

"I don't need babysitting." I chuckled.

"Is she still there?" he asked nervously.

"Yes." I said. I knew instantly who he meant.

"I guess I'll have to wait and see you at work then." he said, a strange edge to his voice.

"You okay?" I asked him.

"I really love Taylor she means a lot to me and I want to do right by her." he blurted.

"That was random." I chuckled.

"I just thought you should know...." his voice trailed off.

"Okay." I said frowning.

"I have to go." he sighed.

"Just know that I'm sorry." he added.

"Sorry for what?" I asked him.

"Bye Emma." he whispered.

"Caleb!" I protested.

It was too late, I heard the dial tone as he hung up.

"Damn it." I muttered as I placed the phone back on the hook.

I couldn't understand why he was acting so strange. His tone wasn't one I recognised, he seemed sad about something. It wasn't like him to just hang up, and what did he mean he was sorry. What did he have to be sorry for?

"Was that Cal?" Kirstie asked.

"Yeah he...." I started.

"Wait a minute 'Cal', only Ethan calls him Cal?" I questioned.

She shrugged and looked away from me.

"You must know him well." I prompted.

"Yeah unfortunately." she said quietly.

"What does that mean?" I frowned.

"Put it this way, he's not as nice as he makes out." she sighed.

"Are we watching this movie or not?" she added shortly, clearly trying to change the subject.

"I guess." I sighed and followed her to the lounge.

After watching some movies with Kirstie, I climbed into bed and stared at the ceiling. My brain was spinning, I couldn't stop thinking about what Kirstie had said. How did she know Caleb? What had happened between them? What did she mean about him not being as nice as he made out?

He had acted really strange on the phone, I couldn't help but wonder what was going on. I sighed and switched off the light.

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I jumped as my alarm went off. I quickly climbed out of bed and dressed.

"Hey." Ethan said as he entered the room.

"Hi, how was your shift?" I asked.

"Long." he yawned.

I smiled at him.

"I have to go." I said as I picked up my bag.

"I hope you've warmed the bed up for me." he grinned.

"See you later." I called as I walked away.

I ran downstairs and grabbed a banana from the kitchen.

"Emma!" I heard Ethan call, a note of panic in his voice.

I knew instantly that something was wrong, I turned and ran back upstairs.